Australian Heritage Council

Publications

Australian Heritage Commission Annual Report 1999-2000

Australian Heritage Commission, 2000
ISSN 0155–1434

Notes to and forming part of the financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2000

Note Description

  1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
  2. Reporting by Segments and Outcomes
  3. Economic Dependency
  4. Subsequent Events
  5. Operating Revenues
  6. Operating Expenses – Goods and services
  7. Operating Expenses – Grants
  8. Financial Assets
  9. Non-Financial Assets
  10. Provisions and Payables
  11. Equity
  12. Cash Flow Reconciliation
  13. Remuneration of Commissioners
  14. Related Party Disclosures
  15. Remuneration of Officers
  16. Auditor’s Remuneration
  17. Trust Money
  18. Appropriations
  19. Financial Instruments

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1.1 Basis of accounting

The financial statements are required by clause 1(b) of Schedule 1 to the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 and are a general purpose financial report.

The statements have been prepared in accordance with:

The statements have been prepared having regard to:

The financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis and are in accordance with historical cost convention, except for certain assets which, as noted, are at valuation. Except where stated, no allowance is made for the effect of changing prices on the results or the financial position of the Commission.

1.2 Changes in accounting policy

Changes in accounting policy have been identified in this note under their appropriate headings.

1.3 Reporting by outcomes

A comparison of Budget and Actual figures by outcome specified in the Appropriation Acts relevant to the Commission is presented in Note 2. Any intra-government costs included in the figure ‘net cost to Budget outcomes’ are eliminated in calculating the actual budget outcome for the Government overall.

1.4 Appropriations

From 1 July 1999, the Commonwealth Budget has been prepared under an accruals framework. Under this framework, Parliament appropriates moneys to the Commission as revenue appropriations, as loan appropriations and as equity injections.

Revenue appropriations Revenues from government are revenues of the core reporting activities of the Commission.

Appropriations for outputs are recognised as revenue to the extent they have been received into the Commission’s Bank account or are entitled to be received by the Commission at year end.

Resources received free of charge Services received free of charge are recognised in the Operating Statement as revenue when and only when a fair value can be reliably determined and the services would have been purchased if they had not been donated. Use of those resources is recognised as an expense.

Contributions of assets at no cost of acquisition or for nominal consideration are recognised at their fair values as revenue and an asset when the Commission gains control over the contributed asset and asset qualifies for recognition.

1.5 Other revenue

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised upon the delivery of goods to customers.

Interest revenue is recognised on a proportional basis taking into account the interest rates applicable to the financial assets.

Revenue from disposal of non-current assets is recognised when control of the asset has passed to the buyer.

1.6 Grants to the States and Territories

The Commission recognises grant liabilities as follows.

Most grant agreements require the grantee to perform services or provide facilities, or to meet eligibility criteria. In these cases, liabilities are recognised only to the extent that the services required have been performed or the eligibility criteria have been satisfied by the grantee. (Where grants moneys are paid in advance of performance or eligibility, a prepayment is recognised).

In cases where grant agreements are made without conditions to be monitored, liabilities are recognised on signing of the agreement.

1.7 Employee entitlements

Leave

The liability for employee entitlements includes provision for annual leave and long service leave. No provision has been made for sick leave as all sick leave is non-vesting and the average sick leave taken in future years by employees of the Commission is estimated to be less than the annual entitlement for sick leave.

The liability for annual leave reflects the value of total annual leave entitlements of all employees at 30 June 2000 and is recognised at its nominal amount.

The non-current portion of the liability for long service leave is recognised and measured at the present value of the estimated future cash flows to be made in respect of all employees at 30 June 2000. In determining the present value of the liability, attrition rates and pay increases through promotion and inflation have been taken into account.

Separation and redundancy
Superannuation

Employees contribute to the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme and the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme. Employer contributions amounting to $505,923 (1998-99: $548,920) for the Commission in relation to these schemes have been expended in these financial statements.

