In 2015–16, the department will continue to support the House and members. The department must continue to be capable of delivering advice and support of a high standard, and of anticipating and responding quickly to developments and changing requirements.
The department will continue to seek efficiencies, and to innovate, with emphasis on ICT improvements. To ensure resilience, the department will test business continuity and resumption plans, and will work in collaboration with the other parliamentary departments to ensure capability at a whole-of-parliament level. It will implement new requirements under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act.
In 2015–16 the department will negotiate a new enterprise agreement with staff. The agreement-making process will be undertaken based on the government’s bargaining framework.
The department will also continue to give priority to supporting and enhancing whole-of-parliament governance arrangements. These processes are important in ensuring that strategic priorities are addressed effectively, and the parliamentary departments work collegiately to support the institution.
Members of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories and secretariat at a private meeting in Canberra.