Notes to and forming part of the financial statements

Note 1: Financial performance
Note 2: Financial position
Note 3: People and relationships
Note 4: Appropriations
Note 5: Explanation of major budget variances

Overview

Objective of the Department of the Senate

The Department of the Senate is a not-for-profit entity. Its activities are classified as departmental. Departmental activities involve the use of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses controlled or incurred by the department in its own right within its one outcome. Further details are contained in the statement of comprehensive income and the statement of financial position, and in the resource statement on page 121.

Basis of preparation of the financial statements

The financial statements are general purpose financial statements and are required by section 42 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act).

The financial statements and notes have been prepared in accordance with:

  • the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Financial Reporting Rule) 2015 (FRR), and
  • Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations – Reduced Disclosure Requirements issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) that apply for the reporting period.

The financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis and are in accordance with historical cost convention, except for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Except where stated, no allowance is made for the effect of changing prices on the results or the financial position.

The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars and values are rounded to the nearest thousand dollars unless otherwise specified.

Significant accounting judgements and estimates

In the process of applying the accounting policies listed in this note, the department has made the following judgements that have the most significant impact on the amounts recorded in the financial statements:

  • leave provisions involve assumptions based on the expected tenure of existing staff, patterns of leave claims and payouts, future salary movements and future discount rates.

No accounting assumptions or estimates have been identified that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next accounting period.

New accounting standards

All new/revised/amending standards and/or interpretations that were issued prior to the sign-off date and are applicable to the current reporting period did not have a material impact on the department’s financial statements.

Future Australian Accounting Standard requirements

No new or revised pronouncements were issued by the AASB prior to the finalisation of the financial statements which are expected to have a material impact on the department in future reporting periods.

Taxation

The department is exempt from all forms of taxation except Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Events after the reporting period

No events have occurred after balance date that should be brought to account or noted in the 2020-21 financial statements.

Note 1: Financial performance

2021
$’000
2020
$’000
Note 1.1: Expenses
Note 1.1A: Employee benefits
Wages and salaries 15,881 14,961
Superannuation
Defined benefit plans 1,203 1,277
Defined contribution plans 1,823 1,591
Leave and other entitlements 3,256 3,707
Total employee benefits 22,163 21,536

Prior year expenses have been reclassified to apply to the categories listed.

Accounting policy

Superannuation

Employees of the department are members of the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS), the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS), Public Sector Superannuation accumulation plan (PSSap) or other elected defined contribution schemes.

The CSS and PSS are defined benefit schemes for the Commonwealth. The PSSap is a defined contribution scheme.

The liability for defined benefits is recognised in the financial statements of the Australian Government and is settled by the Australian Government in due course. This liability is reported by the Department of Finance as an administered item.

The department makes employer contributions to the relevant employees’ defined benefit schemes at rates determined by an actuary to be sufficient to meet the current cost to the government and accounts for the contributions as if they were contributions to defined contribution plans.

Leave and other entitlements

Accounting policies for leave and other entitlements are contained at note 3A – Employee Provisions.

2021
$’000
2020
$’000
Note 1.1B: Suppliers
Goods and services
Employee related supplier expenses 222 199
Consultants and contractors 412 461
Asset and ICT related 336 341
Travel 370 506
Hire charges and hospitality 80 124
Subscriptions, media and publications 619 564
General office expenses 201 152
Resources received free of charge
DPS – Accommodation at Parliament House 1,841 2,075
ANAO – 2020–21 audit fee 87 87
Secondments 134 55
Total goods and services 4,302 4,564
Other supplier expenses
Workers compensation 60 66
Short-term leases - 11
Total other supplier expenses 60 77
Total supplier expenses 4,362 4,641

Prior year expenses have been reclassified to apply to the categories listed.

Accounting policy

Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets

The department has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases of assets that have a lease term of 12 months or less and leases of low-value assets (less than $10,000). The department recognises the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

2021
$’000
2020
$’000
Note 1.2: Own-source income
Revenue from contracts with customers
Sale of goods 11 24
Provision of services 440 429
Total revenue from contracts with customers 451 453
Resources received free of charge
DPS – Accommodation at Parliament House 1,841 2,075
ANAO auditor remuneration 87 87
Secondments 134 55
Total resources received free of charge 2,062 2,217
Total own-source income 2,513 2,670
Disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers
Major product / service type:
Provision of corporate services 90 107
Provision of parliamentary education services 350 322
Sale of goods 11 24
Total revenue from contracts with customers 451 453

Accounting policy

Revenue

The department receives revenue from appropriations, the rendering of services and the sale of goods.

