Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
AQIS — Maintaining quarantine integrity during East Timor operations
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry:	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) will undertake additional quarantine activities associated with United Nations (UN) operations in East Timor. AQIS will facilitate aircraft, vessel, personnel and troop movements while providing protection to Australia from exotic pests and diseases. AQIS activities include pre‑border inspections in East Timor, enhanced border controls and post‑border monitoring to ensure early detection of any incursions. 
The cost of these activities will be budget neutral and will be met by the Department of Defence ($0.3 million per annum) and AusAID ($1.6 million per annum) on a cost recovery basis.
AQIS — Maintaining quarantine integrity during the Olympics
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry:	1.6	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional resources in the first half of 2000‑01 to ensure the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) can meet the quarantine risks posed by the conduct of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sydney in September and October 2000. In addition, AQIS will cost recover $100,000 from inspection of vessels and cargo. The additional resources will allow AQIS to maintain timely processing and quarantine clearance at the border for the increased volumes of visitors, air and sea cargo, and ships arriving in Australia for the Games.
Further Information
AQIS expect to clear an extra 350,000 international inbound passengers to Australia as well as 11 cruise ships, 60 super yachts and about 200 other yachts which will be berthed in Sydney waters during the Games.
AQIS — Renewal of quarantine resourcing
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry:	‑	8.5	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding of $8.5 million in 2001‑02 to allow the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) to maintain its current level of quarantine activities. Long term funding will be considered after the 2000‑01 Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) review is completed.
Assistance to farmers in central north‑east South Australia
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry:	1.1	1.0	‑	‑	
Department of Finance and Administration:	‑	‑	‑	‑	
Total:	1.1	1.0	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $2.1 million for a Regional Adjustment Programme for the central north east of South Australia, contingent on funding of $2 million from the South Australian Government. The focus of the programme will be to develop the region’s economic capacity and self reliance by facilitating sound business decisions, encouraging sustainability and promoting innovation.
Many farmers in this area are facing significant financial hardship. This programme supplements immediate special financial assistance for eligible farmers in the form of ex gratia payments administered by the Department of Finance and Administration. These payments are similar to social security benefits. This assistance is expected to run for three months and is estimated to cost $655,000 in 1999‑2000.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Department of Finance and Administration.
Building a national approach to animal and plant health
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry:	4.5	6.3	6.2	5.3	

Explanation
To maintain Australia’s status as a sought after supplier of high quality, ‘clean, green’ agricultural produce, the Government will invest $22.3 million over the next four years to strengthen the nation’s animal and plant health status. This will provide a valuable underpinning of the regional economy by improving the ability of rural industries and government to fight pests and diseases that could otherwise debilitate the competitiveness and profitability of Australian agriculture.
New funding will be provided to strengthen the country’s post‑barrier animal and plant health framework. This measure will enhance the emergency management capacity for animal (including aquatic animal), plant disease and pest emergencies.
Continuation of the Agriculture — Advancing Australia Package
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Exceptional Circumstances	‑	‑	‑	‑	
Skilling Farmers for the Future	10.0	32.6	54.1	70.8	
Farm Help — Supporting Families through Change	16.2	25.8	35.0	34.2	
Farm Innovation — the Key to Success	6.0	12.2	‑	‑	
Farm Growth through Export Growth — Bilateral Cooperation Agreements	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.7	
Rural Industries Communication Campaign	4.0	2.0	‑	‑	
Total (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry):	37.8	74.2	90.7	106.7	

