Appendix C:  Historical Fiscal Data
This appendix provides historical data for Commonwealth fiscal aggregates.
Estimates up to, and including, 1998‑99 are on cash terms, while those for 1999‑2000 are cash proxies derived from an accrual framework. Due to methodological and data‑source changes associated with the move to an accrual accounting framework, time series data that encompasses measures derived under both cash and accrual accounting should be used with caution. 
There are other structural breaks within the data set, prior to the shift to accrual reporting. Classification differences and revisions, as well as changes to the structure of the budget, can impact on comparisons over such an extended period. 
Following changes to the Australian National Accounts standards, the general government surplus measures in this appendix, from 1998‑99 onwards, incorporate payments by the Commonwealth general government sector in respect of accumulated public non‑financial corporations (PNFC) superannuation liabilities. Figures for the years prior to 1998‑99 do not incorporate these payments.
Other factors which affect the comparability of data between years include:
•	classification differences in the data relating to the period prior to 1976‑77 (which mean that earlier data may not be entirely consistent with data for 1976‑77 onwards);
•	adjustments in the coverage of agencies included in the accounts of the different sectors. These include the reclassification of Central Banking Authorities from the general government to the public financial corporations (PFC) sector in 1998‑99, and subsequent backcasting to account for this change;
•	the revaluation of Telstra, in 1999‑2000, from book value to market value (which only impacts on net worth);
•	transfers of taxing powers between the Commonwealth and the States;
•	other changes in financial arrangements between the Commonwealth and the State/local government sector; and
•	changes in arrangements for transfer payments, where tax concessions or rebates are replaced by payments through the social security system. This has the effect of increasing both cash revenues and outlays, as compared with earlier periods, but not changing cash balances. Changes in the opposite direction (tax expenditures replacing outlays) reduce both cash outlays and revenue.
While approximate adjustments can be made to identify trends in budget aggregates on a generally consistent basis, the further back the analysis is taken, the less manageable becomes the task.  
Table C1:  Commonwealth general government sector cash revenue,
outlays and surplus(a)

(a)	There is a break in the series between 1998-99 and 1999-00. Data for the years up to, and including, 1998-99 are consistent with the cash ABS GFS reporting requirements. From 1999-00 onwards, data are derived from an accrual ABS GFS reporting framework. Revenues are proxied by receipts from operating activities and sales of non-financial assets. Outlays are proxied by payments for operating activities, purchases of non-financial assets and acquisitions of assets under financial leases. Due to methodological and data-source changes associated with the transition to accruals, time series data that encompasses measures derived under both cash and accrual accounting should be used with caution.
(b)	Following changes to the Australian National Accounts standards, the surplus measures in this table, from 1998-99 onwards, incorporate payments by the general government sector in respect of accumulated PNFC superannuation liabilities. These payments are not incorporated prior to 1998-99.

Table C2:  Commonwealth general government sector
cash taxation revenue, non‑taxation revenue and total revenue(a)

(a)	There is a break in the series between 1998-99 and 1999-00. Data for the years up to, and including, 1998-99 are consistent with the cash ABS GFS reporting requirements. From 1999-00 onwards, data are derived from an accrual ABS GFS reporting framework. Revenues are proxied by receipts from operating activities and sales of non-financial assets. Due to methodological and data-source changes associated with the transition to accruals, time series data that encompasses measures derived under both cash and accrual accounting should be used with caution.

Table C3:  Commonwealth revenue (cash basis)

(a)	Includes Medicare levy revenue. See memorandum item for Medicare levy outcomes.
(b)	PPS denotes prescribed payments system (which was replaced by the new PAYG system from 1 July 2000).
(c)	These items are reported net of Revenue Replacement Payments (RRPs) to the States.
(d)	Excludes the diesel fuel rebate (DFR) offset to revenue, which is classified as an expense.
(e)	This item includes the wine equalisation tax and the luxury car tax from 2000-01.
(f)	Consistent with GFS reporting standards, Friinge Benefits Tax (FBT) is no longer classified as an income tax.
(g)	Reported for informational purposes only.

Table C4:  Commonwealth general government sector net debt(a)
and net interest outlays

(a)	The net debt series used in this table incorporates Treasury estimates for the period 1974-75 to 1986‑87 and published ABS data for the period 1987-88 to 1997-98 (Public Sector Financial Assets and Liabilities, Cat. No. 5513.0). Comparable net debt data have been collected by the ABS only since 1988. Treasury estimates were constructed by deducting annual net borrowing — defined as the ABS cash deficit — from the ABS measure of the stock of net debt at end June 1998.

Table C5:  Commonwealth general government sector accrual revenue, expenses, net capital investment and fiscal balance(a)

(a)	The fiscal balance is equal to revenue less expenses less net capital investment.
(b)	The fiscal balance outcome in this table for 2000-01 is $63 million less than the fiscal balance outcome reported in Part II. Attachment A to Part I provides an explanation.

Table C6:  Commonwealth general government sector accrual taxation revenue, non-taxation revenue and total revenue

na	data not available.

Table C7:  Commonwealth revenue (accrual basis)

(a)	Includes Medicare levy revenue.  See memorandum item for Medicare levy outcomes.
(b)	PPS denotes prescribed payments system (which was replaced by the new PAYG system from 1 July 2000).
(c)	These items are reported net of RRPs to the States.
(d)	Excludes the DFR offset to revenue, which is classified as an expense.
(e)	This item includes the wine equalisation tax and the luxury car tax from 2000-01.
(f)	Consistent with GFS reporting standards, FBT is no longer classified as an income tax.
(g)	Reported for informational purposes only.

Table C8:  Commonwealth cash revenue, outlays and cash surplus by institutional sector(a)

(a)	There is a break in the series between 1998-99 and 1999-00. Data for the years up to, and including, 1998-99 are consistent with the cash ABS GFS reporting requirements. From 1999-00 onwards, data are derived from an accrual ABS GFS reporting framework. Revenues are proxied by receipts from operating activities and sales of non-financial assets. Outlays are proxied by payments for operating activities, purchases of non-financial assets and the acquisition of assets under finance leases. Due to methodological and data‑source changes associated with the transition to accruals, time series data that encompasses measures derived under both cash and accrual accounting should be used with caution.
(b)	Following changes to the Australian National Accounts standards, the general government surplus measures in this table, from 1998-99 onwards, incorporate payments by the Commonwealth general government sector in respect of accumulated PNFC superannuation liabilities. Prior to 1998-99 these payments are not incorporated.
na	data not available.

Table C9:  Commonwealth accrual revenue, expenses and fiscal balance by institutional sector(a)

(a)	The fiscal balance is equal to revenue less expenses less net capital investment which is not shown is this table.
(b)	The general government and non-financial public sector fiscal balance outcomes in this table for 2000‑01 are $63 million less than the fiscal balance outcomes reported in Part II. Attachment A to Part I provides an explanation.
na	data not available

Table C10:  Commonwealth net worth by institutional sector(a)

(a)	Net worth is calculated as assets minus liabilities minus shares and other contributed capital.
(b)	The general government and non-financial public sector net worth outcomes in this table for 2000‑01 are $63 million less than the net worth outcomes reported in Part II. Attachment A to Part I provides an explanation.