House of Assembly Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2) 51 2 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Answers to Questions Education and Children's Services Department EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES DEPARTMENT Mr GRIFFITHS House of Assembly Goyder EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES DEPARTMENT 45 Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder) (10 July 2007). Why has there been a significant increase in the level of employee benefits and costs, and consultancy expenses in 2006-07? The Hon. P. CAICA House of Assembly Colton Minister for Employment Minister for Science and Information Economy Minister for Youth Minister for Gambling EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES DEPARTMENT The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Gambling): As shown in Budget Paper 4 Volume 3 on page 13.30 of the 2007-08 Portfolio Statement, employee benefits and costs increased from $246.734 million in the 2006-07 budget to $256.362 million in the 2006-07 estimated result. The increase is due to an expenditure initiative approved in the 2006-07 Mid Year Budget Review to provide additional transitional support funding of $9 million to DFEEST and the effects of a 3.5 per cent enterprise bargaining increase approved for PSM Act staff in 2006-07. As shown in Budget Paper 4 Volume 3 on page 13.30 of the 2007-08 Portfolio Statement, consultancy expenses in 2005-06 were $668,000. While the actual expenditure for 2006-07 is still subject to audit verification, consultancy expenses in 2006-07 are estimated to be $102,000, a decrease of $566,000 compared to 2005-06.