Explanation
The Government will implement a range of initiatives to revitalise farming in regional Australia.
Exceptional Circumstances will continue to provide farm families with support in situations of hardship caused by exceptional events such as drought (funding is determined on a case by case basis). 
Skilling Farmers for the Future will integrate business and natural resource management training to enable businesses to benefit from change. 
Farm Help — Supporting Families through Change will continue welfare support and counselling for farmers in financial difficulty.
Farm Innovation — The Key to Success pilot programme will help farmers to identify market directions, make better farming choices, diversify and adopt innovation. 
Farm Growth through Export Growth — Bilateral Cooperation Agreements will enable the negotiation of new bilateral cooperation agreements, with key strategic markets to remove regulatory, technical and economic impediments to Australian farm exports. 
A Rural Industries Communication Campaign will ensure farm families in regional Australia are aware of the assistance available.
Exceptional circumstances recovery assistance
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry:	0.4	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $0.2 million in 1999‑2000 and $0.4 million in 2000‑01 for exceptional circumstances assistance in south‑western New South Wales. The National Rural Advisory Council recommended that recovery assistance be given to eligible farmers in the Wentworth, Broken Hill, Hillston and Balranald Rural Land Protection Board districts. The assistance will be for 12 months and will constitute business support in the form of interest rate subsidies for farmers in financial hardship.

Pricing review of departmental resourcing
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry:	‑1.0	‑2.0	‑2.0	‑2.0	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a joint pricing review between Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry — Australia (AFFA) and the Department of Finance and Administration. This review has resulted in a reduction in resourcing for AFFA of an initial $7 million over the next four years. An important element of the review was the collection of performance information from a range of providers to identify and promote better practices in the delivery of government services.
The reduction in resourcing reflects a range of improvements to efficiency and effectiveness that have been identified as part of the review.

Attorney‑General’s
Establishment of the Administrative Review Tribunal
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Administrative Appeals Tribunal:	‑11.2	‑27.0	‑27.2	‑27.4	
Attorney General’s Department:	10.2	19.2	19.4	19.7	
Department of Family and Community Services:	‑	‑	‑	‑	
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs:	9.4	22.7	22.3	22.5	
Migration Review Tribunal:	‑4.3	‑10.1	‑10.1	‑10.2	
Refugee Review Tribunal:	‑5.6	‑13.8	‑13.4	‑13.5	
Total:	‑1.5	‑9.0	‑9.0	‑9.0	

Explanation
The Government has decided that four existing merits review tribunals, namely the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, the Social Security Appeals Tribunal, the Refugee Review Tribunal and what is now the Migration Review Tribunal, will be amalgamated into a new Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). 
Establishing the ART will achieve administrative efficiencies, a more efficient and accessible merits review structure, and will introduce more flexible, cost‑effective and non‑legalistic procedures. Increased economies of scale, administrative efficiencies and structural reforms will result in annual cost reductions of some $9.0 million in a full year from the merger of the existing tribunals.
It is anticipated that the ART will commence operation in February 2001. 
For an interim period of twelve months, a purchaser/provider arrangement will be implemented for the Departments of Family and Community Services, for social security matters, and Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, for migration and refugee matters. This arrangement will be extended from 2002‑03, following a review of tribunal expenses, with the other client agencies of the ART being directly funded from within the total resourcing of the existing tribunals, adjusted for merger savings, to pay for review services.
Further Information
The Government will also provide the Attorney General’s Department with an equity injection of $15 million in 2000‑01 for the up‑front costs associated with the establishment of the ART. 
See also the related capital measure titled Establishment of the Administrative Review Tribunal, in the Attorney‑General’s portfolio.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Attorney‑General’s, Family and Community Services and Immigration and Multicultural Affairs portfolios.
Agreements for the delivery of Commonwealth Legal Aid Services by State and Territory Legal Aid Commissions
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Attorney‑General’s Department:	2.4	10.4	14.4	18.4	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding of $45.6 million over four years to State and Territory Legal Aid Commissions to deliver Commonwealth Legal Aid Services.
As announced by the Attorney‑General in December 1999, this measure aims to provide legal assistance to people who are unable to afford the cost of private legal services. It also addresses a need to implement changes to the division of funding between the States and Territories to achieve an equitable distribution of legal aid funding.
The Commonwealth currently provides approximately $103 million per annum base funding for the delivery of Legal Aid services through State and Territory Legal Aid Commissions.
Diversionary programmes for juveniles in the Northern Territory
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Attorney‑General’s Department:	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	

Explanation
The Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments have agreed on a number of initiatives designed to prevent juveniles entering the criminal justice system.
The Northern Territory Legislation will be amended so that a person will be treated as an adult from 18 years of age rather than 17 years at present. 

