Mr LYNCH (Flinders) - This item seeks approval for the expenditure of funds authorised by the Treasurer (Mr Crean) in 1972-73 and payable out of an appropriation entitled 'Advance to the Treasurer', which is contained in the annual Appropriation Acts. Out of this advance the Treasurer is authorised to allocate funds to meet recoverable, emergent and unforseen expenditure not specifically provided for in the Acts. The Treasurer is required to account to the Parliament by means of a statement of amounts authorised by him which have not been subject to parliamentary sanction. Over the last 2 years the funds which have been appropriated in this way have doubled, with a total of SI 00m being allocated for this purpose in the 1973-74 Budget.

The Opposition parties believe that it is important that a deliberate effort be made to keep the appropriation of such funds to a minimum. We are particularly concerned that under the present Government, with the proliferation of departments and the rapid increase in the size of the Public Service, the Treasurer will seek increasingly large advances to satisfy the anticipated interim demands of the Government's administrative expansion. It is clearly desirable that tight control be exercised to ensure that government departments do not seek funds from the Treasurer's Advance when the correct course is to make provision for such expenditure in the Additional Estimates. Some of the dangers of this system can be obviated by the development of more efficient and accurate estimating procedures. The elimination of clerical errors and delays also can contribute to a more realistic estimate and ensure that less interim finance is required. I am sure the Treasurer appreciates the desirability of keeping these advances at a minimum level. I contain my comments today because of the pressures of time. The Opposition does not oppose the measure.

Statement agreed to.

Motion (by Mr Daly) agreed to:

Resolution reported; report adopted.