Why was there an underspend in the School Transport appropriation (M26) (A19) of $121.013 million in the 25/26 Vote Education, when there was $255.640 million budgeted in 2024/25 in the 24/25 Vote Education, and $134,627 million budgeted in 2024/25 in the 25/26 Vote Education? and 1 other question

Answer

I am advised by the Ministry of Education that the $121.013 million does not relate to an underspend in the School Transport appropriation for 2024/25. The establishment of Charter Schools began in 2025, which required the School Transport appropriation to be broadened to include charter schools. As this occurred part way through the financial year, the existing appropriation scope could not be changed. Therefore, new appropriation, named School Transport Assistance, was created to cover the last six months of the financial year. The remaining balance on the existing appropriation, $121.013 million, was transferred to the new appropriation. As the School Transport appropriation is demand-driven, the overall 2024/25 budget for School Transport was also adjusted to reflect forecast. The budget increased from $255.640 million to $267.081 million. The adjusted budget included $134.627 million from the existing appropriation and $132.454 million from the new appropriation. This is also my response to written parliamentary question 18109 (2026).