Chapter 3 - Annual reports by statutory and non-statutory authorities
STATUTORY AUTHORITIES
Australia-Japan Foundation
3.1
The Australia-Japan Foundation Annual Report 1995-1996 was tabled
in the Senate on 30 October 1996.
3.2
The Committee finds that this report complies with all requirements
outlined in the Guidelines (1982) for statutory bodies. The information
is presented in a clear and concise manner and is well organised.
3.3
The Foundation was established to strengthen and develop relations
between Australia and Japan. The Foundation, as in the previous year, continued
to focus on activities which inform the Japanese people about Australia. The
Committee notes that all activities were outlined, the most notable activities
being the Discovering Australia teachers’ kit and the Australia Web
Site. Statistics provided in the report illustrate that both projects are
proving highly successful.
3.4
The report supplies a complete list of grants and detailed financial
statements which were examined by the National Audit Office and found to be in
accordance with the Guidelines for Financial Statements of Commonwealth
Authorities.
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
(ACIAR)
3.5
The 1995-96 annual report of the Australian Centre for International
Agricultural Research was tabled in the Senate on 29 October 1996.
3.6
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research has
produced a very informative document that is well structured, concise and
clearly presented. This report not only complies with the Guidelines
(1982) for statutory authorities but is also in accordance with the reporting
requirements for departmental annual reports.
3.7
The Authority provides a thorough account of each program and supplies
comprehensive information on achievements measured against performance
indicators. The Committee notes that there were many significant breakthroughs
made during the year. These achievements were also recognised by a member of
the Committee during the Budget Estimates hearings of Spring 1996.[1]
3.8
The Committee notes that the Centre provides a detailed account of the
operational problems it is experiencing. Two problems involving the Indian and
Bangladesh Governments have resulted in project delays in these countries. The
Centre continues to negotiate on these matters with both governments. These and
other operational problems have been disclosed and are in accordance with
section (vii) of the Guidelines (1982).
3.9
Overall, the Committee commends the Australian Centre for International
Agricultural Research for a coverage of its activities for 1995-96, well
supported by comprehensive detailed appendices supplying information on EEO,
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Industrial Democracy and financial
matters.
Australian Military Forces Relief Trust Fund
3.10
The Australian Military Forces Relief Trust Fund Annual Report 1995
was tabled on 18 June 1996. The report is submitted in accordance with section
34 of the Services Trust Funds Act 1947.
3.11
The Trust Fund provides loans or grants to members of the Defence Force
who have served in the Army, or in association with it, and their dependants.
This report provides essential information on the function, services and
financial arrangements of the Australian Military Forces Relief Trust Fund for
the reporting period.
3.12
Given the nature of the Trust Funds' activities, the Committee finds
that the report adequately complies with all reporting requirements for
statutory authorities.
Australian Trade Commission (Austrade)
3.13
The Australian Trade Commission Annual Report 1995-96 was tabled
in the Senate on 29 October 1996.
3.14
Austrade has submitted a well designed report presenting a concise yet
thorough explanation of its policies, priorities and activities of the
reporting period. The 1995-96 report's format is consistent with that of the
1994-95 report, commended in this Committee's Scrutiny of Annual Reports No.
1 of July 1996.[2]
The authority's systematic approach to report presentation greatly assisted
the Committee in its evaluation of the authority's performance over the period
under review.
3.15
The report records that 1995-96 was a period of 'achievement, progress
and change' for Austrade.[3]
The structure of the report ensures that the reader is fully informed of all
the contributing factors. First, a full explanation of Austrade's organisation
and ethos (Corporate Overview) is given; second, there is rigorously focussed
performance reporting on the Authority's two sub-programs (Tracking Our
Performance: Sub-programs 7.1¾International
Business Services and 7.2¾Financial
Services); and third, full explanation of the structure and functions of
Austrade's international network of market advisers and information systems
(Reaching Out to the World¾Austrade's
Global Network). The text is succinct and clear in its exposition of the
matters at hand, with reporting on internal and external scrutiny mechanisms
well integrated. The whole is supported by well designed tables and graphs and
by the required financial statements and appendices. The accurate table of
contents and indexes made the information in the document easily accessible.
3.16
The Committee commends Austrade for its production of a thoroughly
professional publication which shows commitment to focussed performance
reporting, particularly in its interrogation of sub-program outcomes. Like its
predecessor, this report complies with the Guidelines (1982) and
addresses the Requirements (1994).
The Australian War Memorial
3.17
The Australian War Memorial Annual Report 1995-96 was tabled in
the Senate on 29 October 1996. It submits its report in accordance with
section 36 of the Australian War Memorial Act 1980 and subsection 25(6)
of the Public Service Act 1922.
3.18
The Australian War Memorial (AWM), although a statutory body, has
provided a report that complies with the reporting Requirements (1994).
It is a comprehensive document that provides clear and concise information, is
well structured and well presented.
3.19
The AWM continues to deliver a high standard in performance reporting.
