Appropriation (Parliament) Bill (No. 2) 2015
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill gives Parliament formal approval to have spent an extra $2.934 million on itself during the 2014-15 financial year. The Legislative Assembly and parliamentary service went over their original budget, and this supplementary appropriation retrospectively authorises that unforeseen expenditure.
Who it affects
This is an internal government accounting measure. It affects taxpayers indirectly by confirming additional public spending, but does not change services or taxes.
Key changes
- Authorises the Treasurer to pay an additional $2,934,000 from the consolidated fund to the Legislative Assembly and parliamentary service
- Covers unforeseen expenditure that occurred in 2014-15 beyond the original Appropriation (Parliament) Act 2014 amount
- Splits the top-up into $2.652 million for departmental services and $282,000 for equity adjustment
- Formalises spending already authorised by the Governor in Council on the Treasurer's recommendation, as required by the Queensland Constitution
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee16 Sept 2015View Hansard
Referred to Finance and Administration Committee
The Finance and Administration Committee examined the bill and recommended it be passed. The bill sought supplementary appropriation of $2.934 million for unforeseen expenditure by the Legislative Assembly and Parliamentary Service in 2014-15, primarily related to one-off expenses from the 2015 state general election, the fire protection system at Parliament House, and financial system upgrades. No submissions were received and no fundamental legislative principle issues were identified.
Key findings (5)
- The unforeseen expenditure of $2.934 million was primarily driven by one-off costs from the 2015 state general election, including transitional allowances for departing members and electorate officer severance payments.
- Additional expenditure related to the design of the fire protection system at Parliament House and upgrades to the financial system.
- Savings from the reduction in the number of ministers and assistant ministers partially offset the election-related costs.
- The committee found no fundamental legislative principle issues with the bill.
- No public submissions were received during the inquiry.
Recommendations (1)
- The committee recommends that the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill (No. 2) 2015 be passed.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading28 Oct 2015View Hansard
As Treasurer, introduced the bills seeking parliamentary approval for $12 million in unforeseen expenditure from 2014-15, noting this was the lowest supplementary appropriation in 18 years. Highlighted the government's fiscal management including budget surpluses and debt reduction.
“This outcome for 2014-15 is indicative of the measured and responsible fiscal approach of the Palaszczuk government.”— 2015-10-28View Hansard
Confirmed opposition support for both bills but attributed the low unforeseen expenditure to the LNP's fiscal discipline during its time on the treasury benches. Criticised the Labor government's debt management and lack of an economic plan.
“I cannot accept his assertion that it was due to the management of the Palaszczuk government because the LNP was on the treasury benches for the majority of the 2014-15 financial year.”— 2015-10-28View Hansard