Page 171 - Week 01 - Thursday, 9 April 1992
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Mr Kaine: In that case, I would like a decision from you as to whether the Minister for Health is competent to deal with the Treasurer's Advance, because my question focuses on supplementation from the Treasurer's Advance. He does not administer that; the Treasurer does.
MADAM SPEAKER: I believe that Mr Berry can answer the question.
Mr Kaine: If you are going to allow the Treasurer to get off every time I ask a question, you are going to find me a very sticky customer, Madam Speaker.
MR BERRY: We understand what sort of a customer you are.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Berry, I will answer Mr Kaine's point of order a little more fully. It is well within the processes of the house for a Minister to refuse to answer a question and to direct that that question be answered by another Minister.
Mr Kaine: As long as we note that the Treasurer has refused to answer the question. That can go in the Hansard, too.
MADAM SPEAKER: In this process Mr Berry will answer the question.
MR BERRY: Nobody has refused to answer a question.
Mr Kaine: The Treasurer refused to answer the question, and you will not answer it.
MR BERRY: Nobody has refused to answer the question, Mr Kaine. Behave yourself. The question in relation to the make-up of the business rules was answered yesterday and - - -
Mr Kaine: No, it was not.
MR BERRY: It was answered yesterday and therefore that part of your question is out of order.
Mr Kaine: No, it was not. That is why I asked it again.
MR BERRY: It was answered yesterday. The second part of your question related to the legislation. The application of the business rules is consistent with legislation.
Mr Kaine: Can we see the business rules?
MR BERRY: Indeed, you can. I will give you a copy of them. In fact, I will table these later, as I have tabled them, I think, a couple of times before.
The Appropriation Act provides for cost increases not covered by the budget to be paid from the Treasurer's Advance, which is itself an appropriation. That one is right. That sinks in. Increases in award salaries and wages are excluded from the budget appropriation, but allowance is specifically made for payment of these increases under section 5 of the Appropriation Act. Any additions to the appropriations approved under the business rules agreed to between the Treasurer and Health are also funded from the Treasurer's Advance and section 5 of the Appropriation Act. Authority for the Treasurer's Advance is given under
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