ATTACHMENT

 

Details of the Financial Management and Accountability Amendment Regulation 2013 (No. 6)

 

Section 1 - Name of Regulation

 

This section provides that the title of the Regulation is the Financial Management and Accountability Amendment Regulation 2013 (No. 6).

 

Section 2 - Commencement

 

This section provides that the Regulation commences on the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. 

 

Section 3 - Authority

 

This section provides that the Regulation is made under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act).

 

Section 4 - Schedule(s)

 

This section provides that the Financial Management and Accountability Regulations 1997 (the Principal Regulations) are amended as set out in Schedule 1 to the Regulation.

 

Schedule 1 - Amendments

 

Schedule 1 amends Schedule 1AA to the Principal Regulations to establish legislative authority for the Government to spend on the specified programs and activities in Schedule 1AA.

 

Item 1 - After item 401.029 of Schedule 1AA

 

This item establishes legislative authority for one spending activity of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) by adding a new item to Schedule 1AA to the Principal Regulations.

 

New item 401.030 establishes legislative authority for the Government to provide funding for sustainable agriculture through the 'Caring for our Country' program which is the Australian Government's primary natural resource management program.  Over the long term, it aims to achieve an environment that is healthier, better protected, well managed, resilient, and provides essential ecosystem services in a changing climate. 

 

From 2013-14 to 2017-18, 'Caring for our Country' will be delivered through two streams: the Sustainable Agriculture stream (managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) and the Sustainable Environment stream (managed by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC)).

 

 

The strategic objectives of the Sustainable Agriculture stream are to:

*         promote sustainable production of food;

*         promote innovation in Australian agriculture and fisheries practices;

*         take a strategic approach to reducing the impact of weeds and pests on agriculture;

*         improve management of agriculture and fisheries on the natural resource base; and

*         foster a skilled and capable Landcare community.

 

The Sustainable Agriculture stream will support the uptake of more sustainable farm and fisheries practices and enhance the capacity of land managers for improved natural resource management.  This support will be available across all forms of production, including cropping, grazing, horticulture, agroforestry, fisheries and aquaculture.

 

The Sustainable Agriculture stream is funded through:

*         the Landcare appropriation to DAFF under the Natural Resources Management (Financial Assistance) Act 1992; and

*         Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) funding under the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997 appropriated to SEWPaC and transferred to DAFF through section 31 of the FMA Act and Regulation 15 of the Principal Regulations.  The full measure description and package details for 'Caring for our Country - redirection of funding' are at page 256 of Budget Paper No. 2 Budget Measures 2013-14 under the SEWPaC portfolio as the lead agency for the program.

 

The Sustainable Agriculture stream will be delivered through a mix of investment approaches, including community grants, and strategic investments, using various competitive grants and procurement processes.  Regional delivery and other identified priorities will be managed by DAFF and paid out of the NHT from funds retained by SEWPaC.  Applicant Guidelines for each component will provide details about eligibility and selection criteria, and will be published on the Caring for our Country website.  Once approved, spending decisions will also be published on this website.  The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is responsible for decisions on Sustainable Agriculture stream funding.

 

Payments for the 'Caring for our Country' Sustainable Agriculture stream will be made as part of Program 1.2 Sustainable Management - Natural Resources, described in the Portfolio Budget Statements 2013-14, Budget Related Paper No. 1.1, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Portfolio at page 33.

 

Item 2 - After item 417.027 of Schedule 1AA

 

This item adds a program to Schedule 1AA to the Principal Regulations for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

 

New item 417.028 establishes legislative authority for the Government to provide funding for costs associated with the Building Multicultural Communities Program (BMCP).

 

The BMCP will provide grants to eligible Australian not-for-profit, incorporated community organisations and local government authorities that provide services and key support to their community groups, and for projects that enhance multicultural community spaces through infrastructure, equipment and capital works.  The BMCP aims to empower communities to embrace the benefits of multiculturalism and maintain cohesive and socially inclusive neighbourhoods for the benefit of the nation.

 

Information on the BMCP is available on the Department's website (www.immi.gov.au).  This includes the program guidelines, which outline the selection criteria and how applications will be weighted.  Information on individual grants will be published on DIAC's website within 14 working days of the successful applicants being announced.  DIAC will make recommendations for funding to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs for a final, non-reviewable decision.

 

Payments will be made as part of Program 6.1 Multicultural and Citizenship Services, described in the Portfolio Budget Statements 2013-14, Budget Related Paper No. 1.11, Immigration and Citizenship Portfolio at page 82.