(1) (a)   For each financial year from 2000-01 to 2005-06, what was the total amount of actual employee expense funded through price of outputs appropriations or other appropriations, including additional estimates; and (b) similarly: (i) for the 2006-07 financial year, what is the estimated employee expense, and (ii) for the 2007-08 financial year, what is the total amount budgeted for employee expenses.

(2)   For each financial year from 2000-01 to 2005-06: (a) what was the total amount of actual expenditure on employee entitlements; and (b) what was the difference between the actual expenditure on employee entitlements and the original amount budgeted.

(3)   For the 2006-07 financial year: (a) what is the total amount of estimated actual expenditure on employee entitlements; and (b) what is the difference been the estimated actual expenditure on employee entitlements and the original amount budgeted.

(4)   For the 2007-08 financial year and for each of the financial years across the forward estimates period, what is the total amount of budgeted expenditure on employee entitlements.

(5)   What is the difference between employee expense and expenditure on employee entitlements for: (a) each financial year since 2000-01; (b) the financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08, as an estimate; and (c) each financial year across the forward estimates period.

(6)   What additional appropriations have been necessary to fund expenditure on employee entitlements.

(7)   With reference to the estimated actual results and financial position for the 2006-07 financial year, is any of the appropriation receivable funding for employee expenses earmarked for expenditure on employee entitlements for the 2007-08 financial year and future years.

(8)   Has the Australian National Audit Office reported any concerns about the accuracy of the employee entitlements liability of the Minister’s portfolio.

(9)   Does the Minister’s portfolio have a strategy for managing its employee entitlements liability; if so, what is it.

(10)   Is the annual employee expense funded by appropriations sufficient to meet the liability for employee entitlements of the Minister’s portfolio or its strategy for managing its liability.

Department of Transport and Regional Services

(1)  

(a)   This information is available in the Department’s annual reports.

(b)   This information is available in the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

(2)  

(a)   This information is available in the Department’s annual reports.

(b)   This information is available in annual Portfolio Budget and Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.

(3) (a)   and (b) This information is available in the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

(4)   This information is available in the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

(5) (a)   to (c) The information requested would involve an inappropriate diversion of Departmental resources.

(6)   None.

(7)   Yes.

(8)   No.

(9)   Yes. The Department monitors its employee entitlements liability closely and reports balances to the Department’s Executive monthly.

(10)   Yes.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

(1) (a)   This information is available in the CASA’s annual reports.

(b)   This information is available in the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

(2) (a)   This information is available in the CASA’s annual reports.

(b)   This information is available in annual Portfolio Budget and Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.

(3) (a)   and (b) This information is available in the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

(4)   This information is available in the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

(5) (a)   to (c) The information requested would involve an inappropriate diversion of Departmental resources.

(6)   Nil.

(7)   Yes.

(8)   No.

(9)   Yes. CASA has a broad strategy to manage employee entitlements through both its individual and collective workplace agreements. Within the applicable legislation and government guidance, the agreements are planned, negotiated and managed to deliver specific outcomes including the management of employee entitlements. Employee entitlements are principally managed through either defined limitations expressed in workplace agreements or through corporate policies that are referred to in the workplace agreements.

(10)   Appropriation is sufficient to meet the increase in employee provisions occurring in a financial year. CASA has cash reserves to meet accumulated entitlements.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

(1) (a)   This information is available in the AMSA’s annual reports.

(b)   This information is available in the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

(2) (a)   This information is available in the AMSA’s annual reports.

(b)   This information is available in annual Portfolio Budget and Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.

(3) (a)   and (b) This information is available in the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

(4)   This information is available in the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

(5) (a)   to (c) The information requested would involve an inappropriate diversion of Departmental resources.

(6)   None.

(7)   Yes.

(8)   No.

(9)   Yes. AMSA monitors employee entitlements liability accruing from recreational leave and encourages employees to take their leave entitlement each year, particularly employees with a balance in excess of 45 days recreational leave.

(10)   Yes.

National Capital Authority

(1) (a)   This information is available in the NCA’s annual reports.

(b)   This information is available in the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

(2) (a)   This information is available in the NCA’s annual reports.

(b)   This information is available in annual Portfolio Budget and Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.

(3) (a)   and (b) This information is available in the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

(4)   This information is available in the 2007-08 Portfolio Budget Statements.

(5) (a)   to (c) The information requested would involve an inappropriate diversion of Departmental resources.

(6)   None.

(7)   Yes.

(8)   No.

(9)   Yes. Staff are encouraged to take leave entitlements as they fall due and systems are in place to address the accumulation of large balances.

(10)   Yes.