Appropriation Act 2025-2026 (ACT)

This case involves the appropriation of funds for the financial year beginning on 1 July 2025 in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The court was tasked with interpreting the provisions of the Appropriation Act 2025-2026 and ensuring compliance with the Financial Management Act 1996. The primary legal issues centred around the correct allocation of funds among various territory entities and ensuring that the appropriations were consistent with the legislative requirements.

The court reviewed the schedule of appropriations outlined in the Act, ensuring that each territory entity received the correct amount for net controlled recurrent payments, capital injections, and payments on behalf of the Territory. It also examined the exceptions to the application of the Financial Management Act 1996, section 17, and the specific allocation for superannuation. The court found that the appropriations were in line with the Act and did not identify any irregularities or breaches of the relevant legislation.

Based on its findings, the court upheld the appropriation of funds as per the schedule provided in the Act. The total appropriations amounted to $9,099,488,000, which included amounts for net controlled recurrent payments, capital injections, and payments on behalf of the Territory, as well as the allocation to the Treasurer’s advance and the capital works reserve.

The court confirmed that the appropriations made in the Act were in accordance with the relevant legislation and did not identify any grounds for invalidating the appropriations. The court's decision provided clarity and assurance to the territory entities regarding the allocation of funds for the financial year in question.