Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, , 8:10:44 to 8:12:24
Discussion on budget estimate variations driven by indexation, inflation, and recipient modeling for welfare payments.
Topics: Social services, Government spending
Speakers: Chris Gatenby, Mark Richardson, Michael Lye, Thea Connolly, Hon Katy Gallagher
I'm just keen to understand the drivers for the variations. Like are all the increases across the programs during an increase in the number of people receiving a welfare payment?
Senator, I'll just check that you're looking at estimates variations that were processed through the 26-27 budget process.
Thank you.
Senator Mark Richardson, Acting Group Manager, Finance and Information Services. I think a budget, our estimates variations were about 11.9 billion dollars, Senator. The majority of that, probably between about 70 and 80% would be due to indexation changes around inflation, unemployment rates. The remainder would be associated with average payment rates and participant numbers in some of our programs.
Is there a payment type that you are inquiring into?
Not specifically, just keen to get a grasp across the board. Yeah. Can you provide me with the modelling and forecast for the number of recipients for each payment type?
I would have to take that on notice, Senator.
Okay. And just out of interest, do you have the recipient modeling forecast over the Ford estimates for each payment and supplementary payment?
I don't have that on me, Senator, but I could take that on notice as well.
If possible we can get with a percentage growth estimates or growth rate for that for each payment type, that would be useful.
Just Mr. Lyons. Just caution Senator that some of the inputs to that might come from other agencies. So we we may or may not be able to help on that. But we'll do we'll have a look.
Thank you, Mr. Lye.