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Statement 8: The Public Sector

Appendix D: Commonwealth Historical Budget Data

This appendix provides historical data and forward estimates for Commonwealth budget aggregates. Estimates of outlays, expenses and revenues are net of GST collections.

Table D1 provides details of the cash revenue, outlays and surplus for the period 1969-70 to 2003-04. Table D2 provides details of tax, non-tax and total cash revenue for the period 1969-70 to 2003-04.

Estimates to 1998-99 are on cash terms, and from 1999-2000 onwards are based on an accrual framework. Due to methodological and data-source changes associated with the move to an accrual accounting framework, time series data which encompasses measures derived under both cash and accrual accounting should be used with caution.

There are other structural breaks within the data set prior to the shift to accrual reporting. Classification differences and revisions, as well as changes to the structure of the budget, can impact on comparisons over such an extended period.

Following recent changes to the Australian National Accounts standards, the general government surplus measures in this appendix, from 1998-99 onwards, incorporate payments by the Commonwealth general government sector in respect of accumulated PNFC superannuation liabilities. Payments prior to 1998-99 do not incorporate these payments.

Other factors which affect the comparability of budget aggregates between years include:

• classification differences in the data relating to the period prior to 1976-77 mean that data for the earlier period may not be entirely consistent with that for 1976-77 and later years;


• adjustments in the coverage of agencies included in the accounts of the different sectors;


• the reclassification of Central Banking Authorities from the general government to the PFC sector in 1998-99, and subsequent backcasting to account for this change;


• the 1998-99 reclassification of fees and fines out of the broader taxes, fees and fines category used in previous years;


• transfers of taxing powers between the Commonwealth and the States;


• other changes in financial arrangements between the Commonwealth budget sector, Commonwealth non-budget sector agencies and the State/local government sector; and


• changes in arrangements for transfer payments where tax concessions or rebates are replaced by payments through the social security system. This has the effect of increasing both cash revenues and outlays as compared with earlier periods, but not changing cash balances. Changes in the opposite direction (tax expenditures replacing outlays) reduce both cash outlays and revenue.

While approximate adjustments can be made to identify trends in budget aggregates on a generally consistent basis, the further back this analysis is taken, the less manageable that task becomes.

Table D3 provides details of Commonwealth general government net debt. The net debt series used in this table incorporates:

• Treasury estimates for the period 1975 to 1987;


• Published ABS data for the period 1988 to 1998 (Public Sector Financial Assets and Liabilities, Cat. No. 5513.0); and


• Treasury estimates for the period 1999 to 2004.

Comparable net debt data have only been collected by the ABS since 1988. Treasury estimates for the period 1975 to 1987 were constructed by deducting annual net borrowing - defined as the ABS cash deficit - from the ABS measure of the stock of net debt at end June 1988.

Table D4 looks at Commonwealth net worth by sector, from 1996-97 to 2003-04.

Tables D5 to D7 provide details of Commonwealth accrual budget aggregates for the period 1996-97 to 2003-04, for the general government, PNFC and non-financial public sectors.

Table D1: Commonwealth General Government Sector Cash Revenue, Outlays and Surplus ^(a)

(a) There is a break in the series between 1998-99 and 1999-2000. Data for the years up to and including 1998-99 are consistent with the cash ABS GFS reporting requirements. From 1999-2000 onwards, data are derived from an accrual ABS GFS reporting framework, with revenues proxied by receipts from operating activities and sales of non-financial assets, and outlays by payments for operating activities and purchases of non-financial assets. Due to methodological and data-source changes associated with the change, time series data which encompasses measures derived under both cash and accrual accounting should be used with caution.
(b) Following recent changes to the Australian National Accounts standards, the surplus measures in this table, from 1998-99 onwards, incorporate payments by the general government sector in respect of accumulated PNFC superannuation liabilities. Payments prior to 1998-99 do not incorporate these payments.
(e) Estimates.
(p) Projections.

Table D2: Commonwealth General Government Sector Cash Taxation Revenue, Non-taxation Revenue and Total Revenue^(a)

(a) There is a break in the series between 1998-99 and 1999-2000. Data for the years up to and including 1998-99 are consistent with the cash ABS GFS reporting requirements. From 1999-2000 onwards, data are derived from an accrual ABS GFS reporting framework, with revenues proxied by receipts from operating activities and sales of non-financial assets, and outlays by payments for operating activities and purchases of non-financial assets. Due to methodological and data-source changes associated with the change, time series data which encompasses measures derived under both cash and accrual accounting should be used with caution.
(e) Estimates.
(p) Projections.

Table D3: Commonwealth General Government Net Debt

(e) Estimates.
(p) Projections.

Table D4: Commonwealth Net Worth (Net Assets) by Sector^(a)

(a) Net worth is calculated as assets minus liabilities.
(e) Estimates.
(p) Projections.

Table D5: Commonwealth General Government Sector GFS Revenue,
GFS Expenses and Fiscal Balance

(a) Fiscal balance equals GFS revenue less GFS expenses less net acquisition of non-financial assets.
(e) Estimates.
(p) Projections.

Table D6: Commonwealth PNFC GFS Revenue, GFS Expenses
and Fiscal Balance

(a) Fiscal balance equals GFS revenue less GFS expenses less net acquisition of non-financial assets.
(e) Estimates.

Table D7: Commonwealth NFPS GFS Revenue, GFS Expenses
and Fiscal Balance

(a) GFS net operating balance equals GFS revenue less GFS expenses.
(b) Fiscal balance equals GFS revenue less GFS expenses less net acquisition of non-financial assets.
(e) Estimates.
na Data not available.