Home > Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook > Appendix A: Policy decisions taken since the 2013-14 Budget > Expense Measures - Attorney-General's

Appendix A: Policy decisions taken since the 2013‑14 Budget (Continued)

Expense Measures (Continued)

Attorney‑General's

Australian Victims of Terrorism Overseas Payment

Expense ($m)
	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014‑15	2015‑16	2016‑17
Attorney‑General's Department	‑	21.6	4.2	1.5	‑
Department of Human Services	‑	2.8	0.3	0.2	..
Total — Expense	‑	24.3	4.5	1.6	..

The Government will provide $30.5 million over four years to people who were harmed as a result of declared terrorist acts since 10 September 2001 and to the close family members of a person who died in these terrorist acts. Eligible individuals can claim financial assistance up to a maximum of $75,000, with payments to be based on the type of injuries sustained.

There are seven terrorist acts which have retrospectively been declared eligible for financial assistance to eligible individuals. These are the September 11 attacks in 2001, the first Bali bombing in 2002, the London bombing in 2005, the second Bali bombing in 2005, the Egypt (Dahab) bombing in 2006, the Mumbai attacks in 2008, and the Jakarta bombings in 2004 and 2009. In addition, financial assistance will be provided to eligible victims of the Nairobi attack on 21‑24 September 2013.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the press release of 9 October 2013 issued by the Prime Minister.

Legal Policy Reform and Advocacy Funding — redirection

Expense ($m)
	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014‑15	2015‑16	2016‑17
Attorney‑General's Department	‑	‑4.6	‑6.5	‑16.3	‑15.7

The Government will achieve savings of $43.1 million over four years by removing funding support for policy reform and advocacy activities provided to four legal assistance programmes. Funding for the provision of frontline legal services will not be affected.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

This measure implements the savings announced in the Government's pre‑election costings document.

Operation Sovereign Borders — enhancing people smuggling intelligence gathering, disruption and joint policing

Expense ($m)
	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014‑15	2015‑16	2016‑17
Australian Federal Police	‑	10.1	18.0	8.7	‑
Australian Secret Intelligence Service	‑	6.6	10.6	6.5	‑
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation	‑	0.3	0.7	0.3	‑
Australian Crime Commission	‑	0.1	0.3	0.1	‑
Total — Expense	‑	17.2	29.6	15.7	‑
Related capital ($m)
Australian Federal Police	‑	1.0	0.2	‑	‑
Australian Secret Intelligence Service	‑	0.7	2.4	‑	‑
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation	‑	0.1	‑	‑	‑
Australian Crime Commission	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
Total — Capital	‑	1.7	2.6	‑	‑

The Government will provide $66.8 million over three years to enhance Australia's anti‑people smuggling activities through increased intelligence gathering, disruptions and joint policing operations.

Funding will be provided for the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Crime Commission, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service to work domestically and with regional partners to combat the operations of people smugglers. The Australian Signals Directorate will also be involved, funded from within its existing resources.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the Coalition's Policy for a Regional Deterrence Framework to Combat People Smuggling.

Portrayal of senior Australians in the media — redirection of funding

Expense ($m)
	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014‑15	2015‑16	2016‑17
Australian Human Rights Commission	‑	‑	‑0.6	‑0.4	‑

The Government will achieve savings of $958,000 over two years by not proceeding with the 2012‑13 Budget measure titled Economic Potential of Senior Australians — countering negative stereotypes and promoting positive media portrayal of older Australians.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

This measure implements the savings announced in the Government's pre‑election costings document.

Restoring Native Title Respondent Funding

Expense ($m)
	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014‑15	2015‑16	2016‑17
Attorney‑General's Department	‑	0.6	1.1	0.6	‑

The Government will provide $2.2 million over three years from 1 January 2014 under the Native Title Respondents Scheme to assist respondents who demonstrate that a native title claim is likely to have a significant impact on their interests. The Government will broaden the current eligibility criteria to widen the range of respondents who are eligible to be considered for funding support.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the press release of 1 November 2013 issued by the Attorney‑General.

Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Programme

Expense ($m)
	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014‑15	2015‑16	2016‑17
Attorney‑General's Department	‑	12.2	‑	‑	‑
Department of Finance	‑	1.0	‑	‑	‑
Total — Expense	‑	13.2	‑	‑	‑
Related capital ($m)
Attorney‑General's Department	‑	0.1	‑	‑	‑
Total — Capital	‑	0.1	‑	‑	‑

The Government will provide $20.0 million to establish a Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Programme.

The Royal Commission will consider a range of matters including the advice provided to the Australian Government and the process and basis of Australian Government decisions in establishing and implementing the Home Insulation Programme and the Energy Efficient Homes Package that preceded it.

The Royal Commission will also examine whether any changes should be made by the Australian Government to its laws, practices, processes, procedures and systems.

The Royal Commission is expected to report by 30 June 2014.

The cost of this measure will partially be met from within the existing resources of the Attorney‑General's Department.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

See also the related expense measures titled Caring for our Country — redirection of funding in the Environment portfolio and Low Carbon Communities — redirection of funding in the Industry portfolio.

Further information can be found in the joint press releases of 14 November 2013 and 12 December 2013 issued by the Attorney‑General and the Minister for the Environment.

Safer Suburbs Programme — Taxi Security Scheme

Expense ($m)
	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014‑15	2015‑16	2016‑17
Attorney‑General's Department	‑	‑0.2	‑0.5	‑	‑

The Government will achieve savings of $0.7 million over two years by reducing funding to the Safer Suburbs Programme — Taxi Security Scheme.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

Small business and primary producer emergency assistance — concessional interest rate loans

Expense ($m)
	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014‑15	2015‑16	2016‑17
Attorney‑General's Department	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑

The Government will make available concessional loans to small businesses, primary producers and voluntary not‑for‑profit organisations who have suffered significant loss of income due to a natural disaster but have not necessarily been physically affected. Concessional loans of up to $100,000 will be available, on terms consistent with concessional loans currently provided under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the Coalition's Policy for Small Business.

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