1.6
The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous
Affairs (FaHCSIA) annual report provides a well-structured and comprehensive
review of the Department's functions and operations, including detailed
performance reporting.
1.7
FaHCSIA was congratulated in the Senate and Senate Estimates, on the
timeliness of the tabling of the annual report so that it was available for
scrutiny during the supplementary estimates hearing.[1]
The Department was also complimented for having the highest percentage of staff
with a disability of all the Australian Public Service (APS) agencies, with 5.3
per cent of their workforce identifying as a person with a disability compared
with the APS average of 3.1 per cent.[2]
1.8
Part 1 of the report contains the Secretary's review and executive
summary outlining FaHCSIA's major achievements, activities, future challenges
and key objectives. A portfolio and financial performance overview is also
included (pp.2-44).
Performance reporting
1.9
Part 2 of the report provides performance information which shows
the direct reporting relationship between the estimated results set out in the
2008-09 Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) and 2008-09 Portfolio
Additional Estimates Statements (PAES) with the actual results achieved.
Future performance reporting intentions have been outlined to indicate how
FaHCSIA's performance reporting is being shaped for the following year and
beyond (p.46).
1.10
The performance reporting in Part 2 of the report is comprehensive
and clearly presented. FaHCSIA has outlined in detail performance against each
of their Outcomes and Outputs, in a separate chapter for each of the four
Outcomes. 'At a glance' chapter summaries have been included as well as key
areas of focus, major achievements, strategies and contributions to
achievements, and challenges faced. Results for key performance indicators, outputs,
evaluations and comprehensive summaries of performance are also included. Case
studies have been included to further illustrate FaHCSIA's performance and
impact on the community (pp.51-205).
1.11
Corporate governance and accountability matters, stakeholders, future
planning, appendices containing a number of tables outlining statistical
information, and the annual report for the Aboriginals Benefit Account are
provided in Parts 3 and 4 of the report. Financial statements are included in
Part 5 of the report (pp.207-522).
External scrutiny
1.12
The report provides information on the external scrutiny of FaHCSIA's
activities by a range of agencies, including the Commonwealth Ombudsman, the
Australian National Audit Office (ANAO), and Office of Evaluation and Audit.
1.13
The report notes that the Ombudsman received 200 approaches about
FaHCSIA in 2008-09, an increase from 165 approaches received in 2007-08. Of the 200 complaints received, 146 were in relation
to the Emergency Response or other Indigenous programs in the Northern
Territory (p.278). The Commonwealth Ombudsman's report outlines the work
undertaken to improve their engagement with government agencies, as well as
community agencies and organisations, in relation to Indigenous complaints and
other Indigenous issues.[3]
During 2008-09, 164 approaches were finalised. The Ombudsman investigated 88 of
these and exercised discretion not to investigate 76. Of the 88 approaches
investigated by the Ombudsman, there was only one finding of administrative
deficiency (p.278).
1.14
In relation to ANAO audits conducted in 2008-09, FaHCSIA reports that five
cross-agency audit reports were relevant to departmental operations. A summary
of these audit reports is provided in the annual report at pp.278-279.
1.15
The Office of Evaluation and Audit makes recommendations about how
Indigenous-specific programs can be improved and how the Australian Government
can deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
During 2008-09 the Office of Evaluation and Audit tabled four audit reports of
which FaHCSIA was a key stakeholder. The objectives of the engagements are
outlined in FaHCSIA's annual report (pp.279-280).
1.16
FaHCSIA gave evidence and/or provided submissions to 22 Parliamentary
Committees, including the Senate Community Affairs Committee in relation to 12
inquiries. FaHCSIA also appeared before three Senate Estimates hearings
(pp.270-277).
Consultancies
1.17
The report provides details of new consultancies of $10,000 or more,
including the name of the consultant, description of the contract, price,
selection process and justification for the purpose for which the contracts
were let (pp.318-338).
