Expense measures

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Drought assistance — Exceptional Circumstances assistance

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	414.4	422.7	-	-
Department of Education, Science and Training	11.3	11.9	-	-
Department of Health and Ageing	2.5	3.3	..	-
Total	428.2	438.0	..	-

The Government will provide an additional $867.9 million over four years (including $1.7 million in 2005-06) to support primary producers in regions that have been declared eligible for Exceptional Circumstances assistance.

Farmers who have not experienced a break in drought over the past 18 months can have Exceptional Circumstances drought declarations extended to the end of their next production cycle. Such extensions are considered following the receipt of information and advice from the National Rural Advisory Council and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Drought Taskforce.

Exceptional Circumstances assistance comprises interest rate subsidies and income support to assist viable farm businesses and farm families who have been adversely affected by exceptional climatic events, such as drought. Eligible recipients are also provided with a health care concession card and access to Youth Allowance.

Further information can be found in the press release of 16 October 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

Drought Package 2006 — assistance for small businesses

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	90.2	111.2	-	-
Department of Education, Science and Training	3.1	4.0	-	-
Department of Health and Ageing	0.7	1.1	-	-
Total	94.0	116.3	-	-

The Government will provide $210.3 million over two years for Exceptional Circumstances drought relief for farm-dependent small businesses, which derive at least 70 per cent of their income from agriculture. The funding includes $7.2 million for the Department of Education, Science and Training and $1.8 million for the Department of Health and Ageing.

The small business assistance comprises interest rate subsidies and income support to assist viable farm-dependent businesses and their families who are adversely affected by the prolonged drought. Eligible recipients will also be provided with a health care concession card and access to Youth Allowance.

Further information can be found in the press release of 7 November 2006 issued by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Drought Package 2006 — Country Women’s Association community grants

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	2.3	2.3	-	-

The Government will provide $4.6 million over two years to the Country Women’s Association to provide emergency family and community aid grants.

Further information can be found in the press release of 24 October 2006 issued by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Drought Package 2006 — professional advice

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	19.2	13.9	-	-

The Government will provide $33.1 million over two years as taxable grants (of up to $5,500) for eligible farmers in areas that have been Exceptional Circumstances declared for more than three years to obtain professional business and financial planning advice.

Further information can be found in the press release of 24 October 2006 issued by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Drought Package 2006 — Rural Financial Counselling Service

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	2.9	4.1	-	-
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs	-	2.1	-	-
Total	2.9	6.2	-	-

The Government will provide $7.0 million over two years to enhance the Rural Financial Counselling Service programme, which assists rural communities to employ financial counsellors. This funding is to employ ten additional counsellors.

A further $2.1 million in 2007-08 will fund the provision of family and emotional counselling services through the Family Relationship Services Programme.

Further information can be found in the press release of 24 October 2006 issued by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Gunns pulp mill — additional funding

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	2.6	-	-	-

The Government will provide a further $2.6 million in 2006-07 to assist with the project costs associated with the development of an environmental best practice pulp mill in Tasmania by Gunns Limited.

This is in addition to the $2.4 million provided in 2005-06, and fulfils the measure announced as part of the Government’s election commitment, A Sustainable Future for Tasmania.

Further information can be found in the press release of 13 May 2005 issued by the Prime Minister.

Pandemic influenza preparedness — establishing rapid deployment teams for thermal scanning at airports

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	2.1	2.8	2.9	3.0

The Government will provide $10.8 million over four years to help establish rapid deployment teams at each of Australia’s eight international airports to screen incoming passengers and crew for influenza-like symptoms in the early stages of a possible influenza pandemic.

The rapid deployment teams will comprise officers from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and will be established in consultation with the Department of Health and Ageing and the Australian Customs Service.

See also the related expense measures for Pandemic influenza preparedness in the Health and Ageing; Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs; and Industry, Tourism and Resources portfolios.

Tobacco grower adjustment assistance

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	42.0	-	-	-

The Government will provide $42.0 million in 2006-07 to assist former and current tobacco growers to move into other business activities. Grants will be capped at $150,000 per grower.

This measure includes funding of $0.6 million for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and $0.5 million for Centrelink for programme implementation and delivery.

Further information can be found in the press release of 26 October 2006 issued by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Attorney-General’s

Addressing violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities — community legal education

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Attorney-General’s Department	-	1.1	0.9	1.1
Related capital ($m)
Attorney-General’s Department	-	0.1	-	-

The Government will provide $4.1 million over four years commencing in 2007-08 (including $1 million in 2010-11 and $58,000 in capital funding in 2007-08) in community legal education measures for Indigenous Australians to combat any misunderstanding about the effect of customary law and cultural practice on their legal rights. The funding will also be used to ensure that Indigenous Australians know how to access assistance and are encouraged to report incidents of violence and abuse.

This initiative is one of several measures that address violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities announced by the Australian Government at the Council of Australian Governments’ meeting in July 2006. Together, these measures contribute additional funding of $118.6 million.

Further information can be found in the press release of 14 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Addressing violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities — joint strike teams

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Federal Police	0.3	0.5	0.5	0.5
Related capital ($m)
Australian Federal Police	0.1	-	-	-

The Government will provide $1.8 million over four years to establish joint strike teams, led by the Australian Federal Police, to address problems of violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities.

The Joint Strike Teams will comprise members of the Australian Federal Police and the Northern Territory Police Force. They will target serious serial violence and abuse in Indigenous communities, including contributing criminal activity, such as organised drug supply, distribution networks, fraud and corruption. They will be based in Darwin.

This measure includes $0.1 million in capital funding in 2006-07 for information technology and accommodation fit-out costs.

Further information can be found in the press release of 14 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Addressing violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities — judicial training

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Attorney-General’s Department	-	0.2	0.1	0.1

The Government will provide $0.5 million over four years (including funding of $0.1 million in 2010-11) to the National Judicial College of Australia to develop and deliver training to assist judges and magistrates to better understand Indigenous issues, particularly in relation to criminal sentencing, bail regimes, customary law and cultural practices.

Further information can be found in the press release of 14 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Addressing violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities — National Indigenous Violence and Child Abuse Intelligence Task Force

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Crime Commission	4.0	4.3	1.9	0.3
Australian Federal Police	0.2	0.4	0.4	0.2
Total	4.2	4.7	2.3	0.5
Related capital ($m)
Australian Crime Commission	1.0	-	-	-

The Government will provide $12.8 million over four years to establish the National Indigenous Violence and Child Abuse Intelligence Task Force (the Task Force). The Task Force will be led by the Australian Crime Commission.

The Task Force will comprise personnel from the Australian Crime Commission, the Australian Federal Police, and State and Territory police forces. The Task Force will support existing intelligence and investigatory capacity by providing a whole-of-government response to violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities. It will monitor organised criminal activity relating to drugs, alcohol and pornography, and will be based in Alice Springs.

This measure includes $1.0 million in capital funding in 2006-07 for Information Technology and accommodation fit-out costs.

Further information can be found in the press release of 14 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Justice and Customs and the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing reforms

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre	2.5	29.0	31.6	32.6
Attorney-General’s Department	0.3	8.7	5.4	0.5
Office of the Privacy Commissioner	0.2	0.6	0.5	0.4
Australian Institute of Criminology	-	0.8	0.8	0.9
Total	3.0	39.2	38.4	34.3
Related capital ($m)
Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre	0.7	7.0	-	-
Attorney-General’s Department	0.1	0.1	-	-
Office of the Privacy Commissioner	0.1	0.1	-	-
Total	0.8	7.2	-	-

The Government will provide $157.0 million over five years (including $34.2 million in 2010-11) for the implementation of the anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing reforms. This measure includes $8.0 million in capital funding for accommodation fit-out and information technology equipment.

The reforms will be introduced through the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Bill 2006.

Further information can be found in the press release of 27 October 2006 issued by the Minister for Justice and Customs.

Australian Federal Police — international deployments

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Federal Police	9.2	52.0	105.8	147.3
Related capital ($m)
Australian Federal Police	22.5	7.7	0.1	-

The Government will provide $493.2 million over five years (including $148.6 million in 2010-11) to increase the capacity of the Australian Federal Police to respond to peace-keeping, peace restoration and capacity-building requirements overseas. This increased capacity will allow the Australian Federal Police to respond more quickly and comprehensively to international crisis situations and will help strengthen law enforcement capabilities across the region.

This measure includes $30.4 million in capital funding for infrastructure and equipment.

Further information can be found in the press release of 25 August 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

Bankruptcy Act 1966 — amendments to improve the operation of debt agreements

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia	0.2	1.8	1.7	1.7
Related revenue ($m)
Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia	0.1	1.1	1.0	1.0
Related capital ($m)
Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia	0.5	-	-	-

The Government will provide $6.0 million over four years, including $0.5 million in capital funding in 2006-07 for initial setup costs, to introduce an enhanced regime for regulating debt agreement administrators.

The cost of this measure will be partially offset by an increase in the fees and charges payable under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 and related legislation.

Further information can be found in the press release of 27 July 2006 issued by the Attorney-General.

Crime Stoppers Australia — additional funding

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Attorney-General’s Department	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.2

The Government will provide $1.0 million over four years to support the national Crime Stoppers programme. The funding will enable Crime Stoppers to promote and coordinate crime prevention initiatives including the operation of the Crime Stoppers telephone hotline.

This funding is in addition to the $1.0 million provided to the programme in the 2006-07 Budget measure Crime Stoppers Australia — continuation of funding.

Government response to the report on Overseas Adoption in Australia

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Attorney-General’s Department	0.7	2.0	2.6	2.6
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs	-	0.7	0.3	0.1
Total	0.7	2.7	2.9	2.8
Related capital ($m)
Attorney-General’s Department	0.1	0.1	0.1	-

The Government will provide $8.2 million over four years, including $0.3 million in capital funding, to expand the Attorney-General’s Department’s (AGD) role in the establishment and management of overseas adoption programmes. This expanded role for AGD is part of the Government’s response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Human Services’ report Overseas Adoption in Australia.

Included in the $8.2 million for AGD is funding of $0.8 million to establish a national peak overseas adoption body, to facilitate information sharing and raise the profile of intercountry adoptions in Australia.

The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs will also be provided with $1.1 million over four years to expand the Maternity Immunisation Allowance from 1 July 2008 to cover children adopted from overseas who enter Australia before the age of sixteen years.

Further information can be found in the press release of 14 September 2006 issued by the Attorney-General.

Maritime Security — Australian Maritime Identification System

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Customs Service	6.4	-	-	-
Related capital ($m)
Australian Customs Service	0.9	-	-	-

The Government will provide $7.3 million in 2006-07 (including $0.9 million in capital funding) to progress the new Australian Maritime Identification System (AMIS) to the detailed design phase. When completed, AMIS will bring together maritime data currently collected by several agencies to help form a coordinated picture of sea-going activity in Australia’s maritime region. The capital funding is for fit-out and equipment.

National Action Plan for social cohesion, harmony and security — combating extremism

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission	1.1	1.1	1.0	1.1
Related capital ($m)
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission	0.1	-	-	-

The Government will provide $4.4 million over four years (including $88,000 in capital funding) to develop specialist training, education materials and forums aimed at assisting law enforcement agencies and Muslim communities resolve conflict and discrimination issues.

Further information can be found in the press release of 16 July 2006 issued by the Attorney-General and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

National Action Plan for social cohesion, harmony and security — improving crisis management for the Muslim community

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Attorney-General’s Department	0.8	0.6	0.7	0.8
Related capital ($m)
Attorney-General’s Department	..	-	-	-

The Government will provide $2.9 million over four years (including $38,000 in capital funding in 2006-07) to assist the Muslim community plan for and respond to national security issues and incidents, and emergencies.

This measure will help the development of initiatives aimed at improving Muslim community awareness of national security arrangements and emergency response agencies. The measure will also seek to enhance law enforcement and emergency personnel’s understanding of Muslim community issues by building effective communication pathways.

Further information can be found in the joint press release of 16 July 2006 issued by the Attorney-General and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

National Emergency Call Centre and National Security Hotline — database connectivity

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs	*	*	*	*
Attorney-General’s Department	*	*	*	*
Total	*	*	*	*
Related capital ($m)
Attorney-General’s Department	*	*	*	*

The Government will provide funding to improve connectivity between the National Emergency Call Centre and the National Security Hotline. Provision has been included in the Contingency Reserve.

United Nations Oil-For-Food Programme — additional funding for Commission of Inquiry

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Attorney-General’s Department	5.8	-	-	-

The Government provided an additional $5.8 million in 2006-07 for the Commission of Inquiry into issues relating to the United Nations Oil-For-Food Programme.

This funding will cover all remaining costs incurred by the Commission of Inquiry until its reporting date, and is in addition to the $6.8 million provided in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2005-06, and the $2.7 million provided in the 2006-07 Budget.

Further information may be found in the Report of the Cole Inquiry into the United Nations Oil-For-Food Programme Tabling Statement of 27 November 2006 issued by the Attorney-General.

Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

50th anniversary of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games — contribution

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Sports Commission	-	-	-	-

The Australian Government contributed $50,000 in 2006-07 towards the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resources of the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.

Australia Business Arts Foundation — additional funding

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	0.6	-	-	-

The Government will provide one-off funding of $0.6 million in 2006-07 to the Australia Business Arts Foundation to strengthen its role in encouraging and facilitating private sector support for the arts.

Further information can be found in the press release of 3 August 2006 issued by the Minister for the Arts and Sport.

