Page 2969 - Week 13 - Thursday, 23 November 1989
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APPENDIX 1 (Incorporated in Hansard on 21 November 1989 at page 27191
ACT GOVERNMENTS RESPONSE TO THE REPORT BY THE ESTIMATES
COMMITTEE ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1989-90
Recommendation (1)
Agencies provide additional supporting information to future Estimates Committees at the time of introduction of an Appropriation Bill;
this information must, at minimum, include detailed breakdowns of the following items:
- grants
- repairs and maintenance
- minor new works
- minor plant and equipment
- other operating costs
- major plant and equipment
- other capital acquisitions; and
this information must also be available at a sub-program level (paragraph 2.10). Government Response
The Government is conscious of the need to provide sufficient information to enable the Committee to adequately assess expenditure proposals.
As the Committee noted in its Report, it may not be practical to include this level of information in material tabled in the Assembly at the time an Appropriation Bill is introduced. The expenditure amounts associated with the specified items at subprogram level will vary significantly between sub-programs.
In providing information for budget purposes, the Government also believes it is necessary to balance the amount of information so provided with that which can be presented in a way that is readily understandable. To provide the information suggested, may mean significant additional resources being devoted to the compilation of that information in the budget context.
An overall review of budget documentation and systems necessary to support that documentation will be undertaken in the light of the initial experience in 1989-90 and the issues identified by the Committee will be taken up in that process. Another factor which also needs to be taken into account is the importance of not tying managers hands at the sub-program level early in the financial year.
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