The department reported $1,696.5 million of expenses in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. This represents an increase of $24.9 million over 2016–17, mainly due to the following factors:

• increased depreciation and amortisation expenses of $15.9 million due to the increased value of the department’s asset holdings, offset slightly by a $4.3 million decrease in write-down and impairment costs from the detailed review of assets and assets under construction
• increased employee expenses of $19.0 million due to delays in reducing staff numbers and the increase in value of leave based on movements in the bond rate, offset by
• a reduction in overall supplier expenses of $4.0 million due to cost savings on specific suppliers.

Summary of expenses