4603.0 - Environment Protection Expenditure, Australia, 1995-96 and 1996-97  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 25/03/1998   
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MEDIA RELEASE

March 25, 1998
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
33/1998

Almost $8 billion spent in one year to protect the environment - ABS

Almost $8 billion was spent protecting Australia's environment in 1995-96, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Governments, industry and households in Australia spent an estimated $7.9 billion in 1995-96 on measures to protect the environment, up from $6.6 billion in 1992-93. Total environment protection expenditure represented 1.6 per cent of GDP.

The public sector accounted for approximately half ($3.8 billion) of total environmental protection with major expenditure on protection of biodiversity and landscape ($695 million). The average per capita outlay through the public sector increased to $124 in 1995-96.

Australian households spent an estimated $2.1 billion (27 per cent) in 1995-96 on protecting the environment. This included expenditure on products for vehicles to prevent emissions to air, septic systems and sewerage charges, insulation, special environment levies and government fees and charges.

Total agriculture, mining, manufacturing, service and other industries expenditure to protect the environment amounted to $2.0 billion in 1995-96. Service and other industries waste management expenses were estimated to be $726 million (9 per cent of total expenditure).

This is the fourth report into environmental protection expenditure and further details are in Environment Protection Expenditure, Australia, 1994-95 and 1995-96 (cat. no. 4603.0) available from ABS bookshops.