The Commonwealth Government will make $5 million per annum available for a number of diversionary programmes for juveniles in the Northern Territory, including:
•	family conferencing; 
•	opportunities for involvement in substance abuse and drug diversion programmes; 
•	additional community based diversionary programmes for both urban, rural and remote communities; and
•	an Aboriginal interpreter service, jointly funded with the Northern Territory Government.
Further Information
This initiative was announced in a joint statement by the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory on 10 April 2000. 
Management of native title litigation involving the Commonwealth
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Attorney‑General’s Department:	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding to the Attorney‑General’s Department for the costs of managing Commonwealth litigation involving native title.
This measure will help to ensure resolution of native title claims in a timely fashion. It will provide greater certainty about native title and facilitate business development by providing all levels of government and business with greater confidence about how native title law affects them. It will also provide greater certainty to native title holders by helping to establish exactly what their native title rights and interests are. 

Microwave video link capacity for law enforcement agencies
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Attorney‑General’s Department:	3.4	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding to the Commonwealth and State law enforcement and security agencies to purchase new equipment following the Government’s decision to reallocate part of the radio frequency spectrum. This funding will enable State jurisdictions to update their equipment. 
This is a cross agency measure between the Attorney‑General’s Department, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
Further Information
See also the related capital measure titled Microwave video link capacity for law enforcement agencies in the Attorney‑General’s portfolio. 
Pricing review of departmental resourcing
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Attorney‑General’s Department:	‑2.0	‑2.0	‑2.0	‑2.0	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a joint pricing review between the Attorney‑General’s Department (A‑G’s) and the Department of Finance and Administration. This review has resulted in a reduction in the resourcing for A‑G’s by $2 million per annum. An important element of the review was the collection of performance information from a range of providers to identify and promote better practices in the delivery of government services.
The reduction in resourcing reflects a range of improvements to efficiency and effectiveness that have been identified as part of the review.

Protection of the national information infrastructure
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Attorney‑General’s Department:	0.6	‑	‑	‑	
Australian Federal Police:	0.2	‑	‑	‑	
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation:	0.6	‑	‑	‑	
Department of Defence:	0.6	‑	‑	‑	
Total:	2.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government is providing funding to enhance Australia’s capability to protect the nation’s National Information Infrastructure (NII) from unauthorised access and use. The NII provides access to a range of data and critical information, and covers both public and private sectors. The NII covers telecommunications, banking and finance, transport and distribution, energy and utilities (electricity, gas and water), information services, and other critical government services including defence and emergency services.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Attorney‑General’s Department, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Department of Defence.
Protective security for Diplomatic and Consular missions
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Attorney‑General’s Department:	10.4	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding of $10.4 million in 2000‑01 for increased levels of guarding for diplomatic and consular missions, to ensure appropriate security levels are maintained. The Government has a responsibility under international law to protect foreign diplomatic and consular missions in Australia.
The Government is currently undertaking a review to determine future funding arrangements for guarding of diplomatic and consular missions.
Pricing review of departmental resourcing
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Australian Customs Service:	‑2.5	‑5.0	‑5.0	‑5.0	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a joint pricing review between the Australian Customs Service (ACS) and the Department of Finance and Administration. This review has resulted in a reduction in the resourcing for the ACS by $2.5 million in 2000‑01 and $5 million per annum thereafter. An important element of the review was the collection of performance information from a range of providers to identify and promote better practices in the delivery of government services.
The reduction in resourcing reflects a range of improvements to efficiency and effectiveness that have been identified as part of the review.