No liability is shown for superannuation in the Balance Sheet as the employer contributions fully extinguish the accruing liability which is assumed by the Commonwealth.

Employer Superannuation Productivity Benefit contributions totalled $93,918 (1998-99: $62,541) for the Commission.

Contributions to the schemes are at rates calculated to cover existing and emerging obligations. Current contribution rates are
18.9% of CSS salary and 10.1% of PSS salary. An additional 3% is contributed for employer productivity.

1.8 Cash

Cash includes notes and coins held and any deposits held at call with a bank or financial institution.

1.9 Financial instruments

Accounting policies for financial instruments are stated at Note 19.

1.10 Acquisition of assets

Assets are recorded at cost on acquisition except as stated below. The cost of acquisition includes the fair value of assets transferred in exchange and liabilities undertaken.

Assets acquired at no cost, or for nominal consideration, are initially recognised as assets and revenues at their fair value at date of acquisition.

1.11 Property, plant and equipment

Asset recognition threshold

Purchases of property, plant and equipment are recognised initially at a cost in the Balance Sheet, except for purchases costing less than $2,000, which are expensed in the year of acquisition (other than where they form part of a group of similar items which are significant in total).

Revaluations

Schedule 2 requires that plant and equipment be revalued progressively in accordance with the ‘deprival’ method of valuation in successive 3-year cycles.

The requirements of Schedule 2 were implemented, whereby office plant and equipment were revalued during the 1999/2000 financial year.

Assets in each class acquired after the commencement of a progressive revaluation cycle are not captured by the progressive revaluation then in progress.

Property, plant and equipment is recognised at its deprival value.

All valuations are independent.

Recoverable amount test

The carrying amount of each item of non-current property, plant and equipment assets is reviewed to determine whether it is in excess of the asset’s recoverable amount if an excess exists as at the reporting date, the asset is written down to its recoverable amount immediately. In assessing recoverable amounts, the relevant cash flows, including the expected cash inflows from future appropriations by the Parliament, have been discounted to their present value.

In 1999-00, only the non-current assets of the Commission were subject to the test. The application of the recoverable amount test to non-current assets of the Commission is a change of accounting policy required by the Finance Minister’s Orders in 1999-2000. No write-down to recoverable amount has been made in 1999-2000 as a result of this change in policy.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciable property plant and equipment assets are written-off to their estimated residual values over their estimated useful lives to the Commission using, in all cases, the straight line method of depreciation.

Depreciation/amortisation rates (useful lives) and methods are reviewed at each balance date and necessary adjustments are recognised in the current, or current and future reporting periods, as appropriate. Residual values are re-estimated for a change in prices only when assets are revalued.

Depreciation and amortisation rates applying to each class of depreciable asset are based on the following useful lives:

 
1999-2000
1998-1999
Computers
5 years
5 years
Artwork
25 years
25 years
Plant and equipment
3 – 5 years
3 – 5 years

The aggregate amount of depreciation allocated for each class of asset during the reporting period is disclosed in Note 6C.

1.12 Inventories

Inventories held for resale are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Inventories not held for resale are valued at cost, unless they are no longer required, in which case they are valued at net realisable value.

All inventories are current assets.

Inventories comprise publications held for sale.

1.13 Intangibles

The carrying amount of each intangible asset is reviewed to determine whether it is in excess of the asset’s recoverable amount. If an excess exists at the reporting date, the asset is written down to its recoverable amount immediately. In assessing recoverable amounts, the relevant cash flows, including the expected cash inflows from future appropriations by the Parliament, have been discounted to their present value.

In 1999-00, only the non-current assets of the Commission were subject to the test. The application of the recoverable amount test to non-current assets of the Commission is a change of accounting policy required by the Finance Minister’s Orders in 1999-2000. No write-down to recoverable amount has been made in 1999-2000 as a result of this change in policy.

Intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their anticipated useful lives. Useful lives are:

  1999-2000 1999-1998
Software 3 years 3 years

1.14 Taxation

The Commission is exempt from all forms of taxation except fringe benefits tax and the goods and services tax.

