Finance and Administration

Federal elections — improving the integrity of Australia’s electoral system

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Australian Electoral Commission	-	7.9	8.2	2.9
Related capital ($m)
Australian Electoral Commission	-	1.6	-	-

The Government will provide $31.0 million over five years (including $5.5 million in 2009-10) to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to implement a number of reforms to the Australian electoral system. The total funding includes $4.9 million to be met from the existing resourcing of the AEC (including $1.8 million in 2005‑06). The total funding includes $1.8 million in capital (including $0.2 million in 2005-06) to allow the AEC to modify its existing information technology systems.

The funding largely relates to the introduction of a proof of identity requirement for enrolment or change of enrolment on the electoral roll. The other reforms which will be implemented include reducing the close of rolls period, establishing a proof of identity requirement for provisional voting, requiring certain third parties that incurred expenditure for a political purpose to complete annual disclosure returns, and removing voting rights for prisoners serving a sentence of full-time detention.

This measure implements some of the Government-supported recommendations of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters’ report on the 2004 Federal Election, as well as other reforms considered a priority by the Government.

Further information can be found in the press release of 6 December 2005 issued by the Special Minister of State.

Gateway Review Process™ — introduction

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Finance and Administration	0.9	1.5	1.5	1.3
Related capital ($m)
Department of Finance and Administration	..	-	-	-

The Government will provide $5.2 million over four years (including $44,000 in capital funding in 2005-06) to introduce a new evaluation process for major government projects utilising the Gateway Review Process™ (Gateway). The adoption of Gateway will improve the early detection of problems and risks associated with major information technology, procurement and infrastructure projects undertaken by Australian Government agencies and departments subject to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997. It is also expected to improve the timeliness and cost effectiveness of these projects. Similar processes have also been adopted in the United Kingdom and Victoria.

Gateway will be introduced progressively, applying to a small cross-section of high risk projects arising in the 2006‑07 Budget and expanding to encompass all high and medium risk projects commencing from 2007‑08 and 2008-09 respectively.

Further information can be found in the press release of 10 November 2005 issued by the Minister for Finance and Administration.

Goods and Services Tax relativity assessments — simplification and quality assurance

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Commonwealth Grants Commission	1.5	1.0	1.0	1.0

The Government will provide $5.3 million over five years (including $0.8 million in 2009-10) to assist the Commonwealth Grants Commission to meet the requirements of its 2010 Methodology Review Terms of Reference. The Terms of Reference require the Commission to simplify its processes for assessing Goods and Services Tax relativities in a manner consistent with the principle of achieving horizontal fiscal equalisation between the States and Territories. The Commission is also required to report in 2006 on its progress in improving quality assurance processes.

Menzies Research Centre, Chifley Research Centre and Page Research Centre — increased funding

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Finance and Administration	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2

The Government will provide an increase in annual funding for the Menzies Research Centre and the Chifley Research Centre of $75,000 each and an increase in annual funding for the Page Research Centre of $37,500. This will increase total annual funding for the Menzies Research Centre and the Chifley Research Centre to $175,000 and total annual funding for the Page Research Centre to $87,500.

Promoting global democracy

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Department of Finance and Administration	1.0	2.0	2.0	2.0

The Government will make available up to $1 million per year in grant funding to both the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal Party to support international activities to promote democracy within the region and in the rest of the world.

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