The report provides a comprehensive assessment of activities and outcomes
against performance indicators for each sub-program. Comments on operational
problems are made where relevant and changes relating to these matters are also
disclosed. The report is further complemented by full discussion of internal
and external audits of Memorial operations, that were carried out during the
assessment period. The Committee commends the Australian War Memorial for
producing a high quality document.
Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal
3.20
The Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal Eleventh Report 1995-96 was
tabled in the Senate on 18 September 1996.
3.21
The eleventh report of the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal meets the
reporting requirements for statutory bodies. The Tribunal has followed the
format set by previous reports and has produced a document that is informative,
well organised and easy to use.
3.22
The report provides a brief yet thorough account of reviews held during
the reporting period. The Tribunal reports on outcomes resulting from these
reviews and discloses any difficulties occurring between the Australian Defence
Force and the Commonwealth during negotiation processes.
3.23
The Committee commends the Tribunal on providing a compliance index with
its eleventh report. The index, however, has an incorrect page reference and is
lacking a number of section headings. A compliance index that follows reporting
requirements set for statutory bodies, rather than for departments would have
been better suited to this report.
Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits (DFRDB) Authority
3.24
The DFRDB Authority Annual Report 1995-96 was tabled in
the Senate on 30 October 1996.
3.25
The DFRDB Authority has produced a quality information document which is
structured to respond to the Guidelines (1982).[4]
The report is well designed with text fully complimented by accompanying
diagrams and charts relevantly placed.
3.26
The Committee is disappointed to note, however, that the recommendation
made in its review of the Authority's 1994-95 report to sharpen the focus of
performance reporting by development of additional performance measures has not
been addressed.[5]
The Committee also observes that the single performance measure cited, the
targeted time frame for processing benefits, has been changed without
explanation in the report. Where the previous report targets 90 per cent within
eight working days, the current report has 85 per cent to be achieved within
the same period. This is a small variation but an explanation would have been
helpful. Any operational problems impacting on the Authority's capacity to
process benefits should also have been mentioned here.
3.27
Overall, the DFRDB Authority Annual Report 1995-96 meets
the Guidelines it aims to address but lacks some information (social
justice) and useful features, such as a compliance index. These were included
in the Authority's previous report.
Judge Advocate General (JAG)
3.28
The Judge Advocate General Defence Force Discipline Act 1982, Report
for the Period 1 January to 31 December 1995 was tabled in the Senate on 21
August 1996. The enabling legislation is the Defence Force Discipline Act
1982.
3.29
The report is an informative document, produced in a clear and simple
format. Again, the Committee’s review of the report was assisted by the
inclusion of a compliance index.[6]
The JAG has provided concise but detailed information on major activities,
achievements and operational problems that have occurred during the reporting
year.
3.30
The Committee finds that the Judge Advocate General annual report
complies with the reporting requirements for statutory bodies as outlined in
the 1982 Guidelines.
Military Superannuation and Benefits Board of Trustees No. 1
3.31
The Military Superannuation and Benefits Board of Trustees No.1
Annual Report 1995-96 was tabled in the Senate on 30 October 1996.
3.32
The Military Superannuation and Benefits Board of Trustees was established
on 1 October 1991 to replace the Defence Force Retirement and Death
Benefits Scheme for new contributors. This scheme was implemented so as to
improve the standard of superannuation arrangements for Australian Defence
Force personnel.
3.33
The Committee finds that the Military Superannuation and Benefits Board
of Trustees annual report has complied with all but one of the reporting
requirements for statutory bodies. The Board has failed to report on staffing
matters. In previous reports, the compliance index (which has been omitted from
this report) provided a reference where information on staffing matters were
located.
3.34
The report is well presented, clearly written and well supported by
tables and charts. The Board seems, again, to have focussed more on a
descriptive and statistical overview rather than on performance reporting.[7]
However, where performance reporting is provided, under 'Investment', for
example, it appears sound.
3.35
The Committee notes that the Audit Committee reviewed the outcomes of the
1994-95 financial statement audit process and the strategy proposed for the
1995-96 financial statement process. The outcome of this assessment has led to
improvements in fund management which are described in the report.
National Treatment Monitoring Committee (NATMOC)
3.36
The National Treatment Monitoring Committee Annual Report 1995-96
was tabled in the Senate on 31 October 1996. NATMOC operates under section 90A
of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986.
3.37
The Authority has reported clearly on current activities and has
highlighted operational problems that have occurred. The Committee noted that a
comprehensive account of subsidiaries has also been provided.
3.38
NATMOC has produced a concise, well written and well organised document.
The annual report meets the reporting requirements set in the Guidelines (1982).
Repatriation Medical Authority
3.39
The Repatriation Medical Authority Second Annual Report 1995/6
was tabled in the Senate on 30 October 1996. The report is submitted pursuant
to an amendment made on 30 June 1994 to the Veterans’ Entitlements Act
1986.
3.40
The Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) provides a sound outline of its
activities and outcomes achieved over the reporting period. The Committee notes
that RMA members have been appointed to an expert committee researching into
the incidence of spina bifida amongst children of Vietnam Veterans. The expert
committee, however, has not yet reported on this matter.
3.41
The report also provides a good overview of the organisation and its
functions, as well as an informative table on the statement of principles
approved for particular kinds of injuries and deaths determined over the
1995-96 period.