1.15 Comparative figures

Comparative figures have been adjusted to conform to changes in presentation in these financial statements where required.

Comparatives are not presented in Notes dealing with the Reporting on Outcomes, due to 1999-2000 being the first year of the implementation of accrual budgeting.

1.16 Rounding

Amounts have been rounded to the nearest one dollar.

2. Reporting by Segments and Outcomes

Reporting by segments

The Commission operates solely in Australia and is the Commonwealth’s policy advisory and administrative body for the National Estate.

Reporting by outcomes for 1999-2000

The Commission is structured to meet one outcome:

Outcome 1:

The environment, especially those aspects that are matters of national environmental significance, is protected and conserved.

Sub-outcome:

Australia’s natural and cultural heritage places are valued and conserved.

Reporting outcomes for 1999-2000:

 
Outcome 1
Total
Budget
Actual
Budget
Actual
$000
$000
$000
$000
Total net administered expenses - - - -
Add: Net cost of entity outputs
7,543
9,347
7,543
9,347
Outcome before abnormal/extraordinary items
7,543
9,347
7,543
9,347
Abnormal/extraordinary items
-
-
-
-
Net cost to Budget Outcome
7,543
9,347
7,543
9,347
Total assets deployed as at 30/6/00
1,276
4,814
1,276
4,814
Net assets deployed as at 30/6/00
(232)
2,698
(232)
2,698

 

Reporting by outcomes by funding source for 1999-2000

Outcomes

Outputs
$’000

Total Appropriations
$’000
Total expenses
$’000
  Expenses against Revenue from Government (Appropriations) (B) Expenses against Revenue from other sources (C) Total Expenses against Outputs (D)=(B)  
Special Appropriation Annual Appropriation Acts Total
Outcome 1  
Acutal - (1) (1) (1) 10,533 (1) 10,533
Budget - 7,543 7,543 70 7,613 7,543 7,613
Total  
Actual - (1) (1) (1) 10,533 (1) 10,533
Budget - 7,543 7,543 70 7,613 7,543 7,613
  Appropriation Act 2 Capital    
Actual -
Budget -
Total Appropriations  
Actual (1)
Budget 7,543

(1) It is not possible to identify expenses incurred against specific funding in all cases.

3. Economic dependency

The Australian Heritage Commission is dependent upon appropriations from the Parliament of the Commonwealth for its continued existence and ability to carry out its normal activities.

4. Subsequent events

Consideration has been given at the ministerial level to restructure the Heritage Commission functions in the next 12-18 months.

5. Operating Revenues

 
2000
1999
 
$
$
5A - Revenues from Government
Appropriations
7,543,000
6,654,000
Resources received free of charge:
- corporate services
2,064,510
2,034,000
- personnel services
32,224
52,357
- other
82,500
-
Total
9,722,234
8,740,357
5B - Interest
Deposits
168,813
193,027
Total
168,813
193,027
5C - Other revenues
Revenue from other Government Organisations
253,656
-
Refunds to expenditure from prior years
742,755
3,405
Royalties
4,481
19,306
Other
17,003
15,813
Total
1,017,895
38,524

6. Operating Expenses - goods and services

 
2000
1999
 
$
$
6A - Employee expenses
Remuneration (for services provided)
4,744,929
4,604,823
Separation and redundancy
59,722
613,185
Total remuneration
4,804,651
5,218,008
Other employee expenses
525,601
483,024
Total
5,330,252
5,701,032
The Commission and its subsidiary contributes to the Commonwealth Supperannuation (CSS) and the Public Sector (PSS) Superannuation schemes which provide retirement, death and disability benefits to employees
6B - Suppliers expenses
Supply of goods and services
3,867,117
4,491,772
Total
3,867,117
4,491,772
6C - Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation of property, plant & equipment
103,942
144,490
Amortisation of intangibles
175,034
184,343
Total
278,976
328,833
The aggregate amounts of depreciation or amortisation allocated during the reporting period, either as expense or as part of the carrying amount of other assets, for each class of depreciable assets are as follows:
Plant & Equipment
101,176
141,724
Intangibles
175,034
184,343
Art Work
2,766
2,766
Total Allocated
278,976
328,833
6D - Write-down of assets
Non-financial assets
Non-current assets
-
66,778
Total
-
66,778
6E - Net losses from disposal of assets
Non-financial assets
Non-current assets
115,326
789
Total
115,326
789

