{"id":"BILL-r7474","name":"Appropriation (Fuel Security Response) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026","slug":"appropriation-fuel-security-response-bill-no-1-2025-2026","collection":"bill","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":446062,"registerId":"commonwealth-BILL-r7474-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-05-05","status":"royal_assent","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0001","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 1","content":"# Appropriation (Fuel Security Response) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026\n\nSource: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7474\n\n## Parliamentary progress\n\nProgress\n\nHouse of Representatives\n\nIntroduced and read a first time\n\n30 Mar 2026\n\nSecond reading moved\n\n30 Mar 2026\n\nSecond reading debate\n\n30 Mar 2026\n\nSecond reading agreed to\n\n30 Mar 2026\n\nThird reading agreed to\n\n30 Mar 2026\n\nSenate\n\nIntroduced and read a first time\n\n01 Apr 2026\n\nSecond reading moved\n\n01 Apr 2026\n\nSecond reading agreed to\n\n01 Apr 2026\n\nThird reading agreed to\n\n01 Apr 2026\n\nFinally passed both Houses\n\n01 Apr 2026\n\nAssent\n\nAct no: 23\n\nYear: 2026\n\n01 Apr 2026\n\n## Notes\n\nDocuments and transcripts\n\nText of bill\n\nFirst reading\n\nAs passed by both Houses\n\nExplanatory memoranda\n\nExplanatory memorandum\n\nProposed amendments\n\nSenate\n\n2R - Jacqui Lambie Network [sheet 3753]\n\nLAMBIE, Sen Jacqui\n\nSchedules of amendments\n\nNo documents at present\nNotes\n\nAn electronic version of this Act is available on the Federal Register of Legislation (www.legislation.gov.au)\n\n## Official APH document links\n\n- First reading: https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbills%2Fr7474_first-reps%2F0000%22;rec=0\n- As passed by both Houses: https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:%22legislation/bills/r7474_aspassed/0000%22\n- Explanatory memorandum: https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fems%2Fr7474_ems_8e41c2d2-58eb-418f-9627-3f31ad0a2cc7%22\n- LAMBIE, Sen Jacqui: https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=250026\n- www.legislation.gov.au: https://www.legislation.gov.au\n\n## Enacted Act text\n\nSource: https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026A00023/latest/text\n\nAppropriation (Fuel Security Response) Act (No. 1) 2025‑2026\n\nNo. 23, 2026\n\nAn Act to appropriate additional money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the ordinary annual services of the Government for the purposes of responding to circumstances relating to the Fuel Security Response, and for related purposes\n\nContents\n\nPart 1,Preliminary\t2\n\n1\tShort title\t2\n\n2\tCommencement\t2\n\n3\tDefinitions\t2\n\n4\tPortfolio statements\t4\n\n5\tNotional transactions between entities that are part of the Commonwealth\t4\n\nPart 2,Appropriation items\t5\n\n6\tSummary of appropriations\t5\n\n7\tDepartmental items\t5\n\n8\tAdministered items\t5\n\n9\tCorporate entity items\t5\n\nPart 3,Advance to the Finance Minister\t7\n\n10\tAdvance to the Finance Minister\t7\n\nPart 4,Miscellaneous\t8\n\n11\tCrediting amounts to special accounts\t8\n\n12\tAppropriation of the Consolidated Revenue Fund\t8\n\n13\tRepeal of this Act\t8\n\nSchedule 1,Services for which money is appropriated\t9\n\nAppropriation (Fuel Security Response) Act (No. 1) 2025-2026\n\nNo. 23, 2026\n\nAn Act to appropriate additional money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the ordinary annual services of the Government for the purposes of responding to circumstances relating to the Fuel Security Response, and for related purposes\n\n[Assented to 1 April 2026]\n\nThe Parliament of Australia enacts:\n\nPart 1,Preliminary\n\n1 Short title\n\nThis Act is the Appropriation (Fuel Security Response) Act (No. 1) 2025‑2026.\n\n2 Commencement\n\n(1)\tEach provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.\n\nCommencement information\n\nColumn 1\n\nColumn 2\n\nColumn 3\n\nProvisions\n\nCommencement\n\nDate/Details\n\n1. The whole of this Act\n\nThe day this Act receives the Royal Assent.\n\n1 April 2026\n\nNote:\tThis table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this Act.\n\n(2)\tAny information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this Act.\n\n3 Definitions\n\nIn this Act:\n\nadministered item means an amount set out in Schedule 1 opposite an outcome for a non‑corporate entity under the heading “Administered”.\n\ncorporate entity means:\n\n(a)\ta corporate Commonwealth entity within the meaning of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013; or\n\n(b)\ta Commonwealth company within the meaning of that Act.\n\ncorporate entity item means the total amount set out in Schedule 1 in relation to a corporate entity under the heading “Administered”.\n\nNote:\tThe amounts set out opposite outcomes for corporate entities, under the heading “Administered”, are “notional”. They are not part of the item, and do not in any way restrict the scope of the expenditure authorised by the item.