✦ Plain-English Summary

Official Development Assistance Multilateral Replenishment Obligations (Special Appropriation) 2019

What it does

This bill authorises the Australian government to spend money from the national budget on its commitments to international development organisations like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. It's essentially giving official approval for Australia to pay its dues to multilateral funds that help developing countries.

Why it matters

Australia has promised contributions to global funds that tackle poverty, environmental protection (like the ozone layer), and infrastructure in developing nations. Without this bill passing, Australia couldn't legally hand over the money it had already committed to these international organisations.

Key details

• Covers multiple funds: The bill covers payments to the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank's lending arms, the Global Environment Facility, and the Montreal Protocol's Multilateral Fund
• Comes into effect immediately: The bill takes effect the day it receives Royal Assent (the Governor-General's signature)
• Uses "special appropriation": This is a formal budget mechanism that sets aside money specifically for these international obligations, separate from the regular annual budget process

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

No votes yet.

No votes were recorded for this bill.