With reference to the Superannuation Co-contribution advertising campaign:

(1)   For each of the financial years, 2003-04 and 2004-05: (a) what is the cost of this advertising campaign; and (b) what is the breakdown of these advertising costs for: (a) television (TV) placements; (b) radio placements; (c) newspaper placements; (d) mail outs with brochures and letters signed by Mr Carmody; and (e) advertising research.

(2)   When did TV advertising screening begin, and when is it planned to end.

(3)   How many letters were sent by Mr Carmody.

(4)   On what basis was the mail out selected.

(5)   What database was used to select addresses - the Australian Taxation Office database, the electoral database or other.

(6)   Given that the advertisements now do not reflect Government policy on the co contribution, is there any plan to update the campaign; if so, what campaign components will be updated and how much will this cost.

(7) (a)   What appropriations will the department use to authorise any of the payments either committed to be made or proposed to be made as part of this advertising campaign; (b) will those appropriations be made in the 2003-04 or 2004-05 financial year; (c) will the appropriations relate to a departmental or administered item or the Advance to the Minister for Finance and Administration; and (d) if an appropriation relates to a departmental or administered item, what is the relevant line item in the relevant Portfolio Budget Statement for that item.

(8)   Has a request been made of the Minister for Finance and Administration to issue a drawing right to pay out moneys for any part of the advertising campaign; if so: (a) what are the details of that request; and (b) against which particular appropriation is it requested that the money be paid.

(9)   Has the Minister for Finance and Administration issued a drawing right as referred to in paragraph (8) above; if so, what are the details of that drawing right.

(10)   Has an official or minister made a payment of public money or debited an amount against an appropriation in accordance with a drawing right issued by the Minister for Finance and Administration for any part of the advertising campaign.

As these questions deal with matters that are the responsibility of the Australian Taxation Office, I have asked the Commissioner for advice. The advice in relation to the honourable senator’s question is as follows:

(1) (a)   2003/04 financial year (Phase I) - $7.1 million

(b)   2004/05 financial year estimate (Phase II) - $5.559 million

(b)   2003/04 financial year (Phase I), as at 1 June:

(a)   television placements: metro, regional, pay tv: $2,333,572

(b)   radio placements: (radio print handicapped): $21,728

(c)   newspaper (and magazine) placements: $1,692,582

(d)   mail outs with brochures and letters signed by Mr Carmody: $853,320

(e)   advertising research: $342,200 2004/05 financial year (Phase II) planned expenditure:

(a)   $2,207,325

(b)   $21,010

(c)   $1,038,795

(d)   $1,200,000

(e)   $241,080

(2004-05 figures are as at Sept 05)  

(2)   Phase I television advertising campaign commenced 14 March 2004 and ceased on 30 June 2004. Phase II advertising campaign commenced 28 March 2005 and ceased on 17 April 2005, and the second advertising component commenced on 22 May 2005 and ceased on 12 June 2005.

(3)   Phase I approximately 1.5 million letters sent. Phase II approximately 2.96 million letters sent.

(4)   Phase I - eligible Australians on the Australian Tax Office (ATO) database. The mail out included people: •       Who lodge an income tax return •       Whose total income is $40,000 per annum or less •       10% or more of their total income is from eligible employment Phase II - eligible Australians on the ATO database. The mail out included people: •       Who lodge an income tax return •       Whose total income is $58,000 per annum or less •       10% or more of their total income from eligible employment

(5)   Australian Taxation Office income tax return database.

(6)   Yes, key material available from the ATO was updated to reflect the expanded co-contribution from 1 July 2004. For example, the ATO’s website information and contact centre staff scripts. In addition, the advertising campaign materials have also been updated to reflect changes. The estimated cost of this is $382,404.

(7)  

(a)   The ATO used appropriations under 2003-04 Appropriation Acts which were replenished by 2004-05 Appropriation Acts. As part of these amounts $5.2 million and $7.1 million respectively related to advertising campaigns. The balance of the funding was utilised for call centre activity and mailouts to all recipients of the super co-contribution.

(b)   See response to 7(a).

(c)   Appropriations made under Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2004-05 and Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2004-05 for the super co-contributions communication and marketing campaign are departmental in nature.

(d)   The appropriation made under Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2004-05 of $8.2 million is recognised in the Tax Office’s Budgeted Statement of Financial Performance. Specifically, the $8.2 million appropriation forms part of the “revenues from government” line item shown in Table 3.1 on page 215 of the 2004-05 Treasury Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS). This amount is also recognised in Table 1.2 on page 190 as a separate line item, “Superannuation co-contribution implementation campaign”. The appropriation made under Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2004-05 of $9.6 million relates to a previous years outputs appropriation and is recognised in the 2004-05 Treasury PBS in Table 1.1 on page 187 as “Agency capital (equity injections and loans)”. This amount is also recognised in the Tax Office’s capital budget statement in Table 3.4 on page 218 as “previous years’ outputs” capital appropriation.

(8)   to (10) No.