\n\ncurrent year means the financial year ending on 30 June 2026.\n\ndepartmental item means the total amount set out in Schedule 1 in relation to a non‑corporate entity under the heading “Departmental”.\n\nNote:\tThe amounts set out opposite outcomes, under the heading “Departmental”, are “notional”. They are not part of the item, and do not in any way restrict the scope of the expenditure authorised by the item.\n\nexpenditure means payments for expenses, acquiring assets, making loans or paying liabilities.\n\nFinance Minister means the Minister administering this Act.\n\nitem means any of the following:\n\n(a)\tan administered item;\n\n(b)\ta corporate entity item;\n\n(c)\ta departmental item.\n\nnon‑corporate entity means:\n\n(a)\ta non‑corporate Commonwealth entity within the meaning of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013; or\n\n(b)\tthe High Court.\n\nPortfolio Additional Estimates Statements means the Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements that were tabled in the Senate or the House of Representatives in relation to the Bill for the Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2025‑2026 and the Bill for the Appropriation Act (No. 4) 2025‑2026.\n\nPortfolio Budget Statements means the Portfolio Budget Statements that were tabled in the Senate or the House of Representatives in relation to the Bill for the Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2025‑2026 and the Bill for the Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2025‑2026.\n\nportfolio statements means:\n\n(a)\tthe Portfolio Budget Statements; and\n\n(b)\tthe Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.\n\nspecial account has the same meaning as in the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.\n\n4 Portfolio statements\n\nThe portfolio statements are declared to be relevant documents for the purposes of section 15AB of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.\n\nNote:\tSee paragraph 15AB(2)(g) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 which provides that the material that may be considered in the interpretation of a provision of an Act includes any document that is declared by the Act to be a relevant document.\n\n5 Notional transactions between entities that are part of the Commonwealth\n\nFor the purposes of this Act, notional transactions between non‑corporate entities are to be treated as if they were real transactions.\n\nNote:\tThis section applies, for example, to a “payment” between non‑corporate entities that are both part of the Commonwealth. One of the effects of this section is that the payment will be debited from an appropriation for the paying non‑corporate entity, even though no payment is actually made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This is consistent with section 76 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.\n\nPart 2,Appropriation items\n\n6 Summary of appropriations\n\nThe total of the items specified in Schedule 1 is nil.\n\nNote 1:\tItems in Schedule 1 can be adjusted under Part 3 of this Act.\n\nNote 2:\tSections 74 to 75 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 also provide for the adjustment of amounts appropriated by this Act.\n\n7 Departmental items\n\nThe amount specified in a departmental item for a non‑corporate entity may be applied for the departmental expenditure of the entity.\n\n8 Administered items\n\n(1)\tThe amount specified in an administered item for an outcome for a non‑corporate entity may be applied for expenditure for the purpose of contributing to achieving that outcome.\n\n(2)\tIf the portfolio statements indicate that activities of a particular kind were intended to be treated as activities in respect of a particular outcome, then expenditure for the purpose of carrying out those activities is taken to be expenditure for the purpose of contributing to achieving the outcome.\n\n9 Corporate entity items\n\n(1)\tThe amount specified in a corporate entity item for a corporate entity may be paid to the entity to be applied for the purposes of the entity.\n\n(2)\tIf:\n\n(a)\tan Act provides that a corporate entity must be paid amounts that are appropriated by the Parliament for the purposes of the entity; and\n\n(b)\tSchedule 1 contains a corporate entity item for that entity;\n\nthen the entity must be paid the full amount specified in the item.\n\nPart 3,Advance to the Finance Minister\n\n10 Advance to the Finance Minister\n\n(1)\tThis section applies if the Finance Minister is satisfied that there is an urgent need for expenditure, in the current year, that is not provided for, or is insufficiently provided for, in Schedule 1:\n\n(a)\tbecause of an erroneous omission or understatement; or\n\n(b)\tbecause the expenditure was unforeseen until after the last day on which it was practicable to provide for it in the Bill for this Act before that Bill was introduced into the House of Representatives.\n\n(2)\tThis Act has effect as if Schedule 1 were amended, in accordance with a determination of the Finance Minister, to make provision for so much (if any) of the expenditure as the Finance Minister determines.