2016-05-03
TREASURY
SENATE QUESTION
Notice Given: 18 April 2016 (Question No. 1st session - 2977, 2nd session - 3231)
Senator Ludlam, asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 April 2016
With reference to the following programs cut in the 2014-15 Budget as part of the Smaller Government Reform Agenda, can a list be provided of the annual budget (including operating costs and staff levels) for each of the following programs prior to their abolition:
(a) Prime Minister's Council on Homelessness;
(b) National Housing Supply Council;
(c) COAG Reform Council (total), and broken down by: (i) COAG Housing Reform Group, (ii) COAG Cities Reform Group; and
(d) Major Cities Unit (Department of Infrastructure and Transport).
ANSWER
Senator Cormann: The answer to the Honourable Senator's question is as follows:
(a) The Government ceased the Prime Minister's Council on Homelessness in October 2013. The staffing costs to providing secretariat support to this body, were met out of existing Departmental resources.
(b) Total expenditure on the National Housing Supply Council was $506,000 in 2012-13 and the total in 2013-14 to 8 November 2013 was $48,000. The Council was abolished on 8 November 2013.
(c) The COAG Reform Council was due to receive $5.74 million in 2014-15 ($5.156 million for operating costs and $0.585 million for capital), half from the Commonwealth and half from the states and territories. It had 30 ASL.
(d) In its last full year of operation (2012/13) the Major Cities Unit operating budget was $1.7m (employee $1.5m, supplier $0.2m), and end of year staffing was 11.4 FTE (1xSES, 5.4xEL1/2, 5xAPS5/6).