Part 2:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO
Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 1:  Expense Measures since the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 2:  Expense Measures up to the 2000‑01 MYEFO

Table 2:  Expense Measures up to the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 2:  Expense Measures up to the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

Table 2:  Expense Measures up to the 2000‑01 MYEFO (continued)

(a)	All funding for this measure, including funding for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio, is listed under the Environment and Heritage portfolio.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Additional assistance for dairy farmers
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government has agreed to provide an additional $142.4 million in assistance to the dairy industry, targeted at those farmers and communities hardest hit by the price reductions for market milk that have followed industry deregulation on 1 July 2000. The additional funding will provide for $99.5 million of individual payments to dairy farmers who were heavily reliant on market milk premiums before deregulation, up to $20 million in discretionary payments to dairy entities, and an additional allocation of $20 million to the Dairy Regional Assistance Programme. An additional $2.9 million will be provided to the Dairy Adjustment Authority to administer the measure. These payments will be made once enabling legislation has been passed.
The assistance package is designed to complement the $1.78 billion Dairy Structural Adjustment Package already assisting dairy farmers throughout Australia and will be funded by an extension of the retail levy on milk.
As the payments are levy funded and delivered by the Australian Dairy Corporation, outside the General Government sector, this measure has no net impact on the fiscal balance.
See also the related revenue measure titled Extension of dairy industry adjustment levy and the expense measure titled Expansion of the Dairy Regional Assistance Programme in the Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business portfolio.
Agricultural Development Partnerships
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	3.7	6.6	7.7	8.4	

Explanation
The Government will provide $26.4 million from 2001‑02 to 2004‑05 for the Agricultural Development Partnerships Programme. 
The programme will provide assistance for structural adjustment, targeted to specific agricultural industries and regions experiencing significant problems affecting farm profitability and sustainability. 
The States will provide matching funding over the life of the programme.
See also the related expense measure titled Savings from Farmbis — Skilling Farmers for the Future in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio.
Australia’s response to foot and mouth disease and other quarantine risks
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	61.9	73.5	73.5	73.5	
Australian Customs Service	53.7	56.5	59.4	62.5	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	20.0	13.2	8.0	8.2	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	19.4	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $592.8 million over five years ($6.4 million in 2000‑01) to provide additional resourcing and infrastructure to strengthen Australia’s defence against the introduction of exotic pests and diseases, including foot and mouth disease. This amount includes $6.7 million in 2001‑02 for Australian Customs Service infrastructure costs.
This funding will be used to implement a heightened quarantine inspection regime to cover 100 per cent of all goods and mail entering Australia and approximately 80 per cent of all passenger baggage entering Australia via airports except for some passengers arriving at peak times from certain low risk countries, such as New Zealand. Increased monitoring of airline and ship waste disposal will be undertaken. Infrastructure costs at international airports and mail facilities required to implement the increased inspection regime will be met by the Government.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Attorney General’s Department, the Departmental of Communications Information Technology and the Arts and the Department of Transport and Regional Services.
See also the related expense measure Continuation of Nairn funding for quarantine measures and the related revenue and capital measures for Australia’s response to foot and mouth disease and other quarantine risks under the Attorney General’s portfolio.
Backing Australia’s Ability — New Industries Development Programme Mark II 
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	5.1	5.2	5.2	5.2	

Explanation
The Government will provide $21.7 million over five years to expand and enhance the existing New Industries Development Programme. The expanded programme will support Australian agribusiness in gaining the business skills and resources required to successfully commercialise new agribusiness products, technologies and services.
Commonwealth contribution to the Murray‑Darling Basin Commission
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide an additional $2.4 million in 2001‑02 from the Natural Heritage Trust as part of the Commonwealth contribution to the Murray‑Darling Basin Commission. The funding will contribute to ongoing maintenance and refurbishment of the Murray‑Darling Basin Commission assets, investigation activities and administrative costs of the Commission.
This funding is in addition to $4.3 million per annum currently being provided and another $5.1 million in 2001‑02 from the Natural Heritage Trust.

Commonwealth Flood Assistance Package for central and northern New South Wales and southern Queensland
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	29.5	‑	‑	‑	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government is providing $151.7 million over two years for flood assistance, with amounts of $116.2 million and $6 million provided in 2000‑01 through the Departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Transport and Regional Services respectively. 
The Flood Assistance Package is aimed at agricultural enterprises in central and northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, which have suffered hardship as a result of the November 2000 floods on top of a series of crop losses in the previous two harvesting seasons. 
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Department of Transport and Regional Services, with assistance administered by Centrelink.
Continuation of Nairn funding for quarantine activities
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	5.3	13.8	13.8	13.8	

Explanation
The Government will provide $46.7 million from 2001‑02 to 2004‑05 to maintain quarantine related activities at the higher level of resourcing established following the 1996 Nairn report: Australian Quarantine — A Shared Responsibility. The additional funding will enable the Import Risk Analysis Programme, Border Processing, Animal and Plant Health activities, the Quarantine Awareness Campaign and the Quarantine Exports Advisory Council to continue at their current capacity. 
Exceptional circumstances — Western Australia  
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	6.1	4.1	‑	‑	
Department of Family and Community Services	0.4	0.4	0.1	‑	
Department of Health and Aged Care	0.2	0.1	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $23.1 million over four years, (including $4 million in 2000‑01) as exceptional circumstances assistance to nominated shires in the south‑eastern wheat belt of Western Australia.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Department of Family and Community Services and the Department of Health and Aged Care. 
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will absorb $9.5 million of the total cost within its existing resourcing.
Flood assistance for dairy farmers in northern New South Wales
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government is providing $18 million in 2000‑01 for assistance to dairy farmers in northern New South Wales adversely affected by recent heavy rains and floods. The grants of up to $15,000 per applicant will enable eligible dairy farmers to purchase fodder or replant improved pasture damaged by rain or flooding. 
The cost will be met from within existing funds allocated for the November 2000 floods. 
This assistance is administered by Centrelink.
See also the related expense measure titled Commonwealth flood assistance package for central and northern New South Wales and southern Queensland in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio. 
National Food Industry Strategy
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	1.5	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $3 million ($1.5 million in each of 2000‑01 and 2001‑02) for the development of a National Food Industry Strategy. The aim is to develop a strategic framework to underpin the future growth of an innovative and globally competitive Australian processed food and beverage industry. 
Pricing review of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	7.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcome of a pricing review for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. This review has resulted in agreement to provide up to $20 million in 2001‑02 as a line of credit, to be drawn against as required, to strengthen the Department’s financial position in the longer term. The line of credit will consist of a $7 million increase in expenses (shown above) and a $13 million equity injection in 2001‑02.
See also the related capital measure Pricing review of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio.
Rural Financial Counselling Services
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	5.8	5.8	5.8	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $17.4 million from 2001‑02 to 2003‑04 to extend the Rural Financial Counselling Services Programme. The programme assists businesses in rural Australia, particularly farm businesses, to deal with a range of financial pressures and adjustment issues by providing free financial advice on request. 
Funding for each counselling service typically comprises a 50 per cent contribution from the Commonwealth, and 25 per cent each from the State Government and the local community.
See also the related measure titled Savings from Farmbis — Skilling Farmers for the Future in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio.
Savings from Farmbis — Skilling Farmers for the Future Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	‑6.7	‑12.4	‑13.5	‑8.4	

Explanation
The Government will reallocate $41.0 million over four years from the Farmbis — Skilling Farmers for the Future Programme to fund the new Agricultural Development Partnerships Programme ($26.4 million from 2001‑02 to 2004‑05). 
The reallocation of funds will lead to the provision of services that are better targeted to regions and industries in need. The Farmbis programme will continue with funding of $135.9 million over four years. 
See also the related expense measures titled Agricultural Development Partnerships, Rural Financial Counselling Services and National Food Industry Strategy in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio.

Attorney‑General’s
Additional resourcing for Native Title
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Attorney General's Department	5.5	5.1	3.3	2.0	
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission	2.9	4.7	6.1	3.7	
National Native Title Tribunal	6.0	10.5	10.3	8.9	
Federal Court of Australia	5.3	4.6	4.1	3.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding of $85.9 million over four years to the National Native Title Tribunal, the Federal Court, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and the Attorney‑General’s Department to enable the enhanced delivery of services for native title issues. The measure will provide for more timely decisions on native title disputes, the establishment of a body of precedents and a more efficient handling of native title cases.
Actual workloads are expected to increase as the number of active native title applications are not expected to peak until 2002‑03. A review of the funding requirements for this programme will occur in 2003‑04.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Attorney‑General’s Department, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, the National Native Title Tribunal and the Federal Court of Australia.
Diplomatic guarding
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Attorney General's Department	7.8	8.0	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding of $15.8 million over 2001‑02 and 2002‑03 towards protective security services for diplomatic and consular missions overseas. The Government has a responsibility under international law to protect foreign diplomatic and consular missions in Australia.
As part of this package the Australian Protective Service will develop an on‑call surge capacity for use when required at diplomatic and consular missions.
Pricing review of the Attorney‑General’s Department
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Attorney General's Department	‑1.0	‑1.0	‑1.0	‑1.0	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of the second stage of the pricing review for the Attorney‑General’s Department which began in 2000‑01. This has resulted in an adjustment in resourcing to reflect the delivery of ongoing savings for the Attorney‑General’s Department of $1 million per annum.
The Department will pursue efficiencies in the delivery of its corporate services activities to enable it to meet best practice benchmarks. To help achieve these efficiencies the Department is market testing its corporate services activities, including its information technology infrastructure.
The reduction in resourcing will be accommodated through efficiency measures identified as part of the review. The reduction will not result in any changes to the quantity or quality of the outputs produced by the Attorney‑General’s Department.
Pro bono secretariat
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Attorney General's Department	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	

Explanation
New funding will provide the Attorney‑General’s Department with $0.3 million per annum between 2001‑02 and 2004‑05 to establish a secretariat that will promote, expand and coordinate pro bono legal services across Australia, including regional areas. This initiative supports the Government’s commitment for improved access to justice by encouraging private legal firms to provide greater amounts of pro bono services thereby optimising the benefits of legal aid services.

Protection of the National Information Infrastructure
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Attorney General's Department	0.6	‑	‑	‑	
Australian Federal Police	0.2	‑	‑	‑	
Department of Defence	0.5	‑	‑	‑	
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation	0.6	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide total funding of $2 million in 2001‑02 to enhance Australia’s capability to protect National Information Infrastructure from unauthorised access and use. The type of information available on the National Information Infrastructure includes telecommunications, banking and finance, transport and distribution, energy and utilities (electricity, gas and water), information services, and other critical government services including defence and emergency services.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Attorney‑General’s Department, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Department of Defence and the Australian Federal Police. Cooperation between these agencies will provide a coordinated approach to addressing the risks associated with access to highly sensitive information.
See also the related capital measure titled Protection of the National Information Infrastructure in the Attorney General’s portfolio.
Australian Federal Police Reform Programme Stage 2
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Federal Police	28.3	28.7	28.2	25.3	

Explanation
The Government will provide $110.5 million over four years to the Australian Federal Police for Stage 2 of its Reform Programme to improve staffing levels, enhance facilities and equipment, and improve financial management.
This funding will enable the Australian Federal Police to continue the progress it has made in improving operational performance under Stage 1 of the Reform Programme. Resources will continue to be directed to fighting organised crime and illicit drug activities while maintaining current policing capacity.
Back‑capture of DNA samples from federal prisoners
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Federal Police	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
New measures will be introduced to allow the Australian Federal Police to collect DNA samples from convicted serious offenders for case analysis and to establish a DNA database. The cost of these measures will be $0.7 million and will be reallocated from existing resources.
Payment to Australian Federal Police East Timor peacekeepers
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Federal Police	3.1	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $3.1 million in 2001‑02 for an East Timor Adjustment Payment to Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers who served in the first three detachments of peacekeepers in East Timor. 174 AFP officers will receive the payment to compensate them for tax exemptions to which they have not previously been entitled. These exemptions were available to later detachments of AFP Officers.

Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
Renewed support to the Regional Arts Fund, the Young and Emerging Artists Initiative and the Major Festivals Initiative
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australia Council	4.5	2.5	2.6	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding of $9.6 million over three years to the Australia Council for:
•	the Regional Arts Fund, to make a significant and sustainable contribution to regional arts development;
•	the Young and Emerging Artists Initiative, to assist Australian artists (across all art forms) at the formative stages of their careers; and
•	the Major Festivals Initiative, to provide support to Australia’s major international festivals to enable them to develop and present large scale commissioned works.
This extends the commitment given in the Government’s 1998 election policy statement Arts for Australia’s Sake. 
Reprioritisation of expenditure — Australia Council
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australia Council	‑1.5	‑1.5	‑1.5	‑1.5	

Explanation
Reprioritising expenditure for the Australia Council will allow support for the Regional Arts Fund, the Young and Emerging Artists Initiative and the Major Festivals Initiative without affecting existing grant programmes.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — additional funding
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Broadcasting Corporation	17.8	17.8	17.8	17.8	

Explanation
The Government will provide $71.2 million over four years to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to provide additional regional and local programming across all media. This will allow the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to broaden its coverage of regional and local events, present regional perspectives to a national audience and convert regional radio stations to multimedia broadcast centres.
The Government anticipates that the largest component of these funds will be applied to additional regional and rural programmes.
Additional funding for the National Council for the Centenary of Federation for promoting Federation Fund projects
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government provided an additional $6.5 million in 2000‑01 to the National Council for the Centenary of Federation to fulfil its public information campaign and to produce additional communications material. The campaign aims to raise awareness across the community of the Centenary and the associated celebrations.
The Government also provided $0.5 million in 2000‑01 to supplement existing funds for the promotion of Federation Fund projects. Promotion initiatives include media advertising, web page development and the production and distribution of newsletters.
Australian Film Finance Corporation — continuation of funding
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government has confirmed its in‑principle decision (announced in the 2000‑01 Budget) to provide triennial funding for the period 2001‑02 to 2003‑04 of $50 million per year to the Australian Film Finance Corporation. This measure will maintain the Government’s funding for Australian film and television productions, and provide long term certainty for investors in the Australian film and television industry.
Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Backing Australia’s Ability — Innovation Access Programme 
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	1.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	

Explanation
As part of the Innovation Access Programme, the Government will extend the Information Technology Online Programme, facilitating e‑commerce take‑up in key sectors, including small and medium enterprise. The Innovation Access Programme is designed to increase access by Australian researchers and firms to global research and technologies.
See also the related expense measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability — Innovation Access Programme in the Industry, Science and Resources portfolio.
Backing Australia’s Ability — National Innovation Awareness Strategy
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	0.7	1.2	1.2	0.6	

Explanation
As part of the National Innovation Awareness Strategy, the Government will provide $3.7 million over four years to support the rural and regional programme Smart Moves, administered by the National Science and Technology Centre (Questacon). This programme will deliver innovative ways to increase the awareness of school students and their teachers of science and innovation, by touring presentations, exhibits, a website and media presentations. The aim is to encourage students to be innovative, creative and entrepreneurial, and to consider careers in science and technology.
This funding is part of the $35 million provided to raise awareness of innovation and the role it plays in our society. The strategy includes support for activities included in the existing Science and Technology Awareness Programme, and business‑led innovation awareness initiatives. 
See also the related expense measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability — National Innovation Awareness Strategy in the Industry, Science and Resources portfolio.
Backing Australia’s Ability — World‑Class Centres of Excellence
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	4.5	8.8	12.0	17.7	

Explanation
The Government will create World‑Class Centres of Excellence in research, including funding to set up a Centre focussing on information and communications technology. The Centre will build a critical mass in research expertise and develop networks into existing research organisations. It will receive $129.5 million from the Government over five years. Of this total, $62.5 million will be provided through the Australian Research Council’s Competitive Grants in the years 2002‑03 to 2005‑06. The Centre will recruit Australian and overseas research leaders and is expected to attract substantial investment.
See the related expense measures titled Backing Australia’s Ability — World‑Class Centres of Excellence and Backing Australia’s Ability — Expansion of the Cooperative Research Centres Programme in the Industry, Science and Resources portfolio, and Backing Australia’s Ability — Double funding for national competitive reseach grants in the Education, Training and Youth Affairs portfolio.
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts — reallocation of surplus funds
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	‑	‑5.0	‑5.0	‑5.0	

Explanation
Savings arise in the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts from lower than expected take up of information technology related activities.
Reallocation of surplus funds will support other priority areas. See also the expense measures titled Maintenance of the funding base of elements of the Cultural Development Programme, Renewed support to the Regional Arts Fund, the Young and Emerging Artists Initiative and the Major Festivals Initiative in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Digital interference subsidy
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	10.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Australian broadcasting industry has established a digital interference management strategy. The introduction of digital television from 1 January 2001 may give rise to interference with the operation of video cassette recorders and pay television set top boxes in some areas. The interference can be eliminated by retuning. This interference management strategy involves a comprehensive public information campaign, a telephone hotline service which can provide detailed technical advice, a website, and other technical assistance to viewers where required.
Additional funds will be made available as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Special Broadcasting Service make their contribution to this strategy. 
Maintenance of the base funding of elements of the Cultural Development Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	7.4	5.7	4.9	1.4	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding of $19.4 million over four years to the Cultural Development Programme for:
•	Regional Access Programmes, to improve access to cultural activities particularly in rural and regional areas;
•	National Training Centres of Excellence, such as the Australian Ballet School and the National Institute of Dramatic Art, supporting Australia’s most talented young performers in pursuit of excellence in their chosen fields; and
•	Australia Business Arts Foundation, to encourage private sector support for the arts.
This extends the commitment given in the Government’s 1998 election policy statement Arts for Australia’s Sake, to help maintain the higher funding level of the Cultural Development Programme.
Pricing review of the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government conducted a pricing review for the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. This resulted in no overall change in the Department’s resourcing, subject to the Department working with the Department of Finance and Administration to refine its benchmarking and continuous improvement programme.
Radiocommunications licensing arrangements
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Communications Authority	‑0.7	‑0.7	‑0.7	‑0.7	

Explanation
The Government will remove annual licence fees for radio equipment for small boat and marine leisure craft licence holders and aircraft licence holders. Removal of the need to administer the licence fee arrangements will result in an estimated $0.7 million per annum administrative saving from the Australian Communications Authority.
Implementation of this measure is subject to Parliamentary approval.
See also the related revenue measure titled Radiocommunications licensing arrangements in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Telecommunications Service Inquiry response — Savings from the Telstra Social Bonus
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	nfp	nfp	nfp	nfp	

