Introduction
Standing order 19 (2) and (3) requires that the Committee determine the amounts to be included in the parliamentary appropriation bills for the Department of the Senate.
Proposed Appropriations for 2022-23 (October Budget)
The Committee notes that the Senate Department’s 2023-24 appropriations have been calculated in accordance with the current Commonwealth funding policy.
The proposed appropriation for 2023-24 in the Portfolio Budget Statements is as follows:
Part 1 - Departmental Annual Appropriation
| The budget for departmental expenses1 (as disclosed in the October 2023 PBS) |
$24.202m |
| Agreed budget measures: |
| 2023-24 additional funding |
($2.202m) |
| Changes to price and wages indices (Apr 2023) |
$0.095m |
| Other adjustments (economic parameters) |
$0.766m |
| Total departmental appropriation for 2023-24 |
$27.265m |
The total appropriation to the Senate Department to be approved by the Parliament in the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2023-2024, as a part of the Budget 2023 is $27.265m (compared to $24.202m in 2022-23).
Part 2 – Accumulated Prior Year Appropriations, Operating Results and Capital Expenditure
| Balance of prior year appropriations (estimate as at 30 June 2022) |
$15.660m |
Part 3 - Special Appropriations (senators' remuneration and entitlements)2
Made up of the following components:
| 2022-23: |
| Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 |
$22.872m |
| Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004 |
$2.957m |
| Australian Constitution |
$0.854m |
| Total Special Appropriations for 2022-23 |
$26.683m |
| 2023-24: |
| Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 |
$22.872m |
| Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004 |
$2.945m |
| Australian Constitution |
$0.973m |
| Total Special Appropriations for 2022-23 |
$26.790m |
An estimated amount, totaling $26.790m of special appropriations, will be drawn down during the year to facilitate third party payments on behalf on Department of Finance (compared to $26.683m in 2022-23).
Conclusions
As noted on page 10 of the Department’s Portfolio Budget Statements 2023-24, the continuing trend for increased committee activity required the department to seek additional ongoing funding. This agreed measure, of between $2.2m and $2.3m for the 2023-24 and forward years, will ensure that the department can continue to meet the needs of the Senate and senators.
Determination
The Committee determines that the total appropriation to be approved by the Parliament in the Appropriations (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2023-24 is $27.265m and reports to the Senate accordingly.
Senator the Hon Sue Lines
Chair
1 Excluding expenses not requiring appropriation in the Budget year - made up of depreciation/amortisation, audit fees and resources received free of charge where recognition of an expense is required.
2 Limits per third party access agreement with the Department of Finance for access to the appropriation