❓ Mr. Krsticevic questions the Department of Finance and OSR regarding data-matching for concession eligibility, review processes under the Rates and Charges Act, and the role of local governments. The response clarifies data access, policy changes, and responsibilities for concession reviews.
AnsweredQoN 3097Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 May 2018
Member
Portfolio
Treasurer; Minister for Finance; Energy; Aboriginal Affairs
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Does the Department of Finance and/or Office of State Revenue (OSR) have access to data-matching or other information, to confirm if individuals are eligible for concessions, such as pensioner discounts: (a) if yes, what source information does the Department of Finance and/or OSR have access to; and (b) will the Minister list: (i) all concessions, rebates, discounts or otherwise which undergo a verification process via the Department of Finance and/or OSR; and (ii) all departments, agencies or other entities who refer or seek confirmation of concessions or other rebates to the Department of Finance and/or OSR? (2) Has there been a change in policy regarding the need to review registrations, under section 36 of the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992 ("Act"): (a) since 17 March 2017, has any correspondence been sent out to departments, agencies, administrative authorities or otherwise regarding section 36 of the Act and if so, will you table a copy; (b) which department, agency or otherwise maintains records of when review registrations are completed; and (c) are there any penalties or otherwise for an administrative authority who fails to review registrations every three years? (3) Will the Minister list the dates on which the three most recent registration reviews, pursuant to section 36 of the Act, were conducted by: (a) the City of Stirling; (b) the City of Canning; (c) the City of Wanneroo; and (d) the City of Perth? (4) If the Department of Finance and/or OSR has the capacity to data-match information and confirm the eligibility of concession holders, why are Local Governments and other administrative authorities required to review registrations pursuant to section 36 of the Act?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 June 2018
Response time
9 days
The Department of Finance advises:
(1) Yes (a) Commonwealth Government – Department of Human Services – confirmation of pensioner eligibility only. Government of Western Australia – Department of Communities – information concerning persons entitled to a State Senior’s Card. Government of Western Australia – Landgate – land ownership information
(b)(i) Pensioners and Seniors Rebate; Energy Concession Extension Scheme; Life Support Equipment Energy Subsidy Scheme; and Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Energy Subsidy Scheme; and (ii) Local governments.
(2) – (2a) No. A policy change has not been approved under the procedural manual authorised by Section 9 of the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992 , which provides that local governments and country water boards do not have to conduct triennial reviews. It has recently come to the attention of the Commissioner of State Revenue that an administrative error occurred on 10 March 2017, where four local governments were incorrectly advised at a pensioner review workshop that a review of pensioner and senior entitlements was required under section 36 of the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992 . Since 17 March 2017, written correspondence concerning section 36 of the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992 has not been initiated by State Revenue to departments, agencies, administrative authorities or otherwise. Six local governments and the Water Corporation received email correspondence from State Revenue officers responding to enquiries about the requirement to conduct triennial reviews [See tabled paper no. ]. The Commissioner of State Revenue is in the process of writing to all local governments and the WA Local Government Association to correct this error.
(b) No centralised record of reviews is maintained.
(c) No.
(3) Yes.
(a) The City of Stirling advised that it has no record of previous reviews.
(b) The City of Canning advised that the last completed review was in 2001.A current review commenced in February 2018.
(c) The City of Wanneroo advised reviews were completed in 2002 and 2016.
(d) The City of Perth advised that it has no record of previous reviews. A current review commenced in March 2018.
(4) While section 36 of the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992 requires administrative authorities to conduct triennial reviews, State Revenue assumed the responsibility for these reviews from local governments and Water Boards from 1 July 2003. This is set out in the procedural manual prepared under section 9(4) of Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992 . To determine concession eligibility, State Revenue accesses data from various sources and uses its current data-matching capability to confirm the status of pensioners and seniors on an annual basis. Exceptions are provided to the relevant authorities for follow-up. System redevelopments to substantially improve the data-matching capability of property ownership and occupancy details are being undertaken by State Revenue, with this functionality expected to be available during 2019-20.
(1) Yes (a) Commonwealth Government – Department of Human Services – confirmation of pensioner eligibility only. Government of Western Australia – Department of Communities – information concerning persons entitled to a State Senior’s Card. Government of Western Australia – Landgate – land ownership information
(b)(i) Pensioners and Seniors Rebate; Energy Concession Extension Scheme; Life Support Equipment Energy Subsidy Scheme; and Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Energy Subsidy Scheme; and (ii) Local governments.
(2) – (2a) No. A policy change has not been approved under the procedural manual authorised by Section 9 of the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992 , which provides that local governments and country water boards do not have to conduct triennial reviews. It has recently come to the attention of the Commissioner of State Revenue that an administrative error occurred on 10 March 2017, where four local governments were incorrectly advised at a pensioner review workshop that a review of pensioner and senior entitlements was required under section 36 of the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992 . Since 17 March 2017, written correspondence concerning section 36 of the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992 has not been initiated by State Revenue to departments, agencies, administrative authorities or otherwise. Six local governments and the Water Corporation received email correspondence from State Revenue officers responding to enquiries about the requirement to conduct triennial reviews [See tabled paper no. ]. The Commissioner of State Revenue is in the process of writing to all local governments and the WA Local Government Association to correct this error.
(b) No centralised record of reviews is maintained.
(c) No.
(3) Yes.
(a) The City of Stirling advised that it has no record of previous reviews.
(b) The City of Canning advised that the last completed review was in 2001.A current review commenced in February 2018.
(c) The City of Wanneroo advised reviews were completed in 2002 and 2016.
(d) The City of Perth advised that it has no record of previous reviews. A current review commenced in March 2018.
(4) While section 36 of the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992 requires administrative authorities to conduct triennial reviews, State Revenue assumed the responsibility for these reviews from local governments and Water Boards from 1 July 2003. This is set out in the procedural manual prepared under section 9(4) of Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992 . To determine concession eligibility, State Revenue accesses data from various sources and uses its current data-matching capability to confirm the status of pensioners and seniors on an annual basis. Exceptions are provided to the relevant authorities for follow-up. System redevelopments to substantially improve the data-matching capability of property ownership and occupancy details are being undertaken by State Revenue, with this functionality expected to be available during 2019-20.
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