Explanation
The Government will reallocate a proportion of the funding from the Rural Internet Access reserve to fund telecommunications and internet initiatives as part of the Government’s response to the Telecommunications Service Inquiry. The reallocation of funds is possible because the objectives of the programme have already been met and will lead to the provision of better targeted assistance in priority areas in rural and remote communities.
See also the related expense measures titled Telecommunications Service Inquiry response, in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Savings from the National Transmission Network residual pool 
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	‑2.0	‑2.0	‑2.0	‑2.0	

Explanation
The National Transmission Network residual pool was created after the sale of the National Transmission Network to ensure that a number of Government commitments in relation to the transmission arrangements for national, community and remote commercial broadcasters, as well as Radio for the Print Handicapped, were met. As ongoing transmission funding or grant deed payments have now been put in place to meet these commitments, surplus funds are not required. Funds can be reallocated to other priority areas. 
See also the related expense measure titled Maintenance of the funding base of elements of the Cultural Development Programme in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Telecommunications Service Inquiry response — contribution to a national Online Technical Assistance Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	0.4	1.8	3.8	‑	

Explanation
An Online Technical Assistance Programme will provide online help and technical support to internet users, especially rural and remote users. The objective is to help ensure that all users can achieve, on demand, a connection speed equivalent to 19.2 kilobits per second. 
This is a joint initiative with Telstra and the Commonwealth’s contribution will be $12 million over three years. As part of this initiative the Government will allocate $6 million from the Rural Internet Access Fund, an existing Telstra Social Bonus programme. 
See also the related expense measures titled Telecommunications Service Inquiry response in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Telecommunications Service Inquiry response — extend mobile phone coverage to other areas
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	4.5	17.1	19.9	‑	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will make available $50.5 million over three years for further extensions in mobile phone service access in smaller communities, more remote areas and along major roads. The Government has already committed $7 million to projects in Western Australia for this purpose. Funding will be provided through the States and Territories, and the Commonwealth will invite them to make matching contributions. 
As part of this initiative the Government will allocate $9 million from within the Rural Transaction Centres Programme to fund greater rural access to mobile telephony technology and services. This is consistent with the purpose of the Rural Transaction Centres Programme to enable people in rural areas to have access to services and technology that allow them to obtain information or carry out transactions, including telephone and internet services. The $9 million is already included in the forward estimates, and therefore no additional funding is included for the Transport and Regional Services portfolio in the table above.
See also the related expense measures titled Telecommunications Service Inquiry response in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Telecommunications Service Inquiry response — extend mobile phone coverage to communities of more than 500 people
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	15.5	12.2	10.0	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide up to $37.7 million over three years to ensure that all communities in Australia with more than 500 people have terrestrial mobile phone coverage, subject to confirmation of community needs and ongoing commercial viability.
See also the related expense measures titled Telecommunications Service Inquiry response in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Telecommunications Service Inquiry response — funding consumer representation and research
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	‑	0.9	0.9	0.9	

Explanation
The Government will provide $3.4 million over four years, starting in 2002‑03, for consumer representation and telecommunications research. Funding guidelines will be modified to give greater priority to proposals relating to services for people with disabilities and also regional, rural and remote consumers. 
See also the related expense measures titled Telecommunications Service Inquiry response in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Telecommunications Service Inquiry response — improving community awareness
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	6.7	0.2	‑	‑	

Explanation
Consistent with the findings of the Telecommunications Service Inquiry, an extensive campaign will be conducted to improve community awareness in regional areas of the rights of telecommunications consumers, new advanced service options, and Government funding programmes.
See also the related expense measures titled Telecommunications Service Inquiry response in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Telecommunications Service Inquiry response — improving services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	0.4	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will fund additional research into the unmet telecommunications needs of indigenous communities. In addition, there will be an enhancement of the payphone obligation in relation to indigenous communities under the Universal Service Obligation. 
See also the related expense measures titled Telecommunications Service Inquiry response in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Telecommunications Service Inquiry response — National Communications Fund
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	0.7	13.4	25.4	12.7	

Explanation
A new National Communications Fund will allocate $50 million in competitive grants over three years to assist significant regional communications projects, particularly for the provision of education, health and community services in regional areas. Priority will be given to applicants demonstrating effective integration with broader regional community initiatives. A further $2.2 million will be provided to administer the grant programme.
See also the related expense measures titled Telecommunications Service Inquiry response in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.

Defence
Defence and surplus East Timor funds 
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Defence:	100.0	70.0	‑	‑	

Explanation
Australia's successful involvement in INTERFET and early conclusion of that mission resulted in an underspend of monies budgeted for the East Timor mission. Out of this underspend, $100 million in 2001‑02 and $70 million in 2002‑03 will be allocated to Defence, in addition to the forward estimates and in addition to White Paper funding increases.
Defence Capital Investment Programme 
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Defence:	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
Consistent with the strategic priorities announced as part of the Defence White Paper, Defence 2000: Our Future Defence Force, the Government has approved a significant capital acquisition programme to increase the capability of Australia's armed forces.
Major capital investment projects include the purchase of airborne early warning and control aircraft and the upgrading of the Collins class submarines to a high level of capability. Estimated expenditure is $509.1 million in 2001‑02, $829.0 million in 2002‑03, $1,180.6 million in 2003‑04. Provision for funding has been made in the forward estimates under the measure titled Defence White Paper.
Defence White Paper
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Defence:	507.0	1039.4	1464.7	2042.1	

Explanation
The Government has provided an increase in Defence funding of $5.1 billion over four years, with $507 million in 2001‑02. The military enhancements announced in the White Paper follow a major review of Australia’s defence requirements.
The Government’s Defence White Paper, Defence 2000: Our Future Defence Force, provides Defence with a Capability Plan and funding projection for the development of Australia’s armed forces over the next decade. It lays down the most specific funding commitment given by any Australian Government in over 25 years. In all, defence spending over the next ten years is expected to increase by a total of $27.6 billion, averaging around 3 per cent per annum growth in real terms bringing total spending over the period to around $160 billion.
Enhancement of the Australian Defence Force Cadets
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Defence:	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
Consistent with the Defence White Paper, Defence 2000: Our Future Defence Force, the Government will allocate an additional $6 million per annum to enhance the Australian Defence Force Cadets, bringing total funding to $30 million per annum. This will provide greater opportunities for young people around Australia to participate as cadets and access the benefits of youth development programmes in a military context. 
Provision for funding has already been made in the forward estimates under the measure titled Defence White Paper.
Supplementation for commercial rents
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Defence:	16.0	16.0	16.0	16.0	

Explanation
The Government has agreed to a programme of Defence property sales. The sales mainly involve metropolitan facilities that will be sold in accordance with the Commonwealth property principles. Certain properties will be leased back. This measure will provide Defence with rental supplementation in respect of the commercial rental rates charged to maintain its capacity to deliver agreed capabilities.
See also the related capital measure titled Defence assets sales in the Defence portfolio.

Education, Training and Youth Affairs
Adjustment to Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs resourcing
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	‑2.1	‑2.2	‑2.2	‑2.3	

Explanation
This measure provides for a reduction in the cost of outputs for the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs. The reduction is to be taken into account in the context of a pricing review scheduled to report in the 2002‑03 Budget context.
This adjustment does not reflect any change in the quality or quantity of the Department’s outputs. The pricing review is to benchmark best practice in the delivery of government services. 
Backing Australia’s Ability — 2,000 additional targeted university places
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	13.9	24.8	33.4	40.3	

Explanation
The Government will fund 2,000 additional targeted university undergraduate places per year from 2002. These places rise to nearly 5,500 a year by 2005 as students continue through the system. The new places will be allocated to universities on a competitive basis with priority on programmes in the area of information and communications technology, mathematics and science.
See also the related revenue measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability — 2,000 additional targeted university places in the Education, Training and Youth Affairs portfolio.

Backing Australia’s Ability — additional funding for project‑specific research infrastructure
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	26.8	47.7	68.7	89.3	

Explanation
The Government will provide an additional $337.0 million over five years for project‑specific research infrastructure. University infrastructure comprises the overhead resources essential for undertaking high quality research and training projects or programmes. It includes the operation of facilities such as libraries, computing centres, animal housing, herbaria, experimental farms, telecommunications and other equipment, and salaries for support staff.
This initiative will maintain current levels of infrastructure support provided through the Research Infrastructure Block Grants Scheme at twenty cents in the national competitive research grant dollar.
Backing Australia’s Ability — additional funding for systemic research and research training infrastructure in universities
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	26.3	53.2	54.4	55.5	

Explanation
The Government will provide an additional $246.0 million over five years to upgrade the systemic infrastructure of universities. Systemic infrastructure covers resources which link or expand access to shared facilities across the higher education system, such as libraries, information and communications technologies, specialised equipment and technical and administrative assistance. Universities will be required to submit applications for funding which will be allocated for innovative approaches and on the basis of demonstrated need. It is expected that there will be an element of collaboration between universities to ensure the most effective use of the resources provided.
Backing Australia’s Ability — double funding for national competitive research grants
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	19.2	92.5	142.8	205.4	

Explanation
The Government will provide an additional $736.4 million over five years to double funding for the national competitive research grants administered by the Australian Research Council by 2006. This measure will ensure the continuing supply of new ideas, new applications of knowledge and the identification of new areas of inquiry which are essential to innovation.
Backing Australia’s Ability — fostering scientific, mathematical and technological skills and innovation in government schools
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	33.1	34.9	36.8	38.7	

Explanation
The Government will contribute an additional $184.3 million over five years to government schools for the purposes of achieving better scientific, mathematical and technological skills, developing school based innovation and building supportive school environments.
Backing Australia’s Ability — online curriculum content
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	4.5	7.2	7.4	7.5	

Explanation
The Government will provide $34.1 million over five years to support national collaboration to make high quality online curriculum resources available to Australian school systems so that they can fulfil their responsibility of ensuring that young Australians have essential skills and knowledge for the twenty‑first century. A body of curriculum content will be developed which addresses agreed national priorities, supports Australia’s cultural identity and nurtures innovative skills in young people.
This initiative will also stimulate a competitive educational online content market and enable Australian curriculum content developers to exploit global opportunities.
Part of the Government's funding will be directed towards the development, implementation and maintenance of standards and frameworks required for joint development and shared use of online curriculum resources among Australian schools.
Backing Australia’s Ability — Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	0.7	0.4	0.4	0.4	

Explanation
The Government will provide, from the commencement of the 2002 academic year, an income contingent loan facility similar to the Higher Education Contribution Scheme for eligible students enrolled in fee‑paying postgraduate non‑research courses. In 2002, almost 45,000 continuing and commencing students are expected to take up loans as a result of this initiative. The loans scheme will help in removing barriers to national investment in education, training and skills development, and is expected to increase enrolments in fee‑paying postgraduate non‑research courses. The loan facility will be available to eligible students enrolled at institutions that receive operating grant funding under the Higher Education Funding Act 1988.
It is expected that the cash value of loans to students will amount to some $995 million over five years. Under accepted accounting practice, the actual amount loaned to students is treated as a financial asset and therefore does not impact on expenses.
The impact of this measure on expenses represents $2.3 million over five years for the cost of administering the scheme.
See also the related revenue measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability — Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme in the Education, Training and Youth Affairs portfolio.

Career and transition pilots — enhancing young peoples’ transition from school to further education or work
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
This measure will pilot initiatives that test new approaches to providing enhanced career and transition information and support to young people aged 13 to 19 years and their families. Pilots will provide funding for around 30 career and transition advisers, who will work collaboratively in participating communities with schools, families, the community, industry and the Enterprise and Career Education Foundation work placement coordinators. The outcome of the pilots will inform future good practice and policy development. The cost of the pilots will be $3.6 million over 2001‑02 and 2002‑03, and will be met from within existing resourcing.
This measure forms part of the Government’s initial response to the Prime Minister’s Youth Pathways Action Plan Taskforce Report Footprints to the Future.
Expand the geographic coverage of Enterprise and Career Education Foundation Work Placement Coordinators
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	1.2	2.7	3.1	2.6	

Explanation
The Government will provide an additional $9.7 million to the Enterprise and Career Education Foundation to extend its Work Placement Coordinator arrangements into remote areas of central and northern Australia, ensuring national coverage. This measure is in addition to ongoing base funding. The Work Placement Coordinator activities involve partnerships between industry and education at the local level. They foster greater involvement by local enterprises and industry bodies in enterprise and career education activities, and also maintain important linkages between schools and the community.
This measure forms part of the Government’s initial response to the Prime Minister’s Youth Pathways Action Plan Taskforce Report Footprints to the Future.
Higher education places for regional universities and campuses
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	4.3	7.8	10.5	12.6	

Explanation
The Government will provide 670 additional university undergraduate places per year from 2002. These places rise to 1,832 a year from 2005 as students continue through the system. The new places will be allocated to regional universities and campuses to increase access to higher education and address increased demand due to demographic growth. 

See also the related revenue measure titled Higher education places for regional universities and campuses in the Education, Training and Youth Affairs portfolio.
Improving schooling outcomes
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
Resourcing of $36.9 million over the period 2001‑02 to 2002‑03 will be provided for educational support delivered through the Commonwealth’s Strategic Assistance for Improving Student Outcomes Programme and the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies and Projects Programme.
The resources will be used to improve the learning outcomes of educationally disadvantaged students, particularly in the key areas of literacy and numeracy.
This will maintain the level of resourcing provided in the 1999‑2000 Budget measures Improvement of School Students’ Literacy and Numeracy Skills and Literacy and Numeracy in the Middle Years of Schooling for a full four‑year period. Provision for 2001‑02 and 2002‑03 was already made in the forward estimates. Consistent with normal budgeting practice, provision for additional resourcing of $99.4 million over 2003‑04 and 2004‑05 has also been made in the forward estimates.
Income‑contingent loans for bridging courses for overseas trained professionals
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	‑	‑2.1	‑2.1	‑2.2	

Explanation
The Government has decided that eligible overseas trained permanent resident professionals who are preparing to meet formal recognition requirements will be liable to pay full course costs for bridging courses, but will be eligible to receive a Higher Education Contribution Scheme‑style income‑contingent loan. The above table reflects the savings that arise from the replacement of the current arrangements with loans from 1 July 2002.
The Bridging Courses for the Overseas Trained Programme helps overseas trained professionals meet or prepare to meet specific academic or professional requirements for their profession.
In 2000‑01, approximately 500 people will participate in bridging courses.
See also the related revenue measure Income‑contingent loans for bridging courses for overseas trained professionals in the Education, Training and Youth Affairs portfolio.
Innovative and collaborative pilots for youth‑related programmes
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
This measure will pilot cross‑portfolio and cross‑government collaborative approaches to the delivery of government services and encourage greater community involvement in the development of local strategies to deliver more effective services and outcomes for young people. Approximately 18 pilot projects will test new ways to support approximately 1,500 young people including early intervention and prevention approaches. Improved coordination and integration of Commonwealth and State/Territory activities will be a focus of the pilots. The cost of the pilot will be $3.7 million over 2001‑02 and 2002‑03, and will be met from within existing resources.
This measure forms part of the Government’s initial response to the Prime Minister’s Youth Pathways Action Plan Taskforce Report Footprints to the Future.
Job Placement, Employment and Training Programme — employment support for homeless young people
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	4.2	4.0	4.1	4.5	

Explanation
The Government will provide an additional $16.8 million over four years to the Job Placement, Employment and Training Programme to ensure that the programme can continue to provide services to around 14,000 young people per year through approximately 138 providers. This builds on the ongoing funding base of $59 million over the period from 2001‑02 to 2004‑05. Funding is provided to contracted organisations that deliver a range of services to assist young people aged 15 to 21 years who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This measure will help overcome barriers preventing young people from maintaining stable accommodation and participating in education, training or employment.
This measure forms part of the Government’s initial response to the Prime Minister’s Youth Pathways Action Plan Taskforce Report Footprints to the Future.
Jobs Pathway Programme — support for transition from school to work
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	12.1	10.9	11.2	12.6	

Explanation
The Government will provide an additional $46.7 million over four years to the Jobs Pathway Programme to ensure the maintenance of the current level of service to over 1,600 secondary schools and up to 70,000 young people aged 15 to 19 years each year. This funding is in addition to ongoing base funding of $53.3 million over the period 2001‑02 to 2004‑05. The programme seeks to ensure that young people have a smooth transition from school to work. Funding is provided to contracted service providers that work closely with schools and local communities.
This measure forms part of the Government’s initial response to the Prime Minister’s Youth Pathways Action Plan Taskforce Report Footprints to the Future.
Training for Innovation — growth funding for the Australian National Training Authority Agreement
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	50.0	76.5	104.1	‑	

Explanation
The Government has agreed to make available up to $231 million over the period 2001‑02 to 2003‑04 under a new Australian National Training Authority Agreement to support the operations of the vocational education and training sector. This funding is expected to enable the States to expand New Apprenticeship training opportunities and to further develop the broad skill base needed to support innovation in industry. It is in addition to annual Commonwealth funding of over $950 million in 2001 (rising to over $1 billion by 2004) provided to the Australian National Training Authority under the Vocational Education and Training Funding Act 1992.
The growth funding forms part of the Commonwealth’s proposal for a new Australian National Training Authority Agreement for the period 2001 to 2003 and will be available to those States and Territories that endorse the proposed Agreement, including a requirement that States and Territories match the Commonwealth’s growth funding on a dollar for dollar basis.

Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business
Development and enhancement of the Business Entry Point internet site
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business	8.2	8.4	8.5	8.7	

Explanation
The Government will provide $33.8 million over four years for the continuation and enhancement of the Business Entry Point. The Business Entry Point comprises an Internet‑based service (www.business.gov.au) supported by a telephone hotline, which provides free access for business to all levels of government through a single entry point.
The enhanced Business Entry Point will allow businesses to undertake more of their government‑related transactions online.
Expansion of the Dairy Regional Assistance Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business	10.0	10.0	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Dairy Regional Assistance Programme is part of the Dairy Structural Adjustment Package provided following the deregulation of the dairy industry. The Dairy Regional Assistance Programme commenced on 1 July 2000 and is specifically aimed at assisting dairy dependent communities to create employment opportunities and to address the social dislocation that may arise from the deregulation of the dairy industry. The Government will expand the programme with additional funding totalling $20 million over the next two years to be targeted specifically at the most disadvantaged dairy regions bringing total funding to $50 million over the next two years.
See also the related revenue measure titled Extension of dairy industry adjustment levy and expense measure titled Additional assistance for dairy farmers in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio.
Pricing review of the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business	‑8.2	‑8.4	‑8.5	‑8.7	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a joint pricing review between the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business and the Department of Finance and Administration. This review has identified potential for efficiency improvements in the Department totalling $33.8 million over four years. This will be achieved through implementing a number of efficiencies, mainly in corporate overhead activity.
The reduction will not result in any change to the quantity or quality of the outputs produced by the Department.
Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency on‑line services
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency	1.1	0.9	0.7	0.4	

Explanation
The Government will provide $3 million over four years to support on‑line lodgement and information for businesses meeting obligations under the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999. This initiative will reduce compliance costs and the paperwork burden on business.
See also the related capital measure titled Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency on‑line services in the Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business portfolio.

