STATE GOVERNMENT CONCESSIONS

In reply to the Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (26 June 2013).

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts): I have been advised of the following:

The Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) and the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) do not forecast concessions recipient numbers to estimate concession expenditure across the forward estimates.

Estimated actual and emerging spending is escalated by an appropriate indexation factor (generally growth in the relevant population and any price changes). Adjustments are also made for any policy changes where appropriate.

The table below provides a breakdown of the total budget for concessions across the forward estimates.

To provide this breakdown, some assumptions, including previous years' actual results and information on estimated water usage by eligible concession recipients, have been used to determine the split between the water, sewerage and council rate concessions as they are recorded together in a single expenditure line. In addition, some concessions do not result in an actual expenditure but are delivered via lower than otherwise charges payable (i.e. revenue foregone by the government).

(a) Includes the medical heating and cooling concession.

(b) Includes motor vehicle registration and drivers licence concessions and other concessional assistance such as the spectacles scheme.

(c) Totals may not add due to rounding.

The table below outlines estimated recipient numbers for all concessions across the forward estimates. These estimates are implied based on budgeted expenditure (and revenue forgone) and expected concession levels:

(a) Motor vehicle registration and drivers licence concession recipients cannot be derived accurately as fees vary depending on circumstances i.e. the number of engine cylinders for motor vehicle registrations and number of years for drivers licence renewals.