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CONTENTS
Passage History
Purpose
Background
Main Provisions
Endnotes
Contact Officer and Copyright Details
Appropriation Bill (No.4) 1999-2000
Date Introduced: 8 December 1999
House: House of
Representatives
Portfolio: Finance and Administration
Commencement: On Royal Assent
To authorise the Minister for Finance to issue
$649 million from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in addition
to the funds appropriated under the Appropriation Act (No.
2) 1999-2000 for proposed expenditure on capital works and
services, payments to the States and Territories and other
services.
Annual authorisations for expenditure are
contained in:
-
- Appropriation Act (No.1), which authorises expenditure
for the ordinary annual services of government
-
- Appropriation Act (No.2), which authorises expenditure
on capital works and services, payments to the States and other
purposes not authorised by special legislation, and
-
- Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Act, which
authorises expenditure for the five parliamentary departments.
However, if the initial appropriation is
insufficient for the financial year additional appropriations may
be sought. These additional appropriations, known as additional
estimates, are extra spending requirements - for example, for cost
overruns in existing programs or for new programs - not foreseen
when the Budget was presented.
The 1999-2000 additional estimates differ from
previous additional estimates in two main ways. First, the
estimates documentation is presented in an outcomes and outputs
framework. Previous estimates were based on a program approach.
Second, the estimates use an accrual budgeting framework. Previous
budgets used a cash framework.
Accrual budgeting allows for the incorporation
of all assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues, including cash
receipts and expenditures. Under accrual budgeting, agencies are
funded for the full cost of their functions, including non-cash
costs such as employee entitlements such as long service leave or
depreciation. Thus the amount an agency is appropriated under
accrual budgeting in any one year may exceed its cash costs. Any
unspent amount is accumulated for use in future years when required
- for example accumulated depreciation to replace buildings and
equipment.
It is suggested that this Bills Digest be read
in conjunction with the Parliamentary Information and Research
Services publication, Budget Review
1999-2000.(1)
Glossary of
Budgetary and Accounting Terms(2)
Accrual accounting A system of
accounting that recognises costs, revenues, lending and borrowing
when they occur. Accrual accounting differs from cash accounting -
the traditional basis used by the Commonwealth - which records
transactions only when a payment or receipt is made. Thus the
timing of the recording of transactions can differ under
accrual accounting and cash accounting. Accrual accounting also
includes non-cash costs-such as depreciation-and costs which, while
incurred, have not yet been paid (e.g. accruing superannuation
entitlements). Accrual accounting thus seeks to measure the full
cost of providing goods and services in a given period. The
1999-2000 Budget is the first to be presented in an accrual
framework.
Accrual budgeting A
comprehensive budget incorporating assets, liabilities, expenses
and revenues, including cash receipts and expenditures. Under
accrual budgeting, agencies are funded for the full cost of their
functions, including non-cash costs (e.g. depreciation). Thus the
amount an agency is appropriated under accrual budgeting in any one
year may exceed its cash costs (although the amount appropriated
covers its full costs). Any unspent amount is accumulated for use
in future years when required (e.g. accumulated depreciation to
replace buildings and equipment).
Additional estimates Extra
spending requirements (e.g. for cost overruns in existing programs
or for new programs) not foreseen when the Budget was presented.
Additional estimates are contained in Appropriation Bills Nos. 3
and 4 and the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill No.
2.
Administered expenses Items
that agencies administer on behalf of the Commonwealth (e.g. social
security payments to eligible recipients). Administered expenses
include grants, subsidies and benefits.
Advance to the Minister for
Finance Contingency funds, appropriated in Appropriation
Acts Nos. 1 and 2, to cover urgent expenditure not foreseen when
the relevant Bill was drawn up (e.g. natural disasters) or for
which funding provision was inadequate. The advance may also be
used to implement changes in priorities, by enabling 'transfers'
from the purpose for which they were originally appropriated to
another purpose, pending specific appropriation.
Amortisation Refers to the
writing off of the value of an asset over its lifetime. The term is
usually applied to the writing off of 'intangible' assets such as
goodwill or expenditure on software. The term is sometimes used as
a synonym for depreciation. (See also
depreciation).
Appropriation Refers to the
authorisation by Parliament of expenditure of public moneys from
the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) for a particular purpose.
