Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Annual Report 2011–12

1. 
   Appropriations reduced under Appropriation Acts (Nos. 1, 3 & 5) 2011-12: sections 10, 11, and 12 and under Appropriation Acts (Nos. 2, 4 & 6) 2011-12: sections 12, 13, and 14. Departmental appropriations do not lapse at financial year-end. However, the responsible Minister may decide that part or all of a departmental appropriation is not required and request the Finance Minister to reduce that appropriation. The reduction in the appropriation is effected by the Finance Minister's determination and is disallowable by Parliament. On 26 June 2012, the Finance Minister determined a reduction in departmental appropriations following a request by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. The amount of the reduction determined under Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2011-12 was $15,000,000.
   

In 2012, there were no adjustments that met the recognition criteria of a formal addition or reduction in revenue (in accordance with FMOs Division 101) but at law the appropriations had not been amended before the end of the reporting period.

2. 
   ‘Equity’ – This variance represents funding that will be applied to complete several software development projects.
   
3. 
   ‘Administered items’ – This variance represents the current year retention funding of $29,509,000 less the prior year retention funding expended in the current year of $35,030,000 (refer Table F).
   
4. 
   ‘States, ACT, NT and Local government’ – The $1,883,000 represents current year retention funding.
   
5. 
   ‘Administered assets and liabilities’ - This appropriation primarily relates to the Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin (Water Purchasing) program. Water entitlement purchases are only pursued when there is enough uncommitted appropriation in the year a water purchase tender is commenced. Due to the time between the opening of a tender to the settlement of trades (tender opening and assessment, conveyance, including obtaining state trade approval) the water purchasing program will necessarily have unspent appropriations each year.
   

1. 
   Appropriations reduced under Appropriation Acts (Nos. 1 & 3) 2010-11: sections 10, 11, 12 and 15 and under Appropriation Acts (Nos. 2 & 4) 2010-11: sections 12, 13, 14 and 17. Departmental appropriations do not lapse at financial year-end. However, the responsible Minister may decide that part or all of a departmental appropriation is not required and request the Finance Minister to reduce that appropriation. The reduction in the appropriation is effected by the Finance Minister's determination and is disallowable by Parliament. On 30 June 2011, the Finance Minister issued a determination to reduce departmental appropriations following a request by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. The amount of the reduction under Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2010-11 was: $164,187.
   

In 2011, there were no adjustments that met the recognition criteria of a formal addition or reduction in revenue (in accordance with FMOs Division 101) but at law the appropriations had not been amended before the end of the reporting period.

2. 
   ‘Departmental Ordinary annual services’ – The purpose of Departmental appropriations is to provide money for the annual operating costs of agencies and Departmental appropriations do not lapse at financial year end. The appropriation applied in 2011 is the cash paid and appropriation is being carried forward to meet costs incurred in 2011, but not yet paid.
   
3. 
   ‘Administered items’ – This variance represents the current year retention funding of $40,965,000 less the prior year retention funding expended in the current year of $23,589,000 (refer Table F).
   
4. 
   ‘States, ACT, NT and Local government’ – The $187,000 is due to the spend of prior year retention funding in the current year.
   
5. 
   ‘Administered assets and liabilities’ - This appropriation primarily relates to the Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin (Water Purchasing) program. Water entitlement purchases are only pursued when there is enough uncommitted appropriation in the year a water purchase tender is commenced. Due to the time between the opening of a tender to the settlement of trades (tender opening and assessment, conveyance, including obtaining state trade approval) the water purchasing program will necessarily have unspent appropriations each year.