2011-12 Annual Report
Standing order 19(3) provides that the Committee make an
annual report to the Senate on the operations of the Senate’s appropriations
and staffing and related matters.
During the reporting period, the
Committee tabled two reports:
-
the Committee’
Annual Report for 2010-11; and
-
the
53rd report, entitled Estimates for the Department of the Senate 2012-13,
in which the Committee, in accordance with standing order 19(2) and (3),
determined that the total appropriation for the Department of the Senate by the
Parliament in the appropriation bill for 2012-13 will be $21.141m (compared to
$21.569m in 2011-12).
During the reporting period, the Committee met on four
occasions: 24 November 2011, 19 March 2012, 10 May 2012 and 28 June 2012, and considered
the following matters at those meetings:
24 November 2011
The Committee agreed to table its 2010-11
Annual Report and:
-
received a
briefing by the Clerk of the Senate on the Department’s financial position as
at 30 September 2011;
-
considered the
terms of reference for a proposed Review of Information and Communication
Technology for the Parliament;
-
received a
briefing from the Usher of the Black Rod on proposed changes to the Senate
entry foyers and sign-in system; and
-
received a
briefing from the Usher of the Black Rod on the new Departmental Enterprise
Agreement.
19 March 2012
The Committee:
-
welcomed Senator
Collins as a member;
-
noted
correspondence from the President of the Senate to the Minister for Finance
concerning the Ordinary Annual Services of the Government;
-
considered correspondence
from the Clerk to the President of the Senate concerning the Department’s
financial position; and
-
received a
briefing on aspects of the financial position of the Department of
Parliamentary Services.
10 May 2012
The Committee considered and approved
the draft of its 53rd Report on the Estimates for the Department
of the Senate 2012-13, and discussed correspondence from the Clerk to the
President of the Senate concerning proposed Departmental savings measures and
the Department’s 2012-13 Budget.
28 June 2012
The Committee:
-
welcomed Senator
Singh as a member; and
-
discussed
correspondence from the Clerk to the President of the Senate concerning the
impact on senators of savings measures proposed to be implemented by the
Department – discussion focussed on the effect on the Department’s financial
position of cumulative efficiency dividends over many years, and on the effect
on the Department’s future financial position and reserves of failing to make
the proposed savings measures outlined in the Clerk’s correspondence.
Ordinary Annual Services of the
Government
The Committee continued its correspondence with the Minister
for Finance and Deregulation, and continued to draw the Minister’s attention to
incorrectly classified items of expenditure. The Committee reiterates that it
remains available should the Minister wish to consult on this issue. A copy of
the correspondence is appended to this report.
Senator the Hon John Hogg
Chairman
August 2012
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