Annual appropriations under Appropriation Bills Nos. 1 and 2
account for about only 25 per cent of total appropriations (the
balance is accounted for by Special Appropriations). A major
difference between the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 Budgets is that under
the accrual accounting framework used in the 1999-2000 Budget,
moneys appropriated for accrued expenses will remain in the CRF
until they are required to be spent in future years. In the past,
moneys appropriated but not spent lapsed at 30 June.
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) A
Bill to appropriate moneys from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for
the ordinary annual services of government i.e. recurrent services
(e.g. running costs) and recurrent expenditures on already
established programs.
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) A
Bill to appropriate moneys from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for
purposes other than the ordinary annual services of government e.g.
payments to the States (i.e. those not covered by special
appropriations), and spending on new programs.
Appropriation Bills (No. 3 and No.
4) When funds required exceed the approved appropriations
contained in Appropriation Acts 1 or 2 because of spending
overruns, the government may seek additional appropriations in
Appropriation Bills Nos. 3 and 4. The government may also seek
appropriations for new spending in these Bills (see 'additional
estimates').
Appropriation (Parliamentary
Departments) Bills (No. 1 and No. 2) Bills to appropriate
moneys from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the Parliamentary
Departments. Bill No. 2 covers additional appropriations (see
'additional estimates').
Change in net assets In an
accrual system, the net change in accumulated assets and
liabilities. This measure equals the operating balance plus asset
revaluations. Thus a positive operating balance-akin to the profit
in a business-will increase net assets. Changes in net assets
should be interpreted cautiously. On the one hand, increased asset
values may indicate the ability to retire debt through asset sales.
On the other hand, capital gains may also reflect higher costs of
replacing assets in the future and the corresponding need for
higher revenue.
Commonwealth Financial
Transactions A monthly statement, in economic
type/functional format, of revenue and outlays, the deficit or
surplus, and the ways in which the deficit has been financed or the
surplus invested. It compares transactions to date with budgeted
revenue and outlays and the previous year's figures. Sometimes
referred to as the Niemeyer Statement.
Commonwealth Public Account
(CPA) The main bank account of the Commonwealth,
maintained at the Reserve Bank, through which the day-to-day
operations of the budget sector are conducted. It holds the moneys
of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Bodies (e.g. CSIRO) that receive
budget funding but maintain their own bank accounts, operate
outside the CPA. However, the distinction will become less clear as
more agencies operate their own bank accounts.
Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF)
The Fund established by section 81 of the Constitution, which
requires that all monies received by the Commonwealth must be paid
into this Fund, and so is the main working fund. Section 83 of the
Constitution requires an appropriation of moneys by the Parliament
before any payment can be made from the CRF. The Financial
Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act) established
four funds-the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the Loan Fund, the
Reserved Money Fund and the Commercial Activities Fund (the latter
two consist of a number of trust accounts) in the Commonwealth
Public Account (CPA).
Depreciation Refers to the
reduction in the value of an asset though wear and tear. The term
is usually applied to physical assets such as plant and equipment.
See also amortisation.
Forward estimates When a Budget
is brought down, 'rolling' forward estimates are presented for the
three years following the Budget year. These estimates assume no
further policy decisions (i.e. they are based on existing
policies), and are based on estimates of key economic parameters
such as inflation and unemployment. Forward estimates are the
starting point for budgetary deliberations, since all new policy or
savings proposals constitute variations to the forward
estimates.
General revenue assistance
Grants paid by the Commonwealth to the States and Territories to
assist in meeting recurrent outlays. They are the main form of
assistance to the States and are 'untied' (i.e. there are no
conditions on their expenditure). The Commonwealth Government
proposes to replace general revenue assistance (but not Specific
Purpose Payments) with the revenue from the GST. In 1998-99,
general revenue grants comprised Financial Assistance Grants,
Special Revenue Assistance ('transitional allowances' and 'special
fiscal needs' grants to the Australian Capital Territory), and
National Competition Payments.
Horizontal fiscal equalisation
The principle underlying the Commonwealth Grants Commission's
assessments of per capita relativities, which are the basis for the
interstate distribution of general revenue grants. Under this
principle, grants are distributed to provide each State and
Territory with the capacity to provide public services at an
average standard and level of efficiency, for comparable revenue
effort.
Inputs Resources in the forms
of people, materials, energy, facilities and funds that an agency
uses in activities to produce outputs.
Net assets In an accrual
system, equal total assets less total liabilities. Net assets take
account of both non-debt liabilities (such as accrued
superannuation), non-financial assets (such as land and buildings)
and equity in public trading and financial enterprises. Net assets
in an accrual system thus provide a more comprehensive picture of
the government's financial position at a point in time than the
cash framework measure of net debt-the difference between gross
debt and financial assets. However, the valuation of some assets is
highly problematic.
