Document
Index
Budget Paper 2
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Document
Index |
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Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government will continue with the commercialisation of its property portfolio. One of the key features of this initiative is the introduction of commercial rents which will be used to fund expenses previously paid for through appropriations to the Department of Finance and Administration (DOFA). This change will result in a reduction in DOFA’s price of outputs by $114 million over the four year period from 1999-2000 to 2002-2003.
The impact of this measure on the net operating balance would be offset by the extent of supplementation to some agencies for payment of commercial rental rates. Supplementation would be by way of a variation of the estimates for the relevant agencies.
See the related capital measures under the Finance and Administration portfolio titled Commercialisation of Property Portfolio – Equity Injection, Commercialisation of Property Portfolio – Equity Repayment, and Commercialisation of Property Portfolio – Payment of Notional Tax and Dividends.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government will conduct a Referendum on issues relating to whether Australia should become a Republic. This funding will enable the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to conduct the Referendum towards the end of 1999, as announced by the Government. The measure will also enable the AEC to prepare and process separate ballot papers for each question at the Referendum, if there is more than one question to be put.
This measure delivers on the Government’s election commitment.
Further Information
The Referendum will be conducted under the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984. Services provided to voters will be similar to those provided at the 1998 Federal Election. Information will be supplied to each elector by the Australian Electoral Commission detailing the purpose of the Referendum and stating the cases for and against the proposals.
Additional funding has been provided under the Attorney-General’s portfolio for advertising campaigns promoting the arguments for and against the republic model. For further information see the related expense measure under the Attorney-General’s portfolio titled Republic Referendum Advertising Campaigns.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
To ensure funding for programmes aimed at improving the situation of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is distributed on a needs basis, the Government has decided that the Commonwealth Grants Commission will develop measures of relative disadvantage to help target resources for indigenous Australians.
The Commission will produce a report on the relative needs of indigenous Australians across each programme area (housing, infrastructure, health, etc) for each Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission region, and by State and Territory. This report will be used as a basis for implementing new arrangements that improve the allocation of funding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
This measure delivers on the Government’s election commitment in Beyond Welfare.
Further Information
The Commonwealth Grants Commission Amendment Bill 1999 was introduced into the House of Representatives on 30 March 1999. The Act must be amended before the Commission can be asked to commence its inquiry.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government will provide additional funds for sale costs for the further sale of Telstra.
This revision reflects increased estimates of sale proceeds due to an anticipated increased share price, offset by lower unit costs secured in contracts with suppliers.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
The Government will provide further funds to support its Information Technology (IT) outsourcing programme through to 31 December 2000. The programme is yielding substantial savings to the Commonwealth – of the order of 10 per cent to 15 per cent – and the measure recognises the costs of the Office of Asset Sales and Information Technology Outsourcing (OASITO) leadership and management role.
The role of OASITO has now been expanded, and it is playing a greater role in implementing the IT outsourcing programme by managing and actively implementing the initiative with the full cooperation of agencies.
Further Information
Outsourcing of the Commonwealth’s IT infrastructure services is conducted against an industry development framework which aims to aid the growth of the Australian IT industry, increase the international competitiveness of Australian IT industry and increase regional development and employment opportunities. The programme has stimulated the IT industry by extending Commonwealth IT expenditure into the commercial market.
Expense ($m)
Explanation
Funding will be provided to meet the 1999-2000 core departmental expenses of the Office of Asset Sales and Information Technology Outsourcing (OASITO) to undertake activities associated with its asset sales programme. The measure re-instates funding for a notional asset sales team of about 30 staff on a full year basis.
Further Information
Consistent with previous practice, the departmental expenses for OASITO are determined in the annual budget process.
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