Recommendations
Recommendation 1
2.66 The committee reminds government agencies and
statutory authorities, that where evidence is given in error to a Senate
committee, the primary duty of the department or statutory authority is to the
committee. Witnesses must bring errors or suspected errors to the attention of
the relevant Senate committee as a priority.
Recommendation 2
2.72 The committee recommends that senior executive
staff across the Australian Public Service, including the secretaries of the
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Attorney-General's Department,
undergo training in parliamentary accountability provided by the Department of
the Senate, including but not limited to seminars routinely provided for senior
executives.
Recommendation 3
2.76 The committee recommends that the
Attorney-General's Department:
- formally
draw to the attention of all of its officers' the document search and document
management protocol;
- implement
appropriate training programs to ensure adherence to the protocol; and
- consult
with the Australian Government Solicitor for the purpose of reviewing this
protocol in a comprehensive and purposeful manner.
Recommendation 4
2.78 The committee recommends that the
Attorney-General's Department:
- review
the allocation of resources across its divisions;
- undertake
formal risk assessments to mitigate risks associated with the cross-divisional
movement of staff and the ad hoc use of staff across departmental divisions;
and
- develop
and implement training for its staff relating to intra-departmental document
management and communications.
Recommendation 5
2.80 The committee recommends that the
Attorney-General's Department implement a training program to ensure that
officers responding to correspondence are better aware of the political and
cultural connotations of titles and names, especially in relation to known
terrorist organisations.
Recommendation 6
2.82
The committee recommends that the Attorney-General's Department subject
its document handling procedures to both regular and random audits, to inform
further development of protocols, and training and resource requirements.
Recommendation 7
2.85
The committee recommends that the Attorney-General's Department
routinely consult the relevant intelligence and security agencies in relation
to sensitive correspondence, especially where it has or may have national
security implications.
Recommendation 8
2.87 The committee recommends that all Commonwealth
government agencies ensure that they have procedures in place to bring
sensitive correspondence which has or may have national security implications
to the attention of the relevant intelligence and security agencies in a timely
manner.
Recommendation 9
2.90 The committee recommends that the
Attorney-General's Department review its procedures related to the application
of the Web Guide: Guidelines for Ministerial and Agency Websites in a
comprehensive and purposeful manner to ensure that these guidelines are applied
consistently, objectively and apolitically.
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