Finance and Administration
Asset sales function — continuation of resourcing
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Finance and Administration | 1.3 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $1.3 million in 2007-08 to continue the programme of asset sales activities within the Department of Finance and Administration and to fund the legal and related costs associated with a recent stamp duty assessment on the sale of the Sydney Airports Corporation Limited.
The Government is disputing an assessment of stamp duty under Chapter 3 of the Duties Act 1997 (NSW). The amount of the disputed assessment is estimated to be between $258.9 million and $401.5 million.
Australian Government Online Service Point — establishment
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Finance and Administration | 8.0 | 8.4 | 4.9 | 4.8 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Department of Finance and Administration | 11.3 | 5.0 | - | - |
The Government will provide $42.4 million over four years (including $16.3 million in capital funding) to develop australia.gov.au as the Australian Government Online Service Point. australia.gov.au will be the primary online entry point to government for individuals. It will offer simple and convenient access to online information and services provided by all Australian Government agencies.
This will meet key objectives of the 2006 e-Government Strategy.
Further information can be found in the press release of 2 May 2007 issued by the Special Minister of State.
Australian Government Superannuation — strengthening information technology capacity
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Superannuation Administration | 0.3 | -1.6 | 2.2 | 0.4 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Commonwealth Superannuation Administration | 2.0 | 10.7 | 10.4 | 10.4 |
The Government will provide $46.3 million over four years (including $33.5 million in capital funding) to modernise the IT systems of the Commonwealth Superannuation Administration (ComSuper). This will help ensure that ComSuper can continue to effectively administer Australian Government superannuation schemes and meet the requirements of regulators.
ComSuper will receive additional funding of $34.7 million, with the remaining costs met from within its existing resourcing.
Australian Government’s unfunded liability to universities’ superannuation arrangements — scoping study
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Finance and Administration | 2.6 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $2.9 million over two years (including $0.2 million in 2006-07) to conduct a scoping study to examine options for managing its share of the universities’ unfunded superannuation liability.
Civilian and Military Superannuation Schemes — providing more equitable arrangements for certain pensioners and scheme members
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Superannuation Administration | 0.4 | 0.1 | - | - |
| Finance and Administration | * | * | * | * |
| Total | 0.4 | 0.1 | * | * |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Commonwealth Superannuation Administration | 0.3 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $0.8 million over four years (including $0.3 million in capital funding in 2007-08) to address certain elements of the Commonwealth civilian and military superannuation schemes from 1 January 2008. Upon successful application, spouse pensions cancelled upon remarriage, prior to 1976 in certain civilian schemes and prior to 1977 in military schemes, will be prospectively reinstated. Members of the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme and the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme will also be able to access their funded account balances on limited severe financial hardship or compassionate grounds provided under the superannuation regulatory framework.
Comcover — discontinuation of the reinsurance programme
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Finance and Administration | -22.9 | -23.1 | -23.1 | -23.3 |
| Related revenue ($m) | ||||
| Department of Finance and Administration | -0.5 | -0.5 | -0.5 | -0.5 |
The Government has reviewed the operations of Comcover, the Government’s general insurance organisation which insures budget-funded agencies and promotes risk management, and will discontinue most elements of its reinsurance with the private sector from 1 July 2007. This reflects the capacity of the Government to more cost‑effectively self insure against the possibility of infrequent major insurable events.
This measure will result in a net saving of $90.6 million over four years, with ongoing savings in later years. This reflects a reduction in reinsurance premiums, offset by a small reduction in recovery revenue from insurers.
Commonwealth Grants Commission — re-appointment of Commissioner
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Grants Commission | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
The Government will provide $0.6 million over five years (including $0.1 million in 2006-07) to cover the cost of the remuneration of a part-time Commissioner appointed to the Commonwealth Grants Commission in 2006.
ComSuper Simplified Superannuation
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Superannuation Administration | 0.9 | - | - | - |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Commonwealth Superannuation Administration | 0.6 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $6.0 million over two years (including $4.5 million in 2006-07) to the Commonwealth Superannuation Administration (ComSuper) to implement the Simplified Superannuation reforms announced on 5 September 2006, for the Australian Government superannuation schemes.
Fort Scratchley — additional resourcing for restoration
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Finance and Administration | 4.0 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $4.0 million in 2007-08 for the restoration of historic Fort Scratchley located in Newcastle, New South Wales. This brings the Government’s commitment to restoring the site to approximately $10.0 million. The overall project costs have increased due to vandalism, an escalation in construction costs, and increased costs in meeting environmental and heritage obligations.
Members of Parliament staff — additional resources
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Finance and Administration | 16.4 | 17.0 | 17.4 | 16.7 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Department of Finance and Administration | 2.4 | 3.9 | 3.1 | - |
The Government will provide $89.8 million over five years (including $12.8 million in 2006-07) to cover the cost of an additional electorate officer for each Senator and Member of Parliament. This includes related capital funding of $12.1 million for fit-out, relocation and minor refurbishment of electorate offices.
Members of Parliament staff — enhanced security arrangements
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Finance and Administration | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
The Government will provide $1.0 million over four years to undertake police background checks for all Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 (MOP(S) Act) employees and to provide security awareness training for those employees holding a Top Secret security clearance.
This measure will increase awareness of security issues amongst MOP(S) Act employees and help provide a more secure environment in Parliament House.
Members of Parliament staff — occupational health and safety and employee assistance services
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Finance and Administration | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 2.2 |
The Government will provide $6.1 million over four years to provide comprehensive occupational health and safety, workplace rehabilitation and employee assistance services to Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 (MOP(S) Act) employees.
This measure will help to ensure MOP(S) Act employees have a safe and healthy working environment in both their electorate and Parliament House office locations and will assist in reducing and managing workplace incidents. Employee assistance services will provide greater support to MOP(S) Act employees in performing their jobs.
Programme reviews — enhanced framework
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Finance and Administration | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
The Government will provide $19.8 million over four years to establish an enhanced framework for the strategic review of government programmes. This measure includes funding for a team within the Department of Finance and Administration together with funding to undertake approximately 14 reviews per year.
Superannuation — reforming the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme and the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Superannuation Administration | 2.1 | 2.1 | - | - |
| Various Agencies | - | 32.8 | 71.2 | 75.3 |
| Department of Finance and Administration | -3.2 | -36.8 | -76.0 | -84.2 |
| Total | -1.2 | -1.9 | -4.8 | -8.9 |
| Related revenue ($m) | ||||
| Australian Taxation Office | - | 3.4 | 10.7 | 14.5 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Commonwealth Superannuation Administration | 1.1 | - | - | - |
The Government will introduce a package of reforms designed to provide Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS) and Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS) members with more flexible superannuation arrangements and encourage members to remain in the workforce longer.
The Government will reform the maximum benefit limits for the PSS, with effect from 1 January 2008. It will also remove the requirement for mandatory member contributions in the PSS and CSS, and provide PSS members with choice of superannuation fund, with effect from 1 July 2008.
The reduction in the PSS and CSS expenses of $200.2 million over four years principally reflects reduced benefits accruing in these schemes for members who exercise the choice option or who choose to make lower employee contributions. Members who exercise the choice option will accrue benefits in a funded superannuation scheme.
The Commonwealth Superannuation Administration (ComSuper) will receive an additional $5.3 million over two years, including $1.1 million in capital, to implement these changes.
The changes will also result in an increase in taxation revenue, as a result of increased employer superannuation contributions to funded schemes.