Deaf Sports Australia — additional funding

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	0.1	..	0.1	-

The Government will provide funding of $192,000 over 3 years from 2006-07 to Deaf Sports Australia.

This funding will assist in promoting sports participation in the Australian deaf and hard-of-hearing community and preparing the Australian team for the 2009 Deaflympic Games in Taipei.

Digital Action Plan for Australia’s Transition to digital television

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	1.5	4.2	4.6	4.9
Australian Communications and Media Authority	-	2.5	1.2	1.3
Total	1.5	6.7	5.9	6.2
Related capital ($m)
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	1.4	..	..	-
Australian Communications and Media Authority	-	0.3	-	-
Total	1.4	0.3	..	-

The Government will provide $16.7 million over four years to the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts to establish an office, Digital Australia, to be located in Sydney, to coordinate implementation of a Digital Action Plan for the switch over to digital television. This funding includes $1.5 million over three years from 2006-07 to 2008-09 in capital funding for the purchase of equipment to furnish the office.

The Government will also provide $5.4 million over three years from 2007-08 to 2009-10 to the Australian Communications and Media Authority to undertake research tasks to assist the transition from analogue to digital television transmission. This funding includes $0.3 million in 2007-08 in capital funding for the purchase of technical equipment to undertake the research tasks.

Further information can be found in the press release of 23 November 2006 issued by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association Dance College relocation — assistance

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	3.2	3.1	0.3	0.3

The Government will provide $7.0 million over four years to the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA). This funding will assist with the fitout and relocation of the NAISDA Dance College from its current premises at The Rocks, NSW to Gosford, NSW. The measure includes funding of $0.3 million per year for additional operational costs.

National Training Centre for Aerial Skiing — establishment

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	2.5	-	-	-

The Government will provide $2.5 million in 2006-07 to establish a National Training Centre for Aerial Skiing in southern Queensland.

The proposed centre will feature five jumps over a 30 metre by 25 metre pool and can also be utilised for water polo. Its location in Queensland will allow for year-round training.

This funding is subject to the Queensland Government providing a matching amount to the proposed project.

Protecting Australian Families Online — consumer information campaign

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	11.4	6.3	0.5	-

The Government will provide $18.3 million over three years to run a consumer information campaign to raise awareness of the Government’s Internet safety initiatives, including a National Filter Scheme and Internet safety information.

See also the related expense measures titled Protecting Australian Families Online — establishment of a National Filter Scheme, and Protecting Australian Families Online — restructure of NetAlert in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.

Further information can be found in the press release of 21 June 2006 issued by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

Protecting Australian Families Online — establishment of a National Filter Scheme

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts	23.4	31.6	38.2	-

The Government will provide $93.3 million over three years to establish a National Filter Scheme (‘the Scheme’) to provide a free Internet filter, or filtered Internet service, for all Australian families and public libraries. The Australian Communications and Media Authority will test and accredit a selection of filters for use.

The Scheme will be administered by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts with the support of NetAlert, the Government’s Internet advisory body.

See also the related expense measures titled Protecting Australian Families Online — restructure of NetAlert, and Protecting Australian Families Online — consumer information campaign in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.

Further information can be found in the press release of 21 June 2006 issued by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

Protecting Australian Families Online — restructure of NetAlert

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Communications and Media Authority	1.0	2.0	2.0	-

The Government will provide $4.9 million over three years to NetAlert, its Internet advisory body, to expand its educational and research role in raising community awareness of Internet content issues and to support the Protecting Australian Families Online package.

This package will include moving NetAlert from Hobart to co-locate with the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s office in Melbourne.

See also the related expense measures titled Protecting Australian Families Online — establishment of a National Filter Scheme, and Protecting Australian Families Online — consumer information campaign in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.

Further information can be found in the press release of 21 June 2006 issued by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

Tom Hoad Cup — contribution

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Sports Commission	-	-	-	-

The Government will contribute $0.2 million in 2006-07 to the Melville Water Polo Club, to support an expansion of the international water polo competition, the Tom Hoad Cup, to be held in Perth in December 2006. This funding is subject to matching funding from the Western Australian Government.

The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resources of the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.

Defence

Australian Army — additional infantry battalion

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Defence	46.2	403.0	301.3	264.4
Related capital ($m)
Department of Defence	-	30.9	77.4	301.3

The Government will provide $4.1 billion over eleven years from 2006-07 (including $2.7 billion over seven years from 2010-11) to increase the size of the Australian Army by one light infantry battalion, implementing Stage 1 of the Enhanced Land Force. This involves the acquisition of additional equipment including Infantry Mobility Vehicles, and an increase in military and civilian personnel and provides for Australian Defence Force support elements. This measure includes $724.5 million in capital funding over five years from 2007-08 (including $314.9 million over two years from 2010-11) to develop facilities at Defence bases.

The additional personnel and operating costs for the new equipment required have yet to be finalised, but are expected to be comparatively minor. Provision for these costs, and for a second additional battalion planned for the Enhanced Land Force, has been included in the Contingency Reserve.

Further information can be found in the press releases of 24 August 2006 issued by the Prime Minister and of 7 December 2006 issued by the Minister for Defence.

Australian Defence Force retention and recruitment — new initiatives

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Defence	49.6	82.1	98.8	97.1

The Government will provide $1.0 billion over 11 years from 2006-07 (including $688.8 million over seven years from 2010-11) to help improve the retention and recruitment of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel. This funding includes $226.4 million for retention bonuses and allowances, $371.1 million to reform ADF recruiting, $306.4 million for a new military ‘gap year’ scheme for recent high school leavers, and $112.5 million for Navy Seagoing and Submarine Service (Disability) allowances.

These initiatives will assist the ADF to increase the number of people who want to join and remain in the military, streamline the recruitment process, and create more pathways to ADF career opportunities.

Further information can be found in the press release of 15 December 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

East Timor — funding to help restore peace and stability

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Defence	120.8	7.4	-	-
Related capital ($m)
Department of Defence	-	37.7	-	-

The Government will provide $184.5 million over three years (including $18.6 million in 2005-06 and $37.7 million in capital funding) for the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to restoring peace and stability in East Timor as part of Operation ASTUTE.

Further information can be found in the press release of 26 May 2006 issued by the Department of Defence.

Education, Science and Training

Addressing violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities — establishment of a National School Attendance Unit

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	2.0	2.7	-	-

The Government will provide $4.6 million over two years from 2006-07 to establish a National School Attendance Unit (NSAU). The NSAU will report on non-attendance and enrolment rates of all students by demographic profile and State and Territory jurisdiction, and provide nationally consistent information on the level of non-attendance among all children of compulsory school age.

The collection of this data will assist to identify the links between low rates of school attendance, and intergenerational social dysfunction — particularly poor employment, welfare dependence and incidences of violence and abuse.

Further information can be found in the press release of 14 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Alfred Deakin Institute — support for establishment at Deakin University

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	4.0	-	-	-

The Government will provide $4.0 million in 2006-07 to support the establishment of the Alfred Deakin Institute at Deakin University in Geelong. The Institute will house the Alfred Deakin Prime Ministerial Library, which will serve as a repository for the University’s collection of Alfred Deakin’s books, papers and memorabilia. It will also provide a centre for teaching and research leadership in political science, public policy and governance, international relations and globalisation, journalism and communication.

Further information can be found in the joint press release of 3 August 2006 issued by the Treasurer and the Minister for Education, Science and Training.

Australian History Prize

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.3

The Government will provide $1.1 million over five years, including $0.2 million in 2010-11, to establish the Prime Minister’s Prize for Australian history.

The prize of $100,000 will be awarded annually in recognition of an outstanding publication, or body of work that contributes significantly to an understanding of Australian history, and promotes the use of historical research in the teaching of Australian history in schools.

Further information can be found in the Prime Minister’s Address to the History Summit, of 17 August 2006.

Australian Technical Colleges

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	29.1	43.9	33.9	10.6

The Government will provide additional funding of $117.4 million over four years from 2006-07 for the establishment and operation of 25 Australian Technical Colleges. These colleges will accommodate up to 7,500 Year 11 and 12 students undertaking school-based New Apprenticeships, and academic, information technology and business courses. Five colleges have commenced in 2006 and the remaining 20 colleges will be in operation by the start of the 2008 school year.

Further information can be found in the press release of 7 December 2006 issued by the Minister for Vocational and Technical Education.

Australian-American Fulbright Commission — additional contribution

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2

The Government will provide an additional contribution of $1.0 million over five years (including $200,000 in 2010-11) to the Australian-American Fulbright Commission to increase support for the Fulbright Scholarships Programme. The funding will be used to provide scholarships for Australians to study and undertake research in the United States to help further Australian-United States relations through cultural and educational exchange.

Further information can be found in the press release of 15 May 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

COAG Health Workforce — support for medical schools

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	25.5	-	-	-

The Government will provide a one-off grant totalling $25.5 million in 2006-07 for capital funding of medical schools at a number of universities in New South Wales and Queensland. James Cook University will receive $15 million, the University of Queensland will receive $7.5 million and the new joint programme between the University of New England and University of Newcastle will receive $3 million in funding.

This funding is subject to the relevant State governments providing matching funding, and supports the additional Commonwealth-funded medical places allocated to these universities out of the 605 new medical school places announced in 2006.

See the related COAG Health Workforce expense measures in the Health and Ageing and Education, Science and Training Portfolios.

This measure forms part of the Government’s contribution to the COAG Health Workforce package. Further information can be found in the Prime Minister’s press release of 13 July 2006 and the Council of Australian Governments’ Meeting Communiqué of 14 July 2006.

COAG Health Workforce — support for more medical places

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	0.6	2.9	5.9	9.0
Department of Health and Ageing	0.1	0.4	1.9	6.2
Total	0.7	3.3	7.8	15.2
Related revenue ($m)
Department of Education, Science and Training	-	..	..	0.1
Related capital ($m)
Department of Health and Ageing	..	-	-	-
Department of Education, Science and Training	-	-	-	-
Total	..	-	-	-

The Government will provide $37.8 million over five years from 2006-07 (including $10.8 million in 2010-11) to provide an additional 205 medical school places to supplement the 400 places announced by the Prime Minister on 8 April 2006. Additional places will be established progressively from 2007 with all places being provided by 2011.

Amounts loaned under the Higher Education Loans Programme (HELP) for students taking up these places are treated as financial assets and therefore do not impact on the fiscal balance. Payments by students of the indexation component of their HELP loan is treated as interest revenue. These payments will affect the fiscal balance from 2007-08. The additional public debt interest incurred by the Australian Government in financing the loans is separately accounted for in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

See the related COAG Health Workforce expense measures in the Health and Ageing, and Education, Science and Training portfolios.

This measure forms a part of the Government’s contribution to the COAG Health Workforce package. Further information can be found in the Prime Minister’s press releases of 8 April 2006 and 13 July 2006 and the Council of Australian Governments’ Meeting Communiqué of 14 July 2006.

Larry Knight Scholarship — establishment

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	1.0	-	-	-

The Government will provide $1.0 million in 2006-07 to establish a Larry Knight equity scholarship at the University of Tasmania. The scholarship will honour the memory of Larry Knight and help support Tasmanian students to undertake courses in mining and engineering.

See also the related expense measure titled Beaconsfield Community Fund — establishment in the Industry, Tourism and Resources portfolio.

Further information can be found in the press release of 29 May 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

National Action Plan for social cohesion, harmony and security — establishment of an Islamic studies centre

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	2.6	2.7	1.3	1.2
Related revenue ($m)
Department of Education, Science and Training	-	..	..	..
Related capital ($m)
Department of Education, Science and Training	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $7.9 million over four years to establish a National Centre of Research and Educational Excellence in Islamic Studies within a major Australian university. This Centre is to play a leadership role in exploring the place of Islam in modern society, and will provide tertiary accredited undergraduate and post-graduate qualifications in fields as diverse as architecture, art and commerce. Up to 300 students are expected to enrol at the Centre with classes anticipated to begin in 2007.

Further information can be found in the joint press release of 16 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Education, Science and Training and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

National School Chaplaincy Programme

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	14.1	35.0	34.1	24.2

The Government will provide $107.5 million over four years to assist government and non-government schools that want to provide chaplaincy services for their school community.

Commencing in 2007 up to $30.0 million will be provided annually for three years under the National School Chaplaincy Programme to provide grants of up to $20,000 a year directly to eligible schools. Funding will contribute to the cost of engaging chaplains. School communities will also be expected to contribute funding and support for chaplaincy programmes at their school.

Further information can be found in the press release of 29 October 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

Research Quality Framework — implementation

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	-	40.6	34.3	8.2

The Government will provide $87.3 million over four years from 2007-08 (including $4.2 million in 2010-11) to implement the Research Quality Framework (RQF) in Australian higher education institutions.

The RQF is a new framework for assessing the quality and impact of research undertaken at Australian higher education institutions and will provide transparency with regard to public investment in research.

This funding will also provide for the creation of an electronic data storage system to manage information regarding research groups.

Further information can be found in the press release of 14 November 2006 issued by the Minister for Education, Science and Training.

Skills for the Future — advertising campaign

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	15.0	-	-	-

The Government will provide $18.0 million in 2006-07 to promote the career options available under the Skills for the Future initiative announced by the Prime Minister on 12 October 2006. $3.0 million of the cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resourcing of the Department of Education, Science and Training.

The Skills for the Future initiative provides $837.0 million over five years to develop a more skilled and dynamic workforce with an increased focus on continuous upgrading of skills over the course of an individual’s working life.

