❓ Mr. Barnett questions the Treasurer about the reliance on priority dividend savings for the budget surplus and the delay in providing a detailed breakdown of $852 million in savings. The Treasurer defends the government's financial management and promises to provide the breakdown.
AnsweredQoN 426Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BUDGET, PRIORITY DIVIDEND MEASURES
I refer to page 18 of budget paper No 3, which states - The priority dividend was set at 1.5% of an agency’s total operating expenses in 2001-02 and 2% in the following years. The Government subsequently extended the dividend task by $50 million a year with the aim of generating sustainable operating surpluses across the forward estimates. (1) Will the Treasurer admit that his $51 million budget surplus is notional at best and is entirely dependent on the Government achieving its projected $50 million per annum priority dividend saving across all departments? (2) Given that it is now more than five weeks since the budget was delivered, why has the Treasurer failed to provide a detailed breakdown of the Labor Government’s $852 million of savings? Mr RIPPER
I refer to page 18 of budget paper No 3, which states - The priority dividend was set at 1.5% of an agency’s total operating expenses in 2001-02 and 2% in the following years. The Government subsequently extended the dividend task by $50 million a year with the aim of generating sustainable operating surpluses across the forward estimates. (1) Will the Treasurer admit that his $51 million budget surplus is notional at best and is entirely dependent on the Government achieving its projected $50 million per annum priority dividend saving across all departments? (2) Given that it is now more than five weeks since the budget was delivered, why has the Treasurer failed to provide a detailed breakdown of the Labor Government’s $852 million of savings? Mr RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) Many factors affect a budget over the course of a financial year, and constant management is required to deliver an end-of-year operating surplus. This Government has the capacity to deliver that, unlike the previous Government, which delivered four deficits in a row. It could not control its between-budget decision making. It could not rein in senior ministers like the now Leader of the Opposition, who were disloyal to their Premier. We have a group of ministers that is committed to the financial management targets of the Government, and we have a robust expenditure review process that will assist us to manage the budget to produce the result we desire. Certain things impact on budgets from time to time, and matters outside government control impact on both spending and revenue raising. The Leader of the Opposition has asked whether we will be able to deliver the priority dividend measures. We will be able to deliver those measures. That achievement will be unlike the performance of those opposite who were responsible for economic policy when in government. I cannot remember the second part of the question. Mr Barnett: When will you detail the $852 million of savings, given that it is now five weeks after the budget was delivered and that you committed to do that when the budget was handed down and during the Estimates Committee? Mr RIPPER: I am surprised that the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues were unable to find out everything they wanted during the Estimates Committees. They had plenty of opportunities to ask questions. My ministerial colleagues tell me that these matters were discussed in many of the sessions. I undertook to provide a breakdown of the $852 million in savings, and that will be provided. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown - Mr Barnett: Five weeks. Mr RIPPER: The member should listen. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown is that some ministers work especially hard to avoid cuts to the services of their agencies. For example, one minister was able to find a saving in rent, which enabled the restoration of a service area that had been scheduled for closure under the priority dividend. We are collating the information across agencies and, when it is ready, it will be provided to members.
(2) Given that it is now more than five weeks since the budget was delivered, why has the Treasurer failed to provide a detailed breakdown of the Labor Government’s $852 million of savings? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) Many factors affect a budget over the course of a financial year, and constant management is required to deliver an end-of-year operating surplus. This Government has the capacity to deliver that, unlike the previous Government, which delivered four deficits in a row. It could not control its between-budget decision making. It could not rein in senior ministers like the now Leader of the Opposition, who were disloyal to their Premier. We have a group of ministers that is committed to the financial management targets of the Government, and we have a robust expenditure review process that will assist us to manage the budget to produce the result we desire. Certain things impact on budgets from time to time, and matters outside government control impact on both spending and revenue raising. The Leader of the Opposition has asked whether we will be able to deliver the priority dividend measures. We will be able to deliver those measures. That achievement will be unlike the performance of those opposite who were responsible for economic policy when in government. I cannot remember the second part of the question. Mr Barnett: When will you detail the $852 million of savings, given that it is now five weeks after the budget was delivered and that you committed to do that when the budget was handed down and during the Estimates Committee? Mr RIPPER: I am surprised that the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues were unable to find out everything they wanted during the Estimates Committees. They had plenty of opportunities to ask questions. My ministerial colleagues tell me that these matters were discussed in many of the sessions. I undertook to provide a breakdown of the $852 million in savings, and that will be provided. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown - Mr Barnett: Five weeks. Mr RIPPER: The member should listen. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown is that some ministers work especially hard to avoid cuts to the services of their agencies. For example, one minister was able to find a saving in rent, which enabled the restoration of a service area that had been scheduled for closure under the priority dividend. We are collating the information across agencies and, when it is ready, it will be provided to members.
Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) Many factors affect a budget over the course of a financial year, and constant management is required to deliver an end-of-year operating surplus. This Government has the capacity to deliver that, unlike the previous Government, which delivered four deficits in a row. It could not control its between-budget decision making. It could not rein in senior ministers like the now Leader of the Opposition, who were disloyal to their Premier. We have a group of ministers that is committed to the financial management targets of the Government, and we have a robust expenditure review process that will assist us to manage the budget to produce the result we desire. Certain things impact on budgets from time to time, and matters outside government control impact on both spending and revenue raising. The Leader of the Opposition has asked whether we will be able to deliver the priority dividend measures. We will be able to deliver those measures. That achievement will be unlike the performance of those opposite who were responsible for economic policy when in government. I cannot remember the second part of the question. Mr Barnett: When will you detail the $852 million of savings, given that it is now five weeks after the budget was delivered and that you committed to do that when the budget was handed down and during the Estimates Committee? Mr RIPPER: I am surprised that the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues were unable to find out everything they wanted during the Estimates Committees. They had plenty of opportunities to ask questions. My ministerial colleagues tell me that these matters were discussed in many of the sessions. I undertook to provide a breakdown of the $852 million in savings, and that will be provided. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown - Mr Barnett: Five weeks. Mr RIPPER: The member should listen. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown is that some ministers work especially hard to avoid cuts to the services of their agencies. For example, one minister was able to find a saving in rent, which enabled the restoration of a service area that had been scheduled for closure under the priority dividend. We are collating the information across agencies and, when it is ready, it will be provided to members.
(1)-(2) Many factors affect a budget over the course of a financial year, and constant management is required to deliver an end-of-year operating surplus. This Government has the capacity to deliver that, unlike the previous Government, which delivered four deficits in a row. It could not control its between-budget decision making. It could not rein in senior ministers like the now Leader of the Opposition, who were disloyal to their Premier. We have a group of ministers that is committed to the financial management targets of the Government, and we have a robust expenditure review process that will assist us to manage the budget to produce the result we desire. Certain things impact on budgets from time to time, and matters outside government control impact on both spending and revenue raising. The Leader of the Opposition has asked whether we will be able to deliver the priority dividend measures. We will be able to deliver those measures. That achievement will be unlike the performance of those opposite who were responsible for economic policy when in government. I cannot remember the second part of the question. Mr Barnett: When will you detail the $852 million of savings, given that it is now five weeks after the budget was delivered and that you committed to do that when the budget was handed down and during the Estimates Committee? Mr RIPPER: I am surprised that the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues were unable to find out everything they wanted during the Estimates Committees. They had plenty of opportunities to ask questions. My ministerial colleagues tell me that these matters were discussed in many of the sessions. I undertook to provide a breakdown of the $852 million in savings, and that will be provided. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown - Mr Barnett: Five weeks. Mr RIPPER: The member should listen. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown is that some ministers work especially hard to avoid cuts to the services of their agencies. For example, one minister was able to find a saving in rent, which enabled the restoration of a service area that had been scheduled for closure under the priority dividend. We are collating the information across agencies and, when it is ready, it will be provided to members.
Mr RIPPER: I am surprised that the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues were unable to find out everything they wanted during the Estimates Committees. They had plenty of opportunities to ask questions. My ministerial colleagues tell me that these matters were discussed in many of the sessions. I undertook to provide a breakdown of the $852 million in savings, and that will be provided. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown - Mr Barnett: Five weeks. Mr RIPPER: The member should listen. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown is that some ministers work especially hard to avoid cuts to the services of their agencies. For example, one minister was able to find a saving in rent, which enabled the restoration of a service area that had been scheduled for closure under the priority dividend. We are collating the information across agencies and, when it is ready, it will be provided to members.
Mr Barnett: Five weeks. Mr RIPPER: The member should listen. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown is that some ministers work especially hard to avoid cuts to the services of their agencies. For example, one minister was able to find a saving in rent, which enabled the restoration of a service area that had been scheduled for closure under the priority dividend. We are collating the information across agencies and, when it is ready, it will be provided to members.
Mr RIPPER: The member should listen. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown is that some ministers work especially hard to avoid cuts to the services of their agencies. For example, one minister was able to find a saving in rent, which enabled the restoration of a service area that had been scheduled for closure under the priority dividend. We are collating the information across agencies and, when it is ready, it will be provided to members.
(2) Given that it is now more than five weeks since the budget was delivered, why has the Treasurer failed to provide a detailed breakdown of the Labor Government’s $852 million of savings? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) Many factors affect a budget over the course of a financial year, and constant management is required to deliver an end-of-year operating surplus. This Government has the capacity to deliver that, unlike the previous Government, which delivered four deficits in a row. It could not control its between-budget decision making. It could not rein in senior ministers like the now Leader of the Opposition, who were disloyal to their Premier. We have a group of ministers that is committed to the financial management targets of the Government, and we have a robust expenditure review process that will assist us to manage the budget to produce the result we desire. Certain things impact on budgets from time to time, and matters outside government control impact on both spending and revenue raising. The Leader of the Opposition has asked whether we will be able to deliver the priority dividend measures. We will be able to deliver those measures. That achievement will be unlike the performance of those opposite who were responsible for economic policy when in government. I cannot remember the second part of the question. Mr Barnett: When will you detail the $852 million of savings, given that it is now five weeks after the budget was delivered and that you committed to do that when the budget was handed down and during the Estimates Committee? Mr RIPPER: I am surprised that the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues were unable to find out everything they wanted during the Estimates Committees. They had plenty of opportunities to ask questions. My ministerial colleagues tell me that these matters were discussed in many of the sessions. I undertook to provide a breakdown of the $852 million in savings, and that will be provided. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown - Mr Barnett: Five weeks. Mr RIPPER: The member should listen. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown is that some ministers work especially hard to avoid cuts to the services of their agencies. For example, one minister was able to find a saving in rent, which enabled the restoration of a service area that had been scheduled for closure under the priority dividend. We are collating the information across agencies and, when it is ready, it will be provided to members.
Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) Many factors affect a budget over the course of a financial year, and constant management is required to deliver an end-of-year operating surplus. This Government has the capacity to deliver that, unlike the previous Government, which delivered four deficits in a row. It could not control its between-budget decision making. It could not rein in senior ministers like the now Leader of the Opposition, who were disloyal to their Premier. We have a group of ministers that is committed to the financial management targets of the Government, and we have a robust expenditure review process that will assist us to manage the budget to produce the result we desire. Certain things impact on budgets from time to time, and matters outside government control impact on both spending and revenue raising. The Leader of the Opposition has asked whether we will be able to deliver the priority dividend measures. We will be able to deliver those measures. That achievement will be unlike the performance of those opposite who were responsible for economic policy when in government. I cannot remember the second part of the question. Mr Barnett: When will you detail the $852 million of savings, given that it is now five weeks after the budget was delivered and that you committed to do that when the budget was handed down and during the Estimates Committee? Mr RIPPER: I am surprised that the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues were unable to find out everything they wanted during the Estimates Committees. They had plenty of opportunities to ask questions. My ministerial colleagues tell me that these matters were discussed in many of the sessions. I undertook to provide a breakdown of the $852 million in savings, and that will be provided. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown - Mr Barnett: Five weeks. Mr RIPPER: The member should listen. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown is that some ministers work especially hard to avoid cuts to the services of their agencies. For example, one minister was able to find a saving in rent, which enabled the restoration of a service area that had been scheduled for closure under the priority dividend. We are collating the information across agencies and, when it is ready, it will be provided to members.
(1)-(2) Many factors affect a budget over the course of a financial year, and constant management is required to deliver an end-of-year operating surplus. This Government has the capacity to deliver that, unlike the previous Government, which delivered four deficits in a row. It could not control its between-budget decision making. It could not rein in senior ministers like the now Leader of the Opposition, who were disloyal to their Premier. We have a group of ministers that is committed to the financial management targets of the Government, and we have a robust expenditure review process that will assist us to manage the budget to produce the result we desire. Certain things impact on budgets from time to time, and matters outside government control impact on both spending and revenue raising. The Leader of the Opposition has asked whether we will be able to deliver the priority dividend measures. We will be able to deliver those measures. That achievement will be unlike the performance of those opposite who were responsible for economic policy when in government. I cannot remember the second part of the question. Mr Barnett: When will you detail the $852 million of savings, given that it is now five weeks after the budget was delivered and that you committed to do that when the budget was handed down and during the Estimates Committee? Mr RIPPER: I am surprised that the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues were unable to find out everything they wanted during the Estimates Committees. They had plenty of opportunities to ask questions. My ministerial colleagues tell me that these matters were discussed in many of the sessions. I undertook to provide a breakdown of the $852 million in savings, and that will be provided. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown - Mr Barnett: Five weeks. Mr RIPPER: The member should listen. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown is that some ministers work especially hard to avoid cuts to the services of their agencies. For example, one minister was able to find a saving in rent, which enabled the restoration of a service area that had been scheduled for closure under the priority dividend. We are collating the information across agencies and, when it is ready, it will be provided to members.
Mr RIPPER: I am surprised that the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues were unable to find out everything they wanted during the Estimates Committees. They had plenty of opportunities to ask questions. My ministerial colleagues tell me that these matters were discussed in many of the sessions. I undertook to provide a breakdown of the $852 million in savings, and that will be provided. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown - Mr Barnett: Five weeks. Mr RIPPER: The member should listen. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown is that some ministers work especially hard to avoid cuts to the services of their agencies. For example, one minister was able to find a saving in rent, which enabled the restoration of a service area that had been scheduled for closure under the priority dividend. We are collating the information across agencies and, when it is ready, it will be provided to members.
Mr Barnett: Five weeks. Mr RIPPER: The member should listen. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown is that some ministers work especially hard to avoid cuts to the services of their agencies. For example, one minister was able to find a saving in rent, which enabled the restoration of a service area that had been scheduled for closure under the priority dividend. We are collating the information across agencies and, when it is ready, it will be provided to members.
Mr RIPPER: The member should listen. One of the issues in compiling that breakdown is that some ministers work especially hard to avoid cuts to the services of their agencies. For example, one minister was able to find a saving in rent, which enabled the restoration of a service area that had been scheduled for closure under the priority dividend. We are collating the information across agencies and, when it is ready, it will be provided to members.
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