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Report

The committee tabled its Report No. 53, 57th Parliament–2023-24 Budget Estimates – Appropriation Bill 2023, together with a Volume of Additional Information on 18 August 2023. 

View:    Report No. 53, 57^th Parliament – 2023-24 Budget Estimates – Appropriation Bill 2023

View:    Report No. 53, 57^th Parliament – 2023-24 Budget Estimates – Volume of Additional Information

Estimates 

Since 1994, committees of the Parliament have undertaken the estimates process, which is one of the key mechanisms to examine government expenditure, performance and effectiveness. It holds ministers and government officials to account and provides a level of transparency to the public. Budget Estimates aids the Parliament in its scrutiny of the Government’s proposed expenditure by examining and reporting on the proposed expenditures contained in the Appropriation Bill and the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill.

In 2023, the examination of the Appropriation Bill and the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill will be considered by the seven portfolio committees. Each committee examines the budget estimates of its responsible portfolios.

During the estimates process each portfolio committee will hold a public hearing (on a day between 1 and 10 August 2023) at which the Speaker and Ministers (and certain senior public servants and officers) are questioned regarding the portfolio’s proposed expenditures for the relevant portfolio areas. Other Members of the Legislative Assembly who are not members of the committee may also ask questions, with the leave of the committee.

At its public hearing on 9 August 2023, the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee questioned the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence and the Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services regarding the proposed expenditures for their portfolio areas.

Following the committee’s hearing, the committee members met to discuss the information gained and compiled a final report for tabling in Parliament. The reports are then debated by the Parliament as part of its consideration of the Appropriation Bills.

Hearing

Hearing program – 9 August 2023 

Hearing transcript and broadcast – 9 August 2023 – Note: To access the broadcast, click on the movie icon at the start of each session.