\n\n(3)\tA determination made under subsection (2) must relate to expenditure for the purposes of responding to circumstances relating to fuel security.\n\n(4)\tThe total of the amounts determined under subsection (2) cannot be more than $800 million.\n\n(5)\tA determination made under subsection (2) is a legislative instrument, but neither section 42 (disallowance) nor Part 4 of Chapter 3 (sunsetting) of the Legislation Act 2003 applies to the determination.\n\nPart 4,Miscellaneous\n\n11 Crediting amounts to special accounts\n\nIf any of the purposes of a special account is a purpose that is covered by an item (whether or not the item expressly refers to the special account), then amounts may be debited against the appropriation for that item and credited to that special account.\n\n12 Appropriation of the Consolidated Revenue Fund\n\nThe Consolidated Revenue Fund is appropriated as necessary for the purposes of this Act, including the operation of this Act as affected by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.\n\n13 Repeal of this Act\n\nThis Act is repealed at the start of 1 July 2028.\n\nSchedule 1,Services for which money is appropriated\n\nNote:\tSee sections 6 and 12.\n\nAbstract\n\nPortfolio\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\nAgriculture, Fisheries and Forestry\n\n-\n\nClimate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water\n\n-\n\nForeign Affairs and Trade\n\n-\n\nIndustry, Science and Resources\n\n-\n\nInfrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts\n\n-\n\nTreasury\n\n-\n\nTotal\n\n-\n\nAPPROPRIATIONS\n\nSUMMARY\n\nSummary of Appropriations (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nPortfolio\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nAgriculture, Fisheries and Forestry\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n783,873\n\n229,125\n\n1,012,998\n\nClimate Change, Energy, the Environment and\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nWater\n\n1,205,725\n\n2,036,136\n\n3,241,861\n\nForeign Affairs and Trade\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n2,350,329\n\n4,886,917\n\n7,237,246\n\nIndustry, Science and Resources\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n647,388\n\n1,017,402\n\n1,664,790\n\nInfrastructure, Transport, Regional Development,\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nCommunications, Sport and the Arts\n\n531,726\n\n1,973,112\n\n2,504,838\n\nTreasury\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n362,735\n\n188,944\n\n551,679\n\nTotal:\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n5,881,776\n\n10,331,636\n\n16,213,412\n\nAGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY PORTFOLIO\n\nSUMMARY\n\nSummary of Appropriations (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nEntity\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nDepartment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n783,873\n\n229,125\n\n1,012,998\n\nTotal: Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n783,873\n\n229,125\n\n1,012,998\n\nAGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY PORTFOLIO\n\nAdditional Appropriation (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nActual Available Appropriation (light figures),2024‑2025\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nDEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES\n\nAND FORESTRY\n\nOutcome 1 ‑\n\nMore sustainable, productive, internationally\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\ncompetitive and profitable Australian agricultural,\n\n193,702\n\n190,520\n\n384,222\n\nfood and fibre industries through policies and\n\n203,111\n\n171,009\n\n374,120\n\ninitiatives that promote better resource\n\nmanagement practices, innovation, self‑reliance\n\nand improved access to international markets\n\nOutcome 2 ‑\n\nSafeguard Australia's animal and plant health\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nstatus to maintain overseas markets and protect\n\n590,171\n\n38,605\n\n628,776\n\nthe economy and environment from the impact\n\n635,503\n\n77,719\n\n713,222\n\nof exotic pests and diseases, through risk\n\nassessment, inspection and certification, and the\n\nimplementation of emergency response\n\narrangements for Australian agricultural, food\n\nand fibre industries\n\nTotal: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nForestry\n\nCLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER PORTFOLIO\n\nSUMMARY\n\nSummary of Appropriations (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nEntity\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nDepartment of Climate Change, Energy, the\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nEnvironment and Water\n\n1,205,725\n\n2,036,136\n\n3,241,861\n\nTotal: Climate Change, Energy, the\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nEnvironment and Water\n\n1,205,725\n\n2,036,136\n\n3,241,861\n\nCLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER PORTFOLIO\n\nAdditional Appropriation (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nActual Available Appropriation (light