SUPPLY BILL 2002-2003 Second Reading Speech

Northern Territory Second Reading Speeches

SUPPLY BILL 2002-2003

(This an uncorrected proof of the daily report. It is made available under the condition that it is recognised as such.)

Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.

Authority to spend monies under the 2001-02 Appropriation Act lapses on 30 June 2002. This year the budget will be presented to the Parliament in August and legislative authority is required to enable government expenditure to continue from 1 July 2002 until the 2002-03 Appropriation Bill is debated and passed by the Assembly.

This interim authority is effected through the Supply Bill 2002-03. August budgets were the norm, Madam Speaker, until only eight years ago and government expenditure was authorised by supply legislation every year. This is not an unusual situation as the purpose of the Supply Bill is to enable expenditure of public monies until the budget is actually passed. The objective is that the total amount of funds authorised in the Supply Bill should be sufficient to cover prospective expenditure until passage of the Appropriation Bill. However, agencies cannot assume that particular appropriations from 2002-03 are inferred from supply provisions.

The Supply Bill provides funds for the first five months of the financial year based on 50% of the 2001-02 current year outlays adjusted for 2002-03 special needs. This amounts to an appropriation of $1.604.1m. This includes an allocation of $24m for the Treasurer’s advance from which the Treasurer may allocate funds for the purposes specified in the bill including allocations to activities which have no allocation in the Supply Bill and other unforeseen expenditures.

The Supply Bill provides sufficient funds to ensure the continuation of capital works programs, road works, grant programs and normal services of government. There is no reason for the machinery of government to slow down or come to a halt on the premise the budget will not be passed until September sittings, and I want to make that assurance very clear.

The Supply Bill provides sufficient funds for normal government business to continue until the 2002-03 Appropriation Bill is passed. The Supply Bill schedule details allocation at agency levels and reflects the administrative arrangements of 4 March 2002.

Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members.

Debate adjourned.

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