The ABCC had a total income of $33.544 million for 2016–17, which included appropriation funding of $33.039 million, and incurred total expenses of $36.987 million. As a result, the ABCC recorded an operating loss of $3.443 million in 2016–17.
The approved operating loss for the financial year was caused by a legal expenditure overspend of $3.630 million.
The ABCC has maintained a high volume of litigation, with matters before the courts carrying over from previous financial years. Many of these proceedings have resulted in contested trials. The agency has also been a party in a number of appeals, including three applications for special leave to the High Court. Further, the ABCC cannot ordinarily recover its costs in proceedings commenced under the Fair Work Act.
A detailed review of the agency's legal expenditure has commenced and is intended to reduce external expenditure on litigation.
Table 23 summarises the total resources in comparison to the total payments made during the year.
Table 24 summarises expenses and resources required for the ABCC to achieve its outcome.
Actual available appropriation for 2016–17 $'000 (a) |
Payments made 2016–17 |
Balance remaining 2016–17 $'000 (a–b) |
|
---|---|---|---|
Ordinary annual services* | |||
Departmental appropriation** ~ | 99,525 | 38,386 | 61,139 |
Total Ordinary Annual Services | 99,525 | 38,386 | 61,139 |
Other Services | |||
Departmental Non-Operating | |||
Equity injections | 150 | 150 | – |
Total Other Services | 150 | 150 | – |
Total Available Annual Appropriations | 99,675 | 38,536 | 61,139 |
Total Net Resourcing for the Australian Building and Construction Commission | 99,675 | 38,536 | 61,139 |
* Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2016–17. This may also include prior-year departmental appropriation and section 74 retained revenue receipts.
** Includes an amount of $0.448m in 2016–17 for the departmental capital budget. For accounting purposes, this amount has been designated as 'contributions by owners'.
~ Actual available and balance remaining includes Appropriation Act 2014–15 quarantined appropriation under Section 51 of $19.322m.
Outcome 1: Compliance with workplace relations legislation by employees and employers through advice, education and where necessary enforcement |
Budget |
Actual Expense 2016–17 $'000 (b) |
Variation |
---|---|---|---|
Program 1: Education Services and Compliance Activities | |||
Departmental Expenses | |||
Departmental appropriation* | 33,039 | 33,039 | – |
S74 Retained revenue receipts (a) | 370 | 505 | (135) |
Expenses not requiring appropriation in the budget year | 1,107 | 3,443 | (2,336) |
Total for Program 1 | 34,516 | 36,987 | (2,471) |
Total Expenses for Outcome 1 | 34,516 | 36,987 | (2,471) |
Average staffing level (number) | 2016–17 | ||
133 |
* Budget information reflects budgets as set out in the Portfolio Budget Statements 2016–17 (Table 2.1.1).