figures),2024‑2025\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nDEPARTMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE,\n\nENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER\n\nOutcome 1 ‑\n\nSupport the transition of Australia's economy to\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nnet‑zero emissions by 2050; transition energy to\n\n351,928\n\n1,394,736\n\n1,746,664\n\nsupport net zero while maintaining security,\n\n407,819\n\n888,376\n\n1,296,195\n\nreliability and affordability; support actions to\n\npromote adaptation and strengthen resilience of\n\nAustralia's economy, society and environment;\n\nand take a leadership role internationally in\n\nresponding to climate change\n\nOutcome 2 ‑\n\nConserve, protect and sustainably manage our\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nnatural resources including through a nature\n\n407,996\n\n524,537\n\n932,533\n\npositive approach; protect and conserve our\n\n507,851\n\n496,996\n\n1,004,847\n\nnatural and cultural heritage; reduce and\n\nregulate the use of pollutants and hazardous\n\nsubstances; and take a leadership role on these\n\nissues internationally\n\nOutcome 3 ‑\n\nAdvance Australia's environmental, scientific,\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nstrategic and economic interests in the Antarctic\n\n331,100\n\n5,000\n\n336,100\n\nregion by protecting, researching and\n\n318,135\n\n5,000\n\n323,135\n\nadministering the region, including through\n\ninternational engagement\n\nOutcome 4 ‑\n\nImprove the health of rivers and wetlands and\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nenhance the sustainable, efficient and productive\n\n114,701\n\n111,863\n\n226,564\n\nuse of Australia's water resources\n\n129,303\n\n111,318\n\n240,621\n\nTotal: Department of Climate Change, Energy,\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nthe Environment and Water\n\nFOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE PORTFOLIO\n\nSUMMARY\n\nSummary of Appropriations (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nEntity\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n2,350,329\n\n4,886,917\n\n7,237,246\n\nTotal: Foreign Affairs and Trade\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n2,350,329\n\n4,886,917\n\n7,237,246\n\nFOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE PORTFOLIO\n\nAdditional Appropriation (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nActual Available Appropriation (light figures),2024‑2025\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nDEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND\n\nTRADE\n\nOutcome 1 ‑\n\nThe advancement of Australia's international\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nstrategic, security and economic interests\n\n1,647,877\n\n4,886,167\n\n6,534,044\n\nincluding through bilateral, regional and\n\n1,640,808\n\n4,795,063\n\n6,435,871\n\nmultilateral engagement on Australian\n\nGovernment foreign, trade and international\n\ndevelopment policy priorities\n\nOutcome 2 ‑\n\nThe protection and welfare of Australians abroad\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nand access to secure international travel\n\n517,093\n\n750\n\n517,843\n\ndocumentation through timely and responsive\n\n558,008\n\n750\n\n558,758\n\ntravel advice and consular and passport services\n\nin Australia and overseas\n\nOutcome 3 ‑\n\nA secure Australian Government presence\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\noverseas through the provision of security\n\n185,359\n\n‑\n\n185,359\n\nservices and information and communications\n\n179,446\n\n‑\n\n179,446\n\ntechnology infrastructure, and the management\n\nof the Commonwealth's overseas property\n\nestate\n\nTotal: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nINDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESOURCES PORTFOLIO\n\nSUMMARY\n\nSummary of Appropriations (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nEntity\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nDepartment of Industry, Science and Resources\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n647,388\n\n1,017,402\n\n1,664,790\n\nTotal: Industry, Science and Resources\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n647,388\n\n1,017,402\n\n1,664,790\n\nINDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESOURCES PORTFOLIO\n\nAdditional Appropriation (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nActual Available Appropriation (light figures),2024‑2025\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nDEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND\n\nRESOURCES\n\nOutcome 1 ‑","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0002","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 2","content":"Support economic growth, productivity and job\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\ncreation for all Australians by investing in\n\n647,388\n\n1,017,402\n\n1,664,790\n\nscience and technology, growing innovative and\n\n672,637\n\n1,271,587\n\n1,944,224\n\ncompetitive businesses, industries and regions,\n\nand supporting a strong resources sector\n\nTotal: Department of Industry, Science