Annual Reports (No. 1 of 2006)

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Annual Reports (No. 1 of 2006)

29 March 2006

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Membership of the Committee

Report on Annual Reports

Overview
Departments
Department of Family and Community Services 2004-2005
Department of Health and Ageing 2004-2005
Statutory Authorities and Agencies
Australian Institute of Family Studies 2004-2005
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2004-2005
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency 2004-2005
Commissioner for Complaints 2004-2005
Food Standards Australia New Zealand 2004-2005
Gene Technology Regulator 2004-2005
Indigenous Land Corporation 2004-2005
National Blood Authority 2004-2005
National Health and Medical Research Council 2004
Private Health Insurance Administration Council 2004-2005
Private Health Insurance Ombudsman 2004-2005
Professional Services Review 2004-2005
Social Security Appeals Tribunal 2004-2005
Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council 2004-2005
Commonwealth Companies
Aboriginal Hostels Ltd 2004-2005
The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency Ltd 2004-2005
General Practice Education and Training Ltd 2004-2005
Medibank Private Ltd 2004-2005
National Institute of Clinical Studies 2004-2005

Appendix 1 - List of Annual Reports examined

Membership of the Committee

Senator Gary Humphries, Chairman	LP, Australian Capital Territory
Senator Claire Moore, Deputy Chair	ALP, Queensland
Senator Judith Adams	LP, Western Australia
Senator Guy Barnett	LP, Tasmania
Senator Kerry Nettle	AG, New South Wales
Senator Helen Polley	ALP, Tasmania

Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Secretariat

Mr Elton Humphery – Secretary
Ms Leonie Peake – Research Officer

The Senate
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: 02 6277 3515
Fax: 02 6277 5829
E-mail: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au
Internet: https://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca

Report on Annual Reports

OVERVIEW

1.1 This report was prepared pursuant to Standing Order 25(21) relating to the consideration of annual reports by Committees. The Senate Order requires that the Committee examine the reports referred to it to determine whether they are timely and 'apparently satisfactory'. In forming its assessment the Committee has considered whether the reports comply with:

the Requirements for Annual Reports for Departments, Executive Agencies and FMA Act Bodies approved by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit under subsections 63(2) and 70(2) of the Public Service Act 1999, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, June 2005
for Commonwealth authorities and companies, the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997.

A list of reports examined by the Committee is at Appendix 1.

Timeliness of reports

1.2 Most of the annual reports referred to the Committee were tabled within the specified period or shortly thereafter.

General comments

1.3 The Committee is pleased to note that generally the annual reports examined adhere to the relevant reporting guidelines in a satisfactory manner and are 'apparently satisfactory' in terms of the Standing Order. The reports continue to maintain high standards of presentation and provide a comprehensive range of information on their functions and activities. However, some reports need to provide more transparent performance reporting rather than providing a description of 'activities'.

Comments made in the Senate

1.4 The Committee is obliged, under Senate Standing Order 25(21)(d) to consider any remarks made about these reports in the Senate. Where comments have been made they are referred to in the section below on the evaluation of individual reports.

Bodies not presenting annual reports to the Senate

1.5 The Committee is required to report to the Senate on whether there are any bodies which do not present annual reports to the Senate and which should present such reports. The Committee considers that there are no bodies within its portfolio areas that do not meet their reporting requirements to the Senate in this regard.

DEPARTMENTS

Department of Family and Community Services 2004-2005

Timeliness

1.6 The report was received by the President of the Senate out of session on 24 October 2005 and tabled in the House of Representatives on 1 November 2005 and in the Senate on 7 November 2005, within the required 15 sitting days.

Quality

1.7 The annual report provides a well-structured and comprehensive review of the Department's functions and operations, including detailed performance reporting. Part 1 of the report presents a useful overview of the Department's major activities, achievements and financial performance (pp.5-37). Part 2 of the report relating to performance reporting provides a detailed analytical assessment of the extent to which the Department is meeting its outcomes (pp.39-231).