Revenue from sale of goods is recognised when control has been transferred to the buyer. The department reviews contracts with customers to ascertain if the contract is in scope of AASB 15 and if the performance obligations are required by an enforceable contract and they are sufficiently specific to enable the department to determine when they have been satisfied.

The department had no remaining or unsatisfied performance obligations as at 30 June 2021.

The following is a description of the principal activities from which the department generates its revenue:

  • provision of corporate services to other government entities via formal contract – revenue recognised over time as identified performance obligations are fulfilled, i.e. as services are rendered.
  • provision of parliamentary education services via formal contract – revenue recognised over time as identified performance obligations are fulfilled, i.e. as services are rendered.
  • sale of merchandise and educational materials based on customary business practices – revenue recognised at point of time when payment received and control passes to customer, i.e. upon shipment to customer.

The transaction price is the total amount of consideration to which the department expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer. The consideration promised in a contract with a customer may include fixed amounts, variable amounts, or both.

Receivables for goods and services, which have 30 day terms, are recognised at the nominal amounts due less any impairment allowance account. Collectability of debts is reviewed at the end of the reporting period. Allowances are made when collectability of the debt is no longer probable.

Resources received free of charge

Resources received free of charge are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income as revenue where the amounts can be reliably measured and the services would have been purchased if they had not been provided free of charge. Use of those resources is recognised as an expense.

The department’s resources received free of charge relate to audit services from the Australian National Audit Office, accommodation at Parliament House from the Department of Parliamentary Services and secondments to the department.

Revenue from government

The departmental appropriation for the financial year (adjusted for any formal additions and reductions) is recognised as revenue from government when the department gains control of the appropriation. Appropriations receivable are recognised at their nominal amounts.

Note 2: Financial position

2021
$’000
2020
$’000
Note 2.1: Financial assets
Note 2.1A: Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank 147 153
Total cash and cash equivalents 147 153
Note 2.1B: Receivables
Appropriation receivable 14,805 12,354
Trade and other receivables 19 104
GST receivable (from ATO) 24 20
Total receivables 14,848 12,478

Accounting policy

Financial assets

Cash is recognised at its nominal amount. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and deposits in bank accounts.

Receivables for goods and services are recognised at nominal amounts due less any impairment allowance account. Collectability of debts is continually reviewed. Allowances are made on an expected loss basis.

Trade receivables and other receivables are recorded at face value less any impairment.

Trade receivables are recognised when the department becomes party to a contract and has a legal right to receive cash. Loans and receivables are assessed for impairment on initial recognition. Impairment allowances are made on a lifetime expected loss basis. Trade receivables are derecognised on payment.

The fair values of the department’s financial assets and liabilities approximate their carrying amounts.

2021
$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000
Note 2.2: Non-financial assets
Reconciliation of opening and closing balances of property, plant and equipment, right of use and intangibles
PP&E RoU Intangibles Work in Progress-
Intangibles
Total
As at 1 July 2020
Gross book value 2,298 64 551 713 3,626
Accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment (249) (10) (416) - (675)
Total as at 1 July 2020 2,049 54 135 713 2,951
Additions by purchase 88 - 80 - 168
Depreciation/amortisation expense (129) (22) (37) - (188)
Revaluations and impairments
Gross value (211) - - - (211)
Accumulated depreciation 358 - - - 358
Disposals
Gross value (33) - (30) - (63)
Accumulated depreciation 10 - 30 - 40
Other movements
Non-reciprocal transfers - - - (713) (713)
Transfers to related entities (235) - - - (235)
Total as at 30 June 2021 1,897 32 178 - 2,107
Total as at 30 June 2021 represented by:
Gross book value 1,907 64 601 - 2,572
Accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment (10) (32) (423) - (465)
Total as at 30 June 2021 1,897 32 178 - 2,107

Right of use and intangible assets are measured and carried at cost. Property, plant and equipment assets are carried at fair value following initial recognition at cost.

All revaluations are conducted in accordance with the revaluation policy stated later in this note and a revaluation of the department’s property, plant and equipment assets was conducted by an independent valuer as at 31 May 2021.

