Home | Search | Site Map | Help

2001-02 Budget Paper No. 2

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Additional assistance for dairy farmers

Expenses ($m)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.