Relocation of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission	‑1.2	‑1.1	‑0.8	‑0.1	

Explanation
The office of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission is relocating from Sydney to Canberra. The move will allow the Commission to develop stronger links with other relevant institutions and enhance its contribution to national occupational health and safety. The Government is providing the Commission with $3 million in 2000‑01 to assist with one‑off expenses incurred in the relocation. The figures in the table above represent savings to the Budget.

Environment and Heritage
Domestic greenhouse policy development
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Greenhouse Office	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding of $24.2 million over four years, commencing in 2001‑02, to enable the Australian Greenhouse Office to continue the development of domestic greenhouse policies. The funding will support the analysis and development of cost‑effective greenhouse gas abatement policies, including the reduction of emissions from key energy supply and transport sectors. This will continue implementation of Government commitments under the National Greenhouse Strategy.
This measure will be funded through the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme.
See related expense measures Greenhouse international policy and reporting, and greenhouse sinks and Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme in the Environment and Heritage portfolio.
Greenhouse international policy and reporting, and greenhouse sinks
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Greenhouse Office	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding of $21.7 million over four years, commencing in 2001‑02, to enable the Australian Greenhouse Office to continue to advance Australia’s involvement in the development of the international climate change agenda. The funding provides for capacity to evaluate progress towards Australia’s commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and targets under the Kyoto Protocol.
This measure will be funded through the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme.
See related expense measures Domestic greenhouse policy development and Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme in the Environment and Heritage portfolio.
Pricing review of the Australian Greenhouse Office
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Greenhouse Office	‑0.7	‑0.6	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a pricing review for the Australian Greenhouse Office resulting in a reduction in the Australian Greenhouse Office’s resourcing by $0.7 million in 2001‑02 and $0.6 million in 2002‑03. The Australian Greenhouse Office will have total resourcing of $217.8 million in 2001‑02. An important element of the review was the collection of performance information to identify better practices in the delivery of government services.
The reduction in resourcing will be accommodated through efficiency measures identified as part of the review. The reduction will not result in any change to the quantity or quality of the outputs produced by the Australian Greenhouse Office.
Administration of the fuel quality legislation
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Environment and Heritage	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will allocate $8 million in funding over four years, commencing in 2001‑02, to support the establishment and maintenance of a monitoring and compliance programme to administer the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000. This Act prescribes uniform national standards for fuel supplied in Australia. Changes to standards will have environmental benefits through the reduction of pollutant emissions.
This measure is being fully absorbed within the existing resourcing of the Department of the Environment and Heritage.

Conservation of rural and regional historic hotels
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Environment and Heritage	5.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
In 2001‑02, the Government will provide $5 million in grants to hotels in rural and regional Australia to meet up to 50 per cent of costs incurred to preserve their historic features or attributes. Grants will only be paid to hotels without gaming machines, and the social, economic and regional benefits of hotel restoration will be taken into account in determining eligibility for grants.
See also the related revenue measure titled Reduction of excise on draught beer in the Treasury portfolio.
Goondiwindi Serpentine Water Park
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Environment and Heritage	5.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide a grant of up to $5 million in 2001‑02 to the Goondiwindi Town Council to develop a recreational facility at Serpentine Lagoon, Goondiwindi. The facility is needed because Boobera Lagoon is to be closed to current facilities as a result of a declaration of protection under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984. The new facility will satisfy relevant Commonwealth, State and local legislative requirements. 
Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Greenhouse Office	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
Funding of $45.9 million over five years, commencing 2001‑02, is to be provided from within the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme to support the Australian Greenhouse Office’s activities in developing international and domestic greenhouse policies. Funding for these activities is consistent with the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme’s primary objective which is to reduce Australia’s net greenhouse emissions by supporting activities that are likely to result in substantial emissions reductions or sink enhancements.
Current funding for the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme is $400 million over five years, commencing in 2000‑01.
See related expense measures Greenhouse international policy and reporting, and greenhouse sinks and Domestic greenhouse policy development in the Environment and Heritage portfolio.
National Pollutant Inventory
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Environment and Heritage	1.2	1.3	1.3	1.3	

Explanation
The Government will provide $5.1 million in funding for the extension of the National Pollutant Inventory Programme for four years, commencing in 2001‑02. The National Pollutant Inventory is designed to provide all sectors of the Australian community with information on the types and amounts of pollutants being emitted to the air, land and water in Australia.
Natural Heritage Trust Extension
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Environment and Heritage and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	‑	100.0	233.0	233.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide over $1 billion in funding for the extension of the Natural Heritage Trust from 2002‑03 to 2006‑07. Funding will allow the Government to continue its strong national leadership role in addressing national sustainable production and conservation priorities across Australia. Funding of $100 million in 2002‑03 is to top up funds rolled over from previous years and with interest flows from the Trust Fund will bring budgeted spending to around $250 million that year, with new funds continuing at around $233 million per annum for four years thereafter. 
The Trust has funded, through a variety of mechanisms, projects that will protect and restore the environment and support sustainable agriculture. Work on management planning and monitoring of natural resources will support targeted on‑ground activities such as tree planting, fencing to protect native vegetation and waterways, improved beach access to protect sensitive dune areas and protection of endangered species. Attention will also be given to supporting the Landcare network and working with farmers to improve management practices.
The Commonwealth will invite the States and Territories to make matching contributions.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Department of Environment and Heritage and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Pricing review of the Australian Antarctic Division
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Environment and Heritage	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a pricing review for Australian Antarctic Division resulting in no overall change in the Australian Antarctic Division’s resourcing. An important element of the review was the collection of performance information from a range of providers to identify better practices in the delivery of government services.
The review found that Australian Antarctic Division funding is adequate to effectively and efficiently deliver its services.
Pricing review of the Bureau of Meteorology
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Environment and Heritage	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a pricing review for the Bureau of Meteorology resulting in no overall change in the Bureau of Meteorology’s resourcing. An important element of the review was the collection of performance information from a range of providers to identify better practices in the delivery of government services.
The review found that Bureau of Meteorology funding is adequate to effectively and efficiently deliver its services.
Queensland East Coast Trawl Restructure Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Environment and Heritage	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government provided $10 million in 2000‑01 for the implementation of the East Coast Trawl Plan.
The East Coast Trawl Plan will assist in the move to ecologically sustainable fishing in the Great Barrier Reef through measures such as capping of the catch and reduction in effort, closure of non‑trawled areas, and mandatory use of bycatch reduction devices and turtle excluder devices.
This measure is being fully absorbed within the existing resourcing of the Department of the Environment and Heritage.
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Environment and Heritage	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will reallocate up to $14 million of funding in 2001‑02 to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust from existing Federation fund allocations for management of the Trust’s six harbour sites. Development of management plans will involve extensive public consultation as well as assessments and surveys for site remediation and environmental management; and consideration of the natural and cultural values in planning for future uses. Funding will also provide for administration of essential maintenance and repair works; safety and security of Trust properties; and services and facilities to enable public access. Funding will occur through a reallocation of existing resources for this project. 
Wildlife programmes and biodiversity conservation responsibilities
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Environment and Heritage	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.6	

Explanation
The Government will provide $2.8 million over four years, commencing in 2001‑02, to maintain and enhance Australia’s capacity to meet wildlife and biodiversity conservation responsibilities under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and wildlife protection legislation.
Funding to offset the reduction in revenue related to the Environmental Management Charge
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority	0.5	0.6	0.3	0.3	

Explanation
The Government will extend funding by $1.7 million over four years, commencing in 2001‑02, to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to meet an estimated shortfall in receipts from the Environmental Management Charge which visitors contribute towards the maintenance of the reef environment.
Management of aquaculture impacts
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	

Explanation
The Government will provide $1.7 million over four years, commencing 2001‑02, to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to enhance management of aquaculture adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Coastal aquaculture, particularly prawn farming, is a fast growing industry on the Queensland coast. This measure will serve to ensure that aquaculture developments do not impact upon the environmental values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Townsville Aquarium — Reef Headquarters
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority	1.8	0.5	0.5	0.5	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding of $3.3 million over four years, commencing in 2001‑02, to support the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority during refurbishment of the Townsville Aquarium — Reef Headquarters. The funding will enable the development of a business plan, and allow the Authority to meet operational expenses for this major regional tourism facility and education centre.
See also the related capital measure Townsville Aquarium — Reef Headquarters in the Environment and Heritage portfolio.

Family and Community Services
Acknowledging Older Australians — Exempt Superannuation from the Social Security Means Test for People Aged Between 55 and Age Pension Age
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	88.8	88.2	89.9	91.7	
Department of Health and Aged Care	9.7	10.6	11.6	12.6	

Explanation
The Government will exempt superannuation assets from the social security means test for people aged between 55 and age pension age from 1 July 2001.
As a result of this exemption, around 55,000 clients will either receive an increased payment or commence being entitled to payments.
Around 17,000 new clients are expected to become entitled to a Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card, resulting in increased expenses in the Department of Health and Aged Care.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Department of Family and Community Services and the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Acknowledging Older Australians — Extend Eligibility for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	1.5	‑	‑	‑	
Department of Health and Aged Care 	22.5	24.7	27.0	29.3	

Explanation
The Government will extend eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Annual income limits for eligibility for the Card will be extended from $41,000 to $50,000 for singles and from $68,676 to $80,000 for couples.
It is expected that approximately another 50,000 people will become eligible for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card as a result of this initiative, and will benefit from concessional pharmaceuticals through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Currently, concession card holders pay $3.50 towards the cost of PBS medicines compared to $21.90 for non‑concession card holders. Concession card holders who spend more than $182 per year (52 prescriptions) on PBS medicines are entitled to free medicines for the rest of the calendar year. The Department of Family and Community Services will issue cards upon receipt of an application after assessing eligibility.
See the related expense measure, Acknowledging Older Australians — Telephone Allowance to Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Holders in the Family and Community Services Portfolio.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Department of Family and Community Services and the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Acknowledging Older Australians — One‑Off Payment to the Aged
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	10.1	‑	‑	‑	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide by 30 June 2001 a one‑off payment of $300 to around 2.2 million income support clients over age pension age (including service pensioners). The payment will automatically be made to income support clients without them having to lodge a claim. These payments will cost $663.2 million in 2000‑01. 
People of age pension age who are outside the social security and taxation systems, and who meet the criteria for the scheme will be able to apply for the payment. This group will need to claim the payment through Centrelink by 31 December 2001 leading to an expected expense in 2001‑02 of $10.1 million. 
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Department of Family and Community Services and the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Acknowledging Older Australians — Telephone Allowance to Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Holders
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	30.5	23.8	24.5	24.9	
Explanation
The Government will extend Telephone Allowance from September 2001 to people who qualify for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
Previously, only pensioners and certain allowees qualified for the Telephone Allowance of $17.20 per quarter (for both singles and couples).
In addition, the Commonwealth will open negotiations with State and Territory Governments to see if some or all of the concesions that are currently available to pensioners and certain allowees can be extended over time to Commonwealth Seniors Health Cardholders. 
Compliance package — detection
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	‑19.3	‑37.9	‑35.1	‑33.4	

Explanation
The Government will improve the detection of incorrect payments and fraudulent claims. Data matching exercises will be undertaken with the Australian Taxation Office to determine undeclared property assets and income and additional capacity will be provided to process reviews arising from ‘tip‑offs’ received from the public.
It is expected that these changes will generate substantial savings through the identification of incorrect income support and family assistance payments.
Compliance package — prevention
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	0.8	‑2.6	‑0.3	‑0.3	

Explanation
The Government will reduce fraudulent claims and will better control incorrect payments of benefits. This will be achieved by:
•	improved validation of new benefit claims through improved recording of proof of identity documents (to assist in preventing incorrect payment of benefits and fraudulent claims); and
•	developing customer risk profiles, primarily for Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance. Profiles will be developed through a risk profile pilot running from September 2001 to August 2002. The pilot will examine the effectiveness of linking customer characteristics with the risk to correct payments and other outcomes. Centrelink will use these profiles to target its contact with customers, which will lead to a more effective identification of incorrect payments.
Compliance package — research and development
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	‑3.7	‑10.2	‑1.1	‑	

Explanation
The Government will identify possible new avenues of compliance activity. Research and development will be undertaken into ways of improving the control of incorrect payment and fraud, identifying further scope for tightening existing controls and testing methods to strengthen those controls through:
•	feasibility studies to assess the effectiveness of new data matching with the Australian Taxation Office to identify undeclared income. These studies will be conducted between 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2003. They will assess the effectiveness of data matching with the Australian Taxation Office group certificate data and Australian Business Numbers to assist in the detection of employment income and income derived from operating a business which has not been declared to Centrelink;
•	random sample surveys during 2001‑02 to detect undeclared changed circumstances and to provide data on the level and reasons for incorrect payment; and
•	conducting a review and analysis during 2001‑02 of the overall deterrence framework to determine its effectiveness in controlling incorrect payments and fraud.
Department of Family and Community Services pricing review of services delivered through Non‑Government Organisations and State and Territory Governments
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a Department of Family and Community Services pricing review of services delivered through non‑government organisations resulting in no overall change in resourcing. Resourcing remained unchanged as programmes are subject to funding agreements of varying terms. The outcome of the review included a commitment that the Department will implement a strategy of progressive review and evaluation of all programmes every five years, and that new or revised agreements will continue to build on the substantial progress already made towards outputs and outcomes based funding.
Expanding the supply of healthy indigenous housing
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services 	1.0	12.0	13.5	13.5	
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission	2.0	11.0	11.0	11.0	

Explanation
The Government is providing an additional $75 million over four years for indigenous housing in rural and remote areas. This will fund the repair of existing houses to a safe and healthy standard, build additional new homes and assist communities to better manage their housing and tenancy services. The funding is provided in addition to existing funding of $364 million over four years for the Aboriginal Rental Housing Programme and $935 million for the Community Housing and Infrastructure Programme.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Department of Family and Community Services and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.
Provide Health Care Cards to foster children
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	0.4	‑	‑	‑	
Department of Health and Aged Care	0.4	0.8	1.4	1.5	

Explanation
The Government will amend the eligibility criteria for Health Care Cards for foster children to ensure that all foster carers are able to access Health Care Cards for the foster children in their care, regardless of means testing.
This extends a measure announced in the 1998‑99 Budget that allows the issue of Health Care Cards to foster carers who receive Family Tax Benefit, provided that the foster child was eligible for a Health Care Card when they were with their original family. Children not listed on their parent or guardian's card before being placed in foster care will be able to benefit from the card under the extended arrangements. It will assist both formal and informal foster carers and it is anticipated that around 2,700 additional foster children could be covered by a Health Care Card after 1 July 2001.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Department of Family and Community Services and the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Family homelessness and early intervention pilots
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	1.2	2.3	1.3	‑	

Explanation
The Government will conduct a series of pilots to identify effective methods of recognising families at risk of homelessness and providing early assistance to prevent homelessness occurring.
The pilots, to run from June 2002 to June 2004, will assist up to 1,000 families in around nine locations to regain stability in their housing and financial circumstances, and will help them to access community services, labour market programmes and employment. Participation in the pilot will be voluntary.
Family Tax Benefit shared care and Child Support Agency liability
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	2.6	0.2	..	..	

Explanation
The Government will, from 1 July 2002, allow the Child Support Registrar the discretion to direct the Department of Family and Community Services to pay an individual’s Family Tax Benefit entitlement to the Child Support Agency in order to discharge that individual’s child support debt.
The discretion would only be used in situations where the individual has failed to pay their child support debt by the due date and the debt is in relation to the same children as the Family Tax Benefit entitlement.
Further simplification of international payments
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	‑0.3	‑6.1	‑6.6	‑7.3	

Explanation
The Government will rationalise Australia’s international social security payment arrangements. The Government will more closely align with international standards the period of Australian Working Life Residence (AWLR) that people must meet in order to receive a full Australian social security pension while overseas on a long term basis. The residence period is to be extended from 25 years to 30 years.
In order to help those who plan to reside overseas on a long term basis, the Government will extend beyond age pension age the period during which AWLR can be built up. Under the revised arrangements, people who register under the Pension Bonus Scheme will be able to continue to add to their AWLR after reaching age pension age. 
The Government will also standardise the recovery of overpayments of Australian pensions where people receive their foreign pension in arrears. From April 2002, any overpayment of Australian pension will be fully recovered. Currently, this only occurs when clients receive a lump sum payment of foreign pension from countries with which Australia has an international social security agreement. 
These initiatives will apply to people leaving Australia or receiving a foreign pension arrears payment after 1 April 2002.

Introduce discretion for parents who have shared care to waive eligibility for Family Tax Benefit
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	1.1	0.6	0.6	0.6	

Explanation
The Government will permit, from 1 December 2001, a parent who has care of a child between 10 and 30 per cent of the time to waive his or her eligibility for Family Tax Benefit. In such cases, this will allow the parent with most care responsibilities to receive the whole Family Tax Benefit entitlement for the child during this period.
In some instances, such as where the income of the non‑resident parent precludes them from being paid Family Tax Benefit, a greater amount of Family Tax Benefit may be paid overall for a child as a result of this measure. 
National research and education strategy to prevent problem gambling
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	2.2	5.0	0.6	0.6	

Explanation
The Government will help address and combat problem gambling through:
•	a public education campaign that will raise community awareness on the issue of problem gambling; and
•	a national research and evaluation programme that will undertake research on issues such as risk factors for problem gambling, the effectiveness of existing treatment programmes, and the community impacts of gambling.