Continued Australian Police presence in the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Australian Federal Police:	25.4	25.9	26.3	26.7	

Explanation
The Government will continue its Australian Civilian Police Service (AUSCIVPOL) commitment to East Timor, which has increased from the first detachment of 50 personnel for a 90 day commitment to replacement detachments of up to 80 personnel for a series of 90 day commitments. In view of the personnel limitations in drawing all the detachments from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Government has authorised the Minister for Justice and Customs to examine other means of ensuring this commitment, for example, through the secondment of State and Territory police.
This initiative continues a civilian policing capacity to meet the current requirement of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor. It will necessitate the establishment of a reserve pool of some 240 trained members which will, in part, be drawn from recently retired AFP and serving State and Territory police.
Targeting of serious and large scale fraud and related crime against the Commonwealth
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
National Crime Authority:	8.1	8.4	8.8	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding for the National Crime Authority (NCA) to continue its investigations into complex money laundering, revenue fraud and associated underlying offences, particularly drug trafficking. The NCA will use complementary investigative strategies, involving intensive financial analysis and undercover work, that balance the NCA’s interest in enforcing criminal law with the Australian Taxation Office’s role in collecting revenue.
The Government anticipates that there will be a net positive impact on the Budget from this measure as there will be an increase in Commonwealth revenue from combating serious cases of revenue fraud, and from investigations that result in recovery of the proceeds of crime.
Unauthorised Arrivals in Australia — legislative changes to support law enforcement
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Attorney‑General’s Department:	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government is bringing forward two legislative amendments to support law enforcement efforts aimed at containing the activities of people smugglers. These amendments will strengthen sentencing guidelines under the Crimes Act 1914. Tougher penalties, such as the imprisonment of crews and confiscation of boats, will help to reduce the supply of crews willing to participate in people smuggling.
These amendments are a part of the package implemented in response to the report on Unauthorised Arrivals in Australia, commissioned to address the rapid growth of unauthorised arrivals by boat and to reduce expenditure on detention and processing and are not expected to place additional costs on the Attorney‑General’s Department. 
Further Information
See also the related expense and capital measures in the Attorney‑General’s, Family and Community Services and Immigration and Multicultural Affairs portfolios.
Unauthorised Arrivals in Australia — lease a charter vessel to transport unauthorised arrivals intercepted at sea or at islands off the mainland
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Australian Customs Service:	nfp	nfp	nfp	nfp	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding to the Australian Customs Service (ACS) to lease a charter vessel for the purpose of transporting unauthorised arrivals from where they are intercepted to the Australian mainland. Engaging a dedicated vessel will allow more cost‑effective use of ACS and Defence vessels enabling them to focus on intercepting unauthorised boat arrivals and handling situations where the use of force may be necessary. 
ACS will manage the contract and provide the necessary security arrangements to ensure that unauthorised arrivals are delivered safely to appropriate immigration detention arrangements. The ongoing requirement for this arrangement will be reviewed after two years.
This measure forms a part of the package of measures implemented in response to the report on Unauthorised Arrivals in Australia, commissioned to address the rapid growth of unauthorised arrivals in Australia, and to reduce expenditure on detention and processing. 
Further Information
See also the related expense and capital measures in the Attorney‑General’s, Family and Community Services and Immigration and Multicultural Affairs portfolios.
Unauthorised Arrivals in Australia — additional resourcing to investigate and detect organised people smuggling
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Australian Federal Police:	3.9	4.0	4.1	4.1	

Explanation
The Government is introducing a number of measures to enhance law enforcement of people smugglers. These measures, which draw on the lessons of the National Illicit Drugs Strategy, include:
•	establishing a joint Strike Team between the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to investigate organised people smuggling syndicates in Australia and overseas by following through on intelligence obtained from the ongoing operations of agencies;
•	expanding the AFP’s overseas liaison officer network by strategic placement of officers in key transit countries; initially in Indonesia where people smugglers are known to operate; and
•	developing a further phase of the Law Enforcement Cooperation Programme to enhance capacity in people smuggling detection and enforcement in the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions. 
These amendments are a part of the package implemented in response to the report on Unauthorised Arrivals in Australia, commissioned to address the rapid growth of unauthorised arrivals by boat and to reduce expenditure on detention and processing.
Further Information
See also the related expense measures under the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and the Attorney‑General’s portfolios.
Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
Digital broadcasting — resourcing for digital distribution and transmission
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Australian Broadcasting Corporation:	nfp	nfp	nfp	nfp	
Special Broadcasting Service Corporation:	nfp	nfp	nfp	nfp	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Special Broadcasting Service Corporation (SBS) to enable the broadcasters to televise programmes in a digital format from 1 January 2001. This funding will provide capacity to distribute and transmit the new digital signal, which will be simulcast alongside existing analogue signals. 
Further Information
To ensure the best possible outcome in the tendering process for the transmission and distribution contracts, financial commitments relating to the contracts will not be published until this financial information is no longer market sensitive. Provision for these expenses has been included in the contingency reserve.
See also the related capital measure titled Digital broadcasting — resourcing for digital equipment, in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio. 
Creating and administering a number pool of local rate and freephone numbers
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Australian Communications Authority:	0.7	0.2	0.2	0.2	

