CARBON TAX

In reply to Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (2 July 2013).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): As Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation I have received this advice:

An adjustment in 2011-12 was made by the Department of Treasury and Finance to the departmental budget, to recognise additional costs of the carbon price beginning in 2012-13. The adjustment provided an additional budget of $91,000 for 2012-13 and $97,000 for 2013-14, which will assist towards the costs of electricity and gas charges.

The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources considers these costs to be of a normal operating nature and has not created a specific provision to cover carbon price costs against electricity, gas and other associated costs.