1.8 The Secretary's review outlines major changes to the structure and functions of FaCS. Achievements are outlined in the Departmental overview as well as challenges for the Department in the year ahead (pp.1-37).

1.9 The 2004-05 report is contained in one volume rather than two volumes as in previous years. The new consolidated format provides for easier accessibility of information that is more clearly set out and thus more 'reader friendly'.

Reporting requirements

1.10 All reporting requirements are met.

Performance reporting

1.11 Performance information is reported against the performance indicators published in the 2004-05 Portfolio Budget Statements, complemented by other relevant reporting, including the results of evaluations. The performance reporting in Part 2 of the report is very comprehensive. Detailed information is provided against the Department's three outcomes relating to families, communities and individuals; and ten output groups (pp.39-231).

1.12 A useful addition to the performance reporting relating to Outcome 1 in Part 2 are headings that group the broad components of support for families across the sections relating to key strategies, key achievements and where further work is required. The headings more clearly identify the Department's goals and outcomes to broadly address the support needs of families, including family relationships, Indigenous families, children, youth and women (pp.45-52).

1.13 Detailed information is provided in Parts 3, 4 and 5 of the report relating to management and accountability, financial statements, and appendices contain a number of tables outlining statistical information (pp.233-411).

External scrutiny

1.14 The report provides useful information on the external scrutiny of the Department's activities by a range of agencies, including the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO), the Privacy Commissioner and the Commonwealth Ombudsman (pp.250-260). The report notes that the Ombudsman received 26 complaints in 2004-05 compared to 16 in the previous year. Twenty-eight complaint issues were finalised and of that total only six were investigated. Administrative differences were found in only two issues (p.251). There were no complaints about the Department received by the Privacy Commissioner in the year 2004-05 (p.250).

1.15 In relation to ANAO audits conducted in 2004-05 the Department reports that 15 audit reports were relevant to its operations. Five of the ANAO audits were agency audits where FaCS was a key stakeholder and 10 were cross-agency audits. A summary of these audit reports is provided in the annual report and the Department's actions in response to the recommendations are also discussed (pp.252-60).

Consultancies

1.16 The report provides details of consultancy services, including the contract price of new consultancies of $10 000 or more and the purpose for which these were let (pp.305-19). A summary of new and ongoing consultancy services contracts is provided at pp.240-41. The report shows that during the 2004-05 financial year expenditure on new and ongoing consultancy services amounted to $21.1 million compared with $19.8 million in the previous year (p.241).

Department of Health and Ageing 2004-2005

Timeliness

1.17 The report was received by the President of the Senate out of session on 27 October 2005 and tabled in the House of Representatives on 1 November 2005 and in the Senate on 7 November 2005, within the required 15 sitting days.

Quality

1.18 The annual report provides a well structured and detailed overview of the Department's outcomes and activities. The outcome performance reports provide useful information on Departmental activities. Outcomes are reported against specific performance measures. The annual report notes that it has been structured so as to present information in an easily readable format for a diverse reading public (p.iii).

1.19 The Secretary's review discusses a number of policy challenges and achievements over the reporting period. The Secretary stated that the Department introduced a new Departmental performance management framework which aligns performance information directly with financial information, enabling the Department to report on activities in a more transparent manner (p.6). The Chief Medical Officer's report outlines, from a medical perspective, the Department's role in responding to past and future challenges (pp.8-13).

Reporting requirements

1.20 All reporting requirements are met.

Performance reporting

1.21 The report provides details of the Department's activities during the 2004-05 financial year against the performance indicators presented in the 2004-05 Portfolio Budget Statements and Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.

1.22 The overview contained in Part 1 provides an explanation of the Department's activities and broad strategic directions and priorities. Key issues and achievements are discussed. Outcome performance reports in Part 2 of the report discuss the main activities, including major achievements and challenges of the nine outcomes. Information is provided on performance for administered items, including whether targets were met. Further information is provided in Parts 3 and 4 of the report on management and accountability, financial statements and a range of statistical and other information (pp.226-417).

