Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2020-2021

The majority voted against requests (1) to (9) on sheet 106, introduced by South Australian Senator Rex Patrick (Independent), which means they failed.

What did these requests aim to do?

Senator Patrick explained that:

On budget night, my worst fears were confirmed when the government denied the Auditor-General his requested budget. The starvation of funds means the number of performance audits conducted per year will drop from 48 to 38—that is, 42 this year, 40 next year and then down to 38. That's a 20 per cent reduction in the number of performance audits that the Auditor-General will carry out. No other agency has copped a 20 per cent cut in outcomes as a result of this budget, but that's what this government has done to one of the most important federal integrity agencies. This chamber has got to save the Auditor-General from being financially throttled. You can't blow the whistle when the government has its hands around your throat. We have to fix this, or else government accountability and scrutiny will be busted.

Motion text

That the House of Representatives be requested to make the following amendments:

(1) Clause 6, page 5 (line 4), omit "$36,809,121,000", substitute "$36,813,567,000".

(2) Schedule 1, page 9 (table item dealing with Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio), omit "998,426", substitute "1,002,872".

(3) Schedule 1, page 9 (table item dealing with the total), omit "36,809,121", substitute "36,813,567".

(4) Schedule 1, page 11 (table item dealing with Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio), omit the table item, substitute:

[See request for table]

(5) Schedule 1, page 11 (table item dealing with the total), omit the table item, substitute:

[See request for table]

(6) Schedule 1, page 124 (table item dealing with Australian National Audit Office), omit "29,219" (twice occurring), substitute "33,665".

(7) Schedule 1, page 124 (table item dealing with total), omit the table item, substitute:

[See request for table]

(8) Schedule 1, page 132 (table item dealing with Australian National Audit Office outcome 1), omit "29,219" (twice occurring), substitute "33,665".

(9) Schedule 1, page 132 (table item dealing with total), omit "29,219" (twice occurring), substitute "33,665".

Statement pursuant to the order of the Senate of 26 June 2000

These amendments are framed as requests because they are to a bill which appropriates moneys for the ordinary annual services of the government.

Statement by the Clerk of the Senate pursuant to the order of the Senate of 26 June 2000

As this is a bill appropriating moneys for the ordinary annual services of the government within the meaning of section 53 of the Constitution, any Senate amendments to the bill must be moved as requests. This is in accordance with the precedents of the Senate.