(1) (a)   For the period 1 December 2007 to 30 June 2008, what funds has the Government committed to spend under regulation 10 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (the Act) for each department and/or agency that operates under the Act in the Minister’s portfolio; and (b) how much of this commitment was approved: (i) at the department or agency level, and (ii) by the Minister for Finance and Deregulation.

(2)   How much depreciation funding for each department or agency in the Minister’s portfolio: (a) was available as at 30 June 2008; (b) was spent in the 2007-08 financial year; and (c) was spent in the 2007-08 financial year to directly replace assets for which it was appropriated.

(1)   For the period 1 December 2007 to 30 June 2008, the Finance and Deregulation (Finance) Portfolio authorised under Regulation 10 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act) $480.8m, inclusive of contingent liabilities. $459.8m was authorised for Finance, $12.1m for ComSuper, and $8.89m authorised for the Australian Electoral Commission. Of the Finance total, $383.7m (inclusive of contingent liabilities) was authorised under the Fleet Management Agreement which relates to the lease and management of vehicles under the whole-of-government vehicle fleet contract. The Minister for Finance and Deregulation provided authorisation for the Fleet Management Agreement. Due to the Minister’s delegation of powers, all other Regulation 10 authorisations were approved at the department or agency level.

(2)   In the 2007-2008 financial year Finance, including its portfolio agencies, expensed a total of $43.77m of depreciation and amortisation (refer 2007-08 agency Annual Reports).