The right to approve and amend budget bills

The Senate and the House of Representatives have the right to scrutinise and subsequently reject or approve the state expenditure (the national budget) and revenue (the taxation) budget bills. This is the process by which they decide, together with the Government, how much money the Government has available to spend in which areas.

The right to approve and amend the budget combines the two main duties of the House of Representatives (scrutiny of the work of the Government and co-legislation). Budgets take the form of a bill and, as with any other bill, the House of Representatives may amend the Government's proposals (right of amendment). Once a budget bill has been adopted, the House oversees its implementation. This is a typical example of scrutiny. The Senate may only approve or reject a budget bill after it has been adopted by the House of Representatives. Debates concerning budget bills play an important role in the consultations between Parliament and the Government.