Operating balance In an accrual
system, is revenues less expenses. It excludes spending on capital
assets but includes non-cash costs (such as depreciation) and costs
which, while incurred, have not yet been paid (e.g. accruing
superannuation liabilities). The operating balance thus reflects
the full cost of providing goods and services.
Outcomes The results and
consequences of actions by the government on the community.
Planned outcomes are the results or consequences that
government wants to achieve for the community. Actual
outcomes are the results or consequences actually achieved.
Outputs The goods and services
agencies produce on behalf of government for external organisations
or individuals. Outputs include goods and services produced for
other areas of government external to the agency.
Performance measures Measures
to assess the extent of success in achieving outcomes. Performance
measures relate to outcomes, outputs, third party outputs and
administered items. They are used when there is a direct causal
link between an action and a change in performance. Performance
measures are a more precise measure than indicators.
Price The amount the government
pays for the delivery of agreed outputs.
Real Adjusted for inflation.
For example, gross domestic product (GDP) is the nominal (current
price) value of GDP adjusted for inflation to yield real (constant
price) GDP values. This process (deflating) is to a range of other
data. For example, real growth in outlays is measured by deflating
nominal outlays by the GDP deflator, a measure of price changes
throughout the entire economy.
Seignorage The net revenue
derived by any money-issuing body e.g. a note-issuing authority.
The difference between the face value of coins and the cost of
their minting is an example of seignorage.
Special (or Standing)
appropriation Moneys appropriated by a specific Act for a
specific purpose (e.g. unemployment benefits, and grants to the
States for schools). Special Appropriations do not require annual
authorisation by the Parliament, as they do not lapse at the end of
each financial year; rather, Special appropriations continue until
their authorising legislation is either amended or otherwise
lapses. They may or may not be for a specific amount of money or
particular period of time. A distinction is sometimes drawn between
Standing and Special Appropriations. Standing
Appropriations refer to an open-ended appropriation of the
Consolidated Revenue Fund by the enabling Act of a
legislatively-based program. The amount appropriated will depend on
the demand for payments by claimants who have satisfied program
eligibility criteria as specified in the legislation.
Special Appropriations can be regarded as somewhere
between Standing and Annual Appropriations. While a specified
amount is provided, it is included in a separate Bill authorising
the particular program, and can be specified for any number of
years. Special Appropriations account for around 75 per cent of
underlying outlays.
Specific Purpose Payments
Commonwealth payments to the States and Territories for designated
purposes e.g. for housing under the Commonwealth-State Housing
Agreement, legal aid, and government schools. SPPs comprise current
and capital grants, and are classified into three categories: SPPs
paid to the States; those paid through the States
for on-passing to local government, other bodies (e.g.
universities) and individuals; and a small number of SPPs made
directly to local government.
Tax Expenditures Concessions in
the tax system, which reduce the tax liabilities of particular
groups of taxpayers. The concessions reduce or delay collection of
taxation revenue, and constitute a call on the Budget similar to
outlays. Superannuation concessions are the single largest tax
expenditure.
Outline of Major Additional
Appropriations
Major additional appropriations effected by this
Bill are:
-
- Department of Finance and Administration - $35.15 million is
appropriated for additional funding for anticipated claims under
Natural Disasters Relief Arrangements. Natural disaster funding is
based on natural causes which are difficult to predict and highly
variable in their impact. Expenditure above threshold amounts is
claimable within a two year period. Advice received by the
Commonwealth from State Governments indicates that claims will be
$68.150 million rather then the current budget of $33 million. A
further $1.5 million will be appropriated for ex gratia payments to
individuals (via the WA Government) whose homes had been severely
damaged in the Exmouth area by Cyclone Vance in March
1999.(3)
-
- Department of Attorney-General - $50 million
is appropriated to support the extinguishment of the Australian
Federal Police (AFP) Adjustment Scheme and the Cessation Payment
Scheme. These schemes will cease on 5 January 2000. The funding
will allow members of the AFP to access their entitlements accrued
under either scheme. It is anticipated that payments made to
employees as a result of the extinguishment will be spread over 3
years. The funding provided by Government will be received as a
capital injection of $50 million in 1999-2000, $40 million in
2000-2001 and $15 million in 2001-2002.(4)
-
- Department of Health and Aged Care - $6.55 million is
appropriated to cover the provision of temporary safe haven and
support services for 1500 East Timorese evacuees in Australia plus
$17.28 million for temporary safe haven and support services for
approximately 3960 Kosovar evacuees in
Australia.(5)
-
- Department of Transport and Regional Development - $25 million
is appropriated to increase the Commonwealth's contribution to the
construction of the proposed Alice Springs to Darwin rail link.
