Budget Advice
ABC Learning Centres
On 6 November 2008, ABC Learning was placed into voluntary administration and the company subsequently went into receivership. Since that time, Finance has been involved in the Child Care Industry Taskforce Cross-Agency Steering Committee, established to assist the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to consider how to minimise disruption to the childcare market caused by ABC Learning’s financial circumstances. The committee’s primary focus has been on ensuring the continuity of care for the children in childcare at facilities formerly managed by ABC Learning.
Digital TV
Finance worked with the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) on the development and costing of new measures associated with the government’s commitment to switch from analog to digital television by the end of 2013. These measures, announced as part of the 2009-10 Budget, included funding for an information and communication campaign, a program to provide in-home assistance for eligible households, and a program to work with industry to increase consumers’ digital take-up rates.
Drought Support
During 2008-09, Finance worked with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and with other central agencies to develop and cost possible reforms to the government’s drought support arrangements. This work followed the completion of the Productivity Commission’s inquiry report on government drought support that was published on 12 May 2009. Work on this issue continued beyond 30 June 2009.
National Broadband Network
Finance worked with DBCDE on costing the establishment of a company that will invest up to $43 billion (including private financing) over eight years to build and operate a National Broadband Network. The government’s initial investment of $4.7 billion will provide an equity injection for the company, an investment in the early rollout of fibre-based broadband in Tasmania, and $250 million to upgrade regional ‘blackspots’. The government announced this measure as part of the 2009-10 Budget.
Northern Territory Emergency Response
As part of the 2009-10 Budget, Finance provided policy briefing and costing analysis on continuing measures initiated under the Northern Territory Emergency Response. The Response provides services relating to early childhood, education, health and community safety for Indigenous communities and town camps in the Northern Territory. The Response is now transitioning into a sustainable development phase, with funding of $807.4 million over five years committed by the government.