TRANSPORT SAFETY AND REGULATION SERVICES PROGRAM

91 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (31 July 2007).

1. Why did the estimated result for 'employee benefits and costs' under the Transport Safety and Regulation Services Program exceed the budgeted amount by $6.2 million in 2006-07?

2. Why has there been further $2 million budgeted for 'employee benefits and costs' in 2007-08 and how many more employees will be employed under this Program?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy): I provide the following information:

The increase in 'employee benefits and costs' in 2006-07 is primarily a result of:

A proportion of Corporate overhead charges originally budgeted to 'supplies and services' which are now allocated to 'employee benefits and costs'; and

Employee costs previously allocated to investing projects, now being charged to the operating program.

2. The increase budgeted in 'employee benefits and costs' in 2007-08 is a net result of:

enterprise bargaining increases to salaries and wages;

A proportionate reallocation of corporate overhead charges to 'employee benefits and costs' from 'supplies and services'; and

Increased expenditure resulting from a total increase of 18 FTEs associated with 2007-08 Budget Initiatives including:

(i) Rural Road Safety—additional support;

(ii) Heavy Vehicle driver fatigue management—increased support;

(iii) Vehicle Emission standards—testing services; and

(iv) Unregistered/uninsured vehicles—increased compliance.