A revaluation increment of $147,283 for the property, plant and equipment class was recorded against the asset revaluation reserve. This movement in reserves is also included in the equity section of the statement of financial position.

The department removed from its asset register a number of furniture assets that were identified as belonging to the Department of Parliamentary Services. These items are recorded as a transfer to a related entity in Note 2.2 and the Income Statement.

Contractual commitments for the acquisition of plant, equipment and intangible assets

The department has $101,548 of contractual commitments payable within 1 year, primarily for the acquisition of ICT equipment.

Amounts for capital commitments are GST inclusive.

Accounting policy

Acquisition of assets

Purchases of non-financial assets are initially recognised at cost in the statement of financial position, except for purchases costing less than $2,000, which are expensed in the year of acquisition (other than where they form part of a group of similar items which are significant in total).

The cost of acquisition includes the fair value of assets transferred in exchange and liabilities undertaken. Financial assets are initially measured at fair value.

Property, plant and equipment

Revaluations

Following initial recognition at cost, plant and equipment assets (excluding ROU assets) are carried at fair value less subsequent accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Carrying amounts are reviewed every year to determine if an independent valuation is required. The regularity of independent valuations depends upon the volatility of movements in market values for the relevant assets.

Revaluation adjustments are made on a class basis. Any revaluation increment is credited to equity under the heading of asset revaluation reserve except to the extent that it reverses a previous revaluation decrement of the same asset class that was previously recognised through operating result. Revaluation decrements for a class of assets are recognised directly in the surplus/deficit except to the extent that they reverse a previous revaluation increment for that class. Upon revaluation, any accumulated depreciation is eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the asset. A revaluation of the department’s assets was undertaken at 31 May 2021.

Depreciation

Depreciable plant and equipment assets are written-off to their estimated residual values over their estimated useful lives to the department, using in all cases the straight-line method of depreciation.

Depreciation rates (useful lives), residual values and methods are reviewed at each reporting date.

Depreciation and amortisation rates applying to each category of depreciable asset are based on the following useful lives:

Asset class 2021 2020
Plant and equipment 5 to 15 years 5 to 15 years
Furniture and fittings 5 to 100 years 5 to 100 years

The depreciation rates for ROU assets are based on the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the ROU asset or the end of the lease term.

Impairment

All assets were assessed for indications of impairment at 30 June 2021. Where indications of impairment exist, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated and an impairment loss recognised if the asset’s recoverable amount is less than its carrying amount.

Derecognition

An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when no further future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Gains or losses from disposal of plant and equipment are recognised when control of the asset has passed to the buyer.

Lease Right of Use (ROU) Assets

Leased ROU assets are capitalised at the commencement date of the lease and comprise of the initial lease liability amount, initial direct costs incurred when entering into the lease less any lease incentives received.

Following initial application, an impairment review is undertaken for any right of use lease asset that shows indicators of impairment and an impairment loss is recognised against any right of use lease asset that is impaired. Lease ROU assets continue to be measured at cost after initial recognition in Commonwealth agency, GGS and Whole of Government financial statements.

Fair value measurement

All property, plant and equipment is measured at fair value in the statement of financial position. When estimating fair value, market prices (with adjustments) are used where available. Where market prices are not available, depreciated replacement cost is used. A reconciliation of movements in property, plant and equipment is included above.

Intangibles

The department’s intangible assets comprise of internally developed software and purchased software for internal use. These assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Software is amortised on a straight-line basis over its anticipated useful life. The useful life of the department’s software is 3 to 7 years (2020: 3 to 7 years).

All software assets were assessed for indications of impairment as at 30 June 2021.

Inventories

Inventories held for sale are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

2021
$’000
2020
$’000
Note 2.3: Payables
Note 2.3A: Supplier and other payables
Trade creditors and accruals 314 94
Salaries and wages 419 314
Superannuation 60 45
FBT payable (to ATO) 70 108
Total supplier and other payables 863 561
The department’s only financial liabilities are supplier payables.
Note 2.3B: Interest bearing liabilities
Lease liabilities 33 54
Total interest bearing liabilities 33 54
Lease liabilities analysis
The department’s lease liability maturity profile is as follows:
Within 1 year 23 22
Between 1 to 5 years 10 32
Total lease liabilities 33 54

Accounting policy

Payables

Supplier and other payables are recognised at amortised cost. Liabilities are recognised to the extent that the goods or services have been received (and irrespective of having been invoiced). Supplier and other payables are derecognised on payment. Supplier payables are settled within 20 days.

