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Annual Report 2001–02Performance ReviewOutput Group 4 Interparliamentary Relations and Community Liaison
DescriptionThis output group encompasses outreach, educational and liaison functions both internationally and within Australia. At the international level, the groups outputs are delivered primarily by the Parliamentary Relations Office (PRO), with a focus on the Parliaments international and regional affairs; Australias bilateral relations with other countries at the parliamentary level; and Australias role in a range of parliamentary bodies and organisations. Domestically, the outputs are delivered primarily by the Liaison and Projects Office and the Serjeant-at-Arms Office, with professional contributions from other areas. The output group focuses on enhancing the communitys understanding of, and participation in, the work of the House of Representatives and the Parliament. Staff supporting the output provide information and education services, facilitate visits to the Parliament by citizens (including school children) and tourists, and support parliamentary conferences. The department jointly funds the Parliamentary Education Office, which is staffed by the Department of the Senate and reported on in its annual report. The actual expenses for the provision of those services by this output group were $4.00 million, while the budget allocated was $3.79 million. A summary of the financial resources for the output group is provided at Table 1. PerformanceThe departments performance in relation to this output group during the year was strong in terms of quality, though the quantitative statistics are lower than those of the previous year because of the hiatus caused by the federal election. There was a strong emphasis on improving processes and evaluation.
Improving performanceThe documentation of processes and procedures for both incoming and outgoing delegations will be reviewed and updated in the coming year. It is anticipated that the review will improve adherence to processes and procedures, increase our capacity to maintain necessary high standards and enable more efficient use of staff resources. Procedures for the operation of the training programs for Pacific parliaments are being reviewed with a view to improving the quality of training delivery, improving information flows to the Trustees of the CPA Education Trust Fund and enabling more efficient use of staff resources. Changes to arrangements for approval of the incoming and outgoing delegation programs will be introduced for the 2003 programs. The changes are intended to ensure that the programs more effectively accord with the parliamentary sitting pattern. The emphasis of the departments community outreach program has been continually to improve and refresh our outreach projects and activities in order to keep people interested, to keep them coming back, and to generate new contacts with the community. In 200102 improvements were implemented in the following areas:
The changes made during 200102 will be closely monitored during 200203, to ensure they have contributed to improved performance and to identify scope for further positive changes. During 200102 resources were invested in improving the administration of the CVP including tighter financial monitoring, made possible through upgrades of the computerised booking program. Those enhancements provide forward details of commitments, which in turn facilitate our consideration of possible policy changes and their financial ramifications. For example, following the collapse of Ansett, the limited availability of cheaper airfares resulted in some difficulties for students in organising their programs. Consideration was given to increasing the subsidy but our projections precluded that option. This informed decision would not have been possible without the enhancements to the booking program, which can be expected to make further contributions to our improving performance in 200203.
OutlookThe year ahead promises a substantial increase in delegation activity, programming for which commenced as soon as the Fortieth Parliament began sitting. Invitations have been sent out for the second interparliamentary study program, which will be hosted by the Australian Parliament in October 2002. Planning and preparations will also begin for a joint Australian and Pacific parliamentary seminar that will take place in 2003. The seminar will be jointly hosted by the Northern Territory and Samoan CPA branches and coordinated by the PRO. The marketing and distribution of the documentary and CD-ROM A House for the Nation and the publication Images of the House The First Hundred Years will be given high priority in 200203, to ensure that a wide cross-section of the community knows about and can access these innovative and informative products. Continuous improvement will remain a focus of community outreach projects and activities that are already operating, to ensure that they attract and retain the interest of the community. The seminar program will be expanded outside Canberra, with Melbourne and the Gold Coast to be included in the second half of 2002 and other centres to be considered in 2003. Efforts will also be directed towards broadening the university lecture program. Approaches to publicising the work of committees will be examined to ensure that value for money outcomes are achieved in advertising and that all avenues for publicising committee work are utilised effectively.
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