(1) (a)   Since 24 November 2007, what federal funding, programs and/or services to Western Australia have been cut and/or discontinued in any of the Minister’s portfolio agencies; and (b) what savings have been made from these cuts.

(2) (a)   What plans does the Government have to cut and/or discontinue federal funding, programs and/or services to Western Australia in any of the Minister’s portfolio agencies in the coming period; and (b) what estimated savings would be made from these cuts.

As published in Hansard on 10 November 2008, the Treasurer provided the following response on behalf of all Treasury portfolio Ministers.

Australian Accounting Standards Board

(1)   Not applicable.

(2)   The Government will undertake a comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government will release the review’s findings in the 2008-09 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Australian Bureau of Statistics

(1)  

(a)   Since 24 November 2007, the ABS has reduced its 2008-09 work program to ensure that is operated within appropriation. Reductions have been made across the full range of ABS activities, and primarily to national statistical programs. In Western Australia, as in other states and territories, there will be a reduction in state specific statistical activities.

(b)  

   he work program was reduced to ensure that the ABS operates within appropriation.

(2)   The Government will undertake a comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government will release the review’s findings in the 2008-09 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

(1)   Nil.

(2)   The Government will undertake a comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government will release the review’s findings in the 2008-09 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Australian Office of Financial Management

(1)   Nil.

(2)   The Government will undertake a comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government will release the review’s findings in the 2008-09 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority

(1)   Nil.

(2)   The Government will undertake a comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government will release the review’s findings in the 2008-09 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Australian Securities and Investment Commission

(1)   Nil.

(2)   The Government will undertake a comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government will release the review’s findings in the 2008-09 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Australian Taxation Office

(1)   Not applicable.

(2)   The Government will undertake a comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government will release the review’s findings in the 2008-09 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. There are currently no plans to cut funding to programs in WA.

Corporations and Market Advisory Committee

(1)   Not applicable.

(2)   The Government will undertake a comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government will release the review’s findings in the 2008-09 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. There are currently no plans to cut funding to programs in WA.

Inspector-General of Taxation

(1)   Nil.

(2)   The Government will undertake a comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government will release the review’s findings in the 2008-09 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

National Competition Council

(1)   Nil.

(2)   The Government will undertake a comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government will release the review’s findings in the 2008-09 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Productivity Commission

(1)   Nil.

(2)   The Government will undertake a comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government will release the review’s findings in the 2008-09 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Royal Australian Mint

(1)   Nil.

(2)   The Government will undertake a comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government will release the review’s findings in the 2008-09 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Treasury

(1)   Nil.

(2)   The Government will undertake a comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government will release the review’s findings in the 2008-09 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.