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. This report supersedes the 64th Report prepared for the 2022-23 March Budget.
Proposed Appropriations for 2022-23 (October Budget)
The Committee notes that the Senate Department's 2022-23 appropriations have been calculated in accordance with the current Commonwealth funding policy.
The proposed appropriation for 2022-23 in the Portfolio Budget Statements is as follows:
Part 1 - Departmental Annual Appropriation
| The budget for departmental expenses1 (as disclosed in the 2021-22 PBS) |
$26.011m |
| Agreed budget measures: |
| 2021-22 one off additional funding |
($2.022m) |
| Other adjustments (economic parameters) |
$0.016m |
| Total departmental appropriation for 2022-23 |
$24.202m |
The total appropriation to the Senate Department to be approved by the Parliament in the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2022-2023, as a part of the October Budget 2022 is $24.202m (compared to $26.011m in 2021-22).
Part 2 – Accumulated Prior Year Appropriations, Operating Results and Capital Expenditure
| Balance of prior year appropriations (estimate as at 30 June 2022) |
$15.864m |
Part 3 - Special Appropriations (senators' remuneration and entitlements)
Made up of the following components:
| 2021-22: |
| Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 |
$21.972m |
| Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004 |
$2.804m |
| Australian Constitution |
$1.454m |
| Total Special Appropriations for 2021-22 |
$26.230m |
| 2022-23: |
| Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 |
$21.972m2 |
| Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004 |
$2.904m2 |
| Australian Constitution |
$0.854m2 |
| Total Special Appropriations for 2021-22 |
$25.730m |
An estimated amount, totaling $25.730m of special appropriations, will be drawn down during the year to facilitate third party payments on behalf on Department of Finance (compared to $26.230m in 2021-22).
Conclusions
The departmental appropriation is unchanged compared to the 64th Report from the March Budget. As noted on page 10 of the Department's Portfolio Budget Statements 2022-23, the establishment of select committees in recent parliaments far exceeds the levels on which the department's funding was based. If the number and duration of committees established by the Senate continues at this level in future parliaments, the department will seek additional resources over the forward estimates to ensure the requirements of the Senate and senators can continue to be met.
Determination
The Committee determines that the total appropriation to be approved by the Parliament in the Appropriations (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2022-23 is $24.202m 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