External scrutiny

1.23 The report provides useful information on the external scrutiny of its activities by several bodies including the ANAO, Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and the Commonwealth Ombudsman. Departmental responses to issues raised in relation to Audit reports are also discussed in the report (pp.25-27).

1.24 The Department notes that complaints received by the Ombudsman increased over the previous year. The Department explained that although there was an increase in the number of complaints lodged the number of formal investigations had decreased (p.28). The Department states that 26 per cent of complaints were taken to the investigation stage, and that the Department had 36 contacts with the Ombudsman's office. However, it would be useful if the actual number of complaints for the year in review, as well as the number for the previous year as a comparison, were included in the report.

Consultancies

1.25 The report provides detailed information on consultancy services let in 2004-05 of $10 000 or more including the total actual commitment of funds (pp.370-387). A summary of new and ongoing consultancy contracts is provided which shows that in 2004-05 total expenditure on consultancies was $32.5 million, a decrease on the 2003-04 year's figure of $38.9 million (pp.370, 387).

STATUTORY AUTHORITIES AND AGENCIES

Australian Institute of Family Studies 2004-2005

1.26 All reporting requirements are met. The report provides a detailed overview of the Institute's activities and programs.

1.27 The Institute's 'effectiveness' is measured by a number of criteria, including feedback and more formalised accounting measures related to the budget and financial outcomes (p.2). The Institute's performance measures are outlined in the Strategic Plan 2002-2005 that are included in the report (p.12). The report notes that the Institute achieved outcomes 'which can be measured very favourably against all these indicators' (p.2).

1.28 The report provides detailed information on the Institute's three major areas of research as well as other major contract projects (see pp.23-66). A useful tabular form summary of research project performance is included in the report. This summary provides information in terms of performance outcomes and indicates that most of the planned outputs have been achieved or are ongoing (pp.68-87).

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2004-2005

1.29 All reporting requirements are met. The report provides a comprehensive account of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's (AIHW) functions and activities.

1.30 The report notes that an independent feedback survey of AIHW funders was very positive, with the AIHW being highly placed in The Leadership Factor's Satisfaction Benchmark League Table (p.42).

1.31 The report includes a detailed analysis of AIHW's achievements with performance measured against output groups (pp.19-42). Reasons as to why the AIHW was unable to achieve some work program goals are also provided (p.43).

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency 2004-2005

1.32 All reporting requirements are met. The annual report provides a comprehensive review of the Agency's functions and activities. The Agency produces quarterly reports as well as an annual report.

1.33 The annual report, as in previous years, provides a clearly set out and balanced assessment of the outcomes achieved, including a candid account of areas where objectives have not been met. The report also details planned objectives for the next financial year (pp.10-17).

1.34 The report states that ARPANSA has established a review to implement the ANAO performance audit recommendations. The review will undertake a detailed analysis of ARPANSA's current regulatory processes and make recommendations for changes to these processes that implement the ANAO recommendations (p.12). ARPANSA expects to have completed its response to the ANAO audit and to demonstrate in the next financial year that it has fully met the intent of the ANAO recommendations (p.17).

Commissioner for Complaints 2004-2005

1.35 All reporting requirements are met. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the Commissioner's activities.

1.36 The report notes that the focus for the financial year 2004-05 was to review and further improve service quality and accountability mechanisms for the Scheme (p.4).

1.37 The report states that the Scheme recorded a total of 1004 complaints in 2004-2005, a slight increase of 37 complaints compared with the previous year (p.26). The majority of complaints (96%) related to residential aged care services (p.27). The average time taken to finalise complaints was 40 days, which was similar to the previous reporting period (p.32).

1.38 The report states that each complaint generally raised multiple issues. The Scheme utilises a number of keywords with agreed definitions to assist the identification of major concerns. In order to streamline the processing of complaints one keyword is now applied to each separate issue and where possible officers are encouraged to create one issue per case, with one keyword that outlines the principal concern. The report notes that it will be important to closely monitor the use and application of keywords to ensure that issues and trends are captured effectively (p.28).

