1.1 Objectives of the CGC

The CGC is an Australian Government-controlled entity and is a not-for-profit entity. The objective of the CGC is to inform Government decisions on fiscal equalisation between the states and territories through advice and recommendations on the distribution of goods and services tax (GST) revenue.

1.2 Basis of preparation

The financial statements are general purpose financial statements and are required by section 42 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the:
a) Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Financial Reporting) Rule 2015 ; and
b) Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations – Reduced Disclosure Requirements issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board that apply for the reporting period.

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

The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, values rounded to the nearest thousand dollars (unless otherwise specified) and reflect the original budget as presented to parliament.

1.3 New accounting standards

All new/revised/amending standards and/or interpretations that were issued prior to the sign-off date and are applicable to the current reporting period did not have a material effect on the CGC's financial statements.

1.4 Application of AASB 16 Leases

CGC has adopted AASB 16 using the modified retrospective approach, under which the cumulative effect of initial application is recognised in retained earnings at 1 July 2019. Accordingly, the comparative information presented for 2019 is not restated, that is, it is presented as previously reported under AASB 117 and related interpretations.

On adoption of AASB 16, CGC recognised a right of use asset and lease liability in relation to its lease of office space which had previously been classified as an operating lease.

The lease liability was measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the CGC’s incremental borrowing rate (IBR) as at 1 July 2019. The CGC’s IBR is the rate at which a similar borrowing could be obtained from an independent creditor under comparable terms and conditions. The weighted-average rate applied was 0.98%.

The right of use asset was measured at an amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments.

Impact on transition

On transition to AASB 16, the CGC recognised a right of use asset and lease liability, recognising the difference in retained earnings. The impact on transition is summarised below:

The following table reconciles the minimum lease commitments disclosed in the CGC's 30 June 2019 annual financial statements to the amount of lease liabilities recognised on 1 July 2019:

1.5 Own-source income

ANAO audit services - resources received free of charge

Resources received free of charge are recognised 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.

Revenue from government

Amounts appropriated for departmental operating activities for the year (adjusted for any formal additions and reductions and less departmental capital budgets) are recognised as revenue from government when CGC gains control of the appropriation. Appropriations receivable are recognised at their nominal amounts.

1.6 Financial assets

Cash is recognised at its nominal amount. Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand and deposits in bank accounts.

Trade and other receivables are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method less impairment. No impairment allowance has been recognised as at balance date.

1.7 Acquisition of assets

Non-financial assets are initially recognised at cost in the statement of financial position, except for purchases costing less than $6,000 which are expensed in the year of acquisition.

The initial cost of an asset includes an estimate of the cost of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located. This is particularly relevant to ‘make good’ provisions in property leases taken up by the CGC where there exists an obligation to restore the property to its original condition. These costs are included in the value of the CGC's leasehold improvements with a corresponding provision for the ‘make good’ recognised.

1.8 Property, plant and equipment

Revaluations

Following initial recognition at cost, plant and equipment (excluding ROU Assets) are carried at fair value less subsequent accumulated depreciation. Valuations are conducted with sufficient frequency to ensure that the carrying amounts of assets did not differ materially from the assets’ fair values as at the reporting date. The regularity of independent valuations depends upon the volatility of movements in market values for the relevant assets.

Revaluation adjustments are made on a class basis. Any revaluation increment is credited to equity under the heading of 'asset revaluation reserve', except to the extent that it reversed a previous revaluation decrement of the same asset class that was previously recognised in the surplus/deficit. Revaluation decrements for a class of assets are recognised directly in the surplus/deficit, except to the extent that they reverse a previous revaluation increment for that class. Upon revaluation, any accumulated depreciation is eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the asset and the asset restated to the revalued amount.

Depreciation

Depreciable plant and equipment assets are written off to their estimated residual values over their estimated useful lives to the CGC using, in all cases, the straight-line method of depreciation. Leasehold is depreciated over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the leasehold improvement or the lease term. Depreciation rates (useful lives), residual values and methods are reviewed at each reporting date.

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

Impairment

All assets were assessed for indications of impairment at 30 June 2020. Where indications of impairment exist, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated and an impairment adjustment made if the asset’s recoverable amount is less than its carrying amount.

Derecognition

An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when no further future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal.

1.9 Fair value measurement

All property, plant and equipment are measured at fair value in the statement of financial position. When estimating fair value, market prices (with adjustment) were used where available. Where market prices were not available, depreciated replacement cost was used. A reconciliation of movements in property, plant and equipment has been included in Note 4.

1.10 Software

CGC's software has been purchased for internal use. These assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Software is amortised on a straight-line basis over its anticipated useful life. The useful life of CGC's software is three to seven years (2019: N/A).

1.11 Supplier and other payables

Supplier and other payables are recognised at amortised cost. Liabilities are recognised to the extent that the goods or services have been received (and irrespective of having been invoiced). Supplier payables are settled within 30 days.

1.12 Employee benefits

Liabilities for ‘short-term employee benefits' and termination benefits expected within 12 months of the end of the reporting period are measured at their nominal amounts.

Leave

The liability for employee benefits includes provision for annual leave and long service leave.

The leave liabilities are calculated on the basis of employees’ remuneration at the estimated salary rates that will be applied at the time the leave is taken, plus the CGC’s employer superannuation contribution rates and applicable on-costs, to the extent that the leave is likely to be taken during service rather than paid out on termination.

The liability for long service leave has been determined by reference to paragraph 24(1)(a) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Financial Reporting) Rule 2015 using the shorthand method. The estimate of the present value of the liability takes into account attrition rates and pay increases through promotion and enterprise agreements.

Superannuation

Employees of the CGC are members of the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS), the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS), the PSS accumulation plan (PSSap), or other elected defined contribution schemes.

The CSS and PSS are defined benefit schemes for the Australian Government. The PSSap is a defined contribution scheme.

The liability for defined benefits is recognised in the financial statements of the Australian Government and is settled by the Australian Government in due course. This liability is reported in the Department of Finance’s administered schedules and notes.

The CGC makes employer contributions to employees' superannuation schemes at rates determined by an actuary to be sufficient to meet the current cost to the Government, and accounts for the contributions as if they were contributions to defined contribution plans.

1.13 Taxation

The CGC is exempt from all forms of taxation except fringe benefits tax and GST.

1.14 Events after the reporting period

There were no events that occurred after the balance date that would affect the balances in the financial statements.