and\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nResources\n\nINFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, SPORT AND THE ARTS PORTFOLIO\n\nSUMMARY\n\nSummary of Appropriations (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nEntity\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nDepartment of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nDevelopment, Communications, Sport and the\n\n531,726\n\n1,973,112\n\n2,504,838\n\nArts\n\nTotal: Infrastructure, Transport, Regional\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nDevelopment, Communications, Sport\n\n531,726\n\n1,973,112\n\n2,504,838\n\nand the Arts\n\nINFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, SPORT AND THE ARTS PORTFOLIO\n\nAdditional Appropriation (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nActual Available Appropriation (light figures),2024‑2025\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nDEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE,\n\nTRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT,\n\nCOMMUNICATIONS, SPORT AND THE ARTS\n\nOutcome 1 ‑\n\nImproved infrastructure across Australia through\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\ninvestment in and coordination of transport and\n\n81,828\n\n17,984\n\n99,812\n\nother infrastructure\n\n85,948\n\n11,430\n\n97,378\n\nOutcome 2 ‑\n\nAn efficient, sustainable, competitive, safe and\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nsecure transport system for all transport users\n\n186,322\n\n466,377\n\n652,699\n\nthrough regulation, financial assistance and\n\n217,467\n\n399,134\n\n616,601\n\nsafety investigations\n\nOutcome 3 ‑\n\nStrengthening the sustainability, capacity and\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\ndiversity of Australia's urban and regional areas\n\n63,958\n\n571,127\n\n635,085\n\nincluding northern Australia, including through\n\n88,957\n\n613,209\n\n702,166\n\nfacilitating local partnerships between all levels\n\nof government and local communities; through\n\ninvestment in infrastructure and measures that\n\nstimulate economic growth; and providing grants\n\nand financial assistance\n\nOutcome 4 ‑\n\nGood governance and service delivery in the\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nAustralian territories including through the\n\n30,753\n\n197,221\n\n227,974\n\nmaintenance and improvement of the laws and\n\n30,991\n\n282,426\n\n313,417\n\nservices for non‑self‑governing territories, and\n\nthe overarching legislative framework for self‑\n\ngoverning territories\n\nOutcome 5 ‑\n\nPromote an innovative and competitive\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\ncommunications sector, through policy\n\n100,151\n\n258,584\n\n358,735\n\ndevelopment, advice and program delivery, so\n\n102,667\n\n323,041\n\n425,708\n\nall Australians can realise the full potential of\n\ndigital technologies and communications\n\nservices\n\nOutcome 6 ‑\n\nParticipation in, and access to, Australia's arts\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nand culture through developing and supporting\n\n51,668\n\n305,041\n\n356,709\n\ncultural expression\n\n53,029\n\n324,447\n\n377,476\n\nINFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, SPORT AND THE ARTS PORTFOLIO\n\nAdditional Appropriation (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nActual Available Appropriation (light figures),2024‑2025\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nDEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE,\n\nTRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT,\n\nCOMMUNICATIONS, SPORT AND THE ARTS\n\nOutcome 7 ‑\n\nContribute to healthy, active communities and a\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nsustainable sport system through policy\n\n17,046\n\n156,778\n\n173,824\n\ndevelopment, coordination and targeted support\n\n‑\n\n49,494\n\n49,494\n\nTotal: Department of Infrastructure, Transport,\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\nRegional Development,\n\nCommunications, Sport and the Arts\n\nTREASURY PORTFOLIO\n\nSUMMARY\n\nSummary of Appropriations (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nEntity\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nDepartment of the Treasury\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n362,735\n\n188,944\n\n551,679\n\nTotal: Treasury\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n362,735\n\n188,944\n\n551,679\n\nTREASURY PORTFOLIO\n\nAdditional Appropriation (bold figures),2025‑2026\n\nBudget Appropriation (italic figures),2025‑2026\n\nActual Available Appropriation (light figures),2024‑2025\n\nDepartmental\n\nAdministered\n\nTotal\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\n$'000\n\nDEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY\n\nOutcome 1 ‑\n\nSupporting and implementing informed decisions\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\non policies for the good of the Australian people,\n\n362,735\n\n188,944\n\n551,679\n\nincluding for achieving strong, sustainable\n\n405,566\n\n197,718\n\n603,284\n\neconomic growth, through the provision of\n\nadvice to