Food Standards Australia New Zealand 2004-2005

1.39 All reporting requirements are met. The report provides a comprehensive review of the operations of FSANZ (see pp.3-101). Accountability and performance reporting was also provided in some detail (pp.102-122).

1.40 In the report FSANZ states that it sees the development and implementation of a robust performance measurement and management system as one of its key accountability objectives for the year ahead (p.119).

1.41 The Committee is pleased to note that FSANZ reports that considerable effort was put into developing systems to allow the organisation to 'provide a level of financial analysis that is more useful and informative to internal management and external stakeholders' (p.103).

Gene Technology Regulator 2004-2005

1.42 All reporting requirements are met. The Gene Technology Regulator (the Regulator) operates through a system of dual reporting responsibilities. The Gene Technology Act 2000 requires the Regulator to provide a report to the Minister after each quarter on the operations of the Regulator during that period. The annual report of the Regulator is incorporated within the Department of Health and Ageing's annual report.

1.43 The quarterly reports provide a useful review of the activities of the Regulator. The reports outline the activities and outcomes achieved in relation to the implementation of the national regulatory system; the regulatory activities undertaken, including information about applications for, and action taken with respect to, genetically modified organism licences and other instruments under the Act. Details of monitoring, auditing and compliance activities by the Regulator are also included in the reports; as well as the activities of the three advisory committees. Summaries are also provided of other activities undertaken by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) (p.viii).

1.44 Each of the quarterly reports note that routine monitoring activities were again 'well above the minimum target rate and no significant risks to either human health or the environment were identified' (p.iii).

1.45 The ANAO commented in its audit report that 'although OGTR reports a significant amount of operational information in its quarterly reports...there is room for much better reporting and use of performance information in assessing and improving OGTR systems, procedures and performance'.[1]

1.46 The Committee notes that the ANAO's audit report was tabled later than the Regulator's reports examined in this report, however the Committee will monitor the OGTR's response in implementing the ANAO'S findings in future quarterly reports.

Indigenous Land Corporation 2004-05

1.47 All reporting requirements are met. The report provides a comprehensive review of the Indigenous Land Corporation's (ILC) functions and activities.

1.48 The ILC was established to provide economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits for Aboriginal persons and Torres Strait Islanders by assisting in the acquisition and management of Indigenous-held land. The report notes that to assist in achieving its purpose, the ILC received an annual draw down from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund from 1995-1996 until 2003-2004. From 2004-2005 onwards, the ILC will receive the annual realised real return from the investments of the Land Fund to fund all its activities (p.10).

1.49 The performance overview section of the report outlines the ILC's operations and outcomes (pp.28-63). Accountability for financial and physical resources are discussed at pp.88-90.

1.50 The Committee notes that the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Native Title and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Account has reported to the Senate on the ILC's 2004-05 annual report in detail.

National Blood Authority 2004-05

1.51 The annual report was tabled later than the required date of 31 October, however the Committee notes the letter of transmittal was dated 13 October 2005. The report was presented to the Deputy President of the Senate on 20 December 2005 and tabled in both houses of Parliament on 7 February 2006.

1.52 The report is divided into five parts that clearly sets out information on the National Blood Authority's (NBA) operations and achievements.

1.53 The report notes that the development of the annual National Supply Plan for blood products 'is a critically important function for the blood section as a whole, and especially for the NBA' (p.31).

1.54 The report also states that the development of a Key Business Process for the procurement of blood products and services had been central to NBA's success in bringing about contractual improvements with suppliers (p.45).

1.55 A comprehensive performance section of the report provides an informative account of outcomes achieved. Useful tables and graphs are included to clearly set out supporting information (pp.30-60).

National Health and Medical Research Council 2004

1.56 All reporting requirements are met. The report provides a detailed overview of the functions and operations of the Council.

1.57 The report states that despite certain operational difficulties which was very disruptive to its operations the NHMRC was still very productive and was able to achieve its stated outcomes (pp.10-13).