1.18
FaHCSIA reports that during the 2008-09 financial year total expenditure
on new and ongoing consultancy contracts amounted to $18.4 million, which
is a large decrease compared with $28.9 million in the previous year
(p.382).
1.19
During 2008-09 a total of 291 new consultancy contracts were agreed
upon, involving total actual expenditure of $16.8 million. In addition, 52
ongoing contracts were active during the year, involving total actual
expenditure of $1.6 million (p.382).
1.20
The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) annual report provides a well
structured and comprehensive review of the Department's functions and
operations, including detailed performance reporting.
1.21
The Secretary's review provides detailed information on DoHA's progress,
major achievements and highlights, as well as challenges during the 2008-09
financial year. Key objectives and priorities for the following reporting year
were also outlined (pp.2-10).
1.22
The Chief Medical Officer's comprehensive report outlines, from a
medical perspective, achievements and challenges faced and future direction and
focus in health protection and delivery. Supporting graphs and tables show
major disease groups, burden of disease and disease prevention (pp.11-20).
1.23
The Departmental Overview in Part One of the report provides information
on the Department's role and management arrangements (pp.22-27). A summary of
major achievements, with page references to more detailed information is
outlined, as well as objectives for the following year (pp.i-ii).
Performance reporting
1.24
The report provides details of DoHA's activities during the 2008-09
financial year against the key strategic directions and performance indicators
presented in the 2008-09 Portfolio Budget Statements and Portfolio
Additional Estimates Statements.
1.25
Part 2 of the report discusses the Departmental Outcomes and Outputs
framework and the main activities, including a comprehensive report of the
major achievements, strategic directions and challenges of the 15 Outcomes.
Financial reporting on budget estimates and actual expenses for 2008-09 is
included. Financial summaries, performance indicators, measures and outcomes
for administered programs, departmental outputs and regulatory activities are
clearly set out in tabular format (pp.30-237).
1.26
Part 3 of the report provides a range of information relating to
management arrangements, including corporate governance, and internal and
external scrutiny activities and ministerial arrangements (pp.224-252).
1.27
Accountability reporting is detailed in Part 4 of the report, providing
information relating to advertising and market research, consultancies, reports
on DoHA's performance in meeting Commonwealth Disability Strategy and
Ecologically Sustainable Development and Occupational Health and Safety
objectives. Information on grants and Freedom of Information arrangements is
also provided (pp.270-313).
1.28
Financial statements, including the financial statements relating to the
Therapeutic Goods Administration are detailed in Part 5 (pp.316-461).
External scrutiny
1.29
The report sets out information on the external scrutiny of its
activities by several bodies including the ANAO and the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
Departmental responses to issues raised in relation to audit reports and
parliamentary scrutiny are also discussed in the report (pp.260-264).
1.30
In relation to ANAO audits conducted in 2008-09 DoHA reports that two
audits were specific to the department and three cross-agency audit reports
were relevant to departmental operations. A summary of these audit reports is
provided in the annual report at pp.260-261.
1.31
During 2008-09 the Commonwealth Ombudsman investigated 63 complaints
against DoHA's administrative practices, 15 of which had carried over from 2007-08.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman advised of two findings of administrative deficiency
relating to DoHA in 2008-09 (p.264).
1.32
DoHA gave evidence and/or provided submissions to 20 Parliamentary
Committees, including the Senate Community Affairs Committee in relation to 11
inquiries and three Senate Estimates hearings. In addition DoHA provided
answers to 983 parliamentary questions on notice, including 824 relating to
Senate estimates (pp.262-264).
Consultancies
1.33
The report provides detailed information on consultancy services let in
2008-09 of $10,000 or more. 451 new consultancy contracts were entered into
involving total actual expenditure of $20.75 million. In addition, 113 ongoing
consultancy contracts were active during the year, costing $11.35 million.
Total expenditure on consultancies for 2008-09 was $32.10 million, compared
with a similar figure of $32.97 million in 2007-08 (pp.280-297).
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