7. Operating Expense - Grants

The National Estate Grants program provides financial assistance for projects of national importance which identify, document, conserve or promote places of heritage significance - our National Estate.

2000
1999
$
$
NEGP - National Component
936,628
1,005,764
Other
5,000
5,000

8. Financial Assets

 
2000
1999
 
$
$
8A - Cash  
Cash at bank and on hand
4,356,806
3,132,725
Total
4,356,806
3,132,725
Balance of cash as at 30 June shown in the Statement of Cash Flows
4,356,806
3,132,725
8B - Receivables
Goods and services
16,893
19,439
Less: Provision for doubtful debts
-
-
 
16,893
19,439
Other Debtors
119,912
269,621
Total receivables
136,805
289,060
Receivables (gross) which are overdue are aged as follows:
Not overdue
134,927
269,621
Overdue by:
- Less than 30 days
-
14,022
- 30 to 60 days
-
-
- more than 60 days
1,878
5,417
Total receivables (gross)
136,805
289,060

9. Non-financial assets

 
2000
1999
 
$
$
9A - Infrastructure, plant & equipment
Pland & equipment - at valuation
213,640
665,249
Accumulated depreciation
(19,818)
(385,011)
Total Pland and equipment
193,822
280,238

The revaluations were in accordance with the revaluation policy stated at Note 1 and were completed by the Australian Valuation Office and revaluation increment of $10,512 for plant and equipment taken to Asset Revaluation Reserve.

9B - Analysis of Property, Plant, Equipment and Intangibles

Table A: Movement summary 1999-00 for all assets irrespective of valuation basis

Item
Other infrastructure, plant & equipment
Intangibles
Total
 
$
$
$
Gross value as at 1 July 1999
665,249
1,141,053
1,806,302
Additions
98,487
4,544
103,031
Revaluations: write-ups/(write-downs)
(374,499)
-
(374,499)
Disposals
(175,597
(362,404)
(538,001)
Gross value as at 30 June 2000
213,640
783,193
996,833
Accumulated Depreciation/Amortisation as at 1 July 1999
385,011
838,945
1,223,956
Depreciation/amortisation charge for assets held 1 July 1999
99,088
174,780
273,868
Depreciation/amortisation charge for additions
4,854
254
5,108
Revaluations
(385,011)
-
(385,011)
Disposals
(84,124)
(338,551)
(422,675)
Accumulated Depreciation/Amortisation as at 30 June 2000
19,818
675,428
695,246
Net book value as at 30 June 2000
193,822
107,765
301,587
Net book value as at 1 July 1999
280,238
302,108
582,346

 

 
2000
1999
 
$
$
9C - Inventories
All inventories are current assets
Inventories held for sale (at cost)
- publications
12,546

14,616

Total
12,546
14,616
9D - Intangibles
Computer software
783,193
1,141,053
Accumulated amortisation
(675,428)
(838,945)
Total
107,765
302,108
9E - Other non-financial assets
Prepayments
5,870
1,578
Total
5,870
1,578

10. Provisions and Payables

 
2000
1999
 
$
$
10A - Employees
Salaries and wages
293,402
168,816
Leave
1,330,608
1,345,357
Aggregated employee entitlement liability
1,624,010
1,509,173
10B - Suppliers
Trade Creditors
224,653
199,303
Total
224,653
199,303
10C - Grants Liabilities
Non-profit institutions
37,500
-
Total
37,500
-
10D - Other Liabilities
Unearned Grant Revenue
164,947
-
Unearned Sponsorship Revenue
64,500
-
Total
229,447
-

