The ACT Government is hiving off tobacco-fee money from the Health Promotion Fund and putting it to general revenue, according to the Opposition spokesman on sport, Greg Cornwell.
Mr Cornwell said yesterday, “”In 1991-92, approximately $1.33 million had been distributed via the fund for arts, sport and health activities, or 8.1 per cent of the total revenue of $16.4 million which was generated from the ACT’s tobacco franchise fee.
“”However, in 1992-93, when total tobacco franchise receipts increased to $21.2 million, the Government’s allocation to the Health Promotion Fund was $1.03 million or only 4.9 per cent of the franchise fee.”
He thought the Government might be tempted to give the fund even less this year to prop up its tight budget.
The Minister for Health, Wayne Berry, said the fund set up in 1989-90 came through general appropriation. Changes in the appropriation had been due to full-year effect and indexation.