Treasury Ministers and the efficient\n\nadministration of Treasury's functions\n\nTotal: Department of the Treasury\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n‑\n\n[Minister’s second reading speech made in,\n\nHouse of Representatives on 30 March 2026\n\nSenate on 1 April 2026]\n\n(53/26)","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"summary":{"status_summary":"This Act received royal assent on 1 April 2026 and commenced operation immediately as Act No. 23 of 2026.","complexity_score":3,"likely_questions":["How will the Finance Minister determine which fuel security expenditures qualify for funding?","When can entities expect to receive payments authorised under this Act?"],"complexity_factors":["Advance to the Finance Minister mechanism allowing adjustments up to 800 million","Nil appropriations listed in Schedule 1 requiring later determinations"],"plain_english_summary":"The Act authorises additional appropriation from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to meet urgent fuel‑security needs, with Schedule 1 listing nil amounts. Rather than specifying projects, it gives the Finance Minister an advance power to determine allocations (up to $800 million) for unforeseen or omitted expenditures; those determinations amend the schedule as legislative instruments not subject to parliamentary disallowance.\n\nIt commenced on 1 April 2026 and expires 1 July 2028, affecting Commonwealth non‑corporate and corporate entities that may be tasked with fuel‑security responses."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act remains focused on appropriating funds for responses relating to the Fuel Security Response, which is consistent with its title and stated purpose (s.10(3), Schedule 1). It does not add unrelated policy functions or permanent new program heads. The most consequential expansion of executive discretion is the Finance Minister’s ability to add urgent expenditure up to $800 million to Schedule 1 by determination (s.10). That power concentrates short‑term allocation authority in the executive and reduces immediate parliamentary oversight for those determinations (s.10(5)), but it is limited in scope (must relate to fuel security), capped ($800 million) and time‑bound by the Act’s repeal on 1 July 2028 (s.13). Overall, the legislation has not grown significantly beyond its original purpose of funding and enabling a government response to fuel security, though it does increase ministerial flexibility for urgent allocations within that purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Standard appropriation structure with short, focused provisions (s.1–3, 6–9, 11–13).","Ministerial determination power in Part 3 (s.10) with conditions, a monetary cap ($800 million), and an unusual exemption from disallowance and sunsetting (s.10(2)–(5)).","Use of portfolio statements as interpretive material (s.4) and explicit link to how portfolio statements treat activities (s.8(2)), which imports external documents into statutory interpretation.","Notional‑transaction rule between non‑corporate entities (s.5) that changes how intra‑Commonwealth payments are treated for appropriation purposes.","Schedule 1 contains detailed multi‑portfolio figures and outcome breakdowns (large table in Schedule 1) which add bookkeeping complexity though not legal complexity.","Cross‑references to the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (e.g. s.3 defs and note; s.5 note; s.12), requiring familiarity with those Acts for full effect.","Temporary sunset/repeal provision (s.13) — the Act is time‑limited, which is straightforward but requires lifecycle tracking."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does (mechanically)\n\n- Appropriates money from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (the government's main bank account) so government agencies can spend on responses related to the \"Fuel Security Response\". (See long title and s.12.)\n- Lists detailed departmental and administered funding amounts for multiple portfolios and agencies in Schedule 1. The Schedule presents amounts broken down by portfolio, outcome and agency. (Schedule 1.)\n- Declares that the portfolio budget and additional estimates statements are relevant documents for interpreting the Act. That means those documents can be used to decide what particular appropriations are intended to cover. (s.4.)\n- Treats internal (notional) transactions between non‑corporate Commonwealth entities as if they were real transactions for appropriation/accounting purposes. In practice, a notional payment between two departments can be debited against the paying department's appropriation even if no cash left the Consolidated Revenue Fund. (s.5.)\n- Gives the Finance Minister a temporary advance power to amend Schedule 1 by determination where there is an urgent need for expenditure in the current year that was omitted, understated or unforeseen. Any such determinations must relate to fuel security, and the total of amounts determined under that power is capped at $800 million. Those determinations are legislative instruments but are explicitly exempt from disallowance and from the usual sunsetting provisions. (s.10(1)–(5).)