Question On Notice No. 2805 asked in the Legislative Council on 13 February 2020 by Hon Jacqui Boydell
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment representing the Treasurer
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the Royalties for Regions account, and for each financial year since 2008-09, I ask:
(a) what was the Government imposed expenditure limit on the Royalties for Regions account;
(b) what was the actual underspend provision;
(c) what was the total amount of royalties and interest from the Royalties for Regions account returned to the Consolidated Account; and
(d) in relation to the line item 'Administration', what was the actual expenditure?
Answered on 19 March 2020
(a) As part of the 2014-15 Budget, the then Government imposed an annual expenditure limit of $1 billion per year. While the actual expenditure limit for the budget year may vary slightly from $1 billion, the average yearly limit over the budget and forward estimates is at least $1 billion per year.
(b) The inclusion of an underspend provision within the Royalties for Regions Program commenced in 2013-14. The actual underspend provision for each subsequent budget year is as follows:
2013-14 – $143.8 million;
2014-15 – $142.9 million;
2015-16 – $176.5 million;
2016-17 – $163.3 million;
2017-18 – $117.0 million;
2018-19 – $119.1 million; and
2019-20 – $119.1 million.
(c) No royalties, nor interest from the Royalties for Regions Fund, have been returned to the Consolidated Account.
(d) Actual expenditure against the line item Administration is as follows:
2008-09 – Nil;
2009-10 – $4.8 million;
2010-11 – $7.2 million;
2011-12 – $9.1 million;
2012-13 – $14.6 million;
2013-14 – $41.5 million;
2014-15 – $47.7 million;
2015-16 – $76.1 million;
2016-17 – $73.3 million;
2017-18 – $68.5 million; and
2018-19 – $79.9 million.