Senate debates Questions on Notice

Government Funding: Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia (Question No. 2668)


Christine Milne

Christine Milne Tasmania, Australian Greens

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, upon notice, on 14 January 2013:

With reference to funding for Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia:

(1) In each of the past 5 years, how much funding has the Federal Government contributed to Animal Health Australia in the form of: (a) membership subscription; and (b) funding for particular projects.

(2) In each of the past 5 years, how much funding has the Federal Government contributed to Plant Health Australia in the form of: (a) membership subscription; and (b) funding for particular projects.

(3) What is the total amount paid collectively by the states and territories for membership subscriptions for: (a) Animal Health Australia; and (b) Plant Health Australia.

Joe Ludwig

Joe Ludwig Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

The answer to the senator's question is as follows:

(1) The membership subscription and total government project funding for particular projects the Australian Government has provided to Animal Health Australia from 2008−09 to 2012−13 are outlined in Enclosure 1, Table 1.

(2) The membership subscription and total government project funding for particular projects the Australian Government has provided to Plant Health Australia from 2008−09 to 2012−13 are outlined in Enclosure 1, Table 2.

(3) (a) Animal Health Australia's annual membership is equally shared between its three groups of stakeholders. The Australian government; states and territories; and industry groups each provide a third of the total subscription funding per annum. For the financial year 2012–13, the total annual subscription for states and territories is $1.3 million (exc GST).

(b) Plant Health Australia's annual membership is equally shared between its three groups of stakeholders. The Australian government; states and territories; and industry groups each provide a third of the total subscription funding per annum. For the financial year 2012–13, the total annual subscription for states and territories is $0.78 million (exc GST).

Enclosure 1: Funding for Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia

Table 1: Animal Health Australia Commonwealth membership and project funding 2008–09 to 2012–13.

Table 2: Plant Health AustraliaCommonwealth membership and project funding 2008–09 to 2012–13.

*Projected full year funding