1.58 The report notes that for the first time a brief record of NHMRC's activities in the major disease areas confronting Australians was included in their report (pp.12, 24-28). This useful addition includes funding allocations for research against the various diseases.

1.59 The report also states that NHMRC's updated 2003-2006 Performance Measurement Framework links the Strategic Plan and their legislative objectives to outputs and outcomes (p.14).

Private Health Insurance Administration Council 2004-2005

1.60 All reporting requirements are met. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the operations of the Private Health Insurance Administration Council (PHIAC). The report provides performance information against its two output groups (pp.22-32).

1.61 The report notes that the registered health funds internal review program has been of benefit to both PHIAC and the industry. PHIAC will maintain its interest in seeing improved corporate governance through the industry. Whilst acknowledging the need to act flexibly PHIAC notes that contributors' interests are paramount (p.3).

1.62 The report states that over the next year PHIAC will continue to focus on governance and financial management issues (p.5).

Private Health Insurance Ombudsman 2004-2005

1.63 All reporting requirements are met. In the report the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman has provided a clearly set out and informative overview of his role and activities (pp.5-12).

1.64 The report states that over 50 per cent of complaint investigations result in some change of direct benefit to the complainant. In about 30 per cent of cases the complainant receives an additional payment from their health fund (p.5). New referral procedures have been introduced by the Ombudsman and appear to be working well for both complainants and fund complaints staff (pp.5-6). Further possible improvements have been identified and the Ombudsman hopes to be able to report next year on the outcomes of complaints referred to health funds for resolution (p.6).

1.65 The report states that the Ombudsman received 2571 complaints in 2004-05, a decrease of 421 (14%) from the previous year. This was the lowest number of complaints received in the last five years, however there had been an increase of 94 Level 3 (more complex) complaints - from 612 to 706 (p.16). These more complex Level 3 complaints had resulted in a marginal decline in the timeliness of complaints processing, however overall a higher level of satisfaction was expressed by complainants with the time taken in handling their complaints (pp.20-21). Further details of performance outcomes, augmented by good use of graphs and charts, are provided in the report (pp.15-25).

1.66 Legislative changes to ensure that health funds provide improved cover for their members for hospital treatment by accredited podiatric surgeons have given the Ombudsman a specific role in monitoring the funds' response to the changes. The funds' response will be reported in the Ombudsman’s State of the Health Funds Report (p.7). This matter was debated at length during the Committee's inquiry into the National Health Amendment (Prostheses) Bill and was also raised during Estimates hearings.[2]

Professional Services Review 2004-2005

1.67 All reporting requirements are met. The report provides a useful overview of the operations of the Professional Services Review (PSR).

1.68 The report notes that the robustness of the PSR scheme has been tested in the Federal Court on many occasions and the PSR has been found to have consistently applied the legislation with due regard to fair process and equity (p.3).

1.69 The report states that in 2004-05 requests from the Health Insurance Commission (HIC) dropped to nine from 40-50 in the previous year. The significant decrease caused severe disruption within PSR, particularly as they had no prior warning this situation was about to occur. The dramatic decrease in requests for review was caused by changes to HIC's internal processes. Although the PSR has been assured this is temporary it necessitated significant staff reductions (p.4). These matters were discussed with the PSR during the Committee's budget estimates hearing.[3]

1.70 Detailed information relating to requests for review, referrals to committees and determinations is provided in the report at pp.16-61.

Social Security Appeals Tribunal 2004-2005

1.71 All reporting requirements are met. The report provides a comprehensive account of the activities of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT).

1.72 The report notes that the SSAT has continued to meet its statutory objectives by strengthening its operations and with an ongoing focus on the quality, consistency and timeliness of its decisions. The report also states the SSAT will continue to work towards providing open and accountable services (p.1).

1.73 The report has a strong focus on performance reporting and makes good use of graphs and tables to illustrate a range of performance data (pp.14-33).

