2010/2011 budget

The Appropriation Bill 2010-2011 was introduced into the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday the 16th June and vigorous debate ensued. In addition to tabling the Bill and when making the traditional Budget Speech, the Minister with responsibility for finance, the Hon Craig Anderson, tabled a comprehensive document titled “Budget for the financial year 2010-2011 Budget related paper – Program Budget Narratives”. The Budget Speech provided background to the 2010/2011 budget and the following extracts from the Budget Narrative may be of interest:

“The 2010/11 budget of the Administration of Norfolk Island contains several significant changes designed to improve both the transparency of the island’s finances and the information provided in relation to public expenditure.

“A policy decision has been made by the 13th Legislative Assembly to bring most of the previous Government Business Enterprises (GBE’s) into the Revenue Fund. This has the effect of making the expenditures of these operations subject to appropriations passed by the Legislative Assembly as part of the Appropriation Bill. In the past there was no such requirement for these operations to have annual appropriations passed by the Assembly and expenditure was at the discretion of the responsible Executive Member.

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“The second major change in the 2010/2011 budget is the phased introduction of program-based performance budgeting with approximately 30% of the Administration having their budgets presented in this format……….”

If you would like to read the full text of the Budget related paper you can find it on www.info.gov.nf under “Legislative Assembly/Bills Passed Awaiting Passage/13thAssembly/Appropriation Bill 2010-2011Budget Narrative”.

As a mark of respect to the Deputy Speaker, Mr Lisle Snell MLA, who received advice during the Assembly lunch break that his brother Keith Snell has passed away, the House adjourned the remaining business on the Notice Paper for consideration at the next sitting on 23 June 2010.

Assembly documents can be accessed on www.info.gov.nf