(1) What were the (a) budgeted and (b) actual expenditures of the Australian Customs Service (ACS) in all its functions, including excise and duties collection, industry protection, border patrol and other statutory functions, during the 38th and 39th Commonwealth Parliaments?

(2) Have cost cutting measures implemented during the 38th and 39th Parliaments impacted upon border protection activities of the ACS; if not, has it been able to maintain or enhance its pre-38 th Parliament service levels and operational strength.

(1) The answer to the first question is summarised in the tables below.

Term of the 38th Commonwealth Parliament: 1996 to 1998

*Denotes financial years (period ending 30 June 1997 & 30 June 1998).

Term -of the 39th Commonwealth Parliament: 1998 to 2001

*Denotes financial years (period ending 30 June 1999, 30 June 2000 & 30 June 2001).

Notes from Budgets and Actuals:

(i) Actual Expenditure includes departmental and administered costs.

(ii) Budget data is sourced from the PBS/PAES and actual data is sourced from the Annual Reports for the 38th and 39th Commonwealth Parliaments.

(iii) In February 1999, responsibility for administration of excise functions was transferred to the Australian Taxation Office and in April 1999, responsibility for a number of industry assistance schemes was transferred to Industry, Science and Resources. The reduction in Administered expenses from 1999 onwards is the direct result of the transfer of these functions to other departments.

(iv) Budget and actual expenditure for financial year ended 30 June 1999 reflects the transfer of core excise functions to the Australian Taxation Office.

(v) For comparison purposes, budget figures have been amended to include resources received free of charge in financial years ended 30 June 1997, 1998 and 1999.

(vi) Valid comparisons are difficult to make between cash and accrual appropriations. Caution should be exercised in using these budget figures as they contain adjustments for comparison purposes such as the inclusion of actual resources received free of charge from 1997 to 1999.

(2) No. During the 38th and 39th Commonwealth Parliaments, Customs received significant funding injections for the National Illicit Drug Strategy (NIDS), the Technology Upgrade Program, the New Marine Fleet, Tough on Drugs, the Coastwatch National Surveillance Centre, increased funding to prevent foot and mouth disease and other diseases from reaching Australia, and has been able to expand operational strength.