Further information can be found in the Skills for the Future Ministerial Statement to Parliament of 12 October 2006 by the Prime Minister.

Skills for the Future — business skills vouchers for apprentices

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	1.0	1.5	2.7	3.2

The Government will provide $12.3 million over five years including $4.0 million in 2010-11 to encourage apprentices to acquire additional business management skills.

From 1 January 2007, 6,300 vouchers valued at up to $500 will be available to apprentices each year to contribute towards the costs of accredited small business skills training. Apprentices who are undertaking an apprenticeship in a traditional trade will be eligible to apply for the voucher any time from the end of their second year until two years after completion of their course.

Further information can be found in the Skills for the Future Ministerial Statement to Parliament of 12 October 2006 by the Prime Minister.

Skills for the Future — incentives for higher technical skills

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	1.6	5.3	8.9	16.8

The Government will provide $54.4 million over five years including $21.9 million in 2010-11 to extend and increase employer incentives for up to 24,800 employees over five years to undertake Diploma and Advanced Diploma level qualifications in certain occupations.

From 1 January 2007, employers will receive incentive payments of $1,500 for each employee commencing a Diploma or Advanced Diploma programme and $2,500 when they complete employment or institutional based training. The Government will also remove the rule which prevents workers with prior qualifications at Certificate III and IV level receiving benefits; open the programme to an employer’s existing workforce; and in consultation with industry, increase the range of eligible higher level qualifications in engineering.

Further information can be found in the Skills for the Future Ministerial Statement to Parliament of 12 October 2006 by the Prime Minister.

Skills for the Future — more engineering places at university

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	-	7.0	12.4	16.6
Related revenue ($m)
Department of Education, Science and Training	-	-	..	0.1
Related capital ($m)
Department of Education, Science and Training	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $56.0 million over four years including $19.9 million in 2010-11 to fund an extra 500 Commonwealth supported university engineering places from 2008.

Amounts loaned under the Higher Education Loans Programme (HELP) for students taking up these places are treated as financial assets and therefore do not impact on the fiscal balance. Payments by students of the indexation component of their HELP loan are treated as interest revenue. These payments will affect the fiscal balance from 2008-09. The additional public debt interest incurred by the Australian Government in financing the loans is separately accounted for in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Further information can be found in the Skills for the Future Ministerial Statement to Parliament of 12 October 2006 by the Prime Minister.

Skills for the Future — support for mid-career apprentices

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	1.6	44.0	68.7	87.3

The Government will provide $306.6 million over five years including $105.1 million in 2010-11 to support mid‑career workers to overcome wage related disincentives to the take up of traditional trade apprenticeships.

From 1 July 2007, incentives will be available each year for up to 10,000 people aged 30 or over who are starting an apprenticeship at the Certificate III or IV level in an occupation in high demand. The incentive payable by the Government will be $150 a week in the first year and $100 a week in the second year. The incentive will be paid to the employer where industrial arrangements require the employer to maintain the existing wage, or pay an adult apprenticeship wage for an existing worker who becomes an apprentice. Where such industrial arrangements are not in place the new mid-career incentive will be paid directly to the apprentice to boost their income.

Further information can be found in the Skills for the Future Ministerial Statement to Parliament of 12 October 2006 by the Prime Minister.

Skills for the Future — work skills vouchers

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	38.6	80.5	96.1	96.1

The Government will provide $407.6 million over five years (including $96.3 million in 2010-11) to support people aged 25 years and over to gain year 12 or equivalent qualifications.

From 1 January 2007, 30,000 vouchers valued at up to $3,000 will be available to this group each year to assist them to undertake accredited literacy/numeracy, basic education and Certificate level II courses. Vouchers will be allocated in priority order to unskilled workers wishing to acquire qualifications; income support recipients returning to the work force; unemployed jobseekers receiving income support and participating in the Job Network who are undertaking active job search; and people not in the work force intending to seek work after achieving their qualification.

Further information can be found in the Skills for the Future Ministerial Statement to Parliament of 12 October 2006 by the Prime Minister.

Tropical Cyclone Larry — school assistance

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $0.8 million in 2006-07 to assist Catholic and Independent schools in northern Queensland that suffered significant damage as a result of Cyclone Larry, so that they can continue to provide educational services and families can retain their choice of education for the remainder of 2006 and throughout 2007.

Assistance will be provided to cover lost income from school fees, and other fund-raising activities which would normally be contributed by parents and the community. Funding will provide for vital services such as relief teaching, counselling and pastoral services for those affected.

The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resourcing of the Department of Education, Science and Training.

United States Studies Centre — establishment

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	-	-	-	-

The Australian Government provided a one-off contribution of $25 million in 2005-06 towards the establishment of a United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. This is a joint initiative with the American-Australian Association.

The partnership between the University of Sydney and the American-Australian Association will increase the awareness of the study of American politics and government, promote collaborative research between institutions in Australia and the United States and operate as a think-tank for the Australia-America relationships. The Government will introduce legislation to allow tax deductions for gifts of $2 or more to the American-Australian Association.

Further information can be found in the press releases of 16 May and 14 November 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

University College Dublin — Keith Cameron Chair of Australian History

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Education, Science and Training	1.5	-	-	-

The Government will provide a one-off contribution of $1.5 million in 2006-07 to support the Keith Cameron Chair of Australian History at University College, Dublin, in Ireland. The Keith Cameron Chair first received an endowment from the Australian Government in 1985. This funding initiative will encourage a wider understanding of Australia and Australian history in Ireland through strengthening the Australian-Irish education relationship.

Further information can be found in the Prime Minister’s address to University Students, Belfield Campus, University College Dublin of 22 May 2006.

Employment and Workplace Relations

Cyclone Larry — extension of the wage assistance programme

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $32.0 million in 2006-07 to increase support for businesses and farmers under the Cyclone Larry — wage assistance programme announced in the 2006-07 Budget. Claimants are now eligible to receive wage subsidy assistance for 26 weeks, whereas previously support was limited to 13 weeks. The closing date for applications for assistance was also extended to 31 August 2006.

The cost of this measure will be met from existing resources for the Cyclone Larry — wage assistance programme.

Further information can be found in the press release of 3 August 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme — funding liquidators to pursue litigation

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	2.0	8.0	-	-

The Government will provide $10.0 million over two years from 2006-07 under the General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS) to expand asset recovery activity relating to companies that are declared bankrupt or are being liquidated.

Under GEERS, if a company goes into liquidation or bankruptcy occurs, the Government will provide eligible employees a financial guarantee of certain entitlements where employers are unable to meet their obligations.

The assistance provided to employees under GEERS is on the basis that the Commonwealth’s rights to recovery are protected. The funds provided by this measure will be used to pursue increased litigation activity to recover company funds.

General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme — increased redundancy cap

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	4.7	4.7	4.8	4.9

The Government will provide $19.2 million over four years to increase the General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS) redundancy cap from 8 weeks to 16 weeks for liquidations and bankruptcies that occur from 1 July 2006.

Further information can be found in the press release of 22 August 2006 issued by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations.

Income support — ex-gratia payments

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	..	..	-	-

The Government will provide an estimated $14,000 over two years in ex-gratia assistance to support an income support recipient who will remain overseas longer than the 13 weeks allowed under income support legislation, in order to support a family member sentenced to death. Continued access to the assistance will be reviewed periodically and is subject to meeting other qualifications for the payment.

The ex-gratia payment will be equivalent to the recipient’s current rate of income support.

Labour assistance package — Beaconsfield mine

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $0.2 million over five years to assist miners affected by the scale back of operations at the Beaconsfield mine in Northern Tasmania.

The labour assistance package provides retrenched workers with immediate and full access to Job Network services.

The cost of this measure will be met from within existing resources of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

Further information can be found in the press release of 2 June 2006 issued by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations.

Labour assistance package — Coles Myer

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	2.5	0.5	0.1	..

The Government will provide $3.1 million over five years (including $31,000 in 2010-11) to assist Coles Myer workers affected by the closure of distribution centres located in New South Wales and Victoria.

The labour assistance package provides retrenched workers with immediate and full access to Job Network services and other assistance including wage subsidies, relocation assistance and self-employment assistance under the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme.

Further information can be found in the press release of 19 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations.

Labour assistance package — Electrolux

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	1.1	2.8	0.8	0.2

The Government will provide $4.9 million over four years to assist Electrolux workers affected by the closure of two plant operations located in South Australia.

The labour assistance package provides retrenched workers with immediate and full access to Job Network services and other assistance including wage subsidies, relocation assistance, self-employment assistance under the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, and industry specific training.

See also the related expense measure titled Innovation and Investment Fund for South Australia — establishment in the Industry, Tourism and Resources portfolio.

Further information can be found in the press release of 14 September 2006 issued by the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources.

Labour assistance package — Port Kembla BlueScope

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	0.8	0.2	..	..

The Government will provide $1.0 million over five years (including $15,000 in 2010-11) to assist BlueScope workers affected by the closure of the tin mill operation located in Port Kembla, New South Wales.

The labour assistance package provides retrenched workers with immediate and full access to Job Network services and other assistance including wage subsidies, relocation assistance, self-employment assistance under the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, and industry-specific training.

See also the related expense measure titled Port Kembla Industry Facilitation Fund — establishment, in the Industry, Tourism and Resources portfolio.

Further information can be found in the press release of 29 June 2006 issued by the Treasurer.

Occupational health and safety — expanded arrangements

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Comcare	1.9	-	-	-

The Government will provide $1.9 million in 2006-07 to meet transitional costs related to the expansion of the Australian Government’s occupational health and safety jurisdiction to include corporations licensed for workers’ compensation self-insurance under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.

Widow Allowance — ex-gratia payments

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	1.5	0.9	0.5	0.3

The Government will provide $4.0 million over ten years (including $0.3 million in 2005-06 and a total of $0.4 million beyond the forward estimates) to grant ex-gratia assistance to a small number of widow allowees who are not currently eligible to transfer onto other, more appropriate, income support payments. Ex-gratia assistance will be available until they meet eligibility for another payment.

The ex-gratia payment will be equivalent to the Widow Allowance rate and include add-on payments such as the Pensioner Education Supplement, Rent Assistance, Remote Area Allowance and Pharmaceutical Allowance.

Workplace Relations Reform — continuation of the WorkChoices Employer Advisor Programme

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	12.5	-	-	-

The Government will provide an additional $12.5 million in 2006-07 to continue the WorkChoices Employer Advisor Programme (EAP) until the end of 2006.

This programme is an extension of the EAP, which commenced in April 2006, to develop a national network of industry-based advisors to educate and assist employers on the application of the workplace relations reforms. The extended programme will increase the number of industry-based organisations delivering EAP from 17 to 25 and help reach a broader target audience including employees, independent contractors and small to medium sized businesses.

Further information can be found in the press release of 19 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations.

Workplace Relations Reform — raising awareness of the Office of Workplace Services and Office of the Employment Advocate

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Office of Workplace Services	7.3	7.2	3.0	3.0

The Government will provide $20.5 million over four years to raise public awareness of the services provided by the Office of Workplace Services and the Office of the Employment Advocate. The education and awareness campaign includes newspaper and radio advertising.

The aim of the campaign is to educate employees and employers to direct workplace complaints to the Office of Workplace Services and employers and employees to approach the Office of the Employment Advocate for information and clarification on agreement making.

Environment and Heritage

Blackburn Lake Sanctuary — support for land acquisition

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Environment and Heritage	1.8	-	-	-

The Government will provide up to $1.8 million in 2006-07 for the purchase of land adjacent to the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary in Melbourne. This funding will protect and extend the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary area and is conditional on matching funding from both the Victorian Government and the City of Whitehorse, and the Victorian Government publicly releasing the valuation of the site.

Further information can be found in the press release of 1 September 2006 issued by the Federal Member for Deakin.

Energy Initiatives — Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme — enhancement

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Environment and Heritage	-	30.9	30.9	30.9

The Government will provide $123.5 million over four years from 2007-08 (including $30.9 million in 2010-11) to support the replacement of diesel-powered power generation and water pumping systems, in regional and remote communities, with renewable energy. The funding will also support energy efficiency projects to reduce demand, and industry support activities to increase the uptake of renewable energy technologies in areas at the fringes of electricity grids and off grid areas of Australia.

Further information can be found in the Prime Minister’s Statement to Parliament on Energy Initiatives of 14 August 2006.

Great Barrier Reef Structural Adjustment Package — enhancement

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Environment and Heritage	27.4	-	-	-

The Government will provide $27.4 million in 2006-07 to enhance the Great Barrier Reef structural adjustment package announced in the 2004-05 Budget. The package is designed to assist eligible commercial fishers and other businesses adversely affected by the implementation of the Representative Areas Programme for the Great Barrier Reef, which came into effect on 1 July 2004.

Enhancements include changes to ensure that assistance covers the approved full cost of restructuring a business, a further 20 per cent increase in payments for approved applications for business restructuring assistance, extending the provision of financial and relationship counsellors to the region for a further twelve months, and measures to expedite the assessment of applications.

This funding is in addition to the $143.4 million already provided, bringing the Government’s total contribution to $170.8 million over three years.

Further information can be found in the press release of 26 May 2006 issued by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage.

Qantas’ first 707 Aircraft — return to Australia

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Environment and Heritage	1.0	-	-	-

The Government will provide $1.0 million in 2006-07 to Qantas Foundation Memorial Limited to bring Qantas’ first 707 Aircraft back to Australia for display at the Qantas Founders Outback Museum in Longreach. Part of the arrangement involves the assistance of Qantas Airways in promoting Australia’s National Heritage listed properties.