The liabilities for salaries and superannuation recognised as at 30 June 2021 represents outstanding contributions for the final pay fortnight of the year.

For all new contracts entered into, the department considers whether the contract is, or contains a lease. A lease is defined as ‘a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to use an asset (the underlying asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration’.

Once it has been determined that a contract is, or contains a lease, the lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments unpaid at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if that rate is readily determinable, or the department’s incremental borrowing rate.

Subsequent to initial measurement, the liability will be reduced for payments made and increased for interest. It is remeasured to reflect any reassessment or modification to the lease. When the lease liability is remeasured, the corresponding adjustment is reflected in the right-of-use asset or profit and loss depending on the nature of the reassessment or modification.

Contingent liabilities and contingent assets

The department had no quantifiable or unquantifiable contingent assets or liabilities as at 30 June 2021 (2020: nil).

2021
$’000
2020
$’000
Note 2.4: Current / non-current distinction for assets and liabilities
Assets expected to be recovered in:
No more than 12 months
Cash and cash equivalents 147 153
Trade and other receivables 14,849 12,478
Prepayments 237 239
Right of use 22 22
Inventories 121 130
Total no more than 12 months 15,376 13,022
More than 12 months
Property, plant and equipment 1,897 2,049
Right of use 10 32
Intangibles 178 848
Total more than 12 months 2,085 2,929
Total assets 17,461 15,951
Liabilities expected to be settled in:
No more than 12 months
Suppliers 314 94
Other payables 549 467
Leases 23 22
Employee provisions 1,550 1,412
Total no more than 12 months 2,436 1,995
More than 12 months
Leases 10 32
Employee provisions 6,228 6,325
Total more than 12 months 6,238 6,357
Total liabilities 8,674 8,352

Note 3: People and relationships

2021
$’000
2020
$’000
Note 3A: Employee provisions
Leave
Annual leave 2,162 1,974
Long service leave 5,616 5,763
Total employee provisions 7,778 7,737

Accounting policy

Employee benefits

Liabilities for ‘short-term employee benefits’ (as defined in AASB 119 Employee Benefits) and termination benefits due within twelve months of the end of the reporting period are measured at their nominal amounts.

The liability for employee benefits includes provision for annual leave and long service leave. No provision has been made for personal leave as all personal leave is non-vesting and the average personal leave taken in future years by employees of the department is estimated to be less than the annual entitlement for personal leave.

The leave liabilities are calculated on the basis of employees’ remuneration at the estimated salary rates that will apply at the time the leave is taken, plus the department’s employer superannuation contribution rates, and applicable on-costs, to the extent that the leave is likely to be taken during service rather than paid out on termination.

The liability for long service leave has been determined by reference to FRR 24.1(a) using the shorthand method as at 30 June 2021. The estimate of the present value of the liability takes into account attrition rates and pay increases though promotion and inflation.

Note 3B: Key management personnel remuneration

Key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the department, directly or indirectly, including any director (whether executive or otherwise) of the department.1

The department has determined the key management personnel to be the Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Clerk Assistants and the Usher of the Black Rod. Key management personnel remuneration is reported in the table below.

2021
$’000
2020
$’000
Key management personnel remuneration
Short-term employee benefits 1,546 1,575
Post-employment benefits 229 230
Other long-term employee benefits 35 35
Total key management personnel remuneration 1,810 1,840

The total number of key management personnel included in the above table is six individuals (2020: seven).

1 The President of the Senate is not considered key management personnel. The powers of the President do not give rise to a capacity to plan, direct or control the activities of the department, or significantly influence the department in its financial or operating policy decisions.

Note 3C: Related party transactions

Related parties to the department are defined as key management personnel and close family members of key management personnel. A related party transaction is a transfer of resources, services or obligations between the department and a related party, regardless of whether a price is charged.

During 2020–21, there were no related party transactions.