11. Equity

Item Accumlated results Asset revaluation reserve Total reserves Total Equity
 
2000
1999
2000
1999
2000
1999
2000
1999
 
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
Balance 1 July 1999
2,311,849
4,939,909
-
-
-
-
2,311,849
4,939,909
Operating result
375,643
(2,628,060)
-
-
-
-
375,643
(2,628,060)
Net revaluation increases/(decreases)
-
-
10,512
-
10,512
-
10,512
-
Balance 30 June 2000
2,687,492
2,311,849
10,512
-
10,512
-
2,698,004
2,311,849

12. Cash Flow Reconciliation

2000
1999
$
$
Reconciliation of operating surplus to net cash provided by operating activities:
Operating surplus / (deficit)
375,643
(2,628,060)
Depreciation and amortisation of Property Plant and Equipment
103,942
144,490
Amortisation of Intangible
175,034
184,343
Infrastructure, plant and equipment write-off
-
66,802
Profit / (loss) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
115,326
789
Changes in assets and liabilities
(Increase) / decrease in receivables
152,255
(260,049)
(Increase) / decrease in other assets
(4,292)
274,386
Increase / (decrease) in liability to suppliers
25,350
(2,137)
Increase in employee provisions
114,837
274,386
Increase / (decrease) in grants payable
266,947
(643,524)
Decrease in inventory
2,070
1,368
Net Cash Provided by operating activities
1,327,112
(2,587,059)

13. Remuneration of Commissioners

 
2000
1999
 
$
$
Remuneration received or due and receivable by Commissioners:
159,048
132,619
The number of Commissioners of the Commission included in these figures are shown below in the relevant income bands
$Nil - $10,000
3
6
$10,000 - $20,000
6
4
$30,000 - $40,000
1
1
 
10
11

14. Related Party Disclosures

Commissioners of the Commission

The Commissioners of the Commission during the year were:

Mr P King (Chairman) Mr J Temple
Mr R Beale AM Dr D Saunders (appointed 12 May 2000)
Dr G Sculthorpe Mrs R Foot (appointed 18 October 1999)
Mr R Behenna Dr D Saunders (retired 10 May 2000)
Ms J Chatfield Ms L Boully (retired 30 July 1999)
Ms J Lennon  

The aggregate remuneration of Commissioners is disclosed in Note 13.

the aggregate amount paid to the Australian Government Employees Superannuation Trust (AGEST), Lifetrack Management and National FlexiSuper in connection with the retirement of directors totalled $9,357 for the year ended 30 June 2000 (1999: $8,282).

Other Transactions with Commissioners or Commissioner related entities

Payments were made to the follwoing Commissioner and Commissioner related entities. They were approved under the Commission's Financial Delegations and were made on normal trading terms and conditions. The Commissioners involved took no part in the relevant decisions.

Payments
2000
1999
McCarthy Management which Ms W McCarthy AO controls
-
4,116
Jane Lennon & Associates of which Ms Lennon is a Director
1,620
-
 
1,620
4,116

15. Remuneration of Officers

 
2000
1999
 
$
$
Income received or due and receivable by Officers:
442,435
397,977
The number of officers included in these figures are shown below inthe relevant income bands
$130,000 - $140,000
-
1
$140,000 - $150,000
2
1
$150,000 - $160,000
1
1
 
3
3

The Officers remuneration includes all Officers conerned with or taking part inthe management of the Commission during 1999-2000 except the Commissioners. Details in relation to the Commissioners have been incorporated into Note 14.

16. Auditor's Remuneration

 
2000
1999
 
$
$
Remuneration tot he Auditor-General for auditing the financial statements for the reporting period
36,153
34,000

No other services were rendered by the Auditor-General during the reporting period.

17. Trust Money

The Commission does not hold trust money of any kind.

