EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES DEPARTMENT

44 Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder) (10 July 2007). Why have the total expenses indicated in the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology's Income Statement for 2006-07 increased by $20 million since 2005-06?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Gambling): The question has been taken to refer to 2007-08 compared with 2005-06. As shown in Budget Paper 4 Volume 3 on page 13.30 of the 2007-08 Portfolio Statement, the 2007-08 Budget for total expenses shows $481.4 million compared to total expenses in 2005-06 of $461.3 million, an increase of $20.1 million.

The increase is due to a variety of factors, but is primarily due to an increase in employee benefits, including those related to Enterprise Bargaining, and costs, including the indexation of goods and services. In addition, transitional support funding was provided to enable DFEEST to reduce its overall operational expenditure without impacting on service delivery.