Further information can be found in the press release of 9 October 2006 issued by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage.

St Patrick’s Cathedral — support for reconstruction

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Environment and Heritage	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $5.0 million in 2006-07 for the reconstruction of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Bunbury, Western Australia. This funding will support efforts to rebuild the cathedral and parish centre following their loss in a tornado in 2005. The cost of this measure will be met from within existing resources of the Department of the Environment and Heritage.

St Peter and Paul’s Old Cathedral — support for restoration

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Environment and Heritage	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $1.5 million in 2006-07 for the restoration of the St Peter and Paul’s Old Cathedral in Goulburn, NSW. This funding will support efforts to repair and preserve this important heritage building. The cost of this measure will be met from within existing resources of the Department of the Environment and Heritage.

Further information can be found in the press release of 13 October 2006 issued by the Federal Member for Hume.

Used oil recyclers — additional transitional funding

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Taxation Office	5.3	3.6	1.7	-
Department of the Environment and Heritage	-	-	-	-
Total	5.3	3.6	1.7	-

The Government will provide $10.6 million over three years to assist used oil recyclers who produce burner fuel from used oil. This funding is in addition to the $30.1 million provided in the 2006-07 Budget.

This additional transitional funding recognises the impact of changed excise arrangements from 1 July 2006 on fuel recovered from used oil. It will be administered under the Product Stewardship for Oil Programme, under which the Australian Taxation Office administers product benefit payments. Funding will be progressively reduced over the three-year period as used oil recyclers adjust to new market conditions.

Further information on the changed excise arrangements can be found in the press release of 11 May 2006, issued by the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer in the context of the introduction of the relevant excise legislation.

View of Geelong painting — support for acquisition

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Environment and Heritage	0.8	-	-	-

The Government has provided $0.8 million in 2006-07 to support the acquisition of the Eugéne von Guérard painting, View of Geelong, by the Geelong Art Gallery, because of the painting’s significant cultural heritage value. This amount is in addition to funding of $0.2 million from the National Cultural Heritage Account that was provided towards acquisitions in 2005-06.

Further information can be found in the press release of 29 June 2006 issued by the Federal Member for Corangamite.

Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Addressing violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities — improved policing in remote areas

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs	4.7	15.2	21.8	0.4

The Government will provide $42.1 million over four years to improve policing in remote areas.

Funding of $40.0 million will be provided to the States and the Northern Territory for the construction of police stations and associated infrastructure, including police housing, to boost policing in remote communities. Funding of $0.2 million will also be provided for an independent review of policing requirements in remote areas.

The funding also includes the provision of $1.9 million over four years for two additional sniffer dog teams to contribute to the joint efforts of the South Australian, Western Australian and Northern Territory Governments to reduce the use of illicit substances in Indigenous communities. The sniffer dog teams will be provided to the Central Desert Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk for remote area operations.

Further information can be found in the press release of 14 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Baby Bonus — compulsory instalment payments for mothers under 18

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs	1.3	0.4	0.1	0.1

The Government will provide $2.0 million over four years to implement a change in the payment of the Baby Bonus (formerly called the Maternity Payment) to mothers under 18 years of age.

The Baby Bonus is currently paid as a lump sum payment of $4,100 to all eligible parents on the birth of a child. It will now be paid to mothers under 18 years of age in fortnightly instalments over 13 fortnights. This is expected to affect 3,250 recipients per year.

From January 2007 payment by instalments will be the Government’s preferred option for mothers under the age of 18 and will be mandatory from 1 July 2007.

Further information can be found in the press release of 12 November 2006 issued by the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Child Care Management System

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs	28.5	26.4	1.0	-4.9
Related capital ($m)
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs	11.2	3.9	-	-
Centrelink	5.4	1.7	-	-
Total	16.6	5.6	-	-

The Government will provide $73.2 million over four years to develop a new Child Care Management System to improve timeliness and availability of information relating to the national supply, usage and demand for child care places across Australia. This includes capital funding of $22.2 million to build a new system interface between the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) and Centrelink to enable a more timely transfer of Child Care Benefit data. An online system between child care service providers and FaCSIA to simplify reporting requirements and improve compliance in the child care sector will also be built. The new system will also enable families to access an online monthly statement outlining their child care records.

This measure will be implemented progressively with an online reporting system for Long Day Care and Family Day Care services commencing from July 2007 and an online reporting system for Outside School Hours Care, Occasional Care and In-home Services from July 2008.

As part of this measure the Government will support child care service providers to convert to the new system through training and other support arrangements.

This measure also includes a reduction in resourcing to Centrelink which results in net savings of $4.9 million per annum from 2009-10 onwards as Centrelink will no longer be responsible for maintaining the information database on child care usage.

Further information can be found in the press release of 23 October 2006 issued by the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Cyclone Larry and Cyclone Monica — one-off income support

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs	-	-	-	-
Related revenue ($m)
Australian Taxation Office	-	..	-	-

The Government provided one-off income support for eligible farmers and businesses affected by Cyclone Larry in North Queensland in the 2006-07 Budget. This measure was extended to include those also affected by Cyclone Monica.

In addition, the Government has extended eligibility for the beneficiary tax offset to those in receipt of these payments. This ensures consistent taxation treatment with Newstart payments.

Further information can be found in the press release of 26 May 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

Egypt Terrorist Bombings — ex gratia assistance

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs	0.1	-	-	-

The Government provided funding of $0.1 million in 2006-07 to assist Australians injured in the terrorist bombings which occurred in Egypt on 24 April 2006. This included funding for Centrelink of $57,000 in 2006‑07.

Affected Australians were provided with assistance for travel, accommodation and medical costs. Those affected also received assistance with the costs of counselling and psychological care for family members.

Jobs, Education and Training (JET) child care fee assistance — additional funding

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs	20.7	-	-	-

The Government will provide an additional $20.7 million in 2006-07 to the Jobs, Education and Training (JET) Child Care fee assistance programme.

JET Child Care fee assistance provides parents undertaking eligible study or training courses, with additional child care assistance by paying most of the ‘gap fee’ (the difference between the fee charged by the child care service and the maximum rate of Child Care Benefit). Assistance may be approved for up to 26 weeks for parents undertaking paid or unpaid work, up to 20 days for Job Search and up to 12 months for education and training.

This measure will provide affordable child care to an additional 3,500 recipients in 2006-07 and builds on the measure ‘Child Care — Jobs, Education and Training (JET) Child Care fee assistance — continue and extend’ in the 2006-07 Budget, which provided additional funding of $15.4 million over two years to the JET programme.

Pandemic influenza preparedness — mitigating social and community impacts

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs	3.1	-	-	-

The Government will provide funding of $3.1 million in 2006-07 to support activities designed to mitigate the social and community impacts of a potential pandemic influenza. This includes funding for Centrelink of $0.5 million in 2006-07 to ensure its ability to deliver certain services in the event of a pandemic influenza.

The Australian Government in consultation with the States and Territories, local government and non-government organisations will develop a nationally consistent approach for the management of critical social infrastructure services in the event of an influenza pandemic, with a particular focus on support for vulnerable groups. The work will involve the development and delivery of a business continuity guide for non-government organisations and the not-for-profit sectors, a volunteering strategy, research and scenario planning, and development of key communication messages.

See related expense measures for Pandemic influenza preparedness in the Health and Ageing; Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; and Industry, Tourism and Resources portfolios.

Finance and Administration

ASC Pty Ltd — sale costs

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Finance and Administration	0.4	6.5	6.3	-

The Government will provide $13.1 million over three years to the Department of Finance and Administration for the costs of selling ASC Pty Ltd. This relates to the costs of external expert advisers including business, legal, process, communications and accounting advisers, and internal costs for the Department. This follows the Government’s consideration of the recent scoping study into the sale of ASC Pty Ltd.

Further information can be found in the press release of 16 August 2006 issued by the Minister for Finance and Administration.

Federal elections — improving the operation of Australian federal elections

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Electoral Commission	1.5	6.1	..	0.1
Related capital ($m)
Australian Electoral Commission	2.8	-	-	-

The Government will provide $10.8 million over five years (including $0.2 million in 2010-11) to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to help educate the community in the use of postal and pre-poll voting and to improve the operation of federal elections. The total funding includes $2.8 million in capital, largely to enable the AEC to develop the capacity to undertake two electronic voting trials.

This measure forms part of the Government’s response to recommendations of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters’ Report of the Inquiry into the Conduct of the 2004 Federal Election and Matters Related Thereto.

Further information can be found in the press release of 22 August 2006 issued by the Special Minister of State.

Parliamentary entitlements — reform package

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Finance and Administration	12.8	10.5	8.6	16.6
Related capital ($m)
Department of Finance and Administration	2.5	1.0	0.2	0.7

The Government will provide $52.9 million over four years to provide Senators and Members with additional resources to represent their constituents effectively, and undertake Parliamentary and official business efficiently. The package includes changes to printing entitlements, travel allowance, relief staff entitlements and electorate office entitlements.

The measure includes $4.4 million in capital funding for electorate and ministerial office fit out.

Foreign Affairs and Trade

Australia Network — providing Australian television services to the Asia-Pacific region

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade	18.0	18.7	18.8	19.3

The Government will provide $94.2 million over five years (including $19.4 million in 2010-11) for the continued provision of an Australian television service to the Asia-Pacific region.

The television service, to be known as the Australia Network, will be operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The service supports Australia’s national interests in Asia and the Pacific through the delivery of high quality, contemporary programming and information about Australia’s engagement with the region. It reaches more than 40 countries, from French Polynesia in the Pacific, northwards to Japan and westwards to Pakistan.

Further information can be found in the press release of 10 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Australia Pacific Technical College

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Agency for International Development	-	30.9	32.1	33.8

The Government will provide $151.9 million over five years (including $34.9 million in 2010-11) to establish an Australia Pacific Technical College to deliver Australian standard qualifications to Pacific islanders. The college will offer courses in hospitality and tourism; health and community services; automotive mechanics; manufacturing trades; and construction and electrical trades.

The cost of this measure will be partially funded by $20.3 million ($10.3 million in 2006-07 and $2.5 million per annum from 2007-08 to 2010-11) from within AusAID’s existing resources.

Further information can be found in the press release of 25 October 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

Emergency and humanitarian relief — contributions

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Agency for International Development	-	-	-	-

The Government has provided $16.5 million in 2006-07 for emergency and humanitarian relief efforts. The funding has been provided through various non-government agencies such as CARE Australia and the International Committee of the Red Cross and a number of United Nations agencies. Examples of countries assisted include East Timor, Sri Lanka and Sudan.

The cost of these measures was met fully from within AusAID’s existing resourcing.

Further information can be found in various press releases issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Lebanon — evacuation, recovery and reconstruction

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Agency for International Development	-	-	-	-
Various Agencies	*	-	-	-
Total	*	-	-	-

The Government will provide $16.5 million for humanitarian relief and $7.5 million for reconstruction efforts in Lebanon. The funding will be provided through the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organisation and other aid agencies. The cost of these activities will be met fully from within AusAID’s existing resources.

The Government also evacuated Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families from Lebanon. The cost of the evacuation, net of recoveries from evacuees, has yet to be finalised. Provision for this measure has been included in the Contingency Reserve.

Further information can be found in the press releases of 22 July 2006 and 24 October 2006 issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Health and Ageing

Addressing violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities — drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation services for Indigenous Australians in remote and regional areas

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	2.2	17.5	15.1	14.5

The Government will provide $49.3 million over four years to improve access to drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation services for Indigenous Australians in remote and regional areas. This measure will enhance the capacity of 29 existing services and provide capital and recurrent funding for an additional 16 new treatment and rehabilitation services.

All services will provide new treatment and rehabilitation service models including safe places to sober up, establishing new multi-disciplinary teams with a range of skills, and developing services to support individuals leaving rehabilitation and returning to their communities. This will assist in preventing relapses.

The Government will also strengthen support for communities affected by alcohol and drug abuse by implementing alcohol management plans and restricting the import of kava for cultural use.

Further information can be found in the press release of 14 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Addressing violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities — Indigenous child health checks

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	1.9	1.9	-	-

The Government will provide $3.8 million over two years for an intensive roll-out of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child health checks under the Medicare Benefits Schedule in up to ten priority regions across Australia.

This measure will establish dedicated health check teams, comprising a general practitioner, a registered nurse, Aboriginal health workers and a psychologist, to provide comprehensive child health checks to children aged 0-14 years within the priority regions. It is expected that 2,000 additional health checks will be conducted as a result of this measure. Funding for a follow-up team will also be provided to work with local primary health care services to ensure that all health conditions identified through the health check are responded to appropriately.

Further information can be found in the press release of 14 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Aged Care — improved arrangements for complaints handling

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	10.8	21.8	22.6	23.8
Related capital ($m)
Department of Health and Ageing	7.2	2.2	1.8	-

The Government will provide $90.3 million over four years to improve arrangements for the handling and investigation of aged care complaints. A new Office for Aged Care Quality and Compliance will be established within the Department of Health and Ageing with trained investigative staff and greater powers to examine complaints from residents, their families and staff of residential aged care homes.

This measure will also introduce an independent Aged Care Commissioner who will have wide-ranging powers to conduct and initiate investigations into the quality of care provided in residential facilities. Other reforms included in the measure are the introduction of compulsory reporting of abuse by approved providers and legislative protections for whistleblowers.