New and revised international social security agreements
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	4.1	3.4	2.5	2.6	

Explanation
The Government has entered into a number of new and revised international social security agreements, which will improve access to foreign pensions by Australian residents, and access to Australian pensions by former Australian residents.
A new agreement with the United States is expected to result in approximately 1,600 new Australian pensioners (and about 2,300 Australians becoming eligible for United States pensions), with effect from 1 July 2002.
Revised agreements signed with Austria, Canada, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain update agreements that have been in place for many years. The revisions are expected to marginally increase the number of people currently paid by Australia under all five agreements (about 8,300), with effect from 1 January 2002. Australia’s expenses under the agreements are partially offset by contributions from the agreement countries in respect of their citizens residing in Australia. This contribution from agreement countries reduces the payments made to these people under Australian social security arrangements.
The agreements with the USA, the Netherlands and Portugal will also include superannuation guarantee provisions that will eliminate double coverage of workers seconded to Australia and so will remove some disincentives to businesses operating between Australia and those countries.
New social security arrangements between Australia and New Zealand
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	‑22.9	‑57.3	‑164.9	‑269.5	

Explanation
Following a joint review with the New Zealand Government, the Commonwealth announced that from 26 February 2001, changed arrangements would apply to New Zealand citizens seeking to claim social security payments in Australia. Most New Zealand citizens who move to Australia after that date will only be able to access the full range of income support payments and employment assistance if they have permanent resident status in Australia.
In addition, a new social security agreement with New Zealand will commence from 1 July 2002. The new agreement will cover age pension, disability support pension and carer payment. Australia and New Zealand will share financial responsibility for these pensions, each paying a proportion of the pension based on the length of time that recipients have spent in each country.
See also related revenue measure New Social Security Arrangements between Australia and New Zealand in the Family and Community Services portfolio and related expense capital and revenue measures New Social Security Arrangements between Australia and New Zealand in the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs portfolio.
Supplementation for employment assistance and other services
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	2.7	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide an increase of $2.7 million in 2001‑02 to supplement funding for employment assistance and other services for people with a disability. The provision of this funding will ensure the continued capacity of disability services that are provided primarily through community based organsiations.
The Mentor Marketplace
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	‑	0.9	1.5	2.3	

Explanation
The Government will help to connect young people to paid employment and the concept of lifelong learning. In addition, it will encourage the development of a mentoring culture in business, schools and communities and kick‑start mentoring projects in higher‑risk schools and communities. It will also encourage young people to participate in skill‑sharing and peer‑mentoring opportunities.
The Mentor Marketplace will commence from 1 July 2002, and consists of two elements: 
•	a national mentoring scheme that will fund research to identify best practice in mentoring. The scheme will then fund workshops and conferences to enable the results of this research to be distributed nationally; and
•	the creation of mentoring projects in communities and areas that do not currently have such projects operating for secondary students and early school‑leavers. In communities with existing mentoring projects, assistance will be provided to help them develop further.
This measure forms part of the Government’s initial response to the Prime Minister’s Youth Pathways Action Plan Taskforce Report Footprints to the Future.
Transition to Independent Living Allowance
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	‑	1.0	2.6	2.6	

Explanation
The Government will provide a Transition to Independent Living Allowance. This allowance is a one‑off payment for young people leaving state‑supported care, which will help with the costs of moving from supported care to independent living.
State and Territory Governments will deliver this payment from 1 March 2003 on the Commonwealth’s behalf. The rate of payment will be set on a case by case basis up to a maximum of $1,000. Guidelines for determining the amount paid will be established in consultation with State and Territory governments.
This measure forms part of the Government’s initial response to the Prime Minister’s Youth Pathways Action Plan Taskforce Report Footprints to the Future.

Australians Working Together
Australians are justly proud of their social safety net, which embodies the Australian values of a fair go and of helping people in need. Our economy and society are changing rapidly, and we need to ensure the safety net keeps pace and people are not left behind. Through Australians Working Together, the Government is making a substantial investment of $1.7 billion to provide more choices and opportunities for people to move forward.
The Australians Working Together package provides new funding for employment and community services to expand and improve the assistance available to Australians looking for work. Extra help will be provided for parents, mature age people, indigenous Australians and people with disabilities. The package provides new incentives for people to take up full‑time, part‑time or irregular casual jobs by allowing them to keep more of their income support payments when they start work. From July 2002 new requirements will apply to working‑age people receiving unemployment payments. Taking account of individual circumstances, some people receiving income support payments will be required to take up the opportunities available to help them become job‑ready and better able to take part in Australia’s economic and community life.
Funding will be provided through the Departments of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business, Family and Community Services, Education, Training and Youth Affairs and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.

Australians Working Together — Helping People to Move Forward: Summary of measures

(a)	Includes capital injection to Centrelink of $16.9 million over two years.

Helping people to find jobs
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Total 	11.2	104.2	103.1	105.9	

Explanation
The Government will help people to find jobs through better employment services, new training credits and standardised mutual obligation requirements.
Better employment services 
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business	7.9	55.6	55.8	57.7	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	0.0	1.7	3.4	3.5	
Total 	7.9	57.2	59.1	61.2	

Explanation
The Government will provide the Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business portfolio with $177 million over four years for 30,000 extra Job Search Training places, 16,500 extra Work for the Dole places and community work placements for 35,000 job seekers. This funding will also provide help for 60,000 job seekers in their last week of Work for the Dole or equivalent hours of community work with resume development, references and updating job seeker skills. This initiative also will provide for better assessment of 40,000 people in Intensive Assistance and review the progress of people with severe or multiple personal obstacles to finding work while they receive support in both Intensive Assistance and the new Personal Support Programme.
Funding of $9 million over four years will provide for 3,600 new language, literacy and numeracy places in the Education, Training and Youth Affairs portfolio.
Training credits
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business	0.3	36.4	36.7	37.5	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding of $111 million to make available Training Credits of up to $800 each for 69,000 mature age and indigenous job seekers in Job Search Training and Intensive Assistance over four years. The funding will also provide similar Training Credits to 64,500 people who do between 16 and 26 weeks of Work for the Dole or community work monitored by Community Work Coordinators.
Mutual Obligation requirements 
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	3.0	10.6	7.3	7.2	

Explanation
Funding will be provided to implement standardised mutual obligation requirements for job seekers receiving Newstart Allowance aged up to 49 years. From 1 July 2002 all job seekers aged up to 49 will be required to undertake Job Search Training after three month’s unemployment. After six month’s unemployment and at least annually thereafter, job seekers aged 18 to 49 will be required to undertake community work (200 hours for 18 to 20 year‑olds, 240 hours for 21 to 39 year‑olds and 150 hours for 40 to 49 year‑olds), 130 hours of part‑time paid work, 100 hours of study or an activity from the mutual obligation menu over 26 weeks. Work for the Dole will be the default for job seekers aged to 39 should they fail to choose an activity themselves. The default for 40 to 49 year‑olds will be referral to a Community Work Coordinator.
Helping parents return to work 
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	5.7	50.8	64.5	69.6	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	1.2	7.7	18.0	22.4	
Total	6.9	58.5	82.6	92.1	

Explanation
Funding of $191 million over four years will be provided to the Family and Community Services portfolio to encourage parents with school‑age children receiving Parenting Payment to prepare for a return to the paid workforce as their children grow up. This will be realised through annual interviews with Centrelink Personal Advisers for parents whose youngest child is aged between 6 and 15 and part‑time activity requirements for parents whose youngest child is aged between 13 and 15. Centrelink Personal Advisers will connect parents with additional training and other assistance through the Jobs, Education and Training programme. The Government also will provide information to parents on the assistance and options available, through Participation Packs.
New funding of $49 million over four years will be provided through the Education, Training and Youth Affairs portfolio for new places in career counselling and language, literacy and numeracy training and new places in vocational education and training.
In addition, existing funding will be redirected from the Return to Work programme and the pre‑vocational elements of the Jobs, Education and Training programme to form the new Transition to Work programme providing better transitional assistance for people who have been away from the workforce for a long time, and for those who have never had paid jobs.
See also the related capital measure Helping parents return to work in the Family and Community Services portfolio.
A fair go for mature age workers
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Total	2.6	22.0	56.2	65.6	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding of $147 million over four years to give working‑age people aged 50 and over more encouragement and assitance to participate, more uniform assistance through Newstart Allowance and more help for those retrenched.
More encouragement to participate
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	1.7	17.6	40.4	42.0	
Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business	0.4	0.4	‑	‑	
Total	2.1	18.0	40.4	42.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide $103 million over four years in the Family and Community Services portfolio for annual interviews to encourage people on Mature Age Allowance, Partner Allowance and Widow Allowance to access assistance to help them get back into the paid work force and to plan for when they reach retirement age. With the closure of Mature Age Allowance and Partner Allowance to new entrants from July 2003, additional funding is being provided for people over 50 claiming income support payment through Newstart Allowance. In addition, all new Widow Allowees will be required to attend an annual interview only.
New funding of $1 million will be provided to the Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business portfolio to help reduce the effects of retrenchments on people through best practice guidelines on managing retrenchments to be developed in partnership with industry. The Government will also provide better information to people facing retrenchment, including on how best to establish a small business.
More assistance
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	0.3	2.4	10.9	16.2	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	0.2	1.6	4.9	7.4	
Total	0.5	4.0	15.8	23.6	

Explanation
Funding of $30 million over four years will be provided for additional places in disability employment assistance services and rehabilitation through the Family and Community Services portfolio.
Funding of $14 million over four years will be provided for additional places in career counselling, language, literacy and numeracy training and vocational education and training through the Education, Training and Youth Affairs portfolio.
Getting people the right help
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Total	6.4	34.3	43.3	59.5	

Explanation
The Government will provide $144 million over four years to help make sure people get the right help through a new Personal Support Programme, improved assessments and additional information technology.
Personal Support Programme
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	2.7	36.8	45.7	60.5	
Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business	‑	‑29.1	‑28.0	‑26.7	
Total	2.7	7.7	17.7	33.8	

Explanation
From July 2002, additional funding of $62 million over four years will be provided to establish a new Personal Support Programme to help people on income support payments who have severe or multiple personal obstacles to employment, such as homelessness, drug or alcohol addiction, mental illness or domestic violence. The Personal Support Programme will assist some 45,000 people each year by 2004‑05, up from 15,000 places in 2000‑01.
Existing funding also will be re‑directed to the new programme from the Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business portfolio over the three years from July 2002.
Better assessments
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	0.2	10.1	10.6	10.7	

Explanation
The Government will provide $32 million over four years to better assess the needs of indigenous Australians, people exempt from the Newstart and Youth Allowance activity tests and people recently released from prison and to connect them earlier to assistance that will help them improve their circumstances and find paid work.
Improved information technology
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	2.9	16.5	15.0	15.0	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	0.3	‑	‑	‑	
Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business	0.4	‑	‑	‑	
Total	3.5	16.5	15.0	15.0	

Explanation
The Government will invest $50 million over four years to improve information technology among providers of services to people on income support payments, which will improve cost‑effectiveness of current and new arrangements.
A better deal for people with disabilities
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Total	6.2	59.3	54.5	57.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide $177 million over four years in funding for people with disabilities which will deliver better access to education and training, better assessment, better access to employment assistance and quality assurance.
Better access to education and training
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	‑	7.3	14.6	15.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide $37 million over three years in additional education assistance for people with disabilities. Funding will be provided for about 5,200 new places in vocational education and training, additional support for over 1,500 students with disabilities in higher education and fifteen new Disability Coordination Officers to help people with disabilities move between school, vocational education and training, higher education and employment and to coordinate support services.
Better assessment
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	2.3	34.1	14.3	13.9	

Explanation
Funding of $65 million over four years will be provided to improve Centrelink assessment of claims for Disability Support Pension and Newstart (Incapacitated). This funding will enable greater use of external expertise in assessments to focus on people’s capacity rather than incapacity and provide for better communication with treating doctors about how the information they provide will be used in assessments. 
Better access to employment assistance
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	0.7	13.2	20.3	22.8	

Explanation
The Government will fund 7000 new disability employment assistance places, at a cost of $57 million over four years, which will provide additional opportunities for people with disabilities in business services and open employment in rural and remote locations and in areas of high demand. 
Quality assurance of employment assistance
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	3.2	4.7	5.3	5.3	

Explanation
The Government will provide $19 million over four years to fund an internationally accredited system from January 2002 to make sure disability employment assistance services deliver quality outcomes. Funding will also provide for 500 extra places in the Assessment and Contestability Trial to test a better way for people to access the right services.
Promoting self‑reliance for indigenous people
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Total	4.4	15.1	27.5	35.7	

Explanation
The Government will spend an additional $83 million over four years to promote self‑reliance for indigenous people through Community Participation Agreements and capacity building, better support for indigenous people to get a job, increased education and training assistance and remote area servicing. 

Community participation agreements and capacity building 
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	0.0	0.5	0.6	0.6	
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission	1.0	4.5	10.0	15.0	
Total	1.0	5.0	10.6	15.6	

Explanation
The Government will provide $32 million over four years for Community Participation Agreements and capacity building for indigenous people in remote communities. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission will work with about 100 communities to identify practical ways in which indigenous people on income support can contribute to their communities in return for their income support. Communities will be provided with financial assistance for capacity building activities, such as leadership, strengthening culture and community governance.
Better support to get a job 
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business	2.6	4.6	9.7	14.2	

Explanation
New funding of $31 million over four years will be provided to assist up to 10,000 indigenous people in Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) in areas with viable labour markets to get paid work. Existing funding of $17 million will be re‑directed from the Indigenous Employment Programme. In areas with viable labour markets, CDEP organisations will be encouraged to take on the role of Indigenous Employment Centres, offering work experience, job search support and access to training. Indigenous Employment Centres will also provide support and mentoring for indigenous job seekers outside CDEP.
Increased education and training assistance 
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	0.2	3.5	4.3	2.2	

Explanation
The Government will provide $10 million over four years for increased education and training assistance for indigenous Australians. Support will be provided to encourage some 1600 secondary school students in indigenous communities to finish Year 12 and go on to further education and training.  A further 2300 secondary school students will be assisted to take up vocational learning opportunities supported by business.
Remote area servicing 
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	0.6	2.0	2.9	3.7	

Explanation
The Government will provide $9 million over four years to deliver Centrelink services more effectively to Australians in remote communities. Centrelink will establish up to 12 servicing centres in remote areas to service and support surrounding communities by 2004‑05. The first four centres will be established in 2002‑03.
Help to participate
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	9.7	131.4	183.6	196.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide $521 million over four years to improve participation through the Working Credit initiative and the Literacy and Numeracy Training Supplement.
See also related capital measure Help to particpate in the Family and Community Services portfolio.
Working Credit
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	8.9	125.6	176.8	189.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide funds of $500 million over four years for the Working Credit initiative. This initiative will provide a new incentive for workforce‑age people on income support to take up paid jobs. Through Working Credits, people on income support are able to accumulate credits for earned income in periods during which they have little or no earnings, which they can use later to effectively increase their income test free area. The current income test free areas are $62 per fortnight for Newstart recipients and $106 per fortnight for single work‑force age pensioners, without children. People will accumulate credits in fortnights in which their earned income is below the $48 threshold. A maximum of $1000 applies to accumulated credits.
The income test rules will be made simpler for workforce‑age pensioners and people who receive Parenting Payment. Procedures will be simplified for people to get back onto income support payments after taking up short‑term work or whose job ends soon after they have gone off payment.
Literacy and numeracy training supplement
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	0.8	5.8	6.8	7.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding of $20 million over four years for a fortnightly Literacy and Numeracy Training Supplement of $20.80, to help meet incidental costs such as travel to courses. The Supplement will become available from September 2002 for people on income support payments attending approved literacy and numeracy training programmes.
More child care places
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	2.3	5.4	4.2	4.4	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding for outside school hours child care places for 5300 more children each year from July 2001. Grants will be provided to new child care services to assist with set up costs, and Child Care Benefit will be paid to eligible parents. Funding will also be used to help more parents meet the ‘gap’ fee for child care through the Jobs, Education and Training programme from September 2002.
Community and business engagement
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	9.0	7.7	2.6	2.7	

Explanation
The Government will provide new funding of $22 million over four years for community and business engagement. The Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership will encourage companies and businesses to identify and generate opportunities for people with disabilities, mature age people, Indigenous Australians and parents returning to work. Local community business networks involving small and medium enterprises will be encouraged to build awareness and opportunities. Funding will be available for a communications campaign, an Australian Employers Forum to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities, a website and to take forward a national framework of triple bottom line accounting. In addition, funding will be available for communication and consultation with the community on implementation of the Australians Working Together package.
Planning for the future
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Family and Community Services	1.0	1.0	2.0	1.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide $5 million over four years to evaluate the effectiveness of the Australians Working Together Package and support piloting of new initiatives.

Finance and Administration
Early payout of AvSuper superannuation liabilities
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Finance and Administration	‑4.0	‑5.0	‑	‑	

Explanation
The AvSuper superannuation fund covers Airservices Australia staff and some staff of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The Commonwealth has a liability to the fund in respect of members who transferred to AvSuper from the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme.
The Government has decided to pay out its remaining liabilities to the AvSuper superannuation fund by 30 June 2001. This will reduce the Commonwealth’s future interest expenses and simplify its superannuation arrangements.
Establishment of a private financing unit 
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Finance and Administration	2.0	1.9	1.9	1.9	

Explanation
The Department of Finance and Administration will establish a private financing assessment unit to assist Commonwealth agencies to evaluate and advise the Government on any proposed private financing arrangements.
Privately financed projects can provide benefits to the public sector such as access to specialist expertise, innovation and the opportunity to transfer risk.
Indexation of Commonwealth superannuation benefit
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Finance and Administration	30.0	30.0	30.0	30.0	

Explanation
The Government has decided to introduce twice yearly indexation of Commonwealth superannuation pensions under the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS) and the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS). This indexation will occur twice yearly on 1 July and 1 January for movements in the Consumer Price Index for the previous half year. This will reduce the delay between inflation effects faced by superannuation pensioners and income adjustments. This change will commence from 1 January 2002. 
Information technology upgrade in electorate offices
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Finance and Administration	4.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide $4 million in 2001‑02 and $3 million per year ongoing to upgrade the information technology resources for Senators and Members of Parliament. 
Mapping of the Australian Antarctic Territory extended continental shelf
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Finance and Administration	11.8	0.8	0.1	0.1	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding of $12.9 million over four years to enable completion of the project announced in the 2000‑01 Budget.
This project will map the limits of the continental shelf off the Australian Antarctic Territory beyond Australia’s 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone, to preserve Australia’s rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Continuation of Office of Asset Sales and Commercial Support resourcing for the asset sales programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Office of Asset Sales and Commercial Support	5.8	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide the Office of Asset Sales and Commercial Support (OASCS) with additional funding in 2001‑02 to enable it to continue activities associated with its asset sales and commercial support activities.
Consistent with previous practice, the departmental expenses for OASCS are determined in the annual budget process.
Deferral of the further sale of the Commonwealth’s shareholding of Telstra Corporation — sale costs
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Office of Asset Sales and Commercial Support	‑218.0	‑218.0	218.0	‑	

Explanation
The Government has announced that the further privatisation of Telstra would be dependent on the achievement of satisfactory service levels recommended in the Telecommunications Service Inquiry. This involves the deferral of sales of further tranches of Telstra shares with the consequent deferral of sales costs incurred by the Office of Asset Sales and Commercial Support.
Sale of Kingsford Smith Airport — sale costs
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Office of Asset Sales and Commercial Support	16.5	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Office of Asset Sales and Commercial Support has been funded $18.6 million over two years with $2.1 million in 2000‑01 for the direct costs associated with the sale of Kingsford Smith Airport. The sale is expected to be completed in the second half of the 2001 calendar year.
See also the related capital measure Sale of Kingsford Smith Airport in the Finance and Administration portfolio.
Scoping study for the future ownership of Sydney Airports Corporation Limited
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Office of Asset Sales and Commercial Support	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Office of Asset Sales and Commercial Support was funded $1.7 million in 2000‑01 to report on options for the future ownership of the Sydney Airports Corporation Limited. The report was considered by the Government in March 2001, and led to the decision to sell Kingsford Smith Airport.
See also the related expense measure Sale of Kingsford Smith Airport — sale costs in the Finance and Administration portfolio.