3.42
The Authority’s second annual report is written in a clear and concise
manner and complies with the Guidelines for the Content, Preparation of
Annual Reports by Statutory Authorities (1982).
Royal Australian Air Force Welfare Trust Fund
3.43
The Royal Australian Air Force Welfare Trust Fund Annual Report 1995 was
tabled in the Senate on 18 June 1996.
3.44
The Air Force Welfare Trust Fund provides loans or grants to
members and ex-members of the service and their dependants in need. This report
records that the level of lending for 1995 was slightly down on the previous
reporting period due to interruptions resulting from the move of the Fund
administration from Melbourne to Canberra. All but one of the Trustees of the
Board were Melbourne-based and subsequently tendered their resignations to
allow appointments in the new location from 1 January 1996. Despite these
interruptions, the Fund reports that every request for assistance was met.
3.45
The Committee finds that the report provides all required information in
a simple and effective format, clearly interpreted by graphs. It thus
adequately complies with all reporting requirements for statutory authorities.
Royal Australian Navy Relief Trust Fund
3.46
The Royal Australian Navy Relief Trust Fund: Report by the Trustees
was tabled in the Senate on 25 June 1996. The Trustees of the Fund submit their
report under the terms of section 34 of the Services Trust Funds Act 1947.
3.47
The Fund provides relief to serving members and their families, as well
as distressed ex-members and their dependents, who require assistance either by
means of grants or interest-free loans. Its report offers a breakdown of grant
and loan categories as well as operating, finance and cash flow statements. All
other information relating to establishment and administration of the fund is
provided as required.
3.48
Given the nature of the Trust Fund's activities the Committee finds that
the report adequately complies with all reporting requirements for statutory
authorities.
Veterans' Review Board
3.49
The Veterans' Review Board Annual Report 1995-96 was tabled in
the Senate on 15 October 1996.
3.50
This annual report follows the effective reporting format which the
Veterans' Review Board has employed to meet reporting requirements in previous
annual reports.[8]
It presents a comprehensive assessment of the authority's activities and is
forthright in its reporting of operational problems which have impacted on
service delivery during the period. There is frank appraisal of outcomes by
performance measures nominated in the last report and strategies devised by the
Board to address difficulties experienced are fully explained. Full explanation
of court decisions and appeals is also provided. The required financial
statements plus appendices, as well as access aids, such as the compliance
index, further add to its quality reporting profile.
3.51
The Committee commends the Veterans' Review Board for submitting a
report which is in complete compliance with the Guidelines for the Content
and Presentation of Annual Reports for Statutory Bodies (1982).
NON-STATUTORY AUTHORITIES
Australian Antarctic Foundation
3.52
The Australian Antarctic Foundation Annual Report 1995-96 was
tabled in the Senate on 31 October 1996. The Foundation is required to submit
an annual report under its establishing terms of reference.
3.53
The Foundation reports on a period during which it was able to
considerably enhance Australia's international reputation in promoting
conservation, scientific investigation of and public knowledge about Antarctica
and the Southern Ocean. Notably, the Foundation records that it was able to
foster international co-operation in scientific endeavours, particularly with Russia
and China. The report provides concise yet comprehensive accounts of the range
of Foundation projects and initiatives, fully disclosing associated financial
commitments in context. This information is supplemented by a section on
additional grants made, and by the required financial statements which conclude
the report.
3.54
The Committee notes that this is the second year of the Foundation's
reduced operation, being administered by the Tasmanian government with
additional funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The
Chairman's overview reports that funding from the Department will not be
allocated in the 1996-97 period, and hence the Foundation's operations must
cease until alternative funding is found. This final report from the Foundation
is in complete compliance with the Guidelines for the Content and
Presentation of Annual Reports for Statutory Bodies (1982).
Australia-Korea Foundation
3.55
The Australia-Korea Foundation Annual Report 1994-95 was tabled
in the Senate on 25 June 1996. The Australian-Korea Foundation is a
non-statutory body established by the Australian Government in May 1992. It is
not required to submit an annual report but follows the practice of other
bilateral foundations within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
3.56
The Foundation reports that its third year of operation, the 1994-95
reporting period, saw a dramatic increase in spending in the implementation of
a strong bilateral program of activities. This program grew out of the
guidelines and strategic action plan devised during the organisation's first
two years.
3.57
The Foundation report records considerable development in the
relationship between Australia and Korea over the period. Korea is rated as
Australia's fourth largest trading partner, with two-way trade increasing from
$5.6 billion in 1993-94 to $7.3 billion in
1994-95. Co-operation in regional economic and security matters resulted from
meetings between Australian and Korean leaders and senior government officials,
both at international conferences and through visits between the countries. The
Foundation also reports extensively on its work in fostering cultural and
educational exchange through grants and project initiation schemes.
3.58
The Committee finds this report is well designed and comprehensive in its
coverage of all aspects of the Australia-Korea Foundation's activities. It
complies with all reporting requirements for non-statutory bodies.
Senator Troeth
Chair
Legislation Committee
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