This measure includes $4.6 million in capital funding in 2006-07 for building fit-out costs. The measure also includes $6.6 million in capital funding from 2006-07 to 2008-09 to develop a new database that will provide an integrated system for compliance and complaints tracking and enable the public to register complaints securely while maintaining privacy.

This measure builds on the $10.4 million over four years from 2006-07 that was provided in the 2006-07 Budget measures Aged Care – Increased Spot Checks of Residential Aged Care Homes, and Aged Care — Police Checks for Community Visitors Scheme Volunteers.

Further information can be found in the press release of 27 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Ageing.

APEC 2007 — Health Ministers’ meeting

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	4.7	-	-	-
Department of Health and Ageing	1.0	0.1	-	-
Total	5.7	0.1	-	-

The Government will provide $5.8 million over two years to host an APEC Health Ministers’ Meeting during 2007, which will reinforce Australia’s engagement with the Asia Pacific region on public health issues. The APEC Health Ministers’ Meeting will be held in Sydney and involve Health Ministers and accompanying delegations from 21 APEC economies as well as observer organisations.

Australian Red Cross Society — contribution to humanitarian relief and community support

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	5.0	5.0	-	-

The Government will provide $10.0 million over two years from 2006-07 as a contribution to the Australian Red Cross Society’s health-related work on humanitarian relief and community support in Australia and the region.

COAG Health Workforce — establishing a taskforce on the national health workforce

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4
Related capital ($m)
Department of Health and Ageing	0.1	-	-	-

The Government will provide $5.7 million over four years, to be matched by the States and Territories, to establish a taskforce on the national health workforce to advise on workforce innovation and reform. This measure includes $0.1 million in capital funding in 2006-07 for building fit-out costs for the Department of Health and Ageing.

See the related COAG Health Workforce expense measures in the Health and Ageing and Education, Science and Training portfolios.

This measure forms part of the Government’s contribution to the COAG Health Workforce package. Further information can be found in the Council of Australian Governments’ Meeting Communiqué of 14 July 2006.

COAG Health Workforce — expanding medical specialist training to a broader range of settings

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	5.9	9.8	17.8	25.3
Related capital ($m)
Department of Health and Ageing	0.7	-	-	-

The Government will provide $59.5 million over four years to expand clinical placements for medical specialist trainees beyond traditional public teaching hospitals. This will include expanding public sector training placements in regional, rural and ambulatory settings, and private sector placements in hospital and clinical settings, community settings and non-clinical environments. This measure includes $0.7 million in capital funding in 2006-07 for building fit-out costs.

See the related COAG Health Workforce expense measures in the Health and Ageing and Education, Science and Training portfolios.

COAG Health Workforce — increasing the proportion of medical students bonded to areas of workforce shortage

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	0.3	0.6	0.8	0.8
Related capital ($m)
Department of Health and Ageing	0.6	-	-	-

The Government will provide $3.1 million over four years to increase the proportion of Government funded medical school places bonded to areas of workforce shortage. This measure includes $0.6 million in capital funding in 2006-07 for a new information technology system and building fit-out costs.

See the related COAG Health Workforce expense measures in the Health and Ageing and Education, Science and Training portfolios.

COAG Health Workforce — national registration and accreditation schemes

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	3.3	5.2	5.5	2.0
Related capital ($m)
Department of Health and Ageing	0.4	-	-	-

The Government will provide $16.4 million over four years to develop a single national registration scheme and a single national accreditation scheme to facilitate structural reforms to the registration of health professionals and accreditation of health education and training courses. This will enhance workforce mobility, improve consistency across jurisdictions and reduce red tape. This measure includes $0.4 million in capital funding in 2006-07 for building fit-out costs for the Department of Health and Ageing.

See the related COAG Health Workforce expense measures in the Health and Ageing and Education, Science and Training portfolios.

COAG Health Workforce — new Medicare item

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	0.7	3.9	8.9	12.5
Medicare Australia	0.1	0.4	0.5	0.7
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	..	0.3	0.4	0.7
Total	0.8	4.6	9.9	13.9

The Government will provide $29.2 million over four years to introduce a new Medicare item for practice nurses and registered Aboriginal health workers to provide ongoing support for patients with a general practitioner chronic disease care plan.

See the related COAG Health Workforce expense measures in the Health and Ageing and Education, Science and Training portfolios.

COAG Health Workforce — strengthening the health workforce in rural and remote areas and in Indigenous communities

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	1.3	4.4	5.1	6.2
Medicare Australia	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	..	0.1	0.1	0.1
Total	1.5	4.6	5.3	6.4
Related capital ($m)
Department of Health and Ageing	0.1	-	-	-

The Government will provide $17.8 million over four years to improve access to medical services in rural and remote areas and in Indigenous communities. This measure includes $0.1 million in capital funding in 2006-07 for building fit-out costs for the Department of Health and Ageing.

This measure will recognise the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine’s rural training programme as another way for general practitioners to gain the formal recognition needed to access a higher Medicare rebate. This initiative is subject to the training programme receiving accreditation by the Australian Medical Council.

See the related COAG Health Workforce expense measures in the Health and Ageing and Education, Science and Training portfolios.

Community Care — review of community aged care arrangements

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	0.7	0.8	-	-

The Government will provide $1.5 million over two years from 2006-07 to review all Australian Government funded community aged care programmes following the release of the Government’s strategy to improve and simplify community care, A New Strategy for Community Care – The Way Forward.

The review will develop options for restructuring community care subsidy and fee arrangements so as to reduce overlap and duplication with other programmes, improve equity and consumer choice, improve quality and accountability, and ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability.

See the related capital measure Community Care — developing a needs identification model in the Health and Ageing portfolio.

Further information can be found in the press release of 18 September 2006 issued by the Minister for Ageing.

Home and Community Care — funding to improve access to community care

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	-	30.0	-	-

The Government will provide $30 million in 2007-08 to the States and Territories for the one-off costs associated with implementing reforms to improve and simplify community care, as outlined in A New Strategy for Community Care — The Way Forward, released in August 2004. The payment will assist the States and Territories to implement improved and nationally consistent arrangements for providing access to services, assessment and referral under the Home and Community Care Programme.

See the related expense measure Home and Community Care – implementation of new planning and reporting arrangements in the Health and Ageing portfolio.

Further information can be found in the press release of 26 July 2006 issued by the Minister for Ageing.

Home and Community Care — implementation of new planning and reporting arrangements

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	1.1	1.9	2.4	2.4
Related capital ($m)
Department of Health and Ageing	2.8	1.9	-	-

The Government will provide $12.4 million over four years to strengthen the Australian Government’s input into the planning process for the Home and Community Care Programme. This will ensure that the Government’s priorities are achieved, in particular a continued focus to support frail older Australians in their home environment so as to prevent or delay the need for residential aged care.

This measure will improve the quality of planning under the Home and Community Care Programme by moving to a three-year planning cycle. It will improve State and Territories’ accountability for the funds provided to them by requiring a published annual consolidated report on the programme, including a comparative analysis of performance. The new arrangements will also include financial penalties for not complying with agreed reporting and other requirements, reduced red tape for State and Territories and streamlined approval processes.

This measure includes $4.7 million in capital funding in 2006-07 and 2007-08 to develop software that will allow the Department of Health and Ageing to receive and undertake analysis of State and Territories’ reports and data.

See the related expense measure Home and Community Care — funding to improve access to community care in the Health and Ageing portfolio.

Indigenous Communities — reducing substance abuse (petrol sniffing) — roll out of Opal fuel in Alice Springs

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	-	3.9	4.0	4.1

The Government will provide $11.9 million over four years to make available Opal fuel in Alice Springs to help reduce the incidence of petrol sniffing in Central Australia. Supplying petrol stations in Alice Springs with non‑sniffable Opal fuel will make it harder to access sniffable petrol there and in surrounding communities.

This measure builds on funding of $55.2 million over four years from 2006-07 that was provided in the 2006‑07 Budget measure Strengthening Indigenous Communities — reducing substance abuse (petrol sniffing).

Further information can be found in the press release of 11 September 2006 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Latent tuberculosis skin test

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.1

The Government will provide $2.8 million over four years for the purchase and distribution of skin tests for latent tuberculosis due to the decision of the current local provider to cease production of the test. The skin test is essential for conducting screening tests of health care workers, migrants, defence force recruits and personnel deployed overseas, as well as high risk indigenous communities, to help prevent the transfer of tuberculosis within the Australian population.

This measure will ensure the continuing supply to Australia of the skin test until a tender process to determine a future supplier is completed.

Medicare Benefits Schedule — new and revised listings

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	18.6	29.0	30.6	32.6
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	2.6	3.8	3.9	3.9
Total	21.1	32.8	34.5	36.5

The Government has added new and revised items on to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Veterans’ Benefits at a cost of $124.9 million over four years.

The changes include:

new items for consultation services with anaesthetists prior to hospital admissions;
a revised item for diagnosing gastritis, gastric ulcers and peptic ulcer disease;
revised items for practice nurses to undertake Pap smears in urban areas;
new items for single event multi level surgery to treat cerebral palsy in children (MBS only); and
new and revised items for paediatric orthopaedic procedures associated with the spine, hip and fractures (MBS only).

Further information can be found in the summary of changes included in the 1 November 2006 MBS issued by the Department of Health and Ageing.

National Immunisation Programme — human papilloma virus vaccine

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	92.1	220.4	85.3	39.0

The Government will provide $436.8 million over four years to fund a national human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination programme from 2007 for the prevention of cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine Gardasil® will be included in the National Immunisation Programme on an ongoing basis for 12 to 13 year old girls, to be delivered through schools. The Government will also fund a two year catch-up programme for 13 to 18 year old girls in schools and for 18 to 26 year old women to be delivered through GPs.

HPV is responsible for 70 per cent of all cervical cancers in Australia. A national vaccination programme will provide increased protection for women and girls in preventing cervical cancer.

Additional funding for delivery and implementation costs associated with this programme has been included in the Contingency Reserve and will be released when agreements are reached with the States and Territories.

Further information can be found in the press release of 29 November 2006 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

National Immunisation Programme — vaccine price increase

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	4.1	4.5	4.5	4.5

The Government will provide an additional $17.6 million over four years to continue to fund the cost of the Priorix ® vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella under the National Immunisation Programme (NIP). This additional funding is the result of the first price increase for this vaccine since 1998, and was agreed with the manufacturer following a recommendation from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Pricing Authority. This will ensure that the vaccine continues to be available free of charge under the NIP.

Pandemic influenza — additional funding for avian influenza vaccine trial

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	2.3	-	-	-

The Government will provide an additional $2.3 million in 2006-07 to support the second phase of CSL Limited’s avian influenza vaccine trial. This will continue efforts to protect Australia against the possibility of an influenza pandemic and to ensure the availability of a vaccine should its rapid deployment be required.

This measure builds on funding of $4.9 million in 2005-06 for the measure Pandemic influenza— fast tracking pandemic influenza vaccine production.

Pandemic influenza preparedness — improving border control and airport responses

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	0.8	0.8	0.4	0.4
Related capital ($m)
Department of Health and Ageing	1.6	-	-	-

The Government will provide $4.0 million over four years to ensure Australia’s readiness to activate border control measures quickly should the threat of pandemic influenza become imminent. This funding will train border workers to respond to an outbreak of pandemic influenza in the Torres Strait and/or far northern Australia and will also provide training for nurses to deal with potentially infected passengers at airports. The measure includes $1.6 million in capital funding in 2006-07 to secure sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment for all Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Australian Customs Service and Australian Federal Police officers at airports.

See the related expense measures for Pandemic influenza preparedness in the Health and Ageing; Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs; and Industry, Tourism and Resources portfolios.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — broadened eligibility for the use of lipid-lowering drugs

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	8.7	28.4	48.7	61.2
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	1.5	2.9	2.7	2.7
Medicare Australia	0.1	0.3	0.4	0.5
Total	10.3	31.5	51.9	64.3

The Government has, from 1 October 2006, broadened eligibility for the use of lipid-lowering drugs listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation PBS, at an estimated cost of $158.0 million over four years. This includes funding for administering payments through Medicare Australia.

Lipid-lowering drugs are used to treat high cholesterol in patients with, or at risk of, cardiovascular disease. The changes to the eligibility criteria will allow people with a family history of cardiovascular disease, people with complications of diabetes, and patients who have already had cardiovascular disease, to access these drugs irrespective of their current cholesterol levels.

The average cost to the PBS of providing lipid-lowering drugs is $58 per prescription. General consumers will pay a $29.50 co-payment per prescription and concession card holders will pay a $4.70 co-payment per prescription.

Further information can be found in the press release of 5 September 2006 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — extension to the listing of Mabthera® (rituximab)

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	21.6	23.6	27.3	27.4
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	1.6	1.8	1.9	1.9
Medicare Australia	..	..	..	..
Total	23.2	25.4	29.3	29.3

The Government has, from 1 August 2006, extended the listing of Mabthera® (rituximab) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the Repatriation PBS, at an estimated cost of $107.2 million over four years. This includes funding for administering payments through Medicare Australia.

Mabthera® is a drug used in the treatment of follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, in combination with standard chemotherapy regimes. Prior to the extension of the listing of Mabthera®, access to the drug was restricted to those patients who had relapsed or not shown adequate response to standard chemotherapy. The extension of the listing allows patients to combine Mabthera® with standard chemotherapy. This will help reduce tumour mass and improve survival time.

