SUPPLY BILL 1995-96

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (10.31): Mr Speaker, I present the Supply Bill 1995-96, together with the explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MRS CARNELL: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

This Bill is to authorise expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund from 1 July 1995. It is an interim Bill which will lapse upon the enactment of the Appropriation Bill 1995-96, which will be introduced into this Assembly with the 1995-96 budget for the ACT. This Bill authorises an amount of $658,430,000 to be issued by the Treasurer from the Consolidated Fund. This amount will be issued for the administrative units and programs specified in the schedule, to cover payments necessary for the continuing operation of government services.

The amounts for each administrative unit provide for expenditure for the interim period between the commencement of the financial year and the passing of the Appropriation Bill. The Supply Bill provides for five months' expenditure to cover the provision of the normal services of government. Funding for salaries expenditure provides for the first 12 pays for 1995-96. This will provide for the payment of salaries up until mid-December. Funding for non-salaries expenditure is for five months, except where specific patterns of expenditure apply. In relation to non-salaries expenditure, allowances have been made for full year Comcare payments payable by 30 September 1995; the full year estimate for Treasurer's Advance to meet circumstances unforeseen at the time of preparing the Supply Bill; and grants to non-government bodies, especially in the education and health areas, which are paid in quarterly instalments in advance.

To allow agency heads greater flexibility in financial management, the level of appropriation of moneys by the Assembly will be to administrative units. Visibility and accountability will not be jeopardised by this measure. Agencies will be required to report at program and subprogram level. The Supply Bill enables the creation of a new trust account - the ACT Academy of Sport Trust Account. This conforms with the recommendation of the Auditor-General to separately account for the finances of the academy.

Debate (on motion by Ms Follett) adjourned.

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