The department operates in a dynamic political and economic environment in which the nature and volume of work undertaken by the department to achieve its purpose is affected by factors both within and outside its control.

Resourcing levels

In common with other Commonwealth entities, the department operates in a tight fiscal environment. The level of resources available to the department influences its work by, for instance, determining the number of staff that are available to be allocated to particular activities. This is considered to be a factor partially within the control of the department because, while there are opportunities for the department to influence the outcome of budget processes, final decisions in relation to the level of annual appropriations are made by the government.

Security

The nature of the department’s work and the way in which it conducts its business is impacted by security considerations, some of which are within the department’s control and some of which are outside the department’s control. The department, in collaboration with the Australian Federal Police as lead agency and the other departments of the Parliamentary Service, has a role in planning, implementing and monitoring security arrangements at Parliament House. However the security environment is, by its nature, unpredictable and not readily open to accurate forecasting about the likelihood or impact of future events. Security issues may also impact on committee activity throughout Australia.

The parliamentary cycle

The department’s workload, and the activities it undertakes, can vary widely at different points in the parliamentary cycle. The timing of general elections is wholly within the control of the government and, while the maximum term of a parliament is fixed by the Constitution, the date on which parliament is dissolved prior to a general election being held is not generally known in advance. This factor is of significance because dissolution of the House results in a marked change in the nature of the department’s work and a need to reallocate resources, including staff, to different tasks on relatively short notice.

Chamber and committee workload

The nature and amount of parliamentary and committee business being conducted can fluctuate from time to time and this, in turn, has an impact on the work of the department. These factors are outside the control of the department. Workload levels do not necessarily follow regular cycles and may not be open to accurate forecasting. For example, the number of sitting days and the amount of legislation being considered by the House can vary widely between parliaments and at different points in the parliamentary cycle. Similar variations are evident in the number of inquiries being pursued by parliamentary committees (and consequently the number of hearings being held and reports published). These factors are significant because additional resources – or a more intensive application of existing resources – may be required to support the House and committees at times when a high volume of business is being transacted.

Number of parliamentary delegations requiring departmental support

Changes in the number of parliamentary travelling delegations requiring the department’s support can be expected to have an impact on the work of the department, because staffing resources must be allocated to make logistical arrangements and provide secretariat support for such delegations. This factor is largely outside the control of the department. It is significant because the need to provide support to a travelling delegation can arise at short notice and the resources involved are often substantial.

ICT arrangements

The nature of the department’s work, and workload levels, are influenced by its access to suitable information and communications technology (ICT) services. Under arrangements which took effect on 1 July 2013, the Department of Parliamentary Services assumed responsibility for ICT services and facilities at Parliament House. Access to effective ICT is therefore considered to be a factor partially within the control of the department because, while there are opportunities for the department to influence the nature of the ICT services provided to it through consultative processes, ultimate responsibility for the provision of these services is borne by another agency. The department will continue to work with its stakeholders to develop and maintain ICT solutions that are appropriate, and will maintain strong relationships through the support of the various consultative, advisory and management forums relating to the provision of ICT services.