1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2000  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 25/01/2000   
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IMPLEMENTATION OF SYSTEM OF NATIONAL ACCOUNTS 1993 (SNA93) IN GOVERNMENT FINANCE STATISTICS

A number of changes have been incorporated into government finance statistics relating to the implementation of the new international statistical standard, the SNA93. These changes are outlined below.

DEFENCE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE


SNA93 requires the purchase of defence capital assets to be shown as capital expenditure, with the qualification that weapons delivery systems and weapons platforms be treated as current consumption. This is an important qualification, since weapons platforms (aeroplanes, ships, etc.) are often the dominant component of defence capital expenditure. Under AAS31 however, the acquisition of capital assets is treated the same irrespective of the purpose for which they are acquired.


For the purposes of GFS, the ABS has adopted the AAS31 treatment, while the Australian System of National Accounts will be based on the SNA93 treatment. There is no difference in the net lending measure between these two sets of statistics. However, there are differences between the equivalent current or operating balances. This item affects only the Commonwealth.


SOCIAL TRANSFERS IN KIND


Pharmaceutical benefits, rental subsidies, low cost or free transport for school children and social security recipients, and reduced utility charges, were formerly treated as personal benefit payments. As such, these formed part of current transfers from government to households.


SNA93 regards such payments as social benefits in kind and includes them in government final consumption expenditure. The ABS has reclassified pharmaceutical benefits and other social benefits in kind from personal benefits to general government final consumption expenditure to meet the new standard. This reclassification has not changed total outlays or the deficit.


REGULATORY FEES


The concept of compulsory or regulatory fees is not used in SNA93. Where general government units undertake some work in return for a fee, the fee is treated as sales of goods and services (i.e. as user charges). However, where the level of the fee is out of all proportion to any work performed or if no work is performed, the fee is treated as a tax.


To meet this requirement, the ABS has reclassified all regulatory fees to user charges.


FINES


SNA93 treats fines as other current transfers and not part of a broader taxes, fees and fines category. Because of this, the ABS has reclassified fines to other current revenue.

TAXES


Drivers' licences are treated in SNA93 as sales of government services and have therefore been reclassified to user charges.