Page 4433 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 21 November 1990
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Once sections of the budget find that they have to account for rent in their own expenditure there will be a far better accountability system and money will be spent much more carefully. We will be able to see exactly who is responsible for rental and to what extent it forms part and parcel of a budget and how we can make comparisons. As I recall, at the Estimates Committee hearing, this particular group talked about rather high square metreage for its rental and also raised the issue of plants which, of course, I do not wish to pursue.
MR DUBY (Minister for Finance and Urban Services) (4.23): Mr Speaker, once again, the Government can only say that the members on that side of the house simply did not listen to the evidence that was presented to them in the Estimates Committee. It was clearly stated to the Estimates Committee that, whether or not the issue had been raised by Mr Moore or anyone else at all for that matter, this Government has in process plans to apportion rent to agencies and to various areas of the government services so that those rental portions of their budget will be included in their figures for the coming financial year. That was in hand, and that is going to be in place for next year's Estimates Committee to have it there in black and white.
Mr Moore also raised the issue of an area of OID shifting to a central location in the heart of the city. Again, that matter was completely dealt with and it was explained, I believe, that it was an amalgamation of a number of sites throughout the city into one central area, which is clearly of benefit for the efficient management of that area. In addition, the rents being paid at that location are quite consistent with the normal commercial rents for that area of the city and for an organisation of that quality.
MR MOORE (4.24): It is worthwhile to make the point at this stage that the Estimates Committee last year recommended - and my understanding was that there was a response to say that this would be the case - that rent be attributed by this budget. I quite accept what Mr Duby has now pointed out, and he did say at the Estimates Committee. He did assure the Estimates Committee that that would actually be completed in time for next budget and I should be looking forward to that.
MR DUBY (Minister for Finance and Urban Services) (4.25): It should be pointed out that that commitment was made by the previous Government and was about as good as all the rest.
Proposed expenditure agreed to.
Proposed expenditure - Division 40 - Audit Services, $1,591,000 - agreed to.
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