Answers to Questions

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

In reply to the Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14 November 2007).

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH (Adelaide—Minister for Education and Children's Services, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the City of Adelaide): Funding for wage increases in the 2006-07 Budget amounted to $69 million. This amount has been offset by the effect of a fall in student enrolment numbers, a once off increase in the 2005-06 long service leave (LSL) expense due to a change in the accounting policy on how to the LSL provision is calculated, the payment of TVSPs in 2005-06 and the reduction in the payroll tax rate for 2006-07.

It is estimated that overall staffing costs in 2006-07 were $11.8 million less than in 2005-06.