Note 3D: Executive remuneration disclosure – Key management personnel

Short-term benefits Post-employment benefits Other long-term benefits Termination benefits Total remuneration
Name Position title Base salary Bonuses Other benefits and allowances Superannuation contributions Long service leave Other long-term benefits
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
R Pye Clerk of the Senate 404,456 - 1,559 58,575 9,896 - - 474,486
J Morris Deputy Clerk of the Senate 234,922 - 27,271 39,882 5,775 - - 307,850
T Bryant Clerk Assistant, Table 193,171 - 27,271 36,941 4,897 - - 262,280
R Callinan Clerk Assistant, Procedure 198,174 - 27,271 30,260 4,897 - - 260,602
J Begley Usher of the Black Rod 200,050 - 27,271 30,260 4,897 - - 262,478
T Matulick Clerk Assistant, Committees 178,111 - 26,265 33,364 4,475 - - 242,215
Total1 1,408,884 - 136,908 229,282 34,837 - - 1,809,911

1 The total amounts outlined in the table above correspond with the disclosure at note 3B.

Note 3E: Executive remuneration disclosure – Senior executives and other highly paid staff

During the reporting period, all the department senior executives were included in the key management personnel disclosed above (2020: nil).

The department did not have any other highly paid staff that meet the reporting threshold (2020: nil).

Accounting policy

Remuneration policies, practices and governance arrangements

The Clerk of the Senate’s remuneration is determined by the President of the Senate, after consultation with the Remuneration Tribunal, under section 63 of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999. In practice, the advice of the tribunal and the determinations of the Presiding Officers fix the remuneration of the heads of the four parliamentary departments at the same level. All other Senior Executive Service (SES) staff are remunerated under determinations made by the Clerk of the Senate under subsection 24(1) of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999.

For many years the department’s policy has been that changes in SES terms and conditions reflect equivalent changes for non-SES employees in the department’s enterprise agreements. On 26 March 2020, the Government announced a stay on increases in remuneration, entitlements and allowances for all SES employees. On 25 June 2021, the Australian Public Service Commission advised that the stay on SES pay rises had ended and Agency Heads could adjust SES remuneration consistent with the requirements of relevant Government policies.

The department’s remuneration arrangements do not provide for performance pay for any staff. Staff can also use other services offered at Parliament House, including vehicle parking.

The department did not identify any non-SES staff in the period whose remuneration exceeded the threshold amount for reporting key management personnel.

Note 4: Appropriations

2021
$’000
2020
$’000
Note 4A: Annual appropriations (recoverable GST exclusive)
Annual appropriation 25,810 23,452
PGPA Act – section 74 receipts 913 717
Departmental capital budget (DCB)1 401 401
Total appropriation 27,124 24,570
Appropriation applied (current and prior years) 24,672 24,295
Variance2 2,452 275
1 The DCB is appropriated through theAppropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Act (No. 1). It is not separately identified in the Appropriation Act.2 The variance in 2021 is primarily driven by delays in anticipated employee recruitment following the postponed 2021 Budget, in which the department received additional funding, and the continuing impact of the pandemic on the department’s expenditure.
Note 4B: Unspent annual appropriations (recoverable GST exclusive)
Departmental
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Act (No. 1) 2019–20 188 12,507
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Act (No. 1) 2020–21 14,764 -
Total 14,952 12,507
Note 4C: Special appropriations managed through third party arrangements (recoverable GST exclusive)
Authority3
Department of Finance –Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004, s. 18 2,754 2,769
Department of Finance –Australian Constitution, s. 66 1,233 1,417
Department of Finance –Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017, s. 59 20,657 21,312
Total 24,644 25,498
3 Arrangements have been entered into with the Department of Finance to allow the department to draw upon these appropriations.

Note 5: Explanation of major budget variances

Explanation of major variance Variance to budget $’000 Variance to budget % Affected line items
Slower than anticipated recruitment activity as a result of the delayed timing of the 2020–21 budget and the continuing impact of the pandemic led to lower employee costs and a reduction in associated supplier expenses throughout the year 1,274 644 5% 15% Statement of comprehensive income:Employee benefitsSuppliers
(2,370) (1,528) -16% -29% Statement of financial position:Trade and other receivablesAccumulated deficit
(1,528) -113% Statement of changes in equity:Surplus/deficit for the period
1,308 1,340 849 5% 6% 39% Cash Flow Statement:Cash received – appropriationsCash used – employeesCash used – suppliers
Lower than anticipated demand for asset replacement during the year resulted in variances against the original budget. 316 17% Statement of financial position:Non-financial assets
232 231 265% 136% Cash Flow Statement:Cash used – investing activitiesCash received – contributed equity
A transfer of assets to the Department of Parliamentary Services occurred during the year that was not anticipated at the time of the original budget. (235) -100% Statement of comprehensive income:Assets transferred to related entities
316 17% Statement of financial position:Property, plant and equipment