The average cost to the PBS of providing Mabthera® is $3,305 per patient per cycle. On average, eight cycles are required per patient. General consumers will pay a $29.50 co-payment per prescription (each cycle requires two prescriptions) and concession card holders will pay a $4.70 co-payment per prescription.

Further information can be found in the press release of 21 June 2006 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — extension to the listing of Pegasys® (peginterferon alfa-2a)

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	11.7	13.8	14.4	14.9
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
Medicare Australia	..	..	..	..
Total	11.8	13.9	14.5	14.9

The Government has, from 1 August 2006, extended the listing of Pegasys® (peginterferon alfa-2a) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation PBS, at an estimated cost of $55.2 million over four years. This includes funding for administering payments through Medicare Australia.

Pegasys® is a drug used in the treatment of inflammation associated with liver infection caused by hepatitis viruses. Prior to the extension of the listing of Pegasys®, access to the drug was restricted to certain patients with chronic hepatitis C. The extension of the listing will now provide access to the drug for certain patients with chronic hepatitis B. This will help reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

The average cost to the PBS of providing Pegasys® is $16,442 per patient per year. In the course of a year a patient is expected to require an average of 11.5 prescriptions. General consumers will pay a $29.50 co‑payment per prescription and concession card holders will pay a $4.70 co-payment per prescription.

Further information can be found in the press release of 21 June 2006 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — extension to the listings of Enbrel® (etanercept), Humira® (adalimumab) and Remicade® (infliximab)

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	3.2	7.2	9.6	11.1
Medicare Australia	0.2	0.3	0.3	0.3
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	..	0.1	0.1	0.2
Total	3.4	7.6	10.0	11.5

The Government has, from 1 August 2006, extended the listing of Enbrel® (etanercept), Humira® (adalimumab) and Remicade® (infliximab) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation PBS to psoriatic arthritis patients, at an estimated cost of $32.1 million over four years. This includes funding for administering payments through Medicare Australia.

Enbrel®, Humira® and Remicade® are biological Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatoid Drugs already listed on the PBS for other conditions. The drugs will now be used to treat psoriatic arthritis patients who are unresponsive to current approved treatments. The listing will allow patients to have subsidised access to the treatment most suited to their particular condition.

The Government has also provided $0.4 million over four years to Medicare Australia to fund costs incurred in relation to the previous listings of Enbrel® and Remicade® for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis.

The average cost per prescription to the PBS of providing Enbrel® and Humira® will be approximately $1,745.10 and for Remicade® the cost will be approximately $875.00. General consumers will pay a $29.50 co-payment per prescription and concession card holders will pay a $4.70 co-payment per prescription.

Further information can be found in the press release of 22 June 2006 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — extension to the listings of Taxotere® (docetaxel) and Anzatax®, Paclitaxel Ebewe® and Taxol® (paclitaxel)

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	5.1	8.0	9.8	11.7
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	0.2	0.3	0.3	0.4
Medicare Australia	..	..	..	..
Total	5.3	8.3	10.1	12.0

The Government has, from 1 October 2006, extended the listing of Taxotere® (docetaxel) and Anzatax®, Paclitaxel Ebewe® and Taxol® (paclitaxel) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the Repatriation PBS, at an estimated cost of $35.7 million over four years.

Taxotere®, Anzatax®, Paclitaxel Ebewe® and Taxol® are currently listed on the PBS for the treatment of several different cancers. The extension of the listing will provide subsidised access for the treatment of operable, early stage breast cancer which has spread to the lymph nodes. These drugs have been shown to improve survival rates in certain types of early stage breast cancer.

The average cost to the PBS of providing Taxotere® will be approximately $2,170 per patient per cycle. On average, six cycles are required per patient, with two prescriptions required per cycle. The average cost to the PBS of providing Anzatax®, Paclitaxel Ebewe® and Taxol® will be approximately $2,100 per patient per cycle. On average, four cycles are required per patient with one prescription required per cycle. General consumers will pay a $29.50 co-payment per prescription and concession card holders will pay a $4.70 co‑payment per prescription.

Further information can be found in the press release of 1 October 2006 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — listing of Herceptin® (trastuzumab)

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	118.2	117.2	113.8	116.5
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	1.8	2.0	1.8	1.8
Medicare Australia	0.3	0.4	0.4	0.4
Total	120.3	119.6	116.1	118.7
Related revenue ($m)
Department of Health and Ageing	nfp	nfp	nfp	nfp

The Government has, from 1 October 2006, listed Herceptin® (trastuzumab) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation PBS at an estimated cost of $474.7 million over four years. This includes funding for administering payments through Medicare Australia and additional expenditure for the Medicare Benefits Schedule and Veterans’ Benefits for the testing of eligibility for Herceptin®. Revenue offsets to the cost of the drug are provided under a pricing agreement negotiated between the Government and the drug manufacturer.

Herceptin® is used in the treatment of patients with HER2 positive early breast cancer following surgery. The impact of minor changes to the PBS eligibility requirements for the chemotherapy drugs docetaxel and paclitaxel, which are used in conjunction with Herceptin, are also included in the measure. The eligibility requirements were changed in order to ensure that all early breast cancer patients who are eligible for treatment with Herceptin® can use these drugs as part of their chemotherapy regime.

The average cost to the PBS of providing Herceptin® will be approximately $51,450 per patient per year. In the course of a year, a patient is expected to require an average of 15 prescriptions. General consumers will pay a $29.50 co-payment per prescription and concession card holders will pay a $4.70 co-payment per prescription.

Further information can be found in the press release of 22 August 2006 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — listing of Lantus® (insulin glargine) and Levemir® (insulin detemir)

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	18.7	32.6	42.0	49.6
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	0.6	1.1	1.3	1.5
Total	19.3	33.7	43.4	51.0
Related revenue ($m)
Department of Health and Ageing	nfp	nfp	nfp	nfp

The Government has, from 1 October 2006, listed Lantus® (insulin glargine) and Levemir® (insulin detemir) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), at an estimated cost to the PBS, Repatriation PBS and National Diabetes Services Scheme of $147.4 million over four years. Revenue offsets to the cost of the drugs are provided under a pricing agreement negotiated between the Government and the drug manufacturers.

Lantus® and Levemir® are used in the treatment of diabetes to maintain basic insulin levels. Both drugs are expected to reduce the incidence of episodes of low blood-sugar levels compared with currently available treatments. Both drugs will be used in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Lantus® will also be used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

The average cost to the PBS of providing Lantus® and Levemir® is $431.45 per prescription. General consumers will pay a $29.50 co-payment per prescription and concession card holders will pay a $4.70 co‑payment per prescription.

Further information can be found in the press release of 24 August 2006 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — listing of Prexige® (lumiracoxib)

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	4.4	15.0	20.7	26.8
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	0.4	1.2	1.6	2.0
Medicare Australia	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.2
Total	4.8	16.4	22.5	29.1

The Government has, from 1 August 2006, listed Prexige® (lumiracoxib) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation PBS, at an estimated cost of $72.7 million over four years. This includes funding for administering payments through Medicare Australia.

Prexige®, a COX-2 inhibitor, is used in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis. This listing will provide subsidised access to a third treatment option for patients with osteoarthritis who are treated using COX-2 inhibitors.

The average cost to the PBS of providing Prexige® will be approximately $371 per patient per year. General consumers will pay a $29.50 co-payment per prescription (each prescription provides 4 weeks’ treatment) and concession card holders will pay a $4.70 co-payment per prescription.

Further information can be found in the press release of 21 June 2006 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — minor new listings

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	24.9	41.7	52.4	58.2
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	1.0	2.3	2.9	3.2
Medicare Australia	0.5	0.9	1.0	1.2
Total	26.3	44.9	56.4	62.6

The Government has agreed to a number of minor new listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation PBS since the 2006-07 Budget, at a cost of $190.1 million over four years.

The minor new listings (including extensions of PBS listings) are a mix of drugs that have been listed at either no additional cost to the Budget (because they displace existing drugs) or at an estimated cost of each less than $10 million per annum.

New listings that have a minor cost include:

Flolan® for the treatment of certain patients with severe primary pulmonary hypertension;
Navelbine® for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer;
Ferro-f-tab® for the treatment of iron deficiency;
Physiotens® for the treatment of hypertension in patients receiving concurrent antihypertensive therapy; and
Certain anti-fungal creams and lotions for use by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Further information can be found in the summary of changes included in the 1 August 2006 and 1 December 2006 Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits issued by the Department of Health and Ageing.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform — achieving better value

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	2.3	6.6	-455.7	-560.3
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	-	0.1	-30.0	-34.9
Total	2.3	6.7	-485.7	-595.2
Related capital ($m)
Department of Health and Ageing	-	1.4	-	-

The Government will restructure the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) pricing arrangements to reduce the price it pays for medicines that have multiple suppliers or where there are acceptable alternatives for patients. Savings from this measure are estimated to be $1.7 billion over five years (including $622.7 million in 2010-11).

As part of this measure, from 1 August 2007, the PBS will be restructured into separate formularies that differentiate between medicines with only a single brand and medicines with multiple brands that are interchangeable at the patient level.

Mandatory price reductions for medicines with multiple brands will come into effect from 1 August 2008, with some medicines facing an immediate reduction of 25 per cent and others facing staged 2 per cent price reductions over a maximum three year period. From 1 August 2007 manufacturers applying to list a new brand against either those medicines subject to the staged price reductions, or medicines coming off patent, will be required to disclose the price at which they sell their drugs to pharmacies and wholesalers and the Government will use the average disclosed price as the basis for the listed price after 1 August 2009. New brands listed against medicines subject to the 25 per cent price reduction will not be required to disclose prices until 1 January 2011.

This measure includes funding for the Department of Health and Ageing of $12.1 million over five years (including $1.4 million of capital funding in 2007-08) to implement the reforms including ongoing reviews of the price at which medicines are sold to pharmacies and wholesalers, the development of software to support disclosure arrangements and the establishment of an industry-government working group to facilitate the introduction of the reforms.

See also the related expense measures Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform — pharmacy and pharmaceutical wholesaler structural adjustment package in the Health and Ageing portfolio and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform — streamlining authority prescribing arrangements in the Human Services portfolio.

Further information can be found in the press release of 16 November 2006 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform — pharmacy and pharmaceutical wholesaler structural adjustment package

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	-	8.3	295.2	320.2
Medicare Australia	3.6	14.0	13.2	14.4
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	-	1.9	22.0	23.8
Total	3.6	24.3	330.4	358.4
Related capital ($m)
Medicare Australia	0.6	0.4	-	-

The Government will provide $1.1 billion over five years (including $0.9 million in capital funding and $390.1 million in 2010-11) to assist pharmacies and pharmaceutical wholesalers to adjust to the new arrangements that will be introduced in Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform — achieving better value in the Health and Ageing portfolio.

The structural adjustment package includes:

increased mark-ups and dispensing fees for pharmacies;
incentives for pharmacies to dispense substitutable, premium-free brands of medicines;
incentives for pharmacies to claim Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) benefits using PBS Online; and
additional funding through the Community Service Obligation funding pool, which provides payments to eligible pharmaceutical wholesalers that provide timely and comprehensive delivery of the full range of PBS medicines.

See also the related expense measure Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform — streamlining authority prescribing arrangements in the Human Services portfolio.

Further information can be found in the press release of 16 November 2006 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Reciprocal health care agreement with Denmark

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	-	0.1	0.1	0.1

The Government will provide $0.2 million over four years from 2007-08 (including $72,000 in 2010-11) to cover health costs for visitors from Denmark under a reciprocal health care arrangement.

The reciprocal health care agreement between Australia and Denmark will allow visitors from Denmark to be eligible for Medicare assistance for immediate necessary medical treatment in Australia, with reciprocal arrangements applying to Australian visitors to Denmark.

Removal Pending Bridging Visa — health costs

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	..	..	..	..

The Government will provide $0.2 million over five years (including $19,000 in 2005-06) to cover health costs associated with the Removal Pending Bridging Visa.

The Removal Pending Bridging Visa has been established to permit persons who are found not to be refugees, but whose removal is not reasonably practicable at the time, to remain temporarily in Australia. This visa provides more flexibility in dealing with the small number of individuals for whom there are complex removal issues. Removal Pending Bridging Visa holders have access to a limited range of social support benefits, including access to Medicare and subsidised drugs under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Further information can be found in the press release of 23 March 2005 issued by the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

Royal Flying Doctor Service — additional funding

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Health and Ageing	5.0	-	-	-

The Government provided $5.0 million to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) South Eastern Section, a not-for-profit charitable organisation, as a contribution to the purchase of two King Air B200 aircraft. The replacement aircraft will be used for the delivery of medical services in rural and remote parts of New South Wales.

Further information can be found in the press release of 15 May 2006 issued by the Treasurer.

Human Services

Drought Package 2006 — communications

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Human Services	4.7	2.1	-	-

The Government will provide $6.8 million over two years to the Department of Human Services for conducting communications and media advertising as part of the 2006 drought assistance package.

The drought communication strategy will raise awareness of, and provide information about Government drought support measures.

Further information can be found in the press release of 24 October 2006 issued by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Medicare rebates — electronic claiming via EFTPOS

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Human Services	11.6	4.1	-	-
Medicare Australia	3.1	-1.3	-7.1	-15.9
Department of Health and Ageing	0.8	0.4	0.2	0.1
Total	15.4	3.2	-6.9	-15.7
Related capital ($m)
Medicare Australia	1.7	0.2	-	-

The Government will provide $133.4 million over four years to enable patients to electronically claim a Medicare rebate at their doctor’s surgery via the EFTPOS network.

