Finance and Administration
Asset sales function - continuation of resourcing
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Finance and Administration | 6.2 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide additional funding of $6.2 million in 2003-04 to enable the continuation of the programme of asset sales activities.
Consistent with previous practice, departmental expenses for the asset sales function are determined in the annual budget process.
Christmas Island Permanent Immigration Reception and Processing Centre - completion of construction
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Transport and Regional Services | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs | -0.3 | -0.3 | 3.3 | 2.6 |
| Department of Finance and Administration | 2.5 | 7.2 | 3.9 | - |
The Government will provide additional funding of $18.7 million over four years ($22.1 million over four years less a saving of $3.4 million from unspent recurrent expenses in 2002-03) to the Departments of Finance and Administration, Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, and Transport and Regional Services for recurrent expenses associated with the construction and management of the Christmas Island Permanent Immigration Reception and Processing Centre (the Centre). This followed the decision that the contract for construction of the Centre will be re-tendered and the project will be managed by the Department of Finance and Administration.
The success of the Government's policy on unauthorised boat arrivals has resulted in no new unauthorised boat arrivals since December 2001. This has afforded the opportunity to review the size and scope of the proposed centre, and takes into account greater detention security and fire suppression and compliance requirements. The need for fast-tracking the project is no longer necessary.
The facility will be scaled down from a 1200 person purpose-designed and built centre to an 800 place facility, with 426 purpose-designed and built places and the balance being designed to provide basic contingency capacity. The re-tendered project will involve a more traditional delivery methodology including the tender of a detailed design and a fixed price construction contract.
The funding for the Department of Finance and Administration is provided for construction camp repairs and maintenance and costs associated with the commissioning of the Centre. The funding will enable the facilities to be maintained to provide accommodation and amenities for workers during the construction phase and to keep the facilities in a sound position, with the potential for them to be converted at a later stage to contingency accommodation, if needed. The additional funding for the Department of Transport and Regional Services covers repairs and maintenance on infrastructure services provided to the Centre and staff housing. The Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs' (DIMIA) funding covers costs incurred by DIMIA in oversighting the project, satellite communications lease costs and the salaries of staff who will manage the centre. DIMIA will manage the Centre when it is completed.
See also the related capital measure titled Christmas Island Permanent Immigration Reception and Processing Centre - completion of construction in the Finance and Administration portfolio.
Commonwealth Grants Commission - additional funding
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Commonwealth Grants Commission | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | - |
The Government will provide additional funding of $0.4 million over four years from 2002-03 to cover the cost of the appointment of a fourth part-time member to the Commonwealth Grants Commission.
The additional commissioner will assist the Commission in providing advice to the Government on the equitable distribution of funds to State and Territory governments.
Ministerial Communications Network - refurbishment and enhancement
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Finance and Administration | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | -0.2 |
The Government will provide additional funding of $0.2 million over four years to refurbish the Ministerial Communications Network. This involves funding of $0.4 million over the first three years and a net saving of $0.2 million in the final year. The existing communications network has been found by an independent review to be unreliable and prone to failure. The funding will allow the engagement of external consultancy services to design and install the new network. It will also provide for staffing resources to oversee the implementation of the project.
A secure, reliable and up-to-date communications network is essential to the effective functioning of the Executive Government, particularly in the current heightened security environment.
The new network will provide better quality service and deliver a more robust, high speed and secure communications network to the Ministers, their staff, agencies and the Cabinet Office.
The funding is net of savings associated with the current network.
See also the related capital measure titled Ministerial Communications Network - refurbishment and enhancement in the Finance and Administration portfolio.