Mr RIOLI - 1996-05-23
This is Mental Health Week. Is it true that the minister's department has cut $300 000 from the mental health services budget? What possible justification does the minister have for removing any funds from mental health, particularly at a time when all states are examining their mental health budgets as a tragic result of what happened at Port Arthur?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am not sure about the member's allegations that $300 000 has been cut. As far as I am aware, there are some constraints right across the board on expenditure to ensure that the budget does come in on line. I understand that has been applied substantially across the board, as one would expect it to be.
Mr Bailey: It has blown out that much, has it?
Mr FINCH: As I said in answer to the member for Wanguri's question earlier this week, during the financial year, expenditure runs sometimes a little ahead and falls sometimes a little behind. It moves all over the place in relative terms. The other day, the opposition suggested that there was an overrun of $3m or $4m. That is about 1% of the total departmental budget. It represents half a week's expenditure. That figure could have been correct at the time when the opposition heard it. At that time, the department may have been 1% or half a week ahead of anticipated budget. All departments monitor their expenditure and have specific targets that the Treasurer expects them to meet. They are not expected to pursue matters regardless ...
Mr Bailey: You are cutting.
Mr FINCH: It is not a cut. It is a containment, a holding back of a half-week's expenditure, if your figure is correct, to meet the end objective by 30 June. It is no big deal! Some things will need to be contained. There will be fewer overseas trips. Maybe a few matters like that will have to be deferred or cancelled. However, in respect of the fundamental delivery of services to our clients, operations are normal.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am not sure about the member's allegations that $300 000 has been cut. As far as I am aware, there are some constraints right across the board on expenditure to ensure that the budget does come in on line. I understand that has been applied substantially across the board, as one would expect it to be.
Mr Bailey: It has blown out that much, has it?
Mr FINCH: As I said in answer to the member for Wanguri's question earlier this week, during the financial year, expenditure runs sometimes a little ahead and falls sometimes a little behind. It moves all over the place in relative terms. The other day, the opposition suggested that there was an overrun of $3m or $4m. That is about 1% of the total departmental budget. It represents half a week's expenditure. That figure could have been correct at the time when the opposition heard it. At that time, the department may have been 1% or half a week ahead of anticipated budget. All departments monitor their expenditure and have specific targets that the Treasurer expects them to meet. They are not expected to pursue matters regardless ...
Mr Bailey: You are cutting.
Mr FINCH: It is not a cut. It is a containment, a holding back of a half-week's expenditure, if your figure is correct, to meet the end objective by 30 June. It is no big deal! Some things will need to be contained. There will be fewer overseas trips. Maybe a few matters like that will have to be deferred or cancelled. However, in respect of the fundamental delivery of services to our clients, operations are normal.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016