Budget Estimates 2013-2014

What is Budget Estimates?
Each year Government ministers and senior public servants attend an annual Budget Estimates inquiry to answer questions about the expenditure, performance and effectiveness of their departments.

Budget Estimates is a key process for government accountability and transparency. The Budget Estimates inquiries involve detailed questioning by members of the Legislative Council on the decisions, actions and advice of ministers and public servants.

The Budget Estimates inquiries are conducted by the Legislative Council’s five General Purpose Standing Committees.

More information about Budget Estimates
The terms of reference and a timetable for last year's Budget Estimates 2012-2013 which include the dates and times allocated to each portfolio are available here.

Last year's Budget Estimates Manual 2012-2013 is now available here. Detailed information about Budget Estimates, including relevant procedures, can be found in the Budget Estimates manual.

Further information is available by contacting the following committee staff:
  • Ms Madeleine Foley, Director: (02) 9230 3586

Hearings for 2013

Initial hearings
Initial hearings for Budget Estimates 2013-2014 will be held on Monday 12 August, through to Friday 16 August, as well as Monday 19 August and Friday 23 August. The dates and time allocated to each portfolio have not yet been announced.

Supplementary hearings
Dates for supplementary hearings have not yet been announced.

Transcripts and questions on notice from 2012-2013

Answers to questions on notice and more information on the individual committees that conduct the Budget Estimates hearings can be found in the following links: Working in the LC Professional Development Program
The Working in the Legislative Council Professional Development Program is a 12-week professional development program available to departmental officers who want to gain first-hand experience of the operations of the Legislative Council, including committees and the Budget Estimates process.

Click here for more information on the Working in the Legislative Council Professional Development Program.