This was announced on 28 October 1999 and will increase the
Commonwealth's contribution to a maximum of $165 million out of
total cost of the rail link of around $1.23
billion.(6)
-
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - $23.159
million is appropriated for the Forest Industry Structural
Adjustment Package (FISAP).(7) Under the FISAP program
the Commonwealth makes payments to States who in turn pay non-State
government businesses and individuals as a result of restructuring
of the forestry industry. There have been delays in getting
Commonwealth-State agreement on the package therefore anticipated
payments for 1998-99 have been carried over to 1999-2000.
-
- Department of Communications, Information Technology and the
Arts - $35 million is appropriated for information technology
purposes to be spent in Tasmanian as part of the Telstra 'social
bonus' announced by the Government on 29 June 1999. $20 million is
allocated for the development of Tasmania as an 'intelligent
island' as part of the 'Building Information Technology Strengths'
program. (8)The remaining $15 million is part of a joint
Commonwealth-Tasmanian-Telstra 'Connecting Tasmanian Schools'
program, which aims to supply additional computers and support
equipment for both government and non-government schools in
Tasmania.(9)
Other carryovers make up $208 million with the
remaining amount representing 'minor variations in most departments
and agencies'.(10)
In regard to allocation to the States for the
outcomes specified in the Schedule, clause 6
provides that the Finance Minister may issue the lesser of the
amount specified in the relevant Department allocation and the
amount determined by the Finance Minister to be the actual
expenditure incurred for that purpose. The clause also contains the
requirement that the funds may only be allocated to achieve the
specified outcome.
Clause 7 contains similar
provisions as clause 6 but relates to administered items.
Where an appropriation is made for an
administered capital purpose, the outcome that may be achieved must
be for a purpose listed in Schedule 2 of the Bill or in the
Schedule to the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 1999-2000 (this reflects
the allocation of all capital expenditure in this Bill)
(clause 8).
In relation to appropriations for capital
expenditure for a Department, where an Act provides that an amount
is to be allocated to a Department and this Bill contains a capital
item for the Department, the Finance Minister must issue the full
amount of the item (clause 9). (This is similar to
provisions contained in Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 1999-2000 and
reflects the difference in the Minister's role in relation to
departmental and administered capital items [ie the Minister has no
discretion in relation to Department items]).
The Minister will be given power to issue a
maximum of $215 million over the year to take account of unforeseen
expenditure or where there has been an 'erroneous omission or
understatement' in relation to extra expenses (clause
10).
The relevant Minister listed in Schedule 1 of
the Bill will be able to determine conditions under which payments
to the States and Territories may be made (clause
13).
Clause 14 will formally
appropriate the funds for the purposes of the Bill.
- See
http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/budget/1999-2000/1999-2000budget1.htm
- This glossary is taken from the Parliamentary Information and
Research Services Budget Review 1999-2000 which itself
draws on Guide to the Commonwealth Budget Papers 1999-2000
Commonwealth of Australia, 1999.
- Finance and Administration Portfolio 1999-2000 Additional
Estimates Statements,
p. 7. http://www.dofa.gov.au/pubs/paes/paes9900.pdf
- Attorney General's Portfolio 1999-2000 Additional Estimates
Statements, Statement on Australian Federal Police, (no page
number) http://law.gov.au/publications/Budget/6afp.pdf
- Health and Aged Care Portfolio 1999-2000 Additional Estimates
Statements p. 40. http://www.health.gov.au/pubs/budget99/paes/partc.pdf
- Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 1999-2000 Statement by the
Hon Peter Costello and Hon John Fahey, November 1999, p. 132.
http://www.dofa.gov.au/budget/myefo1999/index.html
- Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Portfolio 1999-2000
Additional Estimates Statements, Section 2 (no page number).
http://www.dpie.gov.au/affa/budget/paes/partc2.html
- Senator the Hon Richard Alston, Media Release, 20 June
1999 p. 1.
- Ibid, p. 3.
- The Hon John Fahey, Second Reading Speech, House of
Representative Debates, 8 December 1999 p. 13020.
Angus Martyn
9 February 2000
Bills Digest Service
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ISSN 1328-8091
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