UNDERSPENDING

213 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (21 October 2008). For all departments and agencies reporting to the minister, what is the estimated level of under expenditure for 2007-08 and has cabinet already approved any carryover expenditure into 2008-09 and, if so, how much?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Early Childhood Development, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management): I have been advised of the following:

Information on the level of under expenditure in 2007-08 and associated carryover expenditure into 2008-09 for all programs and activities within the Premier and Cabinet Portfolio that the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation is responsible for is provided below:

Program 11 Community Services:

This program exceeded its expenditure budget by $0.138 million in 2007-08 mainly as a result of higher than anticipated leave accruals and the impact of a historic debt write-off. A carryover of expenditure into 2008-09 was not sought for this program.

Program 13 Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation:

This program was underspent by $1.786 million in 2007-08 mainly as a result of delays associated with the APY Central Power Station and Umuwa Solar Power Station upgrade. The following carryovers into 2008-09 have been approved:

$0.818 million reflecting an outstanding commitment for the APY Central Power Station.

$0.943 million reflecting unbudgeted Commonwealth funds received late in June 2008 for drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and infrastructure (carryover sourced from higher than budgeted revenue).

$0.058 million reflecting unspent Commonwealth funds provided for the development of a youth engagement strategy (carryover sourced from higher than budgeted revenue).

$0.018 million reflecting unspent Commonwealth funds provided for the delivery of Aboriginal governance training (carryover sourced from higher than budgeted revenue).

APY Lands—Additional Services (Administered Item):

This administered item was underspent by $0.403 million in 2007-08 mainly due to outstanding contract work associated with staff housing and the building of new police stations on the APY Lands. The following carryovers have been approved:

$7.5 million in 2008-09 ($4.5 million in 2009-10) reflecting unbudgeted Commonwealth funds received late in June 2008 for the building of an additional police station at Mimili, staff housing for social workers and an administration and court complex at Umuwa (carryover sourced from higher than budgeted revenue).

$0.153 million in 2008-09 reflecting outstanding contract work to complete staff housing for the Amata Rehabilitation facility.

$0.075 million in 2008-09 reflecting the unspent balance associated with a service coordinator program on the APY Lands.

$0.038 million in 2008-09 reflecting outstanding contract work to complete the swimming pool projects on the APY Lands.

$0.132 million in 2009-10 reflecting outstanding contract work for the building of police stations on the APY lands.

Chr(13)Commonwealth Essential Service Capital Works Fund:

This administered item was underspent by $2.923 million in 2007-08. Various Aboriginal infrastructure projects funded from the Commonwealth through a bilateral Housing and Community Infrastructure agreement were delayed partly due to the late release of Commonwealth funds. A $2.923 million carryover into 2008-09 has been approved.