Foreign Affairs and Trade
Commitment to polio eradication
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Agency for International Development	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	

Explanation
The Government will fund a commitment to Rotary International under its programme to eradicate polio from the world by 2005. This programme operates in partnership with the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the US Center for Disease Control.
The Government will match Australian corporate and philanthropic contributions dollar for dollar up to a total commitment of $10 million over the period between 2001 and 2005.
Improving security within the Australian intelligence community 
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Attorney General's Department	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	
Department of Defence	‑	‑	‑	‑	
Office of National Assessments	‑	‑	‑	‑	
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation	2.5	1.8	1.9	1.9	
Australian Secret Intelligence Service	0.9	0.7	0.7	0.8	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service and the Office of National Assessments to enhance security practices within these agencies. The Department of Defence will absorb the cost and the Attorney‑General’s Department will offset the cost of implementing security enhancements.
See also the related capital measure titled Improving security within the Australian intelligence community in the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.
Opening of Australian Consulate‑General in Chicago
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade	3.1	2.4	2.5	2.7	
Australian Trade Commission	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	

Explanation
The Government will provide $13.6 million over four years to establish an Australian Consulate‑General in Chicago, USA, which will include representation from the Australian Trade Commission.
The Consulate‑General will enhance Australia’s interaction with economic and political decision‑makers in the region, and support Australian business in identifying and developing trade and investment opportunities in a region which generates nearly one third of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the largest economy in the world. It will also improve consular service delivery for Australians in the United States.

Health and Aged Care
Additional practice nurses for rural Australia and other areas of need
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	15.1	27.8	29.6	31.8	

Explanation
The Government will provide $104.3 million over four years to improve access to medical services for patients in rural Australia and other areas of need by providing support for general practitioners (GPs) to employ practice nurses. Practice nurses assist GPs by contributing to a range of services, including chronic disease management and population health activities. These arrangements allow GPs to focus on diagnosis and clinical care, while practice nurses assist in the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes and asthma, conducting health assessments, and providing clinical support such as wound dressings and minor surgical procedures. The programme will be targeted to those areas where patient access to medical services is limited in rural and remote Australia, and in provincial and outer metropolitan areas.
This measure also provides for re‑entry and up‑skilling programmes for rural nurses. This will be provided via a scholarship programme of approximately 400 scholarships per annum.
See also the related expense measure titled Rural Nursing Scholarships in the Health and Aged Care portfolio.
After hours/emergency primary medical care
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	8.8	10.4	11.6	12.6	

Explanation
The Government will provide $43.4 million over four years to extend the availability of after hours primary medical care services. Up to 32 sites will be established over four years. These services may include GP/nurse telephone triage; cooperatives or collaborative GP arrangements including with hospital emergency departments and/or Divisions of General Practice; deputising services; funded transport, sessional payments for GPs and home visits.
This initiative will lead to improved quality of care by reducing pressures on GPs in rural and outer urban areas and the workforces of hospital emergency departments and by improving communication and exchange of information between after hours doctors and a person’s usual doctor.
Part of the funding will be used to develop national standards and guidelines for after hours phone (‘call centre’) triage services.
Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	10.4	24.1	40.1	41.1	

Explanation
The Government will fund an independent Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation aimed at preventing alcohol and other legal substance abuse.
Alcohol abuse is a major cause of death and hospitalisation in Australia. The Foundation will support treatment, rehabilitation, research and prevention programmes as well as community education programmes.
Funding to support this initiative will be appropriated through separate legislation.
Hospital safety initiatives
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	6.2	6.6	6.6	6.6	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding for the Commonwealth’s contribution to the work of the Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Health Care, which is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the States and Territories.
This measure includes funds to improve the safety and quality of health care in hospitals. Initiatives under this measure will engage health managers, practitioners and consumers in practical solutions in areas such as risk management, performance measurement and improvement, legislative reform and design of services for safer care.
Critical dates for three major blood contracts will be triggered over the next year and part of the funding from this measure will be used to recruit specialist staff to assist in these negotiations. The remainder of the funding will be used to develop a comprehensive Commonwealth communication strategy, conduct extensive public consultations, and purchase management systems to underpin Commonwealth contract management in this sector.
Better targeting of medical workforce reform
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑	‑6.1	‑6.2	‑6.4	

Explanation
This measure will shift the emphasis in the Commonwealth’s approach to reform of the medical workforce away from individual support and towards strategic partnerships with major stakeholders such as medical colleges, universities and State governments. This strategic collaboration is necessary to ensure that the availability of training places across the specialty areas meets population health needs, and that training targets are agreed by both States and medical colleges. The measure will result in a saving to the Commonwealth of around $6 million per year from 2002‑03 to 2004‑05.
Carers information and support
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will extend funding to support carers of older Australians. The continuation of this measure will ensure that practical information on government programmes and other matters is available to carers. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates ($10.3 million over four years).

Cervical screening incentives for general practitioners
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	5.1	15.6	23.1	27.7	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	

Explanation
The Government will provide $71.9 million over four years for general practitioners (GPs) to increase rates of participation in the National Cervical Screening Programme, particularly by targeting women who are unscreened or under‑screened. This will improve early detection of cervical abnormalities, thereby reducing mortality from cervical cancer.
This measure will specifically introduce a targeted incentive to reward individual GPs who screen high risk women including women in rural and remote areas and from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It will also provide a population based incentive through the Practice Incentives Programme to reward general practices reaching an overall screening target, along with funding to support the recruitment of under‑screened women.
This is a cross‑portfolio measure, and as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides health services to veterans, a small expense for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will result from the implementation of this initiative.
Clarifying the funding arrangements for the provision of methadone to private patients
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑21.8	‑22.3	‑22.7	‑23.2	

Explanation
The Government has decided that funding associated with the 1997‑98 Budget measure Restructure arrangements for funding services related to the provision of methadone (for which provision of $90 million had been included in budget and forward estimates) will be transferred to support new policy priorities in the Health and Aged Care portfolio.
This will not have a detrimental impact on the provision of drug treatment services, as methadone services will continue to be provided under other existing mechanisms. In addition, the Government’s National Illicit Drug Strategy has put in place a national network of drug treatment and rehabilitation services not available at the time of the methadone decision. As a result, methadone patients are now far more likely to have access to support through public clinics or private providers.
Dementia Education and Support Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will continue funding to support carers and people with dementia to reduce stress, increase effectiveness of the caring role and delay unnecessary entry to residential care. Support will also be provided for a 24 hour Dementia Helpline. This programme will help meet the increasing demand for dementia support services in country areas and less populated regions. The above table shows the net effect on the budget as zero because the funding had already been included in the forward estimates ($10.8 million over four years).
Electronic commerce for Medicare claiming
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will continue to fund the development of systems to enable the electronic lodgment of Medicare claims directly from doctors’ surgeries. This measure is consistent with Government policy in promoting electronic commerce. The above table shows the net effect on the budget as zero because the funding had already been included in the forward estimates ($4.7 million over four years).
Ensuring quality care for older Australians — checks of aged care homes
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	5.0	5.0	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $10 million over two years to the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency to monitor compliance with accreditation requirements and ensure improved quality care outcomes for frail older people. The activities of the agency have increased beyond those originally funded to include more review audits and spot checks of aged care homes. These checks are critical to effective management and assurance of quality care standards.
Ensuring quality care for older Australians — Community Visitors Scheme and the Residential Aged Care Advocacy Services Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	0.6	1.5	1.6	1.6	

Explanation
This measure provides $5.3 million over four years to extend the Community Visitors Scheme, through which volunteers provide companionship and social support to people in residential aged care. This will allow for 1,000 additional visitors, including 400 in rural areas. The measure also provides resources to meet increased demand for the services of the User Rights Advocacy Programme, which protects the rights of residents in aged care homes.
A 1999 review found that the Community Visitors Scheme is highly cost effective for both the Government and the community and that demand for community visitors is six times greater than the current supply.
Ensuring quality care for older Australians — Complaints Resolution Scheme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	0.7	1.0	1.0	1.1	

Explanation
The Government will provide $3.8 million over four years to enable greater investigative activity of more complex cases and the prompt resolution of complaints against aged care providers, and to ensure that residential aged care service providers comply with their responsibilities under the aged care legislation.
Ensuring quality care for older Australians — information management for quality care
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	0.6	2.4	2.3	2.3	

Explanation
The Government will provide $7.6 million over four years to improve the use of information technology in promoting the delivery of quality care and monitoring the suitability of aged care providers under the Aged Care Act 1997. The measure will also increase the capacity of the Department to manage information on care standards, complaints and consumer rights.
Ensuring quality care for older Australians — Quality Care Communication Strategy
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	0.5	1.5	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $2 million over two years to ensure that information is provided to the community to enable them to make more informed decisions about suitable residential care, and for residents to be better informed about their rights and better able to exercise them. 
Fringe benefits tax supplementation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	4.6	3.6	3.7	3.8	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	1.0	0.8	0.8	0.8	
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission	7.1	5.7	5.8	6.0	

Explanation
On 30 March 2001, the Government announced that it will allocate $43.8 million over four years to assist not‑for‑profit indigenous organisations adjust to the introduction of the new fringe benefits tax (FBT) arrangements. The additional funding will be available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations which provide health, housing, employment, education and legal services to indigenous communities and are affected by the new arrangements.
Under The New Tax System, the FBT exemption for public benevolent institutions (PBIs) has been capped at $30,000 of grossed up taxable value per employee, effective from 1 April 2001. A significant number of indigenous organisations are classified as PBIs. The additional funding will enable affected organisations to continue to offer remuneration at competitive market rates in order to attract and retain professional staff.
Further information is available in the Treasurer’s Press Release No. 22 of 30 March 2001.
Funding for the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	7.9	8.0	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will contribute to the cost of operating the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator for two years. This period will enable time for consultation on the implementation of cost recovery arrangements with universities, other scientific and medical research institutions, and industry undertaking gene technology research. The Gene Technology Act 2000 and the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator are scheduled to come into force on 21 June 2001.
Greater scrutiny of aged care homes’ funding claims
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑10.7	‑16.4	‑16.8	‑17.2	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	‑2.0	‑2.7	‑2.7	‑2.8	

Explanation
The Government has decided to increase the frequency of auditing of aged care homes’ funding claims, so that each home is checked at least once every two years and the majority are checked every year. Funding claims made by aged care homes are made on resident care plans, which are accessed by the homes themselves.
This measure will help ensure that subsidy payments made on the basis of claims by service providers are consistent with residents’ confirmed care needs under the Resident Classification Scale.
The Commonwealth Nursing Officers, while auditing the funding claims, also provide a departmental presence in aged care homes and will be able to refer any cases of poor care for further action. Education and other assistance will be provided to aged care homes to improve their assessment processes thus minimising future problems with the accuracy of funding claims.
This measure is expected to achieve savings to the Commonwealth of $71 million over four years.
This is a cross‑portfolio measure, and as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides health services to veterans, a small saving for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will result from the implementation of this initiative.
Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995 review implementation
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑5.2	‑6.5	‑6.7	‑6.8	

Explanation
The Government will amend the Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995 to streamline the administration of the Compensation Recoveries Programme. The new arrangements will achieve administrative savings of the order of $7 million a year.
The Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995 was introduced to prevent double dipping from Commonwealth Medicare and other benefits by successful claimants for compensation who had received benefits prior to their claim being settled. The streamlining will not affect access to Medicare and residential care subsidies for compensable persons. It is expected that administrative costs and procedures for insurers and workers’ compensation authorities will also be streamlined. This will help, in a small way, to reduce pressure on insurance premiums.
HealthConnect: a health information network for Australia — development phase
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	8.3	7.5	‑	‑	

Explanation
In order to lay the foundations necessary for building a robust system of health information exchange, this measure provides an additional $15.8 million over two years to fund research and development work to test and evaluate the feasibility of a national health information network, HealthConnect. Together with $0.2 million in a related capital measure and $2.5 million of previously committed funding, the total Commonwealth contribution will be $18.5 million over two years. States and Territories will provide matching contributions to the total Commonwealth funding.
This measure supports the development of common standards and infrastructure for HealthConnect, a lead implementation site and regional projects to demonstrate and thoroughly test the benefits to be delivered by a national network. At the end of the two years, the Government will have practical evidence on which to base decisions about HealthConnect.
Hospital innovation
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	3.7	3.7	‑	‑	

Explanation
This measure continues the Government’s programme of direct support for innovation in the delivery of hospital services. The two year programme will build on the achievements of the National Demonstration Hospitals Programme, supporting clinical leadership of improved approaches to the organisation and delivery of care in hospitals.

Improved primary health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑	‑	19.7	20.5	

Explanation
This measure builds on the Primary Health Care Access Programme for indigenous Australians, approved in the 1999‑2000 Budget.
The additional resources will enable Primary Health Care Access Programme arrangements to be implemented in a number of new sites to provide expanded comprehensive primary health care services, including clinical care, population health and education, and health promotion activities. The focus of this package is on reform of the service delivery network and financing arrangements to ensure that indigenous people have access to health services and that the services delivered are effective and sustainable.
These arrangements will continue to involve collaboration with the Aboriginal community controlled health sector, State and Territory governments, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, general practice, and other health professionals. This will bring about a better integration of general practice and mainstream health providers in delivering services for indigenous people.
Commonwealth funding is conditional on States and Territories providing resources to meet their funding obligations in this area.
Improving the use of cholesterol lowering medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑18.8	‑23.9	‑26.6	‑29.0	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	‑1.1	‑1.3	‑1.5	‑1.7	

Explanation
The Government has decided to clarify and improve the wording of the current Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme instructions to prescribers for the use of cholesterol lowering medicines. This will help ensure that these medicines will be used by those most likely to benefit from them.
These new instructions will come into effect on 1 August 2001, and will be accompanied by enhanced Health Insurance Commission audit and counselling procedures to ensure that the new instructions are followed. There will also be an emphasis on informing doctors and consumers about the reworded instructions through the National Prescribing Service and through the consumer information activities provided for in the Quality Use of Medicines Package.
This is a cross portfolio measure and, as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides health services to veterans, a small saving for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will result from the implementation of this initiative.
Increases in patient funding for general practitioner services
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	49.3	82.6	82.6	86.1	

Explanation
This measure recognises the central role general practitioners (GPs) play in the provision of health care by providing an additional $300.6 million over four years for increases in patient rebates for GP services. The additional funding will focus on increasing the rebates for longer GP consultation times, which will particularly benefit patients with complex or chronic conditions who may need to spend more time with their doctor.
This measure forms part of the Government’s response to the Relative Value Study of the Medicare Benefits Schedule. It will increase the average annual income of a full‑time GP by around $6,100 a year. Together with other measures announced in this Budget, the average annual income of a full‑time GP will increase by about $13,900 a year.
Increasing care and diversity for older Australians — Continence Aids Assistance Scheme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	0.7	3.0	3.1	4.1	

Explanation
The Government has decided to provide an additional $10.8 million over four years under the Continence Aids Assistance Scheme. The scheme supports continued workforce and community participation by people of working age with permanent incontinence arising from permanent disabilities and, in some circumstances, people over the age of 65, by providing financial assistance for the purchase of continence aids.
Increasing care and diversity for older Australians — culturally appropriate (ethnic) care
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.6	

Explanation
An additional $6.1 million over four years will be made available to assist aged care providers in supporting older people from non‑English speaking backgrounds. The measure will provide for an expansion of the successful ‘ethnic clusters’ which group numbers of people from a particular community together in homes, as well as supporting the development of ethnic‑specific homes and culturally appropriate community aged care packages.
Increasing care and diversity for older Australians — Day Therapy Centres
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	0.3	1.3	1.4	1.3	

Explanation
The Government has decided to provide $4.3 million over four years to enhance Day Therapy Centre services. There are currently 151 Day Therapy Centres providing rehabilitation and therapy services, mostly to residents of residential aged care homes. This measure will support their outreach into the community with the aim of preventing premature nursing home entry for older Australians, in particular those with dementia.
The funding will be used to assess, enhance and develop Day Therapy Centre service delivery models to better meet the needs of older people. 
Increasing care and diversity for older Australians — Extended Aged Care at Home
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	0.3	1.6	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $1.9 million over two years for the development of a management and quality assurance framework for the innovative Extended Aged Care at Home programme.
This measure will continue the programme of providing high level care in peoples’ own homes on a cost neutral basis.
A comprehensive evaluation to test the feasibility and cost effectiveness of the Extended Aged Care at Home pilot projects was completed in March 2001. Results indicate that the model is effective in providing the equivalent of high (nursing home level) care in people’s own homes.
Increasing care and diversity for older Australians — Safe at Home Pilot
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	

Explanation
The Government will provide $1.2 million over four years to continue the provision of personal alert systems for frail aged people on the programme, and to allow for continued evaluation of this initiative.
The Safe at Home Pilot commenced in 1999. An evaluation report on the pilot identified a number of benefits of personal alert systems for frail aged people living in their own homes, including evidence that their use in an emergency reduced complications resulting from falls and delayed entry to residential care.