1.74 The report notes that 8215 applications were lodged in 2004-05, a decrease of 11 per cent compared with the previous year. In 2004-05 the SSAT finalised 8414 applications, involving review of 9353 separate decisions, a 10 per cent decrease compared with 2003-04 (pp.14-15). The average time taken between lodging and finalising an application was 8.1 weeks, an improvement on the previous year's figure of 8.6 weeks, and well within the national standard of 10 weeks. The statutory requirement to notify applicants within 14 days of the outcome of their application was again achieved in 99.2 per cent of cases (p.16). Further details of performance outcomes are provided in the report at pp.14-33.

1.75 A useful tabular breakdown of applications processed, on hand, and finalised is provided in Appendix 7. The timeliness of applications and application outcomes are also provided in this format in Appendixes 8 and 9 (pp.75-79).

Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council 2004-2005

1.76 All reporting requirements are met. The report provides a useful overview of Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council's (WBACC) functions.

1.77 The report notes that the Board had addressed many complex issues involving community services. A major review of WBACC and its subsidiary company Wreck Bay Enterprise Limited (WBEL) had identified a number of opportunities for improvement within both organisations. The majority of recommendations, which related to managing risk, planning, reporting and performance, had been adopted and some implemented. The report also states that WBEL had excelled at being a major provider of employment for the community (pp. 2-3).

COMMONWEALTH COMPANIES

Aboriginal Hostels Ltd 2004-2005

1.78 All reporting requirements are met. The report provides a very useful account of each of the eight regions in which Aboriginal Hostels Ltd (AHL) provides accommodation and assistance.

1.79 AHL reported that a survey of their hostels showed that residents were overwhelmingly positive about their hostel experience. 87 per cent of residents rated their overall service as 'good or very good' (p.19). The survey also found that most residents were made aware of the hostel accommodation through family referrals. A priority for AHL is to raise awareness of their facilities through other avenues (p.9).

1.80 The report states that AHL averaged almost 3000 beds per night and improved the occupancy rates over the previous year. Occupancy rates for company-operated and community-operated hostels averaged 73 per cent (p.19).

1.81 AHL continues to be one of the largest employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia with 374 Indigenous staff out of a total of 461 (p.19).

1.82 During the year in review AHL introduced a Balanced Scorecard Strategy to report against its four tiers: learning and growth; internal processes; financial processes and customer focus (p.13). The report includes the scorecard performance summary with details of targets and outcomes for the next financial year (pp.32-35).

The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency Ltd 2004-2005

1.83 All reporting requirements are met. The report notes that almost all of the 2935 accredited homes met all 44 expected outcomes of the Accreditation Standards. Some 92 per cent of homes were awarded at least three years' accreditation. Of those who had some non-compliance, half were non-compliant in only one expected outcome. The Agency notes this is an improvement over the second round of accreditation when 88 per cent achieved full compliance (pp.3-4).

1.84 The report states that during 2004-05 the Agency completed 83 review audits out of a target of 132. The Agency noted that a review audit of a home may be conducted if there are a number of adverse circumstances; however during 2004-05 there was not a need to do as many review audits as forecast (pp.21, 25). The report also notes that their complaints system had been streamlined, centrally recorded and analysed regularly (p.5).

General Practice Education and Training Ltd 2004-2005

1.85 All reporting requirements are met. The report details the operations of General Practice Education and Training (GPET) in furthering its role of establishing, monitoring and evaluating a national system of regionalised general practice education and vocational training.

1.86 The report states that the regional training providers (RTPs) were implementing the Enhanced Rural Training Framework to assist in delivering advanced rural skills training across Australia. As well the number of registrars who were now undertaking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training had doubled in the years 2002-2004 as had the number of training positions in the same period (p.5).

1.87 Intensive marketing and recruitment activities by GPET and RTP staff had resulted in an 11 per cent across-the-board increase in applications and an almost 60 per cent increase in the number of applicants for the Rural Pathway project (p.5).

1.88 The report also advises that the integrity of GPET's internal operations had been reinforced by risk management strategies being implemented (p.8).

1.89 In the next financial year one of the aims for GPET to improve operations is to focus on the national policy outcomes of the regionalised system of education and training and further application of the GPET Quality Framework (p.12).