The Government will create a pool of special business telephone numbers, to be allocated to customers independent of telecommunications carriers. Telephone numbers affected by this initiative include local rate (that is, 131 000 numbers), freephone (that is 1800 numbers) and phonewords numbers. 
Special business telephone numbers are currently allocated in advance to the telecommunications carriers. Where businesses want a specific telephone number, they deal directly with the carrier holding the right to that number.

Further Information
The costs of creating and administering the phone number pool will be offset from a charge levied on the allocation of special numbers to businesses. See also the revenue measure titled Apply a charge to telecommunications end users to offset the cost of administration of a number pool of local rate and freephone numbers in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Study to examine the feasibility of market based allocation of local rate and freephone numbers
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Australian Communications Authority:	0.6	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Australian Communications Authority will undertake a study to examine the implications of introducing a market‑based allocation of special business telephone numbers. Telephone numbers included in the study are local rate (that is, 131 000 numbers), freephone numbers (that is, 1800 numbers) and phonewords numbers. 
This study will identify the costs and benefits of auctioning special business telephone numbers at a price driven by market bidding, instead of charging the current flat fee. It is based on the fact that some numbers are more valuable as they are easier to remember and is expected to provide a more economically efficient and transparent mechanism of allocating local rate and freephone numbers.  
Further Information
Funding for this measure will be recovered through an increase in annual telecommunications carrier licence fees for 2000‑01 and 2001‑02. See also the related revenue measure Increase in annual carrier licence fees, in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.

Universal service obligation contestability arrangements
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Australian Communications Authority:	1.8	1.0	1.0	1.0	

Explanation
Under this initiative, the Australian Communications Authority will estimate the costs of providing the universal service obligation (USO) on a regional and national basis. These estimates will be used to determine the default USO cost and will be used to determine prices in pilot USO contestability arrangements.
USOs in the telecommunications industry stipulate minimum standards of access and quality of communications services across the nation. The USO framework ensures services are provided to people in regional and remote Australia, which would otherwise not be provided by telecommunications carriers.
Further Information
The cost of this initiative will be recovered through an increase in annual carrier licence fees over four years from 2000‑01. 
See also the related revenue measure titled Increase in annual carrier licence fees in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Centenary of Federation — public awareness campaign
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts:	3.2	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide an additional $3.2 million to the National Council for the Centenary of Federation to improve public awareness of 100 years of federation.
The Government has already provided $53.5 million to the Council to coordinate and promote a range of activities across Australia to celebrate the Centenary year. The Council will use this additional funding to further promote this significant event and thereby encourage all Australians to reflect on Australia’s heritage, take pride in the present and look to the future with confidence.

Continuation of resourcing for the Australian Film Finance Corporation
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts:	‑	50.0	50.0	50.0	

Explanation
The Government has agreed in principle to new triennial funding for the Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC) for 2001–02 to 2003–04. The funding is set at $50 million per annum, with the final amounts to be determined in the 2001‑02 Budget. The AFFC is the Commonwealth’s primary source of investment in Australian feature films, television drama and documentaries. This measure provides long‑term certainty for investors in an industry where projects have long lead‑times.
Continuation of resourcing for the National Office of the Information Economy
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts:	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will continue funding of $3.0 million per annum for the National Office of the Information Economy (NOIE) for a further three years, with funding to be absorbed from within departmental expenses. 
The NOIE was established in 1997 to coordinate and develop Australian strategies and policies in response to rapid technological change associated with the information technology industry. Responsibilities of the NOIE include the regulatory framework for information technology; developing and promoting on‑line services and e‑business; and sponsoring the adoption of new technology through a competitive grants programme.