\n- Permits amounts to be debited against an appropriation and credited to a special account if the special account’s purposes overlap with an item in the Schedule. (s.11.)\n- The Act is temporary and is repealed at the start of 1 July 2028. (s.13.)\n\nWho is affected\n\n- Departments and agencies named (and other Commonwealth entities) are authorised to spend amounts in Schedule 1 for their departmental and administered purposes. (ss.7–9; Schedule 1.)\n- Corporate Commonwealth entities may be paid amounts in Schedule 1 where the Act or another Act requires such payments; otherwise the Schedule shows corporate amounts as notional. (s.3 defs; s.9(1)–(2).)\n- The Finance Minister can decide (within the $800 million cap and the statutory conditions) to add urgent fuel‑security expenditure to Schedule 1 without the usual parliamentary disallowance oversight for those determinations. (s.10.)\n- Taxpayers ultimately fund the spending via the Consolidated Revenue Fund. (s.12.)\n\nWhy it matters (purpose claims and practical implications)\n\n- The Act’s stated purpose is to fund government action in response to circumstances relating to fuel security (title, s.10(3)). That purpose drives who receives money and what activities may be funded.\n- The Act concentrates decision power in the Finance Minister for up to $800 million of urgent spending (s.10). That shortens executive responsiveness for urgent items but reduces the scope for parliamentary disallowance and routine sunset review of those specific determinations (s.10(5)).\n- Declaring portfolio statements as relevant material for statutory interpretation (s.4) can broaden the range of activities taken to be within an appropriation if the statements describe activities as contributing to an outcome — in other words, those departmental program descriptions can be used to justify particular expenditure under an outcome. (See s.8(2) too, which treats activities identified in portfolio statements as contributing to the stated outcome.)\n\nCosts, incentives, trade‑offs and implementation considerations (concrete mechanisms)\n\n- Who pays: the Consolidated Revenue Fund (s.12). The public bears the fiscal cost.\n- Who decides and how fast: departments and the Finance Minister. The Finance Minister’s determination power (s.10) speeds up allocations for urgent, unforeseen fuel security needs but reduces parliamentary oversight of those allocations (s.10(5)).\n- Accounting and control: treating notional intra‑Commonwealth transactions as if real (s.5) simplifies departmental accounting and allows intragovernmental cost allocations without moving cash from the CRF — this affects internal budget management and may obscure the cash flow compared with real payments.\n- Off‑budget flows: s.11 permits debits to an item and credits to special accounts where purposes overlap, which can move money into special accounts and change how expenditure is reported or managed.\n- Concentrated benefits vs diffuse costs: Schedule 1 shows substantial sums across several portfolios (Schedule 1). If particular industries or regions receive targeted programs, those beneficiaries will enjoy concentrated benefits while the broader population funds the costs.\n- Rent‑seeking and lobbying risk: large, multi‑portfolio appropriations for an urgent national objective can create incentives for agencies, industry groups and jurisdictions to seek allocations or program scope expansion. The Finance Minister’s discretionary determination power (s.10) may particularly attract requests for urgent top‑ups.\n- Implementation risk and compliance burden: operationalising the funds requires departments to define eligible activities consistent with portfolio statements and the Schedule; reliance on portfolio statements for interpretation (s.4 and s.8(2)) means departments must align program design and reporting with those statements to avoid audit or appropriation disputes.\n\nNet mechanical effect\n\n- The Act authorises a package of additional appropriations across multiple portfolios for fuel security response, establishes interpretive links to portfolio statements, allows internal notional accounting between Commonwealth entities, provides a capped ministerial power ($800m) for urgent adjustments outside ordinary parliamentary disallowance, and permits crediting of amounts to special accounts. It is time‑limited and will be repealed on 1 July 2028. (ss.4–5, 10–13; Schedule 1.)"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/appropriation-fuel-security-response-bill-no-1-2025-2026","history":"/api/acts/appropriation-fuel-security-response-bill-no-1-2025-2026/history","analysis":"/api/acts/appropriation-fuel-security-response-bill-no-1-2025-2026/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/appropriation-fuel-security-response-bill-no-1-2025-2026/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/appropriation-fuel-security-response-bill-no-1-2025-2026/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/appropriation-fuel-security-response-bill-no-1-2025-2026/documents"}}