18. Appropriations

The Commission received the following appropriations during the year out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

 
2000
1999
 
$
$
Annual Appropriation Act Nos 1, 3 - basic appropriation:
Appropriation Act No. 1 1999-00
7,453,000
-
Appropriation Act No. 1 1998-99
-
6,654,000
 
7,453,000
6,654,000

19. Financial Instruments

a) Terms, Conditions and Accounting Policies

Financial Instrument Notes Accounting Policies and Methods (including recognition criteria and measurement basis) Nature of Underlying Instrument (including significant terms & conditions affecting the amount, timing and certainty of cash flows)
Financial Assets   Financial assests are recognised when control over future economic benefits is established and the amount of the benefit can be reliably measured.  
Receivables for goods and services 8B These receivables are recognised at the nominal amounts due less any provision for bad and doubtful debts. Provisions are made when collection of the debt is judged to be less rather than more likely Current terms are net 30 days (1998/99: 30 days)
Other Debtors 8B As for receivables for goods and services As for receivables for goods and services
Financial Liabilities   Financial Liabilities are recognised when a present obligation to another party is entered into and the amount of the liability can be reliably measured  
Trade Creditors 10B Creditors and accruals are recognised at their nominal amounts, being the amounts at which the liabilities will be settled. Liabilities are recognised to the extent that the goods or services have been received (and irrespective of having been invoiced) Settlement is usually made net 30 days.

b) Interest Rate Risk

Financial Instrument Notes
Floating Interest Rate
Fixed Interest Rate
Non-Interest Bearing
Total
Weighted Average Effective Interest Rate
1 Year or less
1 to 2 Years

99-00
$

98-99
$
99-00
$
98-99
$
99-00
$
98-99
$
99-00
$
98-99
$
99-00
$
98-99
$
99-00
$
98-99
$
Financial Assets (Recognised)
Cash at Bank
8A
4,355,306
3,131,225
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,355,306
3,131,225
n/a
n/a
Cash on Hand
8A
1,500
1,500
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,500
1,500
n/a
n/a
Receivables
8B
-
-
-
-
-
-
16,893
19,439
16,893
19,439
Other Debtors
8B
-
-
-
-
-
-
119,912
269,621
119,912
269,621
n/a
n/a
Total Financial Assets (Recognised)
4,356,806
3,132,725
-
-
-
-
136,805
289,060
4,493,611
3,421,785
TOTAL ASSETS
4,813,614
4,020,325
Financial Liabilities (Recognised)
Trade Creditors
10B
-
-
-
-
-
-
224,653
199,303
224,653
199,303
n/a
n/a
Total Financial Liabilities (Recognised)
-
-
-
-
-
-
224,653
199,303
224,653
199,303
TOTAL LIABILITIES
2,115,610
1,708,476

c) Net Fair Value of financial Assets and Liabilities

   
1999-2000
1998-1999
  Note
Total Carrying amount
Aggregate Net Fair Value
Total Carrying amount
Aggregate Net Fair Value
Financial Assets
Cash at Bank
8A
4,355,306
4,355,306
3,131,225
3,131,225
Cash on Hand
8A
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,500
Receivables for goods and services
8B
16,893
16,893
19,439
19,439
Other Debtors
8B
119,912
119,912
269,621
269,621
Total Financial Assets
4,493,611
4,493,611
3,421,785
3,421,785
Financial Liabilities (Recognised)
Trade Creditors
10B
224,653
224,653
199,303
199,303
Total Financial Liabilities (Recognised)
224,653
224,653
199,303
199,303

Financial Assets

The net fair value of Cash, Receivables for Goods and Services and Other Debtors approximate their carrying amounts.

Financial Liabilities

The net fair value of trade creditors, bing that they are short term in nature, are approximated by their carrying amounts.

d) Credit Risk Exposures

The Commission's maximum exposures to credit risk at reporting date in relation to each class of recognised financial assets is the carrying amount of those assets as indicated in the Balance Sheet.

The Commission has no significant exposures to any concentrations of credit risk.

All figures for credit risk referred to do not take into account the value of any collateral or other security.

Key

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