Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill

Good afternoon, members. The House is in committee for further consideration of the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill. The Government has indicated that the Minister of Education, the Minister of Justice, the Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government, and the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs will be available today to speak to their portfolios.

In leading off the debate, the chairperson of the relevant select committee should take care not to be overly political and should ensure that their call gives a fair reflection of the committee’s report on the Votes relevant to the portfolio. This debate expires after 11 hours, at which point questions will be put that the Votes stand part of the schedules and on the provisions of the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill. All parties have time allocated proportionally. The Estimates debate should be relevant to the Government’s current spending plans as contained in the Estimates of Appropriation.

The question, again, is that the Votes contained in the Estimates of Appropriation for 2026/27 stand part of the schedules. Members, we start with the Minister of Education. The Minister is available to speak to that portfolio from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Committee of the whole House—Estimates Debate

Education