Answers to Questions

Auditor-General's Report

In reply to the Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (30 October 2024).

The Hon. B.I. BOYER (Wright—Minister for Education, Training and Skills): I have been advised:

The back pay covers the period from May 2023 to May 2024 and therefore relates to both the 2023 and 2024 calendar years.

Per standard processes since entering into the Gonski agreement, the department is required to acquit funding on a calendar year basis. In addition, as per standard processes since entering into the Gonski agreement, the rules for acquitting expenditure to the Australian government allows for timing adjustments.

Therefore, the component of the back-pay expenditure that relates to the 2023 school year, will be acquitted against the 2023 financial acquittal to the Australian government and the 2024 component will be included in the 2024 acquittal.