Answers to Questions

CARBON TAX

In reply to the Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (1 November 2012).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations): The Treasurer has been advised:

As part of the 2011-12 Mid-Year Budget Review a central provision of approximately $10 million per annum was established for expected increases in electricity, gas and fuel costs across government from the implementation of the carbon tax.

This provision was largely allocated to individual government agencies as part of the 2012-13 Budget. No other supplementation has been provided to agencies for this purpose.

By nature of the application of the carbon tax and its economy wide impacts, the Government is unable to quantify what additional costs have been incurred by agencies during the period 1 July to 30 September 2012 that may have been directly attributable to the tax as per the honourable member's question.