AUDITOR-GENERAL'S REPORT

In reply to the Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (15 November 2006).

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs): I am advised:

That of the 115 departmental employees with excess leave balances, a number of these were employees on workers compensation who had been incorrectly credited with annual leave by the Payroll system. These balances have now been corrected.

The $124,000 represents an increase in annual leave liability as at 30 June 2006, compared with June 2005. With a liability of approximately $6 million, this $124,000 actually represents a drop in annual leave when the increase in wage rates associated with Enterprise Bargaining of 3.5-4.0 per cent during the same period are taken into account.