Integrated National Diabetes Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	9.3	12.5	12.6	15.4	

Explanation
The Government will provide $49.8 million over four years to ensure a national approach to improving the prevention, earlier diagnosis and management of people with diabetes through general practice. The package will:
•	provide incentives to general practitioners (GPs) for earlier diagnosis and effective management for people with diabetes;
•	provide support for Divisions of General Practice to work with GPs and other health professionals to remove barriers to better care for people with diabetes;
•	engage consumers with diabetes to support appropriate self care and partnerships with health professionals; and
•	support changes in the practices of health professionals.
In addition, the Government will enter into a new Agreement with Diabetes Australia to provide access to subsidised syringes and diagnostic agents under the National Diabetes Services Scheme. Diabetes Australia has administered the Scheme under a series of grant agreements since 1987, with the latest agreement due to begin in 2001. As part of the new agreement, additional funding of $6.4 million over four years will be provided.
Investment to upgrade the Health Insurance Commission technical infrastructure to improve service
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑	2.0	‑13.0	‑19.7	

Explanation
This measure provides for expenses associated with the Health Insurance Commission’s information systems infrastructure.
The investment described in the related capital measure Investment to upgrade the Health Insurance Commission technical infrastructure to improve service in the Health and Aged Care portfolio, delivers the savings shown in the table above. These savings occur as a result of greater efficiencies in the Health Insurance Commission and additional fraud control capability as the upgraded systems come into full operation and continue into 2005‑06 and beyond (at around $35 million a year).
Mental health: More options, better services
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	4.1	24.4	39.7	51.5	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.2	

Explanation
The Government has provided an additional $120.4 million over four years to improve the quality of care provided through general practice to Australians with a mental illness.
This package will address the significant barriers to the early identification and treatment of mental health disorders in Australia. It provides more appropriate remuneration for focused diagnosis and care of patients presenting to GPs with mental health problems. It will:
•	encourage better identification and informed clinical care for mental health patients through financial support to GPs;
•	provide GPs with quality education and training, and access to additional allied mental health support;
•	provide new Medicare Benefits Schedule items to allow appropriately trained GPs to provide mental health counselling to patients; and
•	provide a new Medicare Benefits Schedule item for psychiatrists to provide consultancy assistance to GPs in emergency situations.
National Immunisation Strategy
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will continue to provide funding to States and Territories for the provision of vaccines recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council. The National Immunisation Strategy will increase immunisation coverage of Australian children and prevent continuing outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. The above table shows the net effect on the budget as zero because the funding had already been included in the forward estimates ($45.4 million over four years).
National Rural and Remote Health Support Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will extend funding for the National Rural and Remote Health Support Programme to support various projects, including the Advanced Specialist Training Programme, rural and remote nursing projects, and a range of initiatives supported by the Rural Health Support, Education and Training Programme. The above table shows the net effect on the budget as zero because the funding had already been included in the forward estimates ($25.9 million over four years).
New Medicare item for Domiciliary Medication Management Review
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	1.8	4.3	5.5	6.5	

Explanation
The Government will introduce a new item on the Medicare Benefits Schedule to reward medical practitioners for participating in collaborative Domiciliary Medication Management Reviews. This will encourage general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists to work together to ensure that consumers understand their medication and use it optimally.

Pricing review for the Department of Health and Aged Care
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑	‑2.0	‑4.0	‑6.0	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a pricing review for the Department of Health and Aged Care resulting in a reduction in its resourcing.
The reduction in resourcing reflects a range of improvements to efficiency and effectiveness that were developed as part of the review. The reduction will not result in any change to the quantity or quality of the outputs produced by the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Proactive GP management of asthma: The 3+ Visit Plan
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	7.5	12.2	13.9	14.2	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	0.1	0.2	0.2	0.2	

Explanation
The Government will provide $48.4 million over four years to improve the quality of clinical care provided by general practitioners (GPs) for people with moderate to severe asthma. The 3+ Visit Plan will encourage the provision of best practice treatment and management for people with asthma. The plan is based on the need for a structured approach by GPs over at least three consultations, which incorporate diagnosis and assessment with the patient (including appropriate spirometry tests), development of an asthma care plan and review of asthma management. The measure will provide financial support to GPs and will also finance education about proactive asthma management.
This is a cross‑portfolio measure, and as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides health services to veterans, a small expense for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will result from the implementation of this initiative.
Quality use of medicines package — consumer education
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	2.0	4.0	4.2	4.4	

Explanation
This measure will finance the introduction of a consumer education strategy to ensure the judicious, safe and effective use of medicines in the community. It will encompass population level campaigns, as well as regional education activities designed to meet local needs.
The strategy will encourage consumers to be more critical and active in their use of medications, and to ask questions of their prescribers and pharmacists, particularly about possible side effects and how a medication will interact with other medications taken.
Quality use of medicines package — enhancement of the National Prescribing Service
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑8.6	‑8.0	‑8.0	‑8.0	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	‑1.1	‑1.1	‑1.1	‑1.1	

Explanation
This measure will improve the quality of prescribing through enhancement of National Prescribing Service activities. These activities are designed to improve patient health while reducing growth in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Since it was established in 1997‑98, the National Prescribing Service has developed a regional network of facilitators and provided support to around 70 per cent of Divisions of General Practice. In addition to continuing the current activities, the National Prescribing Service will be expanded, so that it can extend its support to all Divisions of General Practice and work more systematically with specialists, pharmacists and hospital doctors.
This expansion of activities will cost about $22 million over the four years, but is expected to achieve gross savings under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme of around $59 million over the same period.
This is a cross‑portfolio measure, and as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides health services to veterans, a small saving for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will result from the implementation of this initiative.
Quality use of medicines package — National Medicines Disposal Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	

Explanation
This measure provides funding for the continuation of the National Medicines Disposal Programme. This programme uses the national community pharmacy network to collect expired and unwanted medicines from consumers, reducing the risks of accidental childhood poisoning and medication misuse among older Australians.
These medicines are destroyed in an environmentally friendly manner using high temperature incineration. Approximately 225 tonnes of medicines are disposed of annually throughout Australia by this method, avoiding the significant environmental health hazard posed by previous inappropriate disposal through the sewerage system and landfill.
Reduction in wholesalers’ remuneration under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	nfp	nfp	nfp	nfp	

Explanation
The Government has decided to reduce the remuneration paid to the distributors of pharmaceuticals under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Wholesalers are currently paid a margin of 10 per cent for stocking the medicines available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and supplying them to community pharmacies. The new arrangements are still to be negotiated with wholesalers, so a provision has been made in the Contingency Reserve for the savings expected from this measure. The Government expects the new arrangements to take effect from February 2002.
Replacement of speech processors for children with cochlear implants
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide further funding to extend the current programme that provides, replaces and updates speech processors for children who require cochlear implants. The above table shows the net effect on the budget as zero because the funding had already been included in the forward estimates ($1.6 million over four years).
Restructuring rural and urban fringe aged care homes
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	5.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $5 million in 2001‑02 to assist a group of rural and urban fringe residential aged care homes to meet accreditation standards. This funding will be used to address the specific accreditation challenges faced by each home. For example, funding may be used for assistance to homes requiring capital expenses to meet regulatory requirements or for minor capital grants for projects such as fire safety work. 
Rural Nursing Scholarships
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	1.8	2.9	4.1	4.2	

Explanation
The Government will provide $13.0 million over four years to improve access to undergraduate nursing education for rural and regional students.
This initiative is designed to provide access to undergraduate nursing degrees for students specifically from rural and regional Australia. One hundred Rural Nursing Scholarships of $10,000 per annum will be available for rural students who nominate to study the majority or entirety of their degree at a rural campus. A further ten scholarships will be available for indigenous students or Aboriginal Health Workers who want to up‑grade their qualifications.
In addition, $2.1 million over four years will be provided for support measures associated with the scholarships, with a particular emphasis placed on indigenous students.
See also the related expense measure Additional practice nurses for rural Australia and other areas of need in the Health and Aged Care portfolio.
Safety of Australia’s blood supply
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	2.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
This measure will allow the Government to help maintain continuity and confidence in the Australian blood supply.
Critical dates for three major blood contracts will be triggered over the next year and part of the funding from this measure will be used to recruit specialist staff to assist in these negotiations. The remainder of the funding will be used to develop a comprehensive Commonwealth communication strategy, conduct extensive public consultations, and purchase management systems to underpin Commonwealth contract management in this sector.
Strategy on electromagnetic public health issues
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency	‑	‑	‑	‑	
Department of Health and Aged Care	-	-	-	-	

Explanation
The Government will continue to support research into possible health effects from electromagnetic energy emissions from radio communications devices. This research will continue to ensure that community concerns about the safety of these devices are addressed through high quality research and advice on health effects. The above table shows the net effect on the budget as zero because the funding had already been included in the forward estimates ($4.0 million over four years).
See also the related revenue measure titled Strategy on electromagnetic public health issues in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
The National Childhood Pneumococcal Vaccination Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	7.4	7.4	4.2	4.2	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding for the purchase of a new vaccine for children at high risk of contracting invasive pneumococcal disease. Funding for the programme will be limited to those population groups and individuals at highest risk of either contracting, or suffering severe complications from, pneumococcal disease. These groups are:
•	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in all States and Territories;
•	non‑indigenous children living in the Central Australian region; and
•	children with particular medical conditions that place them at high risk from the complications of pneumococcal disease.
Catch‑up vaccinations for eligible children aged up to five years in the categories of highest risk will also be conducted over the next two years. Spending is therefore higher for that period.
Westmead Children’s Hospital
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $5 million to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children at Westmead in 2000‑01. This funding is conditional on a contribution of $10 million from a private donor and $5 million in matched funding from the New South Wales Government.
This initiative will fund a building that will allow the research activities of the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children and the Children’s Medical Research Institute to merge, forming one of the strongest children’s research programmes in Australia. This new body will develop strong links with the Millennium Institute, making the Westmead Campus one of Australia’s premier medical research centres.
This project will support the clustering of biomedical research and enable these research bodies to share key infrastructure, as recommended by the Wills Committee.

Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
Backing Australia’s Ability — attracting information and communication technology workers
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	

Explanation
The Government has decided that, from 1 July 2001, successful Australian‑educated overseas students with information and communications technology qualifications will be able to apply for visas for permanent residence under the Skilled‑Independent and related categories without leaving Australia.
Additional resourcing will be provided to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to process the new visa applications in Australia.
See also the related revenue measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability — attracting information and communication technology workers in the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs portfolio.
Citizenship — media campaign
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	2.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will allocate $4.9 million in 2001‑02 for a media campaign to promote Australian citizenship in the Centenary of Federation year. The campaign will be undertaken in 2001 and will concentrate on television, supplemented by print media.
The campaign is part of the Government’s response to the report of the Australian Citizenship Council in 2000, which recommended the promotion of Australian citizenship during 2001.
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs will absorb $2.9 million of the total cost from within its existing resources.
Extension of Living in Harmony Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	2.5	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funds of $2.5 million in 2001‑02 to extend the Living in Harmony programme beyond the current expiry date of 30 June 2001. The programme will be fully evaluated late in 2001. The extension will capitalise on the success already achieved through the programme with the provision of community grants, partnerships and publicity, including funding for Harmony Day 2002 activities.
Funding for the New Agenda for Multicultural Australia
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	1.0	1.0	‑	‑	

Explanation
In November 1999 the Government endorsed the New Agenda for Multicultural Australia with a plan of action including the establishment of the Council for Multicultural Australia. The Council will promote the importance of social harmony. This measure provides additional funding of $2.1 million to continue the initiative for the next two years.
Increase in the permanent migrant intake
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	2.1	3.9	3.9	3.9	
Department of Health and Aged Care	4.2	12.4	20.6	28.9	
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs	11.2	14.7	18.4	22.4	
Department of Family and Community Services	11.7	29.9	60.4	94.5	
Total	29.2	60.9	103.3	149.7	

Explanation
The Government will increase the Permanent Migration (Non‑Humanitarian) Programme to 85,000 places with an additional reserve of 8,000 places in 2001‑02. 
The programme provides for increases in both the Skill and Family Streams. The Skill Stream will deliver additional economic, budgetary and employment benefits, particularly in addressing current skill shortages in Australia. The Family Stream will provide opportunities for migrant families to reunite in Australia.
A migration programme with a focus on skilled migration is expected to have a strong positive economic and budgetary impact.
Most skilled migrants are unable to access the majority of welfare benefits for two years after arriving in Australia. Expenses within the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs portfolio primarily reflect the provision of English language training to adult migrants in the period new skilled migrants are unable to access most welfare benefits. The costs associated with the Family and Community Services portfolio reflect the expected usage of special benefits payable to certain skilled and family reunion migrants. Expenses in the Health and Aged Care and Education, Training and Youth Affairs portfolios reflect the expected usage of health and education services, by the additional permanent migrants.
See also the related revenue measure titled Increase in the permanent migrant intake, in the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs portfolio.
New social security arrangements between Australia and New Zealand
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	8.4	7.9	7.7	7.4	

Explanation
The Government has decided to provide increased resourcing to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs for the additional workload arising from the new bilateral social security arrangements agreed between Australia and New Zealand in early 2001. The new social security arrangements provide for a more equitable sharing of social security responsibilities.
Under the new arrangements, most New Zealand citizens arriving in Australia after 26 February 2001 will be able to access the broad range of income support payments only if they become a permanent resident.
See also the related revenue and capital measures, New social security arrangements between Australia and New Zealand, in the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs portfolio, and related expense and revenue measures in the Family and Community Services portfolio.
Onshore processing of students in the points tested categories
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.9	

Explanation
The Government will reform the processing of student visas in points tested categories, to allow students who have completed their study in Australia to apply for migration onshore. These reforms will improve Australia’s competitiveness in attracting and retaining skilled migrants.
This reform provides broader access to the opportunities offered to Information and Communication Technology overseas students announced by the Government as part of Backing Australia’s Ability.
See also the related revenue measure, Onshore processing of students in points tested categories, in the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs portfolio.
Pricing review of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	‑6.2	‑12.8	‑11.6	‑12.9	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the findings of a pricing review for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
The pricing review focused on testing the reasonableness of the Department’s price of outputs following the move to an outcomes and outputs accrual budgeting framework. The review identified that a reduction in the price of all outputs is achievable while improving service delivery.
A new three year purchasing agreement between the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and the Department of Finance and Administration, which was developed from the pricing review, will take effect from July 2001.
Reform of Independent Executives visa arrangements
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	0.8	1.2	1.2	1.2	

Explanation
The Government will reform the visa arrangements for Independent Executives. The reforms will include enhanced and systematic monitoring to ensure compliance with the new arrangements.
The reform is in response to recommendations by the Business Advisory Panel (established by the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs) following a review of the business entry programme by the Australian National Audit Office.
The additional expenses represent the additional workload in processing the new visa class and new monitoring arrangements.
See also the related revenue measure, Reform of Independent Executives visa arrangements, in the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs portfolio.
Strategy to strengthen Australia’s immigration services to priority areas — extension of Electronic Travel Authority arrangements
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	..	‑0.2	‑0.2	‑0.2	

Explanation
The Government will improve Australia’s immigration services to priority areas by increasing the use of Electronic Travel Authority arrangements which allow for short term visitors from selected countries to be issued with visas electronically. This approach will facilitate the ready entry of tourists to Australia, without compromising entry criteria.
The Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs will consider the extension of these arrangements after considering the security and other risk factors for the countries concerned.
The reduction in expenses reflects the lower costs of issuing Electronic Travel Authorities, when compared to the issue of manual visitor visas.
See also the related revenue measure, Strategy to strengthen Australia’s immigration services to priority areas — extension of Electronic Travel Authority arrangements, in the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs portfolio.
Strategy to strengthen Australia’s immigration services to priority areas — increased Australia‑based representation in Brasilia
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	0.7	0.3	0.3	0.3	

Explanation
The Government will provide $1.7 million over four years to strengthen Australia’s immigration services in South America by increasing the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs’ representation in Brasilia.
Improved visa services will benefit both clients in South America and Australian stakeholders in emerging education, tourism and business sectors.
The new Brasilia post will become the hub of immigration services in South America, providing support to other minor posts on the continent. The additional cost of operating the Brasilia post will be partly offset by reallocating resources from other posts.
Unauthorised boat arrivals — review of processing and detention arrangements
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	24.9	32.8	40.8	49.2	

Explanation
The Government will provide increased funding to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs for the detention and processing of unauthorised arrivals. This additional funding follows a review of the initial funding arrangements (announced in the 2000‑01 Budget) and undertaken during 2000.

The revised funding arrangements took effect in November 2000, and have given the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs greater certainty in funding relative to the number of unauthorised arrivals, while at the same time providing the necessary incentives to continue to improve the efficiency of operations.
See also the related capital measure, Unauthorised boat arrivals — review of processing and detention arrangements, in the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs portfolio.