This will allow patients with out-of-pocket costs (patients who are not bulk-billed) to pay for a doctor’s visit and receive their rebate directly into their bank account. Medical Practitioners will also benefit from more timely payment of bulk-billed claims, with payment occurring on the next business day.

The new claiming system is expected to be available in the second half of 2007. This streamlined method of claiming is expected to lead to lower administration costs for Medicare Australia of $137.4 million over four years.

Capital funding of $1.9 million has also been provided for the development of information technology requirements.

Further information can be found in the press release of 13 August 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform — streamlining authority prescribing arrangements

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Medicare Australia	0.7	1.4	1.0	1.0

The Government will provide an additional $5.2 million over five years (including $1.1 million in 2010-11) to enable certain medicines for stable long-term conditions, that previously required authorisation through a phone call to Medicare Australia, to be authorised by a doctor.

This measure also provides funding to enable Medicare Australia to undertake additional compliance monitoring of the new authority prescribing arrangements.

See also the related expense measures Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform — achieving better value and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform — pharmacy and pharmaceutical wholesaler structural adjustment package in the Health and Ageing portfolio.

Further information can be found in the press release of 16 November 2006 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Regulation reform agenda — electronic forms for general practitioners and reducing red tape for doctors

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Medicare Australia	0.8	0.6	0.5	0.5
Centrelink	0.3	..	..	..
Department of Health and Ageing	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1
Total	1.2	0.8	0.7	0.6

The Government will provide $3.2 million over four years to introduce electronic forms for use by general practitioners providing information, such as medical certificates, to Government departments and agencies (including Medicare Australia and Centrelink).

See also the related Regulation reform agenda measures in the Treasury, Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Industry, Tourism and Resources portfolios.

Further information can be found in the press release of 15 August 2006 issued by the Treasurer.

Immigration and Multicultural Affairs

International Council of Christians and Jews biennial world conference — contribution

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $40,000 to support the biennial world conference of the International Council of Christians and Jews to be held in Sydney in July 2007.

The cost of this measure will be fully met from within existing resources of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

National Action Plan for social cohesion, harmony and security — community engagement

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	3.8	3.7	3.8	3.8

The Government will provide $15.1 million over four years to continue the objectives of the national action plan for social cohesion, harmony and security. The funding will be provided for projects with state and territory governments and community organisations that help promote wider community engagement and participation by Muslims in social, sport, arts and other cultural and civic activities. It will also provide continued support for the Muslim Community Reference Group and fund further research into the causes of social disharmony within the Australian community.

Further information can be found in the press release of 16 July 2006 issued by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

National Action Plan for social cohesion, harmony and security — pilot programmes

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	0.8	0.4	0.4	-
Australian Sports Commission	0.6	0.7	0.7	-
Department of Education, Science and Training	0.3	0.4	0.3	-
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs	0.2	0.2	0.2	-
Total	1.9	1.7	1.7	-
Related capital ($m)
Australian Sports Commission	..	-	-	-

The Government will provide $5.2 million over three years (including $12,000 in capital funding in 2006-07) to conduct pilot programmes as part of the national action plan for social cohesion, harmony and security. The programmes will be conducted in Lakemba and Macquarie Fields in the first instance and will be evaluated in the third year.

The programmes are:

New Sporting Initiative for Disadvantaged Young Australians (Australian Sports Commission);
Employment Initiatives for Disadvantaged Australians (Department of Employment and Workplace Relations);
New Education Initiatives to Benefit Young Australians (Department of Education, Science and Training); and
Mentors to Assist Disadvantaged Young Australians (Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs).

Further information can be found in the joint press releases of 16 July 2006 issued by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and portfolio ministers.

Visas — improvements to the management of temporary skilled migration

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs	3.8	4.5	4.6	4.6
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	1.0	1.5	1.5	1.6
Total	4.8	6.0	6.1	6.2
Related capital ($m)
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations	0.3	-	-	-

The Government will provide $23.5 million over four years to improve management of the temporary skilled migration (457) visa.

This funding includes $17.6 million for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to establish and train investigative mobile strike teams to ensure that employers of temporary skilled migrants comply with the conditions of the visa.

The remaining $5.9 million is for the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations for measures to improve the negotiation and management of Labour Agreements. This amount includes $0.3 million in capital funding for internally developed software and hardware to facilitate on-site visits to businesses engaging in Labour Agreements.

Further information can be found in the press release of 30 October 2006 issued by the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

Industry, Tourism and Resources

Beaconsfield Community Fund — establishment

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	7.2	1.1	-	-

The Government will provide $8.3 million over two years from 2006-07 to establish the Beaconsfield Community Fund in partnership with the West Tamar Council. The Fund is a merit-based grants programme established in response to the accident and subsequent events at the Beaconsfield Gold Mine in Tasmania. The Fund will provide financial support for a range of economic, social and culturally related development initiatives for the benefit of the Beaconsfield community.

See also the related expense measure titled Larry Knight Scholarship —establishment in the Education, Science and Training portfolio.

Further information can be found in the press release of 29 May 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

Cyclones Monica and Larry Business Assistance Fund for Cape York — establishment

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	8.8	-	-	-
Related revenue ($m)
Australian Taxation Office	..	..	..	..

The Government will provide $10.3 million over two years from 2005-06 to businesses that have been adversely affected by the cumulative effects of Tropical Cyclones Larry and Monica on Cape York.

The Government is providing one-off, tax-free grants of $10,000 to businesses in the affected area. Businesses that can demonstrate significant losses may also be eligible for an additional grant of $15,000. The grants will assist business recovery, through funding activities such as re-stocking, re-planting, re‑establishment and clean-up.

Further information can be found in the press releases of 26 May 2006 and 7 July 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

Energy initiatives — ethanol distribution scheme — establishment

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	6.3	8.2	2.8	-

The Government will commit $17.2 million over three years to reduce the upfront costs of infrastructure upgrades for service station operators to encourage retail sales of ethanol (E10) fuels blends.

The Government will provide up to $10,000 for retail service stations that convert to supply E10 after the upgrade is complete, and up to an additional $10,000 after an E10 sales target is met.

Further information can be found in the Prime Minister’s Statement to Parliament on Energy Initiatives of 14 August 2006.

Energy initiatives — identifying potential onshore energy sources — establishment

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Geoscience Australia	7.4	14.8	14.8	12.7

The Government will provide $58.9 million in funding over five years, including $9.2 million in 2010-11, for Geoscience Australia to identify potential onshore energy sources such as petroleum and geothermal energy, using the latest geophysical imagery and mapping techniques.

The information gathered through this programme will help attract companies to explore in new areas by enhancing the chances of discovery and reducing the risk to investors.

Further information can be found in the Prime Minister’s Statement to Parliament on Energy Initiatives of 14 August 2006.

Energy initiatives — liquefied petroleum gas vehicle purchase and conversion rebate — establishment

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	74.7	105.6	154.9	124.2
Related revenue ($m)
Australian Taxation Office	-1.0	-38.0	-146.0	-133.0

The Government will provide $835.9 million over nine years, including $376.5 million from 2010-11 to 2014-15, to encourage consumers to purchase new Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vehicles and convert existing vehicles to use LPG.

Individuals who purchase a new factory-fitted LPG powered vehicle for private use will receive a rebate of $1000 under the programme. Individuals who convert their car to LPG for private use will receive a rebate of $2000.

This measure will also result in forgone excise revenue, as LPG is concessionally taxed compared to conventional petroleum fuels.

Further information can be found in the Prime Minister’s Statement to Parliament on Energy Initiatives of 14 August 2006.

Energy initiatives — pre-competitive data development — expansion

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Geoscience Australia	5.0	22.4	21.2	13.2
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	0.4	0.5	0.4	0.3
Total	5.4	22.9	21.7	13.6
Related capital ($m)
Geoscience Australia	-	2.0	-	-

The Government will provide $76.4 million over five years for Geoscience Australia, including $11.3 million in 2010-11, to expand its current programme of seismic analysis and data collection in new frontier offshore areas to be chosen in consultation with industry. This additional funding will enable Geoscience Australia to supply petroleum and mineral exploration companies with new geoscience information necessary to reduce exploration risk and encourage exploration in new frontier areas.

There is related funding for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, including $0.4 million in 2010̩11, to support policy and regulatory development.

The funding includes a $2.0 million capital component for Geoscience Australia to provide for an upgraded seismic data storage system.

Further information can be found in the Prime Minister’s Statement to Parliament on Energy Initiatives of 14 August 2006.

General Motors Holden assistance

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	2.0	2.0	-	2.7

The Government will provide $6.7 million over four years to General Motors (GM) Holden to introduce safety and fuel management improvements and further reduce greenhouse gas emissions on Commodore vehicles. The funding will support research and development, as well as training to allow re-engineering on selected models. The research and development will enhance GM Holden’s technical capacities and its long-term position as the owner of rear-wheel drive architecture within GM’s global operations.

The South Australian and Victorian Governments are matching the $6.7 million being provided by the Australian Government for this project.

Further information can be found in the press release of 23 October 2006 issued by the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources.

Innovation and Investment Fund for South Australia — establishment

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	1.0	11.7	10.5	5.2

The Government will provide $25.0 million to the Innovation and Investment Fund for South Australia as part of $30.0 million in competitive grant funding to attract new investment and job opportunities to South Australia. The South Australian Government will contribute $5.0 million to this Fund.

The Fund, in combination with a $5.0 million labour market assistance package, will be provided to assist the community, workers and families affected by the closure of two Electrolux Pty Ltd plants in South Australia.

See also the related expense measure titled Labour assistance package — Electrolux in the Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio.

Further information can be found in the announcement of 14 September 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

Pandemic influenza preparedness — industry assistance

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	0.7	-	-	-

The Government will provide $0.7 million in 2006-07 to advance community preparedness for influenza pandemics by facilitating business continuity planning arrangements, particularly for the small business and tourism sectors.

Business preparedness information seminars and an industry awareness campaign will be conducted on the potential impact of a pandemic, complementing the release of a Business Continuity Guide and Kit for small businesses that provides guidance on effective contingency planning.

See also the related expense measures for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness in the Health and Ageing; Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; and Family, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs portfolios.

Port Kembla Industry Facilitation Fund — establishment

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	2.6	2.6	-	-

The Government will provide $5.2 million over two years from 2006-07 to establish the Port Kembla Industry Facilitation Fund. The Fund is a merit-based grants programme in response to the decision by BlueScope Steel to close its tin mill operations in Port Kembla, New South Wales. Grant funds totalling $5.0 million will be available for new investment by businesses that create sustainable new job opportunities in the Port Kembla area and assist the community recover from this setback.

See also the related expense measure titled Labour assistance package —Port Kembla BlueScope in the Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio.

Further information can be found in the press release of 29 June 2006 issued by the then acting Prime Minister, the Hon Peter Costello MP.

Regulation reform agenda — business consultation website

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	0.4	0.2	0.3	0.3

The Government will provide $1.2 million over four years to establish a business consultation website to improve consultation by Australian Government departments and agencies with industry when regulatory options are being developed. The website will support effective consultation with stakeholders at all stages of the regulatory cycle.

See also the related Regulation reform agenda measures in the Industry, Tourism and Resources, Treasury, Prime Minister and Cabinet and Human Services portfolios.

Further information can be found in the press release of 15 August 2006 issued by the Treasurer.

Regulation reform agenda — national mine safety framework

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	0.4	0.5	0.4	-

The Government will provide $1.3 million over three years to develop a national regulatory model in the area of mine safety regulation, including work toward a single regulator for mine safety.

See also the related Regulation reform agenda measures in the Industry, Tourism and Resources, Treasury, Prime Minister and Cabinet and Human Services portfolios.

Further information can be found in the press release of 15 August 2006 issued by the Treasurer.

Regulation reform agenda — national trade measurement

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	0.3	0.1	0.1	-

The Government will provide $0.6 million over three years to develop a nationally consistent trade measurement regime, rationalising the different regulatory regimes of the Commonwealth, states and territories and streamlining the present arrangements for cost recovery and the certification of trade measuring instruments.

See also the related Regulation reform agenda measures in the Industry, Tourism and Resources, Treasury, Prime Minister and Cabinet and Human Services portfolios.

Further information can be found in the press release of 15 August 2006 issued by the Treasurer.

Regulation reform agenda — new to business checklist

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1

The Government will provide $0.5 million over four years to develop and distribute a New to Business checklist to assist people establishing or intending to establish new businesses, providing relevant Government information in a clear and business-friendly manner.

See also the related Regulation reform agenda measures in the Industry, Tourism and Resources, Treasury, Prime Minister and Cabinet and Human Services portfolios.

Further information can be found in the press release of 15 August 2006 issued by the Treasurer.

Small and Medium Enterprises Intermediary Services

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $4.0 million over two years from 2006-07 to support continued access by small and medium sized enterprises to intermediary services provided by the Australian Institute of Commercialisation and the InnovationXchange. The intermediary services will assist enterprises to adopt commercially viable technologies.

The cost of this measure will be met from within existing resources for the Commercial Ready Programme in the Industry, Tourism and Resources portfolio.

South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement Scheme — amendment

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $1.1 million over five years (including $0.2 million in 2010-11) to implement and administer changes to the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Provisions) Scheme. These changes will improve access to the Australian market for Fiji’s textile, clothing and footwear industry.

The cost of this measure will be met from within existing resources of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources.

