Legislative Council, Wednesday 28 June 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

My question relates to the 2023/24 Budget in particular I refer to Output Group 5.6 (Sport and Recreation) in the Department of State Growth in this year’s budget and the corresponding Output Group in the 2022/23 budget (Output Group 4.7 in Communities Tasmania).

1. Is the key deliverable ‘Tasmanian AFL Team Package’ included in OG 5.6?

a. If not which Output Group does it appear in?

2. Why is the amount listed as the 2022/23 Budget amount in the 2023/24 Budget $3.9m less than the equivalent figure in the 2022/23 Budget?

3. What is the Estimated Outcomes for the Expense Summary for Output Group 5.6 (Sport and Recreation) in the Department of State Growth for 2022/23?

4. I note the extra amounts in the budget year and the first 2 years of the forward estimates are $4.204m, $4.984m and $1.125m respectively yet the AFL Team package is $10.85m, $5.85m and $5.8 m in those years. The policy and parameter statement in Budget paper 1, 2023/23 suggests there are some additional policy changes.

a. Please detail these policy changes for each year;

b. Is the balance of the differences accounted for by parameter reductions; and

c. If so, please detail these parameter changes for each year?

5. In the forward estimate for 2026/27 year the amount listed in the Expense Summary page 256 Budget Paper No 2 Volume 1 $13.943 m, yet the AFL Team package is $12m.

a. Please provide a list of what funding comprises the difference.

ANSWER:

1. No.
a. The key deliverable ‘Tasmanian AFL Team Package’ is included under Output Group 1 – Industry and Business Growth.

2. The variance between 2022-23 Budget Paper and the 2023-24 Budget Paper for Output 5.6 Sport Recreation reflects the allocation of the Output’s Original Budget between the Department of State Growth and Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC) following the restructuring of the Department of Communities. This mainly related to the allocation of grant funding and the operational funding for the grants team transferred to DPAC. There were subsequent budget transfers within year to ensure funds were transferred between Departments as agreed.

3. The estimated outcome for 2022-23 is $32.64 million. The difference between the estimated outcome and the original budget reflects within year variations for Budget Rollovers, Savings declared offset by Requests for Additional Funds and budget transfers.

4. As outlined in the first answer, the ‘Tasmanian AFL Team Package’ is included under Output Group 1 – Industry and Business Growth. Therefore, the ‘Tasmanian AFL Team Package’ does not have any impact when comparing Output Group 5.6 from the 2022/23 State Budget to the 2023/24 State Budget.

While not requested, note that the Policy and Parameter Statement in Budget Paper 1 includes the following for the ‘Tasmanian AFL Team Package’

Specifically Output 5.6 Sport and Recreation included the following adjustments:

Note: The remaining difference between the 2022-23 Budget Paper and the 2023-24 Budget Paper reflects the allocation of the Output’s Original Budget between the Department of State Growth and Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC) following the abolishment of the Department of Communities.

1. As outlined in the first answer, the ‘Tasmanian AFL Team Package’ is included under Output Group 1 – Industry and Business Growth. Therefore, the ‘Tasmanian AFL Team Package’ does not have any impact on Output Group 5.6, including the 2026-27 Forward Estimate of $13.943 million.