Industry, Science and Resources
Pricing review of the Australian Nuclear Science Technology Organisation
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation	8.4	9.3	9.4	8.9	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a pricing review for the Australian Nuclear Science Technology Organisation resulting in an overall increase in the agency’s resourcing. It particularly reflects the Government’s agreement that the Australian Nuclear Science Technology Organisation should be provided with funding to meet the costs associated with increased regulation. The review found that the organisation’s price for operating its nuclear facilities and delivering core nuclear expertise at current levels is appropriate.
Backing Australia’s Sporting Ability — a More Active Australia
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Sports Commission	36.5	38.8	38.8	40.1	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	1.9	1.9	1.9	1.9	

Explanation
The Government will provide an additional $161.6 million over four years towards Australian sport. This measure will help ensure continued Australian international sporting success, increased participation in sport, (with particular emphasis on young people, people with disabilities and Indigenous Australians), and improved governance and management capabilities amongst national sporting organisations. The Government will build on the success of its Tough on Drugs in Sport Strategy by delivering more effective international and domestic anti‑doping programmes.
Assistance for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	‑	60.0	30.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide $90 million towards capital works associated with the upgrading of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the staging of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006. The MCG will be one of the major facilities used during the Games.
The upgrade will provide for essential improvements for spectators in the Northern/Olympic, Members’ and Ponsford stands, which in total account for around 55 per cent of current spectator capacity.
Backing Australia’s Ability — Biotechnology Innovation Fund
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	5.0	5.0	10.0	‑	

Explanation
The Government will double present funding for the Biotechnology Innovation Fund programme to $40 million. This measure will increase the flow of Australian biotechnology projects proceeding to commercialisation by helping biotechnology start‑up companies demonstrate proof‑of‑concept, and attract private sector investment. Support will be offered to applicants on a competitive basis.
Backing Australia’s Ability — business advice on the regulatory environment
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will develop an integrated suite of business advice tools and education options to assist innovative firms to understand and operate effectively within the existing regulatory environment.
This assistance will be provided at no additional cost to the Budget. Funding will come from within existing resources provided to the Department of Industry Science and Resources.
Backing Australia’s Ability — Expansion of the COMET Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	10.0	10.0	10.0	10.0	

Explanation
This measure provides an additional $40 million over four years to extend the Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET) programme. COMET provides assistance for the development of management skills, creation of an effective management team, conducting market research, developing intellectual property strategies and developing achievable, realistic business plans. This enables individuals, early growth stage companies and spin‑off companies from research institutions to bring their product to market.
Backing Australia’s Ability — Expansion of the Cooperative Research Centres Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	‑	55.0	57.0	

Explanation
The Government will increase support for the Cooperative Research Centres Programme by providing $227 million over three years commencing in 2003‑04. The expansion in funding will allow an increased number of centres, larger grants for centres, enhanced opportunities for small to medium enterprises to participate in the programme, and increased collaboration with international research networks.
See also the related expense measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability — World‑Class Centres of Excellence in the Industry, Science and Resources portfolio.
Backing Australia’s Ability — Improvements to the management and awareness of intellectual property
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will improve the protection of intellectual property, and the awareness and management of intellectual property related issues. This will be done by strengthening the patent system, establishing an internet intellectual property portal, boosting tertiary and research sector awareness activities, introducing a young innovators award scheme and establishing an intellectual property policy research centre. The Government will also require universities to publish a Research and Research Training Management Plan that sets out the universities’ intellectual property policies and commercialisation strategies.
This assistance will be provided at no additional cost to the Budget. Funding will come from within existing resources provided to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
Backing Australia’s Ability — Innovation Access Programme 
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	16.6	19.2	24.3	

Explanation
The Government will provide $100 million over five years to fund the Innovation Access Programme. The programme will support a range of collaborative projects including assisting Australian industry to access new technologies and providing support for leading‑edge collaborative science, engineering and technology activities under Australia’s international Science and Technology Agreements and cooperation programmes.
See also the related expense measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability —Innovation Access Programme in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Backing Australia’s Ability — Major National Research Facilities
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	5.0	20.0	30.0	50.0	

Explanation
The Government will fund a new Major National Research Facilities programme totalling $155 million over five years. The programme will invest in national research infrastructure in partnership with State and Territory Governments, universities, and other public and private sector bodies. This measure will provide better access for Australian researchers to world‑class, specialised facilities, and attract overseas researchers and firms to Australia. The programme will invite proposals on a competitive basis and will involve the establishment of new facilities and enhancement of existing research facilities. 
Backing Australia’s Ability — monitoring venture capital investment
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will monitor domestic and overseas investment in Australian venture capital projects to assess the impact of the new business tax arrangements. Funding will come from within existing resources provided to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
Backing Australia’s Ability — National Innovation Awareness Strategy
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	4.3	5.8	5.8	6.4	

Explanation
The Government will provide $35 million over five years to fund an innovation awareness strategy. The strategy will raise awareness of innovation and the role it plays in our society. The programme will fund business‑led innovation awareness initiatives.
See also the related expense measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability — National Awareness Strategy in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.

Backing Australia’s Ability — 175 per cent premium rate — R&D tax concession
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	1.0	2.8	3.3	3.5	
Australian Taxation Office	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $10.6 million over four years to administer a 175 per cent premium R&D tax concession. In addition to the existing 125 per cent R&D Tax Concession, a premium rate of 175 per cent will apply for firms that undertake 'additional' investment in R&D. The premium will focus on components of R&D where the greatest economy‑wide benefits would occur.
See also the related expense measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability — R&D Start and the related revenue measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability — Premium 175 per cent rate for R&D tax concession in the Treasury Portfolio.
Backing Australia’s Ability — Pre‑seed Fund
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	6.4	16.9	21.8	21.8	

Explanation
The Government has decided to establish a Pre‑seed Fund of $78.7 million funded over five years. The fund is designed to take new technologies or business proposals to a level where venture capitalists are willing to invest in the seed phase of commercialisation. The Pre‑seed Fund will be managed by a private sector fund manager with commercial experience in developing young firms. Assistance through this fund will be open to universities and Government research agencies.
Backing Australia’s Ability — R&D Start
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	33.9	102.6	159.7	

Explanation
The Government is providing $534.9 million over five years up to 2005‑06 to continue the R&D Start Programme up to 2005‑06. The programme is designed to assist Australian industry undertake research and development and commercialisation of new ideas. 
See also the related capital measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability — R&D Start, the related revenue measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability — 175 per cent Premium Rate — R&D Tax Concession and the related revenue measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability — 125 per cent effective life write‑off for R&D plant in the Treasury portfolio.
Backing Australia’s Ability — Rebate for small companies
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	0.2	0.1	0.1	

Explanation
The Government will provide $0.4 million over three years, commencing in 2002‑03, to administer a tax rebate equivalent to the 125 per cent R&D Tax Concession to increase the incentive for small firms to invest in R&D. Under this initiative, the Government expects to provide up to 1,300 small companies with support each year.
See also the related expense measure titled Backing Australia’s Ability — R&D Start and the related revenue measure Backing Australia’s Ability — R&D Tax Concession Cash‑out in the Treasury portfolio.
Backing Australia’s Ability — World‑Class Centres of Excellence
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	1.5	3.8	5.0	6.2	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding over five years to establish World‑Class Centres of Excellence in research, including an investment of $46 million in biotechnology centres. Of this investment, $24 million will come from an allocation to the Department of Industry Science and Resources, with $22 million from the Australian Research Council. This measure will help build a critical mass in research expertise and develop networks into existing research organisations. The Centres will recruit Australian and overseas research leaders and are expected to attract substantial private sector investment.
See also the related expense measures titled Backing Australia’s Ability — World‑Class Centres of Excellence in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio, Backing Australia’s Ability — expansion of the Cooperative Research Centres and Backing Australia’s Ability — double funding for national competitive research grants in the Education, Training and Youth Affairs portfolio.
Commonwealth contribution to the Bradman Memorial Fund
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government is providing $0.1 million in 2000‑01 to a memorial fund set up in honour of Sir Donald Bradman. The Bradman Memorial Fund was announced after the death of Sir Donald in late February 2001. Donations to the fund will go to the promotion and encouragement of cricket in disadvantaged communities, including indigenous communities.
Commonwealth support of the Prime Minister’s XI vs the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Chairman’s XI cricket match
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government allocated $0.1 million in 2000‑01 to support a cricket match between the Prime Minister’s XI and the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Commission Chairman’s XI on 19 April 2001 in Canberra as part of Centenary of Federation celebrations.
The funding provided is being absorbed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
Commonwealth support for the 2001 Goodwill Games
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $3 million in 2000‑01 to assist the organisers of the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane to meet the costs of such things as the Volunteer Programme, anti doping measures and the provision of services for the staging of the Games. The Goodwill Games are a major event for the city of Brisbane and, as at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the contribution of volunteers and an appropriate anti doping regime will be integral to the overall success of the Games.
Continued resourcing for the Australian Building Codes Board
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will extend support for the Australian Building Codes Board, at a cost of $4 million over four years. The Board is the major instrument for achieving the Government’s objectives in relation to regulatory reform in the building and construction industry. The Board is also critical in the areas of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the built environment and Access to Buildings for People with Disabilities.
The Commonwealth provides matching funding on a dollar‑for‑dollar basis with the States and Territories. The Department of Industry Science and Resources will absorb the cost of this measure.

Continued support for National Recreation Safety Organisations
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	

Explanation
The Government will provide an additional $1.6 million to National Recreation Safety Organisations over four years to help reduce the number of drownings and improve safety in Australia’s alpine areas. The funds will be provided to the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, Surf Life Saving Australia, Austswim and the Australian Ski Patrol Association.
Corporatisation of the Snowy Mountains Hydro‑Electric Authority and environmental flows into the Snowy and Murray Rivers
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	7.5	7.5	7.5	

Explanation
The Government will provide $75 million over 10 years until 2011‑12 as part of the programme to corporatise the Snowy Mountains Hydro‑Electric Authority. This funding will contribute to the establishment of a joint government entity, comprising New South Wales, Victoria and the Commonwealth, which will invest in water savings projects as part of a Government commitment to increase environmental water flows into the Snowy and Murray Rivers.
The new entity will oversight nominated water savings works in specified tributaries and distribution systems from the Murray River. This will ensure no adverse impacts on the water entitlements of irrigators in New South Wales and Victoria, environmental flows in the Murray‑Darling System, or the water quality and security of South Australia.

Facilitation of small and medium enterprises — supplier access to major projects
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $0.4 million in 2001‑02 to facilitate access by competitive Australian suppliers at the pre‑tender stage to major private and public sector projects.
This measure recognises that managers of major projects have difficulties in identifying Australian firms, especially small and medium sized enterprises, that are capable of fulfilling project requirements. The Department of Industry, Science and Resources will absorb the cost of this measure.
Government response to the Productivity Commission report on general tariffs
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	5.0	4.7	4.0	

Explanation
The Government will spend $13.7 million over three years from 2002‑03 to administer the expansion of the current Policy and Project By Laws allowing greater access to tariff exemption for certain industry sectors. This will benefit local manufacturers who import inputs that are unavailable in Australia.
The Government has ensured that major projects benefiting from the new arrangements will offer full, fair and reasonable access to local Australian manufacturers to contracts and tenders.
See also the related revenue measure titled Government response to the Productivity Commission report on general tariffs in the Attorney General’s portfolio.
Support for training of automotive industry employees and the development of industry relevant technology
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	4.0	4.0	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government is providing $12.5 million over three years, commencing in 2000‑01, to Holden under the Strategic Investment Coordination process for training of automotive industry employees and the development of industry relevant technology.
On 13 December 2000, Holden announced that it would invest $400 million to establish a new manufacturing plant to build lightweight, fuel efficient V6 aluminum engines in Victoria. This investment is in addition to the $400 million Holden has committed to capacity expansion, tooling and related manufacturing in South Australia.
The Indigenous Communities/Mining Industry Regional Partnerships Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Industry, Science and Resources	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding of $1.2 million over four years to promote partnerships between the mining industry and Aboriginal communities. Key elements of the programme include the publication of case studies setting out the benefits of a partnership approach; regional workshops to promote awareness of best practice; and promotion of indigenous employment. The Department of Industry, Science and Resources will absorb the cost of this programme.
Pricing review of the National Standards Commission
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
National Standards Commission	2.2	2.4	2.4	2.5	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a pricing review conducted by the National Standards Commission resulting in an increase in the agency’s resourcing. The Government recognises that this increased funding is required for the Commission to meet its statutory requirements.

Parliamentary Departments
Additional funding for the Citizenship Visits Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the House of Representatives	0.1	..	..	‑	
Department of the Senate	0.1	..	..	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding for the Citizenship Visits Programme of $0.3 million over three years to meet the increasing demand on the programme from schools.
The Citizenship Visits Programme is a subsidy scheme that assists groups from schools which are located more than 1,000 kilometres from Canberra to visit the Houses of Parliament and participate in the parliamentary education programme.
Additional two Members in Parliament
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the House of Representatives	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	

Explanation
The House of Representatives will increase by two members as a result of the creation of three new electorates and the abolition of one electorate. The change will take effect following the next federal election.
The funding provided over four years will cover both the costs of salaries and allowances for these Members as well as their administrative support costs.

Prime Minister and Cabinet
Informed choices for Australian women
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	1.0	1.5	1.5	1.5	

Explanation
The Government will fund the development of a women’s community information strategy to improve access to government information for and about women. This programme will be administered through the Office of the Status of Women.
National initiative to combat sexual assault
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	2.1	4.8	4.8	4.8	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding of $16.5 million over four years to facilitate a national approach to combat sexual assault against women.
The programme will be administered through the Office of the Status of Women. It will establish partnerships to develop, test and implement strategies to address the incidence of sexual assault in the community. This will include campaigns to promote community awareness.
Women’s Development Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	

Explanation
The Government will provide an additional $5.6 million over four years to expand and enhance government support for women’s organisations through the establishment of the Women’s Development Programme. This will fund targeted research, policy and service development projects and support women’s contributions to Government policy formulation. The programme will also support women’s capacity building and mentoring activities. This programme will be administered through the Office of the Status of Women.
Women’s National Leadership Initiative
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	

Explanation
The Government will fund an extension of Commonwealth activities that are directed at increasing the participation of women in leadership positions and to promote leadership by rural, Indigenous and disadvantaged women. This programme will be administered through the Office of the Status of Women.
Enhanced complaint management for The New Tax System
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will allocate funding of $0.5 million in each of 2001-02 and 2002-03 to the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman to enhance the Ombudsman’s role in managing complaints, and contributing to improved administrative processes, related to the introduction of The New Tax System. Equivalent funding previously provided through the Australian Tax Office has been withdrawn.

Reconciliation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
Improvement of major infrastructure in the Torres Strait
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission	‑5.0	‑5.1	‑5.2	‑	
Torres Strait Regional Authority	5.0	5.1	5.2	‑	

Explanation
The Government has agreed to the transfer of $15.3 million over the next three years from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission to the Torres Strait Regional Authority to begin the second stage of a 10‑year joint Commonwealth/Queensland Government programme to improve major infrastructure in the Torres Strait region. 
The second stage of the 10‑year environmental health and infrastructure project is expected to improve sewerage, water supplies, roads and solid waste disposal in 17 Torres Strait communities. 
Funding is conditional upon agreement being reached with the Queensland Government to provide matching funding.
Pricing review of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission	‑1.5	‑1.0	‑0.7	‑	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a pricing review for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission resulting in a reduction in resourcing of $3.2 million over four years.
The reduction in resourcing reflects a range of improvements to efficiency and effectiveness that were developed as part of the review. The reduction will not result in any change to the quantity or quality of the outputs produced by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.
Extension of support for Community Housing Infrastructure Programme and Native Title claimants and other Programmes
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will maintain current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission programme funding levels. This will continue existing funding for programmes such as the Community Housing and Infrastructure Programme and support for Native Title claimants. Additional base funding of $66.4 million over four years was initially provided under the terms of a four year Portfolio Funding Guarantee agreed between the Government and the Minister for Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs in the 1997‑98 Budget. The Government will provide $16.1 million in 2001‑02, $16.4 million in 2002‑03, $16.8 million in 2003‑04 and $17.1 million in 2004‑05. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Separated indigenous families — Government response to 'Bringing Them Home'
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Commission	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will support the Link Up programme for a further four years from 2002‑03. This measure will continue the development of a network of dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family tracing and reunion services in each State and the Northern Territory.
The Government will provide additional funding of $2.4 million in 2002‑03 and $2.5 million per annum from 2003‑04 to 2005‑06. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.

Transport and Regional Services
Improvements in search and rescue arrangements
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Maritime Safety Authority	1.2	1.1	0.7	0.7	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority of $3.7 million over four years to maintain and improve the Authority’s capability to respond to search and rescue incidents. This funding will increase the number of aircraft available to assist in search and rescue operations by sixteen, three of which would be dedicated aircraft with contractual commitments to provide guaranteed response times. This initiative will promote the maintenance of transport links, as the majority of new operators will be in regional locations.
See also the related capital measure titled Improvements in search and rescue arrangements in the Transport and Regional Services portfolio.
Aviation industry compliance
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Civil Aviation Safety Authority	5.7	5.7	5.7	7.1	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to further improve aviation safety. The additional funding will be used to undertake a Safety Regulatory Improvement Programme, establish a ‘single point of entry’ to the Authority for its clients, and meet the increasing demand for compliance.
This additional funding will be provided over the next four years. The result of the implementation of revised regulations will be a common, single standard for passenger carrying operations, providing an improved level of safety for the fare paying passenger.
As well as $7.6 million provided by the Government, this measure will be funded by an increase in the aviation fuels duties allocated to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and use of the Authority’s accumulated internal cash reserves.
See also related capital measure titled Aviation Industry Compliance in the Transport and Regional Services portfolio and the related revenue measure titled Funding for Aviation Industry Compliance in the Treasury portfolio.
Airservices Australia — Extension of Location Specific Pricing Subsidy
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	7.0	7.0	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will continue the location specific pricing subsidy in 2001‑02 and 2002‑03 to subsidise Airservices Australia for the provision of control tower services at capital city general aviation and regional airports. Continuation of the subsidy will guarantee the provision of air traffic services at these airports at a price the general aviation industry can bear. The subsidy is a transitional measure, arising from the introduction of location specific pricing for tower services at these airports. This measure will support safety and affordable transport access in regional Australia.
The subsidy will continue to be funded through the excise and customs duty on aviation gasoline and aviation turbine fuels.
See also the related revenue measure titled Airservices Australia — Extension of Location Specific Pricing Subsidy in the Transport and Regional Services portfolio.
Alice Springs — Darwin Railway
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	‑	5.1	8.9	‑	

Explanation
The Government is providing additional financial support of up to $26.4 million from 2002‑03 to 2006‑07 for the Alice Springs — Darwin Railway. This additional support is conditional on both matching funding from the Northern Territory and South Australian Governments, as well as an assurance that the additional funding will ensure the commencement of construction of the railway. The funding will be provided in the form of a grant to the Northern Territory Government. This is in addition to funding of $165 million already committed by the Government. 
Construction of a new Scoresby Freeway
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	5.3	14.4	13.3	7.0	