Regional Communications Partnership Fund
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts:	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $5 million, through the Regional Communications Partnership Fund, to assist self help groups in regional, rural and remote communities across Australia to establish new re‑transmission services. The expense of this measure will be absorbed by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts from within existing resources. 
The Government contribution of $5 million will supplement the $5 million already committed to the Fund by the network owner, ntl Australia Pty Ltd. This assistance will ensure that both the existing and anticipated demand for assistance from regional communities can be met.
Regional Equalisation Plan for digital television — taxable grants
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts:	‑	‑	0.3	0.3	

Explanation
The Government will assist regional commercial television broadcasters to convert to digital broadcasting by providing financial assistance of up to $260 million payable over 13 years commencing in 2000‑01. In general, assistance is to be delivered to individual broadcasters over an eight year period from the year in which the broadcaster commences digital transmissions. However, as the introduction of digital services is expected to be phased-in in the smaller regional markets up until 1 January 2004, the total period for the provision of assistance is estimated at 13 years.
Assistance under the Regional Equalisation Plan will be provided to broadcasters, mainly in the form of rebates on annual licence fees and, in some single service markets, in the form of taxable annual grants. The taxable grants provided in this measure for 2002‑03 and 2003‑04 are necessary for single service broadcasters where the rebate alone would not allow the broadcasters to claim their total level of assistance within the 13 year period.
Further Information
See also the related revenue measure titled Regional Equalisation Plan for digital television — licence fee rebates, in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Increased funding for major performing arts — response to the Major Performing Arts Inquiry
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts:	6.8	9.4	10.0	7.9	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funds of $43.3 million over four years to the major performing arts sector in response to the report of the Major Performing Arts Inquiry (chaired by Dr Helen Nugent). Some $9.2 million of the additional funding will be provided by the Department of Communication, Information Technology and the Arts from within existing resources. 
The Commonwealth Government will work in partnership with State and Territory Governments to ensure Australia has a financially healthy, artistically vibrant, and broadly accessible major performing arts sector. The additional funding will enable the implementation of two major initiatives:
•	an industry adjustment package of $12.1 million to assist the sector to improve its artistic vibrancy and strategic and management culture; and
•	a stabilising/repositioning package of $31.2 million to provide additional ongoing funding to assist performing arts companies artistic and financial performance.
Papers of former Prime Ministers
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
National Archives of Australia:	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will increase accessibility for both scholars and the wider community to the official and personal papers of former Prime Ministers. This will be administered by the National Archives of Australia and funding will be allocated for cataloging records, producing guides and developing public exhibitions.
Funding of $1.6 million over four years will be absorbed by the National Archives of Australia from within existing resourcing.
Additional resources for the Special Broadcasting Service Corporation for programme acquisition
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Special Broadcasting Service Corporation:	2.0	2.7	3.5	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding to the Special Broadcasting Service Corporation (SBS) for programme acquisition. The increased funds of $8.2 million over three years will allow SBS to maintain current programming quality in an environment of steadily rising prices.
Further Information
Over the last ten years the cost of purchasing programming from overseas suppliers has been rising steadily. To date, SBS has been able to absorb increased programme costs through good management of expenditure and commercial revenue generation.

Defence
Increasing operational availability of Reserves
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Defence:	20.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding to the Department of Defence to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Reserves. Initiatives being considered by the Government include promoting the retention of Reserve personnel by improving training of individuals and by providing support for their employers.
This is the first year of a new initiative by the Government to enhance the effectiveness of the Reserves. Funding beyond 2000‑01 will be considered as part of the overall future defence funding requirement in the Defence White Paper process.
Further Information
See also the related capital measure titled Additional resourcing for logistic support and corporate management systems in the Defence portfolio.
Supplementation for commercial rents
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Defence:	‑	20.1	20.7	21.3	

