| |||
| |||
|
             |
 |
Annual Report 2001–02 You are currently viewing: Annual
report > Management and Accountability
Assets managementThe departments assets management strategy assists it to achieve efficient asset utilisation and allows it to identify underperforming assets and, if necessary, to redeploy capital to more value added activities. The total written down value of the departments assets is $19.96 million. This represents a significant increase on last years value, mainly due to a revaluation of all assets and the value of asset acquisitions being greater than disposals. The departments revaluation of all its assets, which resulted in an increase in the carrying amount of the assets, will require an increase in the departments depreciation expense and capital use charge. This issue will be addressed in the Federal Budget process. The department also conducted a stocktake of information technology and plant and equipment categories of assets. The results of the stocktake highlighted the adequacy of the departments assets management strategy, with only 2 per cent of asset details requiring updating in the financial system as a result of the stocktake. Losses of equipment during the financial year were mainly due to theft and included four laptop computers, four desktop computers and one monitor. The cost to the department was $27,800 and was slightly lower than last year ($30,500). The department also undertook a major upgrade of departmental computers and members laptops during the financial year. The upgrade included disposal of surplus and obsolete equipment, with the gain to be realised in the new financial year.
Consultants and competitive tendering and contractingConsultantsThe policies and procedures for selecting consultants and approving expenditure for their services are set out in the CEIs. In 200102, 45 consultants were engaged to provide professional independent and expert advice or services to the department, at a cost of $503,540. This expenditure covered payments made on all new contracts and payments made on contracts let in previous years. In 200001 22 consultants were engaged at a cost of $137,860. Appendix 12 contains details of consultancy services let to the value of $10,000 or more.
Competitive tendering and contractingThe following services are provided free of charge by other parliamentary departments and were not included in the competitive tendering and contracting (CTC) process.
The only other service that is provided by another Commonwealth body to the department is the provision of security services in some areas of the parliamentary precinct by the Australian Protective Service (APS). Government has made the decision to use the APS for this service and the APS contract is not included in the CTC process. No contract was exempted by the Clerk from being published in the Purchasing and Disposal Gazette.
Advertising and market researchDetails of payments made to advertising and market research organisations in 200102 are in Appendix 11. You are currently viewing: Annual
report > Management and Accountability
| |
