ECONOMIC AND FINANCE COMMITTEE: ANNUAL REPORT

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee) (11:56): I move:

That the 76^th report of the committee, entitled Annual Report 2010-11, be noted.

During the reporting period, the Economic and Finance Committee tabled two reports and conducted the bulk of another follow-up report to its 2008 franchises inquiry. The committee tabled its report into the emergency services levy 2011-12 in June 2011. The committee found that the projected expenditure on emergency services in 2011-12 was $225.3 million.

The committee noted total expenditure for 2010-11 was expected to exceed the original estimate by $8.3 million, reflecting: remission and pensioner concession costs on fixed property exceeding budget by $4.7 million, mainly due to higher than expected growth in properties value; and contributions from fixed property owners exceeding budget by $3.6 million, also mainly due to higher than expected growth in property values.

The committee noted that cash balances in the Community Emergency Services Fund were expected to reach $8.8 million by 30 June 2011. There would be no increase in levy rates for owners of fixed property or for owners of motor vehicles and vessels in 2011-12.

The committee also heard evidence from the Office for Recreation and Sport regarding its grants system, including evidence relating to the non-disbursement of the Recreation and Sport Fund over recent years. As a result of the committee's actions, and following an internal assessment of the grants program, the Office for Recreation and Sport has embarked on a review of its grants process, which will involve wide consultation with the community and, notably, members of parliament. The Office for Recreation and Sport conducted interviews with Economic and Finance Committee members in the reporting period and is keeping the committee apprised of the progress of that work.

During the reporting period the committee further continued its work of reviewing passenger transport contract tenders under its obligations outlined in section 39 of the Passenger Transport Act. Tenders reviewed in the reporting period included the expressions of interest for the Adelaide metropolitan bus contracts, central booking service for Access Cabs and a number of regional passenger transport services.

The committee began a supplementary inquiry into franchises in December 2010 to ascertain the breadth and effectiveness of recent changes to the Franchise Code of Conduct by the federal parliament. The committee took over 70 submissions during the period and also included information relating to the Small Business Commissioner Bill, at that time just presented to the parliament. A full discussion of this report will be in next year's annual report.

On other matters, in April of this year, the deputy presiding member, Ms Thompson, and the Hon. Iain Evans attended the Australasian Council of Public Accounts Committees biennial conference in Perth. Ms Thompson presented to the conference on the committee's recent events, including the franchises inquiry. The focus of the conference was 'Seeking improved performance for PACs'. Of particular interest to the committee was its visit to the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula areas of the Regional Development Australia Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island region. This body, supported by federal, state and local governments, aims to provide support to businesses and enterprises trying to grow in our regional areas.

Debate adjourned.