Agency overview and resources

1.1 Strategic direction

On 1 July 2008, Wheat Exports Australia (WEA) was established under the Wheat Export Marketing Act 2008 and the Wheat Export Marketing (Repeal and Consequential Amendments) Act 2008 to replace the Export Wheat Commission (EWC) following a change to Australia’s wheat export arrangements. The new wheat marketing arrangements are intended to increase competition in the export wheat market. The new arrangements require WEA to accredit multiple exporters versus the previous single desk and for WEA to adopt increased monitoring and enforcement powers to ensure that a competitive regime is achieved and maintained.

Legislative objectives require WEA to regulate a bulk wheat export market with multiple exporters providing more choice for growers, through administration of the Wheat Export Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme).

In support of the objective, WEA’s work concentrates on the implementation and administration of the Scheme. WEA also carries out investigations as directed by the minister.

Beginning in 2008–09 and continuing into 2009–10, WEA will conduct a review of its cost-recovery framework. WEA’s costs are recovered via application fees and the Wheat Export Charge (WEC).

1.2 Agency resource statement

Table 1.1 shows the total resources from all origins. The table summarises how resources will be applied by outcome and by administered and departmental classification.

Table 1.1: Wheat Export Australia Resource Statement—Budget estimates for 2009–10 as at Budget May 2009

1.3 Budget measures

WEA is not affected by any 2009–10 budget measures.

1.4 Transition from outcomes and outputs to outcomes and programs

From the 2009–10 Budget, all General Government Sector (GGS) entities will be reporting on a program basis. The table below outlines the transition from the 2008–09 Budget year (as at Additional Estimates) which was presented in administered items, outputs and output groups to the program reporting framework used for the 2009–10 Budget. The table also captures revisions made to GGS outcome statements under the Operation Sunlight Outcome Statements Review.

Figure 1: Transition table

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