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Australian Government Coat of Arms

Budget | 2014-15

Budget 2014-15
Australian Government Coat of Arms, Budget 2014-15
  1. Home
  2. Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook
  3. Appendix C: Statement of risks
  4. Contingent liabilities — quantifiable

Appendix C: Statement of Risks (continued)

Contingent liabilities — quantifiable

Defence

Claims against the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence (Defence) has 16 instances of non‑remote, quantifiable contingent liabilities in respect of claims on Defence valued at $39 million. The estimated figure is determined by conducting an objective analysis of the probable amount payable for all matters managed by the members of Defence's Legal Services Panel and those being handled in‑house by Defence Legal Division. However, the exact amount payable under those claims is uncertain. Defence is defending the claims or is trying to resolve them by recourse to alternative dispute resolution measures.

Foreign Affairs and Trade

Export Finance and Insurance Corporation

The Australian Government guarantees the due payment of money that is, or may at any time become, payable by the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) to anybody other than the Government. The Government also has in place a $200 million callable capital facility available to EFIC on request to cover liabilities, losses and claims. As at 31 October 2014, the Government's total contingent liability was $5.3 billion, representing an increase of $1.9 billion from that reported at the 2014‑15 Budget. Further detail on this increase is provided under the contingent asset entry for EFIC. The $5.3 billion contingent liability comprises EFIC's liabilities to third parties ($4.3 billion) and EFIC's overseas investment insurance, contracts of insurance and guarantees ($1.0 billion). Of the total contingent liability, $4.7 billion relates to EFIC's Commercial Account and $0.7 billion relates to the National Interest Account.

Australian Response to the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa — indemnity

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has provided an indemnity capped at $50 million to Aspen Medical for the operation of a 100‑bed medical treatment centre in Sierra Leone, as part of Australia's response to the recent outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa. The indemnity is for all liabilities suffered or incurred by Aspen Medical in respect of a claim made by a third party (other than an Aspen employee) against Aspen arising out of the transmission of Ebola by an Aspen employee who has contracted Ebola while engaged in the provision of treatment services.

Treasury

Australian Taxation Office — tax disputes

At any point in time the Australian Taxation Office is involved in a range of dispute resolution processes, including litigation, relating to tax disputes.

Details of the outcome of dispute resolution processes are uncertain until a court ruling is made and/or an agreement is reached with the taxpayer. As a result, in most cases it is not possible to estimate with any reliability the likely financial impact of current disputes. The estimated aggregate value of tax in dispute as at 31 October 2014, for which a provision has not been made, is $5.1 billion.

Outcomes of dispute resolution processes are included in the Commissioner of Taxation's Annual Report each year. This may include disputes resolved through objections, settlements and court and tribunal decisions. It may also include amounts owed by taxpayers that are subject to dispute but not finalised.

International financial institutions — uncalled capital subscriptions

The Australian Government has held an uncalled capital subscription in the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) since 1947. The Government is contributing additional resources to the IBRD as part of the general capital increase agreed in 2010. As part of this process, Australia will increase its uncalled capital subscription so that it totals US$3.6 billion (estimated value A$4.1 billion as at 31 October 2014).

The Australian Government has also held an uncalled capital subscription in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) since 1991. Australia increased its uncalled capital subscription (effective 20 April 2011) to the EBRD as part of its 2010 general capital increase, so that it totals EUR237.5 million (estimated value A$339.6 million as at 31 October 2014).

The Australian Government has further held an uncalled capital subscription in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) since 1966. Australia increased its uncalled capital subscription (effective 11 January 2010) to the ADB as part of its 2010 general capital increase, so that it totals US$7.0 billion (estimated value A$8.0 billion as at 31 October 2014).

The Australian Government has further held an uncalled capital subscription in the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency of US$26.5 million (estimated value A$30.1 million as at 31 October 2014).

None of these international financial institutions have ever drawn on Australia's uncalled capital subscriptions.

International Monetary Fund

Australia has made a line of credit available to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under its New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB) since 1998. The value of Australia's NAB credit arrangement is Special Drawing Rights (SDR, the IMF's unit of account) 4.4 billion (estimated value A$7.4 billion at 31 October 2014). This is a contingent loan to help ensure that the IMF has the resources available to maintain stability and support recovery in the global economy. As agreed by G20 Finance Ministers and IMF Governors in 2010, the credit arrangements of all NAB participants, including Australia, will be reduced when a proposed increase in IMF quotas comes into effect. The quota increase has not yet occurred, due to a delay in implementing the above agreement by the United States.

In addition to the NAB credit line, as part of a broad international effort to increase the resources available to the IMF, Australia has made available a SDR4.6 billion, (approximately A$7.8 billion at 31 October 2014) contingent bilateral loan to the IMF. The contingent loan is on terms consistent with separate bilateral loan and note purchase agreements between the IMF and all contributing countries. It will be drawn upon by the IMF only if needed to supplement the IMF's quota and NAB resources and any loans would be repaid in full with interest. The increase in the IMF's resources will help ensure that it has the capability to address any potential vulnerability facing the global economy.