Parliamentary Departments

Parliamentarians — superannuation funding

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the House of Representatives	0.1	0.3	0.4	0.4
Department of the Senate	0.1	0.1	0.3	0.3
Total	0.2	0.5	0.7	0.7

The Government will provide $2.1 million over four years to increase the level of superannuation for Parliamentarians elected at the 2004 Federal election and subsequently from 9 per cent of Parliamentary salaries to 15.4 per cent (the same as that paid to Commonwealth Public Servants).

Further information can be found in the press release of 7 September 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister and Cabinet

Council of Australian Governments (COAG) priorities endorsed by the Australian Government

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	1.8	0.1	-	-

The Government will provide $1.9 million over two years to support new initiatives arising from the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting on 14 July 2006. Funding will support the following areas:

$0.5 million in 2006-07 to support increased activity to develop substantive reform proposals in the areas of diabetes, literacy and numeracy, and early childhood and childcare;
$0.1 million in 2006-07 to undertake work to strengthen the integrity of the 457 Temporary Business (Long Stay) visa sub class arrangements relating to skilled temporary migrants;
$0.2 million in 2006-07 for participation in the COAG Working Group on Indigenous Generational Reform and refining reporting to COAG on Indigenous issues;
$0.2 million in 2006-07 for continuation of the Health Working Group (to progress health workforce initiatives);
$0.6 million in 2006-07 and $0.1 million in 2007-08 to implement the decision to further refine the National Action Plan for Human Influenza Pandemic;
$0.1 million in 2006-07 to support the progression of double jeopardy law reform via a COAG Senior Officials working group; and
$0.1 million in 2006-07 to support further work on the inter-jurisdictional exchange of criminal history information for people working or seeking work with children, via a COAG Senior Officials working group.

Examination of inquiries into the death of Pilot Officer Craig Mackelmann

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	0.3	-	-	-

The Government will provide $0.3 million in 2006-07 to conduct an examination into the adequacy of the previous inquiries into the death of Pilot Officer Craig Mackelmann in a Mirage aircraft accident in 1986.

Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman — additional resourcing

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman	1.2	1.3	1.3	1.4
Related capital ($m)
Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman	0.1	-	-	-

The Government will provide $5.3 million over four years (including $0.1 million in capital funding) to the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman for an increase in workload.

The increase in activity is a result of the introduction of Welfare to Work; implementation of the Law Enforcement (AFP Professional Standards and Related Measures) Act 2006, due to commence on 1 September 2006; and amendments to the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979.

Office of Water Resources — establishment

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	2.0	2.5	-	-

The Government will provide $4.5 million over two years to create an Office of Water Resources (the Office) to advise the Prime Minister and to coordinate policy advice across Australian Government agencies.

The Office will oversee the implementation of the COAG National Water Initiative, the Murray-Darling Basin Intergovernmental Agreement, including the Living Murray initiative and the Australian Government Water Fund. The Office will complement the activities of the National Water Commission which was established to facilitate implementation of the National Water Initiative.

Further information can be found in the press release of 26 September 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

Regulation reform agenda — improved support to government decision-making process

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3

The Government will provide $1.2 million over four years to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to implement the regulation reform agenda and strengthen Cabinet Secretariat processes to improve the quality of new regulation.

See also the related Regulation reform agenda measures in the Treasury, Industry, Tourism and Resources and Human Services portfolios.

Further information can be found in the joint press release of 7 April 2006 issued by the Prime Minister and the Treasurer and the press release of 15 August 2006 issued by the Treasurer.

State Occasions and Official Visits — additional funding

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	0.4	-	-	-
Related capital ($m)
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $0.4 million in 2006-07 to assist in the transportation of the newly constructed State Coach Britannia to the Royal Mews in London and to fund specific costs associated with its construction.

Strategic Maritime Management Committee secretariat — additional funding

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	0.2	0.3	0.3	0.3

The Government will provide $1.1 million over four years to support the Strategic Maritime Management Committee.

The committee will provide whole-of-government policy and strategic direction with regard to Australia’s civil maritime security. It will regularly consider maritime security threats, advise the Government on appropriate response arrangements and review the effectiveness of maritime enforcement programmes.

Uranium Mining Processing and Nuclear Energy Review Taskforce — establishment

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	3.9	-	-	-

The Government will provide $3.9 million in 2006-07 to fund the Uranium Mining Processing and Nuclear Energy Review (UMPNER) Taskforce. The Taskforce was established to undertake a comprehensive review of uranium mining, processing and the potential of nuclear energy in Australia in the longer term.

Further information can be found in the press release of 6 June 2006 issued by the Prime Minister.

Transport and Regional Services

Airspace management reform in Australia

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Civil Aviation Safety Authority	2.0	-	-	-
Department of Transport and Regional Services	-	4.2	-	-
Total	2.0	4.2	-	-

The Government will provide $6.2 million over two years to implement key reforms to the governance and management of Australian airspace.

The Department of Transport and Regional Services will receive $4.2 million in 2007-08 to develop a national Airspace Plan in partnership with its portfolio agencies, the Department of Defence and industry representatives, to provide a policy framework for airspace management and reform.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority will receive $2.0 million in 2006-07 to establish the Office of Airspace Regulation to undertake, from 1 July 2007, the role of the regulator of airspace classification and designation. Ongoing operating costs for this function will be recovered from industry through Airservices Australia’s enroute charges system.

Further information can be found in the press release of 14 September 2006 issued by the Minister for Transport and Regional Services.

Australian Outback Development Consortium — contribution

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Transport and Regional Services	0.5	-	-	-

The Government will contribute $0.5 million in 2006-07 to assist the Australian Outback Development Consortium Ltd. The Consortium’s activities support the Year of the Outback, which showcases regional and rural Australia through conferences, meetings, exhibitions and sport and youth activities.

Further information can be found in the press release of 8 November 2006 issued by the Minister for Transport and Regional Services.

Better roads — upgrade of intersection at Whitehorse and Springvale Roads, Victoria

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Transport and Regional Services	-	-	-	-

The Government will contribute $25.0 million from 2006-07 to 2008-09 towards the upgrade of the intersection of Whitehorse and Springvale Roads in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Australian Government funding will be contingent upon the Victorian Government contributing the balance of the project cost.

The Government’s contribution to the Whitehorse and Springvale Roads intersection upgrade will be met by the reallocation of AusLink funds which had previously been set aside for the construction of the Scoresby Road as an un-tolled freeway. Funding from the Scoresby Road project became available for reallocation following the Victorian Government’s decision to build the Scoresby Road as a tolled road.

Further information can be found in the press release of 31 July 2006 issued by the Treasurer.

Enhancing aviation security — screening for liquids, aerosols and gels

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Transport and Regional Services	*	*	*	*

The Government will facilitate the introduction of the requirement to screen for liquids, aerosols and gels carried onboard aircraft flying international routes.

From 31 March 2007, restrictions will apply on the quantity of liquids, aerosols and gels that passengers can carry onboard international inbound and outbound flights, and improved security screening procedures will apply. These measures will harmonise Australian practice with international action that has recently been taken by the United States, Canada, and the European Union and the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

As these restrictions may result in longer security screening times at airports, the Government will conduct an information campaign, investigate and trial advanced screening technologies and provide training for security screeners. Costs for these activities are yet to be agreed and appropriate provision has been made in the Contingency Reserve.

Further information can be found in the press release of 8 December 2006 issued by the Minister for Transport and Regional Services.

National aerial firefighting — additional assistance

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Transport and Regional Services	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $2.5 million in 2006-07 to the National Aerial Firefighting Centre. The funding will be used to meet part of the costs of leasing a third firefighting helicopter, with the remaining cost to be met by state governments.

The cost of this measure will be met from within existing resources of the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements programme.

Further information can be found in the press release of 17 October 2006 issued by the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads.

Treasury

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority — revised funding arrangements

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority	-	2.5	2.5	2.5

The Government will provide $10.0 million over four years from 2007-08 (including $2.5 million in 2010-11) to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority to compensate for the interest revenue forgone as a result of becoming an agency subject to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission — revised funding arrangements

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Securities and Investments Commission	-	2.5	2.5	2.5

The Government will provide $10.0 million over four years from 2007-08 (including $2.5 million in 2010-11) to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to compensate for the interest revenue forgone as a result of becoming an agency subject to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.

Fuel Tax Credit — transitional arrangements

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Taxation Office	7.6	4.9	-	-

The Government will provide $12.5 million over two years to amend systems and processes to enable eligible claimants to claim for early payment of fuel tax credit entitlements and later reconcile these on the Business Activity Statement (BAS). This two year transitional period will allow additional time for business to align their practices to the new arrangements so that by 1 July 2008 all fuel users who make claims will be ready to do so via the BAS.

This measure builds on funding of $37.0 million over four years from the 2006-07 Budget measure Fuel Excise reform — implementation.

Further information can be found in the press release of 1 June 2006 issued by the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer.

Horticulture Mandatory Code of Conduct — enforcement

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission	2.5	2.2	2.2	2.2
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	-	-	-	-
Total	2.5	2.2	2.2	2.2

The Government will provide $9.1 million over four years to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to enforce a Mandatory Horticultural Code prescribed under the Trade Practices Act 1974. The Code is intended to clarify the responsibilities and obligations of growers and wholesale traders and improve the transparency of transactions across the fresh fruit and vegetable industry. The cost of implementing the Code will be met from within existing resources of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Further information can be found in the press release of 19 September 2006 issued by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Regulation reform agenda — coordination of implementation

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Treasury	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.3

The Government will provide $1.3 million over four years to the Department of the Treasury to coordinate the implementation of the Government Response to the Report of the Taskforce on Reducing Regulatory Burdens on Business.

See also the related Regulation reform agenda measures in the Treasury, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Industry, Tourism and Resources and Human Services portfolios.

Further information can be found in the joint press release of 7 April 2006 issued by the Prime Minister and the Treasurer and the press release of 15 August 2006 issued by the Treasurer.

Regulation reform agenda — enhanced role of the Office of Best Practice Regulation

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Productivity Commission	2.9	2.6	3.1	3.2
Related capital ($m)
Productivity Commission	0.7	-	-	-

The Government will provide $12.5 million over four years to the Productivity Commission to undertake the annual review of regulation and for the enhanced role of the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR), including $0.7 million in capital for accommodation and information and communications technology fit out.

See also the related Regulation reform agenda measures in the Treasury, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Industry, Tourism and Resources and Human Services portfolios.

Further information can be found in the joint press release of 7 April 2006 issued by the Prime Minister and the Treasurer and the press release of 15 August 2006 issued by the Treasurer.

Regulation reform agenda — improved business registration process

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Australian Taxation Office	2.2	-	-	-
Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources	0.5	-	-	-
Total	2.7	-	-	-

The Government will provide $2.7 million in 2006-07 to the Australian Taxation Office and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources to develop a model to deliver a seamless, single on-line registration system for both Australian Business Numbers and business names, as recommended by the Taskforce on Reducing Regulatory Burdens on Business.

See also the related Regulation reform agenda measures in the Treasury, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Industry, Tourism and Resources and Human Services portfolios.

Further information can be found in the press release of 15 August 2006 issued by the Treasurer.

Tax Information Exchange Agreements — technical assistance

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of the Treasury	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1

The Government will provide $0.5 million over four years to the Department of the Treasury to provide technical assistance as part of Australia’s programme of Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) negotiations.

TIEAs provide for effective information exchange between two countries unhindered by restrictions such as bank secrecy laws, and are an important element in Australia’s efforts to combat offshore tax avoidance and evasion.

Veterans’ Affairs

British Nuclear Tests Programme — health testing and treatment for participants

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	4.0	3.4	3.8	4.4
Related revenue ($m)
Australian Taxation Office	-	-	-	-
Related capital ($m)
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	0.2	-	-	-

The Government will provide $15.7 million over four years (including $0.2 million in capital funding) to Australian participants of the British Nuclear Tests Programme for access to ongoing health testing and treatment of all malignant cancers, irrespective of possible causation. This assistance will be available to all military personnel, Australian Public Service employees or third party civilian participants in the programme. The measure also includes the striking of a commemorative medallion to mark the 50th anniversary in 2007 of the British Nuclear Tests.

The Government will exempt from taxation payments made under the British Nuclear Tests Programme for reimbursement of travelling expenses incurred by eligible participants and, where necessary, an accompanying attendant in receiving cancer treatment and/or screening.

The capital funding in 2006-07 is for internally developed software to facilitate required system changes.

Further information can be found in the press release of 28 June 2006 issued by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.

Veterans’ Healthcare — increased payments for services provided to eligible veterans

Expense ($m)
	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Department of Veterans’ Affairs	81.6	130.9	136.7	142.9

The Government will provide $492.0 million over four years to increase payments to healthcare providers treating veterans under the Gold Card and White Card arrangements. Increases have applied from 1 November 2006 for medical specialists, dental practitioners, allied health providers, pathologists and optometrists. An increase for general practitioners (via the Veterans’ Access Payment) will apply from 1 May 2007.

Further information can be found in the press release of 12 September 2006 issued by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.

Expense measures

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Attorney-General’s

Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

Defence

Education, Science and Training

Employment and Workplace Relations

Environment and Heritage

Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Finance and Administration

Foreign Affairs and Trade

Health and Ageing

Industry, Tourism and Resources

Parliamentary Departments

Prime Minister and Cabinet

Treasury

Veterans’ Affairs

2006-07 Budget Documents

Miscellaneous

Legal information