Appropriation (Parliament) Bill (No. 3) 2022
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill authorises $2,185,000 in supplementary funding for the Queensland Parliament to cover unforeseen expenditure from the 2021-22 financial year. It is a routine accountability measure required by the Queensland Constitution to formally approve spending that has already occurred.
Who it affects
This is a procedural bill that does not directly affect citizens. It ensures proper parliamentary oversight of government spending.
Key changes
- Authorises $2,185,000 in supplementary appropriation for the Legislative Assembly and parliamentary service
- Covers unforeseen expenditure from the 2021-22 financial year, broken down as $2,067,000 for departmental services and $118,000 for equity adjustment
- Provides the formal constitutional approval required for spending already incurred and authorised by the Governor in Council
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee12 Oct 2022View Hansard
Referred to Economics and Governance Committee
The Economics and Governance Committee examined the bill, which sought formal authorisation for $2.185 million in unforeseen expenditure by the Legislative Assembly and Parliamentary Service during 2021-22. The committee held a public briefing with Queensland Treasury officials and recommended the bill be passed. The committee accepted that the higher-than-usual level of unforeseen expenditure was driven by COVID-19 measures, flood recovery, accelerated capital works, and the bring-forward of Commonwealth funding. Non-government members filed a Statement of Reservation expressing concern about the scale of the overspend.
Key findings (5)
- Total supplementary appropriation for 2021-22 was $2.825 billion across the Legislative Assembly and 14 government departments, higher than recent years.
- The three largest areas of unforeseen expenditure were the Department of Environment and Science ($623 million), Department of State Development ($574 million), and Queensland Treasury ($552 million), together accounting for 62% of the total.
- Queensland Treasury advised that unprecedented challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, weather events, and demand-driven business support grants were the primary drivers of the overspend.
- The committee found no issues with fundamental legislative principles and confirmed the bills were compatible with the Human Rights Act 2019.
- The Legislative Assembly's unforeseen expenditure of $2.185 million was primarily for enterprise bargaining outcomes and speech recognition technology for parliamentary proceedings.
Recommendations (2)
- The committee recommends the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill (No. 3) 2022 be passed.
- The committee recommends the Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2022 be passed.
▸Committee Report4 Nov 2022
Committee report tabled
That the motion, as amended, be agreed to
This division occurred during a private member's motion debate that took place between the two sessions of the appropriation/betting tax cognate debate, not on the bills themselves.
The motion passed.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (49)
Noes (35)
▸Second Reading10 Nov 2022View Hansard
▸10 members spoke8 support1 oppose1 mixed
As Treasurer, moved the second reading of all three bills, explaining the unforeseen expenditure was driven by COVID measures, flood recovery and accelerated capital works, and that the betting tax changes would deliver a sustainable funding model for Queensland racing.
“The wealth of our economy and the wealth of our people are inextricably linked to the health of our people.”— 2022-11-09View Hansard
As Economics and Governance Committee chair, defended the unforeseen expenditure as routine and appropriate given COVID and flood impacts, noting Queensland's $2.8 billion compared to New South Wales' $17.8 billion in the same period.
“Since 2008 there have been four years that have had larger unforeseen expenditure as a percentage of the overall budget.”— 2022-11-09View Hansard
As Economics and Governance Committee member, defended the unforeseen expenditure as driven by COVID support and flood recovery, highlighting the mental health levy and the betting tax mechanism requiring large multinationals to contribute to country racing.
“We make no apologies for supporting the Queensland economy and Queenslanders through the pandemic and in times of natural disaster.”— 2022-11-09View Hansard
Supported all three bills, highlighting local projects in Hervey Bay funded by appropriations and the strong economic recovery driving record employment in the Wide Bay region.
“The Palaszczuk government has steered the path required to get us to this point and has taken thoughtfully considered decisions through these appropriations to safely navigate the stormy waters created by a worldwide pandemic.”— 2022-11-09View Hansard
Raised concerns about the record overspend and the Queensland Revenue Office sending land tax assessments to exempt homeowners, but acknowledged the betting tax would support racing while expressing concern about the mental health levy burden on businesses.
“This government is clearly desperate to raise revenue and is sending land tax bills to people who do not have to pay land tax but may be conned into doing so.”— 2022-11-09View Hansard
Defended the appropriations as necessary responses to COVID and floods, highlighted the $4.3 billion surplus, and supported the betting tax reform for racing industry certainty and the mental health levy.
“For all the opposition's misleading comments about financial mismanagement, once again, the facts speak for themselves.”— 2022-11-09View Hansard
Defended the unforeseen expenditure as driven by COVID and floods, highlighted record-low unemployment and population growth, and supported the betting tax as a levy on multinational companies rather than families.
“At the last election we made a promise to the people of Queensland that there would be no new or increased taxes on Queensland families, and we have kept that promise.”— 2022-11-09View Hansard
As Economics and Governance Committee member, criticised the record overspend while service delivery standards declined, and described the betting tax as the fourth broken tax promise by a government that has checked out.
“Cost blowouts, broken promises and a lack of transparency and accountability will become the hallmarks of this government.”— 2022-11-09View Hansard
As Minister for Agriculture, defended unforeseen expenditure as necessary for biosecurity, drought assistance and disaster recovery, challenging the opposition's characterisation of the spending as waste.
“When you have an emerging issue you do not wait for the next budget; you deal with the problem when it arises.”— 2022-11-09View Hansard
Supported the bills highlighting Mackay's economic transformation under Labor, investments in green energy, health infrastructure, roads, and the Pioneer pumped hydro scheme.
“My electorate has gone from strength to strength under the Labor Palaszczuk government.”— 2022-11-09View Hansard