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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 4 Hansard (29 March) . . Page.. 1254 ..

Tourism marketing and promotions services activities and business development programs

(Question No 340)

Ms Tucker asked the Minister for Business, Tourism and the Arts, upon notice, on 7 March 2001:

In relation to the December 2000 Quarter Performance Report for Business Tourism and the Arts, both the cost of the "Tourism marketing and Promotions Service activities" and the "Business Development Programs" were significantly higher than pro-rata targets of 30% and 40% respectively:

(1) Can you provide the Assembly with (a) a breakdown of these costs, and (b) an explanation of the increase over projected expenditure including details of any:

(i) increased charges by consultants;

(ii) increased expenditure on entertainment and travel;

(iii) unrealistic income expectations;

(iv)unanticipated activity. and

(v) inadequate financial planning.

(2) Will you institute more detailed reporting requirements in Quarterly Performance Reports where costs are running above projections.

Mr Smyth: The answer to the member's question is as follows:

(1) The increase of 30% over pro-rata budget of the Cost of Tourism Marketing and Promotions Service activities is a result of payments made to the Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation occurring on a seasonal basis to coincide with costs associated with running Floriade.

The increase of 40% over pro-rata budget for the cost of provision of business development programs is a result of an $8 million payment to Impulse Airlines occurring as one lump sum payment rather than spread evenly throughout the year.

None of these variances are a result of:

� increased charges by consultants;

� increased expenditure on entertainment and travel;

� unrealistic income expectations;

� unanticipated activity; and

� inadequate financial planning.

(2) More detailed explanations. of major variances will be provided in Quarterly Performance Reports.

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