Explanation
The Government has agreed to a programme of Defence property sales. The sales mainly involve metropolitan office sites which will be sold in accordance with the Commonwealth Property Principles. Certain properties will be leased back and this measure will provide Defence with rental supplementation in respect of the commercial rental rates charged. 
Further Information
See also the related capital measure titled Sale of Defence property in the Defence portfolio.
Supplementation for purchase of Defence Housing Authority services
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Defence:	68.9	68.6	68.4	68.7	

Explanation
The Government will provide the Department of Defence with additional funding for the increased rental costs associated with the adoption of more commercial practices by the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). In line with the 1998 review of Commonwealth ownership of the DHA, the DHA is being restructured on a more commercial basis, including the commercial pricing of the services it provides to Defence. Consistent with the adoption of more commercial practices, this measure improves the transparency of DHA pricing. The supplementation to Defence will be budget neutral as DHA will return funds to the Commonwealth through increased dividends and taxes.

Education, Training and Youth Affairs
Additional resourcing for the Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme 
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs:	2.2	4.5	4.8	5.1	

Explanation
From 1 January 2001, the Government will enhance the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme, including changes to:
•	Basic Boarding;
•	Second Home; and
•	Distance Education.
In addition, the comparable ABSTUDY Group 2 School Fees Allowance will also increase to maintain its alignment with the AIC Basic Boarding Allowances.
The AIC Scheme helps families of students who are unable to attend an appropriate government school on a daily basis — primarily due to geographic isolation. This increase in allowances recognises the barriers to education faced by many isolated families and the extra costs associated with the schooling of their children. It will benefit approximately 14,700 students.
Further Information 
This measure increases the Basic Boarding Allowance by 10 per cent from the current annual indexed amount of $3,539 to $3,893 per eligible student, aligns the Second Home Allowance with the Basic Boarding Allowance and indexes the Second Home and Distance Education Allowances. In addition, the comparable ABSTUDY Group 2 School Fees Allowance will increase by 10 per cent from $3,539 to $3,893.

Amalgamation of the Advanced English for Migrants Programme with the Literacy and Numeracy Programme
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs:	‑3.1	‑5.6	‑5.7	‑5.7	

Explanation
The Government will amalgamate two programmes, the Advanced English for Migrants Programme (AEMP) and the Literacy and Numeracy Programme, to provide more flexible, integrated pathways to be established for the provision of assistance for language, literacy and numeracy training for the unemployed. The new programme will be retitled the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Training (LLANT) Programme and will be a Mutual Obligations activity.
Savings will be realised through increased efficiency in programme delivery, as former AEMP clients can be accommodated within available places in the former Literacy and Numeracy Programme. 
The measure takes effect from 1 January 2001 and will be ongoing. Full integration of the two programmes will be completed by 1 January 2002.
Australian Student Traineeship Foundation ‑ funding for work placement coordination and community partnership projects
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs:	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will extend funding for Australian Student Traineeship Foundation (ASTF) work placement coordination and community partnership projects for a further four years. This measure will extend the 1998 election commitment in Skilling Australia for Jobs, by providing $10.7 million in 2000‑01, $10.8 million in 2001‑02, $11.0 million in 2002‑03 and $11.2 million in 2003‑04. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
This funding will enable the ASTF to assist 200 work placement coordinators in schools (or their full‑time equivalent). These coordinators provide around 55,000 senior secondary students with opportunities to participate in programmes offering structured workplace learning.
Discovering Democracy Programme
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs:	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will extend the Discovering Democracy Programme until June 2004, with funding of $4.1 million in 2000‑01 and 2001‑02, $3.1 million in 2002‑03 and $2.1 million in 2003‑04. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates. 
The Discovering Democracy Programme is intended to promote an understanding of the structure and function of Australia’s system of government. The extension will allow Discovering Democracy to become embedded in mainstream school curriculums. Extended funding will also allow for materials focusing on the Centenary of Federation, Australian Multiculturalism and reconciliation between Indigenous and non‑Indigenous Australians to be incorporated into education resources.
Education Services for Overseas Students — strengthening the regulatory framework
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs:	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	