Medibank Private Ltd 2004-2005

1.90 All reporting requirements are met.

1.91 The report notes that Medibank Private achieved a profit result of $130.8 million which was a 192 per cent increase on the previous year. This was the most dramatic turnaround in Medibank Private's 29-year history and it was now well placed to continue the implementation of their long-term strategic plan (p.4).

1.92 With regard to performance measures the report notes that its market share is 29 per cent, a similar position to the previous year (p.2). The report notes that the most significant outcome for members was a continued reduction in annual premium growth, with an increase of 7.9 per cent being marginally below the industry average (p.8). The report states that 89 per cent of contributions were returned as benefits (p.7). Key performance indicators are provided in the report at pp.8-9.

National Institute of Clinical Studies 2004-2005

1.93 All reporting requirements are met. The report notes that the Institute had undergone a tremendous period of growth and had consolidated its work to focus on a number of key issues identified (pp.4-5).

1.94 The report outlines the objectives and clearly sets out the status of outcomes around three core themes: supporting clinicians in implementation; increasing knowledge in evidence uptake methods; and building national capacity for evidence uptake (pp.13-17).

Senator Gary Humphries

Chairman

March 2006

APPENDIX 1 – List of Annual Reports examined

Responsible Department	Departments Statutory Authorities and Agencies Commonwealth Companies	Reporting Year	Date tabled SENATE	Date tabled House of Represent-atives	Date received out of session by President of the Senate	Date submitted to/ received by Minister
FaCS	Aboriginal Hostels Limited	2004-05	07.11.05	01.11.05	26.10.05
DoHA	Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency Limited	2004-05	07.11.05	01.11.05	28.10.05
FaCS	Australian Institute of Family Studies	2004-05	07.11.05	01.11.05	31.10.05
DoHA	Australian Institute of Health and Welfare	2004-05	08.11.05	03.11.05		07.10.05/07.10.05
DoHA	Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency	2004-05	07.11.05	01.11.05	28.10.05
DoHA	Commissioner for Complaints	2004-05	07.11.05	01.11.05	27.10.05
FaCS	Department of Family and Community Services	2004-05	07.11.05	01.11.05	24.10.05
DoHA	Department of Health and Ageing	2004-05	07.11.05	01.11.05	27.10.05
DoHA	Food Standards Australia New Zealand	2004-05	07.11.05	01.11.05	26.10.05
DoHA	General Practice Education and Training Ltd	2004-05	07.01.06	07.02.06		21.10.05/22.10.05
DoHA	Gene Technology Regulator Quarterly report for the period 1 July to 30 September 2004 Quarterly report for the period 1 Oct to 31 Dec 2004 Quarterly report for the period 1 Jan to 31 Mar 2005 Quarterly report for the period 1 April to 30 June 2005		07.03.05 14.06.05 10.08.05 05.10.05	08.03.05 14.06.05 09.08.05 11.10.05	23.02.05 10.06.05 03.08.05 21.09.05
FaCSIA	Indigenous Land Corporation	2004-05	28.02.06	16.02.06		10.02.06/10.02.06
DoHA	Medibank Private Limited	2004-05	05.10.05	11.10.05	26.09.05
DoHA	National Blood Authority	2004-05	07.02.06	07.02.06	20.12.05
DoHA	National Health and Medical Research Council	2004	21.06.05	21.06.05		16.05.05/16.05.05
DoHA	National Institute of Clinical Studies Limited	2004-05	29.11.05	29.11.05		26.10.05/27.10.05
DoHA	Private Health Insurance Administration Council	2004-05	07.02.06	07.02.06	16.01.06
DoHA	Private Health Insurance Ombudsman	2004-05	28.11.05	29.11.05	16.11.05
DoHA	Professional Services Review	2004-05	08.11.05	02.11.05		07.10.05/07.10.05
FaCS	Social Security Appeals Tribunal	2004-05	07.11.05	01.11.05	26.10.05
FaCSIA	Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council	2004-05	28.02.06	16.02.06		10.02.06/10.02.06