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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 2 Hansard (19 February) . . Page.. 315 ..

MR QUINLAN (continuing):

• continuation of a logistics support capability commenced by the previous government in respect of the anthrax scare. The capability will incorporate one specifically trained firefighter per shift, with an enhanced response vehicle and specialist equipment to assist in managing biological, radioactive, chemical and hazardous material incidents.

Mr Speaker, the bill appropriates an additional $4.11 million to the Department of Education and Community Services. This funding will allow:

• additional ACT per capita funding of non-government schools of $2.6 million for increases in student numbers since the February 1999 census; and

• the meeting of increasing costs in substitute care of $1.5 million arising from increased demand for care, increased complexity of client needs and increased costs of court-ordered care plans. I think we need to stress that these are court-ordered care plans. And I should point out that other states and territories are experiencing similar increases in substitute care.

Mr Speaker, the final appropriation in this bill is for $5.587 million to the Department of Treasury. Issues addressed in this funding enable:

• an increase in the low-alcohol subsidy, reflecting an expected increased demand in the subsidy this year;

• a GST refund to clubs-that is, small clubs-as a consequence of timing differences; and

• additional funding for the first home owner grant. An anticipated increased demand for the remaining six months of 2001-2002 is partly the result of the election commitment of the Commonwealth government. This expense is budget neutral due to the corresponding increase in Commonwealth grants and has no bottom line impact for the territory.

While this appropriation seeks funding of $19.495 million, the bill's operating impact is limited to $12.081 million due to the inclusion of budget neutral items and items of a capital nature.

Mr Speaker, to accompany the bill I have also tabled a supplementary budget paper which contains details of variations to the budget for each department proposed by the bill, including the impact on appropriations, financial statements and output classes.

At this time, the supplementary budget papers do not include revised financial statements for departments, as several transfers as a result of the administrative arrangements orders announced on 14 November 2001 are yet to be finalised. Revised financial statements will be made available to this Assembly as soon as practicable.

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