There have been no significant changes to the portfolio since the publication of the portfolio's 2008-09 PBS. A full outline of the Portfolio Overview can be found in the 2008-09 PBS on page 7.
Overview of Additional Estimates sought for the portfolio
Additional appropriations of $115.0 million through Appropriation Bills (No. 3) and (No. 4) and $161.8 million through Special Appropriations is being sought for the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) as a result of new measures and other variations. The new measures are:
- Closing the Gap - Indigenous early childhood development - children and family centres
- Implementation of Operation Sunlight
- Partner Service Pension - age related arrangements for married partners of veterans who are separated but not divorced
- Partner Service Pension - further arrangements for married partners of veterans who are separated but not divorced
- Removal of asbestos containing material in Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory
- Retention of the current fringe benefit tax treatment for family assistance customers.
Structure of the portfolio
The portfolio comprises two agencies and one administrative entity operating under the
Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act) and nine Commonwealth authorities and companies operating under the
Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (CAC Act).
The following operate under the FMA Act:
- The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
- Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency
- Social Security Appeals Tribunal.
The following operate under the CAC Act:
- Aboriginal Hostels Limited
- Indigenous Business Australia
- Indigenous Land Corporation
- Torres Strait Regional Authority
- Anindilyakwa Land Council
- Central Land Council
- Northern Land Council
- Tiwi Land Council
- Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council.
Figure 1: Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs portfolio structure and outcomes