Ms Burke asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 19 August 2002:

(1) Are there any programs administered by the Ministers Department that provide, or have provided, funding to local government authorities in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99, (d) 1999-2000, (e) 2000-2001 and (f) 2001-2002.

(2) If so, for each program for each of the years that funding was granted to local government authorities, (a) what was the level of funding provided to each local government authority, (b) what was the purpose for which the grant was made and (c) in which federal electoral division or divisions does this local government authority fall.

(3) Have any concerns been raised with the Ministers office or the Ministers Department from (a) local government authorities or (b) other organisations regarding cost shifting onto local government in regard to any programs administered by the Ministers Department; if so, (a) to what program or programs did the concern relate and (b) were any investigations undertaken by the Ministers Department in relation to these concerns; if not, why not; if so, what were the findings of these investigations.

Mr Costello (Treasurer) —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) The department of the Treasury does not administer any Commonwealth funding directly to local Government authorities. All administered Commonwealth funded programs from the department of the Treasury are provided directly to state governments.

(2) N/a

(3) N/a.