House of Assembly Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1) 55 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Estimates Replies Operating Expenses Operating Expenses The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER House of Assembly Morialta Deputy Leader of the Opposition Operating Expenses In reply to the Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (5 July 2023). (Estimates Committee A) The Hon. B.I. BOYER House of Assembly Wright Minister for Education, Training and Skills Operating Expenses The Hon. B.I. BOYER (Wright—Minister for Education, Training and Skills): I have been advised of the following: As outlined in the 2023-24 state budget, there is an estimated $381.7 m increase in operating expenditure for the department over the period 2022-23 estimated result and the 2026-27 budget. The increase of $381.7m relates mostly to: Investments announced in the 2023-24 State Budget relating to the expansion of the school breakfast program and funding the Smith Family to support an additional 700 students per annum in the Learning for Life program in government schools. Funding for the government's election commitments for: autism support in schools 5 new technical colleges mental health and learning support in schools Midyear intake Employee related and goods & services indexation. Increase in depreciation expense mainly as a result of the additional investment in infrastructure for the year 7 to high school initiative. Additional funding for the early learning strategy supporting developmentally vulnerable children by increasing the reach and frequency of early childhood developmental health checks and related activities.