Explanation
The Government has designated the Scoresby Freeway a Road of National Importance and allocated $220 million to bring forward the construction of a new freeway between Ringwood and Frankston. The new freeway will deliver significant economic benefits to Melbourne by removing severe traffic congestion and reducing travel times for as many as 100,000 vehicles per day.
Additional funding of $40 million will be provided from 2001‑02 to 2004‑05 to fund this project. The balance of the Commonwealth’s contribution will be allocated from the existing National Highway and Roads of National Importance Programmes.
See also the related expense measure titled Roads in outer metropolitan areas in the Transport and Regional services portfolio. 
East Coast Very High Speed Train scoping study
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	15.0	5.0	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide $20 million for a scoping study to examine the feasibility of an east coast Very High Speed Train network. The proposed network would link Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and major regional and coastal centres. The study will examine possible routes, technical performance requirements, risk management, patronage, project structure, indicative project costs, economic impact, government involvement and financing.
The Commonwealth has invited Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory to participate in the study.
Federal Flood Mitigation Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	0.8	10.0	10.0	10.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide additional funding of $30.8 million over four years for the new Federal Flood Mitigation Programme. This programme replaces the Regional Flood Mitigation Programme, and will now include mitigation works in outer metropolitan areas. Eligible mitigation measures include levies, channel improvement works, retarding basins, upgrading and replacement of existing flood structures, flood warning systems and voluntary purchase of flood prone homes.
Total Commonwealth funding under this programme ($10 million per year for the next four years, including existing funding of $9.2 million in 2001‑02) will assist State, Territory and Local Governments to reduce the risk of damage caused by floods in rural, regional and outer metropolitan areas of Australia. The Commonwealth will fund one‑third of the costs of approved projects.
Flood Recovery Fund
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
In response to the severe flooding in central and northern New South Wales and southern Queensland in November 2000, the Government provided assistance of $10 million in 2000‑01 to establish the Flood Recovery Fund. Access to the fund was extended to communities on the north coast of New South Wales affected by flooding in March 2001. This Fund provides short‑term support to rural and regional communities in affected areas. Assistance was available for reinstatement and reconstruction of community facilities, clean‑up of public and community facilities, and grants to community service organisations to assist with additional demand and services.
Newcastle Structural Adjustment Fund
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will contribute an additional $0.7 million in 2000‑01 to support projects that create new and permanent jobs in Newcastle. The Newcastle Structural Adjustment Fund was established in 1997‑98, in response to the closure of BHP Steel in Newcastle. The Fund is used to support projects that generate long‑term employment in the Newcastle region.
Roads in outer metropolitan areas
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	50.0	100.0	125.0	125.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide increased funding of $400 million over four years to the National Highway and Roads of National Importance Programme to improve road infrastructure on the fringes of the capital cities. Funding will target road projects which develop key arterial link roads in outer metropolitan areas.
See also related expense measure Construction of a new Scoresby Freeway in the Transport and Regional Services portfolio. 
Roads to Recovery Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	300.0	300.0	300.0	150.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide increased funding of $1.2 billion from 2000‑01 to 2004‑05 ($150 million in 2000‑01) through the new Roads to Recovery Programme for the construction, upgrade and maintenance of roads. Of this total, over $850 million will be spent in rural and regional Australia.
Funding will be distributed directly to local government, with allocations between the States and Territories based on a calculation using local road length and population. Funding allocations within each State are based on current allocations of financial assistance grants for local roads.
Roads to Recovery Programme funding for the Indian Ocean Territories and unincorporated areas
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	2.2	2.2	2.2	2.1	

Explanation
The Government has extended the scope of the Roads to Recovery Programme to Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean Territories and to unincorporated areas in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria not governed by local government authorities. This measure ensures that the Government’s commitment of increased funding for local roads is available to all areas of Australia.
Savings from the upgrade of Mainline Interstate Railway Track Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	‑111.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government has decided that $111 million originally allocated to this programme will be returned to the Budget in 2001‑02. This decision reflects the lack of success to date in securing satisfactory progress with New South Wales on rail reform; a precondition for additional funding for rail track improvements in New South Wales. The Government will continue to pursue rail track initiatives in New South Wales through its wholly owned business, the Australian Rail Track Corporation.
See also the related capital measure titled, Australian Rail Track Corporation — equity funding in the Transport and Regional Services portfolio.
Upgrade of Canberra Airport
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Transport and Regional Services	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government is providing a grant of $8.8 million in 2000‑01 to upgrade the airport to enable wide‑bodied VIP aircraft to land in Canberra. This upgrade will allow visiting guests of Government who use private wide bodied aircraft to fly directly to Canberra.

Treasury
Pricing review of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission	21.4	16.6	11.8	17.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission with additional funding to maintain service delivery standards and to improve service delivery in priority areas such as e‑commerce and rural and regional issues.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission — supplementary funding for HIH investigation
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Securities and Investments Commission	2.5	2.5	‑	‑	

Explanation
Additional funding of $5 million over two years will be provided to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to assist it with its investigation of the HIH Insurance Group, and any resulting prosecutions. This additional funding will supplement the Commission’s existing enforcement budget, and not act as an upper limit.
Financial Services Reform implementation
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Securities and Investments Commission	2.6	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government has provided the Australian Securities and Investments Commission with transitional funding of $2.6 million to enable it to prepare for the implementation of the major reforms to the regulation of financial products, service providers, intermediaries and markets announced as part of the Corporate Law Economic Reform Programme. The reform programme will provide for a single, harmonised licensing and product disclosure framework.
Managed Investments
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Securities and Investments Commission	2.9	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will extend Managed Investments transitional funding for one year by $2.9 million. This will allow the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to maintain an enhanced level of regulation of managed investment funds while a review is undertaken of the Managed Investments Act 1998 during 2001‑02. The Managed Investments Act 1998 provides an enhanced regime for managed investments, which includes their licensing and involves ASIC monitoring their operations, investigating and taking action in the event of a breach of the law.
Superannuation Complaints Tribunal
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Securities and Investments Commission	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	

Explanation
The Government has increased the ongoing level of funding for the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal (SCT) by $0.7 million per annum to restore its determinative role in resolving disputes between superannuation fund members and the funds. Funding for the SCT was reduced in 1998‑99 following Federal Court judgements in 1997 and 1998 curtailing the tribunal’s functions. The High Court restored full powers to the tribunal on 17 June 1999.
See also the related revenue measure Superannuation Complaints Tribunal in the Treasury portfolio.

Education campaign and other information initiatives for choice of superannuation fund and related measures
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Australian Taxation Office	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will allocate $14 million over two years to the Australian Taxation Office to implement an education and communication campaign and other information initiatives for the Government’s choice of superannuation fund and related measures. The choice of superannuation and related measures will make it easier for employees/members to select their own superannuation fund and to pursue their own needs within the superannuation system.
The Australian Taxation Office will absorb the cost of implementing the education and communication campaign and other information initiatives.
Simplification of Business Activity Statements
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004-05	
Australian Taxation Office	38.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	

Explanation
The Government will provide the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) with funding of $52 million over two years to fund development and implementation of simplified Business Activity Statements and Instalment Activity Statements. It is expected that $14 million will be spent in 2000-01. The funding will also cover an information and communications campaign to inform taxpayers about the simplified reporting arrangements.
Additional funding for the First Home Owners Scheme — new homes
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Treasury	90.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government is providing an estimated $150 million, $60 million of which has already been paid to the States and Territories, to increase the First Home Owners Scheme grant from $7,000 to $14,000 for eligible first home owners contracting between 9 March 2001 and 31 December 2001 to buy or build a new home. The grant will remain at $7,000 for first home owners who purchase existing homes.
Consumer Information Programme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Treasury	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will allocate $1.9 million over four years to extend the Consumer Information Programme. The measure will provide consumer information by building on the ‘one‑stop‑shop’ approach of http://www.consumersonline.gov.au. It will also fund the provision of targeted information in areas such as disadvantaged consumers and product safety. 
The Department of the Treasury will absorb the cost of this measure. 
Funding for Secretariat support to the fuel tax inquiry
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Treasury	4.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding of $4 million in 2001‑02 for secretariat support to the Inquiry into the total structure of fuel taxation in Australia announced by the Prime Minister on 1 March 2001. The funding will provide for salary and administrative expenses of the Inquiry Secretariat to be located in Treasury.

GST — Allowing entities with substituted accounting periods to lodge GST returns quarterly
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Treasury	80.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	

Explanation
Entities using substituted accounting periods will be able to lodge GST returns on a quarterly basis subject to the existing $20 million annual turnover threshold and election rules, from the first quarterly period of the 2001‑02 income year. Previously, entities using substituted accounting periods were required to submit their GST returns monthly. The measure was introduced into Parliament on 5 April 2001 and will take effect on 1 July 2001.
While all GST revenue is paid to the States and Territories, the cost of this measure is effectively borne by the Commonwealth through transitional funding guarantee arrangements. (See Budget Paper No. 3 for further information).
Further Information
Further details may be found in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (no. 3) 2001.
GST — Allowing full input tax credits for motor vehicles
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Treasury	570.0	80.0	‑	‑	

Explanation
GST registered businesses will be entitled to full input tax credits for motor vehicles, including trucks, acquired after midnight Budget night, 22 May 2001.
Since GST revenue is paid to the States and Territories and this will diminish such revenue the Commonwealth will be obliged to pay this sum to the States under transitional funding guarantee arrangements. (See Budget Paper No. 3 for further information).
Further information
Under The New Tax System, wholesale sales tax, generally 22 per cent on vehicles, was replaced with 10 per cent GST, leading to lower tax. GST registered businesses are able to claim back the GST they pay on inputs used to make taxable and GST‑free supplies. Businesses able to claim input tax credits would go from 22 per cent WST to no tax at all. The Government was concerned to minimise the disruption to the market that could have occurred if businesses were to defer purchasing motor vehicles in anticipation of these cost reductions. Accordingly, the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Transition) Act 1999 included provisions to phase in input tax credits for motor vehicles. Input tax credits for new vehicle purchases were denied for the first 12 months of the GST, 50 per cent input credits were to be allowed in the second year of operation from 1 July 2001 and full input tax credits were to be available from the third year onwards.
The measure will pull forward the start date for full input tax credits from 1 July 2002 to midnight Budget night, 22 May 2001. The measure should reduce the cost of motor vehicles to businesses by around 9.1 per cent, compared to prices before 1 July 2000.
GST — Flexible administration of GST errors
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Treasury	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
This measure ensures that the Commissioner of Taxation has the discretion to provide taxpayers with simpler ways to correct errors in GST returns. It reinforces existing practice whereby taxpayers have been remedying GST errors made in a Business Activity Statement (BAS) by making a compensating change in the next BAS. This avoids the need for taxpayers to submit an amended BAS for an earlier period. The measure was announced on 5 April 2001 and has effect from 1 July 2000.
While all GST revenue is paid to the States and Territories, the cost of this measure is effectively borne by the Commonwealth through transitional funding guarantee arrangements. (See Budget Paper No. 3 for further information).
GST — GDP‑adjusted method for calculating GST remittances
Expense ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Treasury	140.0	5.0	15.0	15.0	

Explanation
GST‑registered taxpayers with turnover of $2 million or less generally have the option to pay quarterly GST instalments worked out for them by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) using the GDP‑adjusted method. Furthermore, certain primary producers and special professionals (such as authors, entertainers and sportspersons) who opt for the GDP‑adjusted method pay two GST instalments in respect of each income year, with the instalments corresponding with the third and fourth quarters of the income tax year.
This measure was announced on 22 February 2001 and applies to tax periods ending on or after 22 February 2001.
While all GST revenue is paid to the States and Territories, the cost of this measure is effectively borne by the Commonwealth through transitional funding guarantee arrangements. (See Budget Paper No. 3 for further information).
Further information
Taxpayers who choose this option will pay quarterly instalments but will only have to submit one annual GST return, due not later than the time they submit their annual income tax return (or 28 February 2002 for the current year). Those taxpayers will receive customised instalment forms from the ATO that reduce information reporting requirements, particularly in respect of other taxes that do not apply. For the 2000‑01 year, where it is not yet possible to base the third and fourth instalments on an annual GST amount, the instalments will be an amount equal to the second quarter BAS.
For cases where previous year’s adjusted payments are not suitable, provisions to vary the instalments advised by the ATO are available. To ease the transition to this system for taxpayers who elect to vary their payments, there will be a one‑off 25 per cent margin for error instead of 15 per cent in the September 2001 quarter.
Further details may be found in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (no. 3) 2001.
HIH Policyholder Hardship Assistance
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Treasury	nfp	nfp	nfp	nfp	

Explanation
The Government will provide financial assistance to certain policyholders and beneficiaries with claims referable to the provisional liquidation of the HIH Insurance Group. Such assistance will be limited to those in genuine financial hardship in certain policy classes. The assistance will exclude those policies covered by State and Territory administered schemes. A provision for cash expenditure in excess of $0.5 billion over the next four years has been made.
Information and implementation of 1 July 2001 tax changes
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Treasury	5.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide funding of $5 million in 2001‑02 for communication to inform the public of the significant changes in the tax system so as to make taxpayers aware of benefits they can claim, in particular, eligibility to claim excess imputation credits paid to resident individuals, certain charitable and gift deductible organisations and complying superannuation funds, and entitlement to the removal of fees on financial transactions. 
Renewed funding of Axiss Australia
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of the Treasury	3.8	3.8	3.8	‑	

Explanation
The Government will renew funding of $11.4 million over the next three years, for Axiss Australia. Axiss Australia is a division within the Department of the Treasury that promotes Australia as a Centre for Global Financial Services. The funding will enable Axiss to continue to promote Australia’s advantages, through marketing and facilitation, as a location to conduct financial services business.
Continued funding for legal matters relating to Part IIIA of the Trade Practices Act 1974
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
National Competition Council	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	

Explanation
The Government has provided $1.2 million over four years to the National Competition Council to fund any legal proceedings relating to recommendations by the Council on the coverage of access arrangements under Part IIIA of the Trade Practices Act 1974. 
National Competition Policy communication and education
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
National Competition Council	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	

Explanation
The Government has extended the funding for the National Competition Council’s communication and education programme by $0.8 million over four years. The measure will fund community information papers, participation and promotion at industry and education conferences and the production of other briefing and information related to competition policy.

Veterans’ Affairs
Australian Memorials in London and Crete
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	4.1	2.1	0.1	0.1	

Explanation
The Government will establish, construct and maintain memorials in London and Crete.
The London memorial will fulfil the Prime Minister’s joint commitment with the British Prime Minister, made during the Centenary of Federation visit to London in July 2000, to establish an Australian memorial in London to honour those Australians who served and died alongside Britons in both World Wars.
In conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the Greece and Crete campaigns a commemorative memorial will be established on Crete to honour the more than 18,000 Australians who served in the campaigns, the 594 who died, 1,001 wounded and 5,132 taken prisoner of war.
Maintain Rural and Remote Service Delivery arrangements
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	

Explanation
The Government will continue the current programme of agency arrangements in rural and remote areas. Agency arrangements, which use other Commonwealth, State and local organisations to deliver information and assistance to the veteran community in regional areas, were initially implemented in 1997‑98. These arrangements allow veterans to access information and services in areas where the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is unable to provide the service directly.

Make a one‑off payment of $25,000 to those former PoWs and civilian internees and detainees of the Japanese or their surviving widows/ers 
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	‑	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will provide a one‑off payment of $25,000 each to Australian Defence Force veterans who were held as prisoners of war of Japan and Australian civilian internees and detainees of the Japanese. If the eligible recipient was no longer living at 1 January 2001 the payment will be made to their surviving spouse.
The measure will cost $247.8 million and is intended to be made in 2000‑01. The payment itself will be non‑taxable, exempt under the lump sum income testing rules and will be classified as an exempt asset under the assets test. The deeming rules will apply to the payment.
Output Pricing Review — reduction in treatment population 
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	‑0.3	‑1.9	‑3.6	‑5.6	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a pricing review for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The review identified areas where savings could be made.
Reductions in the department’s treatment population will generate savings in Departmental resourcing. In order for the department to manage the reforms to their business, the department will retain savings in each of the budget and forward estimates years.
The reduction will not result in any change to the quantity or quality of outputs produced by DVA. The agreed funding includes estimated reductions to the quantity of DVA's outputs resulting from the reduction to DVA's treatment population over the forward estimates period.

Output Pricing Review — review of efficient delivery of outputs 
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	2.4	‑2.5	‑7.0	‑7.0	

Explanation
The Government has endorsed the outcomes of a pricing review for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). The review identified areas where savings could be made.
The savings from DVA's Review of efficient delivery of outputs focused on savings from DVA's Corporate Services Review as a means to deliver savings without affecting the quality of outputs to veterans. DVA's base funding will be reduced by $1.5 million in 2002‑03, $4.0 million in 2003‑04 and $7.0 million in 2004‑05. 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.
In order for the department to manage the reforms to their business, equity funding of $5.5 million in 2001‑02 and $2.2 million in 2002‑03 is provided. Of these amounts $3.9 million in 2001‑02 and $1.5 million in 2002‑03 represent expenses relating to the business reforms. The remainder of the equity funding relates to the extinguishing of liabilities and has no impact on expenses.
The reduction in resourcing reflects a range of improvements to efficiency and effectiveness that were developed as part of the review and will not result in any change to the quantity or quality of the outputs produced by DVA.
See also related capital measure Output Pricing Review — Review of Efficient Delivery of Outputs in the Veterans' Affairs portfolio.
Provide full access to the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for British, Commonwealth and Allied Veterans aged 70 years and over with World War II qualifying service
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑12.1	‑25.3	‑25.8	‑27.2	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	19.5	33.1	31.6	30.2	

Explanation
The Government will extend full access to the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) to all British, Commonwealth and Allied Veterans aged 70 years and over with World War II qualifying service (consistent with requirements for the service pension).
This initiative will give British Commonwealth and Allied veterans access to pharmaceutical items at the concessional rate including the additional items which are on the RPBS and not on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
A reduction in expenses for the Department of Health and Aged Care results due to the transfer of pharmaceutical expenses for these veterans from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to the RPBS.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Reduce overpayments and improve debt recovery
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	‑0.7	‑1.4	‑1.3	‑1.3	

Explanation
The Government will reduce the incidence of overpayment and improve debt recovery by focussing on areas of high payment risk. Based on statistical and other available information, payments made to veterans and service providers will be reviewed with the aim of improving payment processes to ensure that monies are paid appropriately.
See also the related capital measure Reduce Overpayments and Improve Debt Recovery in the Veterans’ Affairs portfolio.
Residential Care Development Scheme
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	6.0	‑	‑	‑	

Explanation
The Government will continue funding for the Residential Care Development Scheme for one year, demonstrating its commitment to the best possible residential care services for the veteran community. The scheme supports the improvement of residential care facilities run by ex‑service organisations to meet certification and accreditation standards.
The Scheme helps both ex‑service organisations and community based organsiations, where there is an identified direct benefit to the veteran community, to improve access of entitled veterans and their widow(er)s to high quality residential aged care services and Community Care packages.
Restore War Widows Pensions relinquished upon remarriage prior to 1984
Expenses ($m)
	2001‑02	2002‑03	2003‑04	2004‑05	
Department of Health and Aged Care	‑2.3	‑10.4	‑12.7	‑14.1	
Department of Veterans' Affairs	14.3	56.9	66.4	71.6	
Department of Family and Community Services	‑5.6	‑23.8	‑26.0	‑27.7	

Explanation
The Government will restore war widows’ pensions to approximately 3,000 widows who remarried prior to May 1984 and lost eligibility for war widows’ pension as a consequence.
This measure addresses a long‑standing anomaly and ensures that all war widows will be treated in a fair and consistent manner. Those war widows who remarried prior to May 1984 will now be eligible for war widows’ pensions, and any associated allowances as well as full repatriation health care entitlement (the Gold Card), in the same manner as those widows who remarried after May 1984.
War widows currently receiving pensions or entitlements through the Department of Family and Community services will be transferred to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, resulting in reduced expenses for the Department of Family and Community Services.
The transfer of responsibility for Health Care for war widows from the Department of Health and Aged Care to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs results in reduced expenses for that portfolio.
This is a cross portfolio measure between the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Department of Family and Community Services.