Chapter 1


Chapter 1

Additional Estimates 2016-17

Reference

1.1        On 9 February 2017 the Senate referred to following to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee (the committee) for examination and report:

  • Particulars of proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2017 [Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2016-2017];
  • Particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2017 [Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2016-2017]; and
  • Final Budget Outcome 2015-16.[1]

Portfolio coverage and hearings

1.2        The Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee (the committee) has responsibility for examining the expenditure and outcomes of the following:

  • Parliament;[2]
  • Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) Portfolio;
  • Finance Portfolio; [3] and
  • Cross Portfolio Indigenous Matters.

Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements 2016-17

1.3        The Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (PAES) facilitate an understanding of the proposed appropriations in Appropriation Bills (No. 3 and No. 4). The focus of the PAES is to provide an explanation of the changes in resourcing since the Budget, and therefore provide information on new measures and their impact on the financial and non-financial planned performance of agencies.[4] The PAES 2016-17 for the PM&C Portfolio and the Finance Portfolio were tabled in the Senate on 9 February 2017.[5]

1.4        The PAES 2016-17 for the PM&C Portfolio note that the agencies affected by changes in resourcing since the Budget are the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Digital Transformation Agency, and the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman.[6] The PAES 2016-17 for the Finance Portfolio note that additional estimates and variations were being sought for the Department of Finance and the Australian Electoral Commission.[7]

Hearings

1.5        The committee held public hearings on 27 and 28 February and 3 March 2017. The parliamentary departments were examined on 27 February, the PM&C Portfolio (excluding Indigenous matters) was examined on 27 February, the Finance Portfolio was examined on 28 February, and the Cross Portfolio Indigenous Matters hearing was held on 3 March 2017.

1.6        The committee took evidence from the President of the Senate, Senator the Hon Stephen Parry, and the following Ministers accompanied by officers of relevant departments and agencies:

  • Senator the Hon George Brandis, Attorney-General, representing the Prime Minister;
  • Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister for Employment, Minister for Women, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service;
  • Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann, Minister for Finance;
  • Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, Special Minister of State; and
  • Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion, Minister for Indigenous Affairs.

1.7        The committee expresses its appreciation for the assistance of the President, Ministers and the officers who appeared.

1.8        Over the course of the hearings, the committee took evidence from the following departments, agencies and statutory officers:

Parliament
  • Department of the Senate
  • Parliamentary Budget Office
  • Department of Parliamentary Services
  • Parliamentary Services Commissioner
Prime Minister and Cabinet Portfolio
  • Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (including the Office for Women and excluding Outcome 2 – Indigenous)
  • Independent National Security Legislation Monitor
  • Australian Public Service Commission (APSC)
  • Remuneration Tribunal (APSC secretariat)
  • Digital Transformation Agency
  • Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security
Finance Portfolio
  • Department of Finance
  • ASC Pty Ltd
  • Future Fund Management Agency
  • Australian Electoral Commission
Cross Portfolio Indigenous Matters
  • Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Outcome 2 – Indigenous)
  • Department of Health (in relation to Indigenous Health issues)
  • Australian National Audit Office
  • Indigenous Land Corporation
  • Indigenous Business Australia
  • Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations

1.9        The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) and the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman were scheduled to appear on 27 February 2017 but were released by the committee without examination. The ANAO appeared on 3 March 2017 for the hearing on Cross Portfolio Indigenous Matters to discuss the ANAO Report No. 35 2016-17 Performance Audit – Indigenous Advancement Strategy.

Questions on notice and Hansard transcripts

1.10      The committee has set 13 April 2017 as the date for the return of answers to questions on notice arising from the Additional Estimates 2016-17 hearings. This information, together with the Hansard transcripts of proceedings of hearings, are published on the committee's website at:

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Senate_Estimates/fapactte/estimates/add1617/index

Note on references

1.11      References in this report to the estimates Hansard are to the proof Hansard; page numbers may vary between the proof and the official Hansard transcript.

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