Explanation
The Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration of Providers and Financial Regulation) (ESOS) Act 1991 will be amended to strengthen the regulatory framework for the provision of education services for overseas students, including the establishment of a fidelity fund for overseas student providers. This will enable the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs to take a much more active role in the investigation, monitoring and pursuit of non‑compliance by providers of education services.
Further Information
See also the related revenue measure titled Education Services for Overseas Students — increased registration fees for providers, in the Education, Training and Youth Affairs portfolio.
Grant to the Australian‑American Education (Fulbright) Foundation
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs:	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide a one‑off grant of $0.2 million in 2000‑01 to the Australian‑American Education (Fulbright) Foundation for the purchase of office space for its headquarters. This grant is additional to the Commonwealth’s annual contribution of $0.5 million to assist with the Foundation’s education and scholarship programmes, and complements a one‑off contribution of $0.4 million from the Government of the United States of America for the Foundation’s accommodation.
This measure is being fully absorbed within the existing resourcing of the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs.
Increased funding for the Research Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Scheme
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs:	4.0	4.0	4.1	4.2	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional ongoing funding to the Research Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities (RIEF) Scheme to boost base funding to $24.6 million per annum from 2001. The RIEF Scheme funds large items of research infrastructure for collaborative use by universities, research organisations and industry and supports access by Australian researchers to major national and international research facilities.
These additional funds will further promote private investment in Australia’s research infrastructure, while universities, research organisations and industry partners contribute at least 25 per cent of the cost of equipment and facilities acquired under the Scheme.

Maintain support for the Jobs Pathway Programme
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs:	10.3	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide an additional $10.3 million in 2000‑01 to the Jobs Pathway Programme (JPP) to ensure that the current level of demand can continue to be satisfied. This funding builds on the ongoing base funding of $11.7 million for 2000‑01, and will assist students to make a smooth transition from school to work. Funding is provided to contracted service providers that work closely with schools and the local community.
Further Information
The JPP is a Mutual Obligations activity, and has outcomes that include employment, return to education or the progression to accredited training. All young people aged 15‑19 years, including those at school, are eligible for the programme.
The JPP falls within the scope of the Youth Pathways Action Plan Taskforce that is due to report in June 2000. Following that report, the Government will consider future funding in the 2001‑02 Budget.
New Apprenticeships — Workforce Skills Development Programme
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs:	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will continue to provide targeted and flexible support for apprenticeships and traineeships, through the New Apprenticeships: Workforce Skills Development Programme. This programme continues the work already commenced under the Modern Australian Apprenticeship and Traineeship System (MAATS) initiative and will assist in the consolidation and promotion of New Apprenticeships, with the Government providing $22.6 million in 2000‑01, $27.2 million in 2001‑02, $30.1 million in 2002‑03 and $29.2 million in 2003‑04. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates. 
Further Information
This measure aims to build on industry commitment to New Apprenticeships by communicating the benefits and flexibilities available through the new system and providing support to employers and individuals moving into the new arrangements. The Government will focus support through the School to Work (Enterprise Education) Programme, Group Training Targeted Initiatives, Enhanced Educative Services, the Strategic Intervention Programme, the New Apprenticeship Access Programme, the Wage Top Up Scheme, and New Apprenticeships Marketing.
Strategic Partnerships with Industry — Research and Training Scheme 
Expense ($m)
	2000‑01	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs:	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will maintain current funding levels for the Strategic Partnerships with Industry — Research and Training (SPIRT) Scheme on an ongoing basis, providing $13.0 million in 2001‑02, $24.7 million in 2002‑03 and $25.1 million in 2003‑04. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates. This measure extends the Government’s 1998 election commitment to provide additional funding for SPIRT for a three‑year period, and provides ongoing base funding of $56.8 million per calendar year. 
The scheme aims to improve links between universities and industry by supporting collaborative research projects undertaken to acquire new knowledge and by providing awards and fellowships for training and research in industrial settings. The scheme leverages substantial financial contributions from industry partners that, at a minimum, match Commonwealth funding.