Management and operation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

December 1992

ISBN 0 642 18480 1

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View the report as a single document - (PDF format) - [8,078 KB]

View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Recommendations - (PDF format)

Chapter 1: Basis, scope and conduct of the inquiry - (PDF format)
Basis for the inquiry
Scope of the inquiry
Conduct of the inquiry
Submissions and transcripts of oral evidence
Acknowledgements

Chapter 2: DFAT's functions and development - (PDF format)
Organising a foreign service
The Committee's working assumption
From DFA to DFAT

Chapter 3: DFAT since the machinery of government changes - (PDF format)
Destreaming
Barriers to internal movement
Barriers to recruitment from outside DFAT
Employment expzrience outside DFAT
Destreaming summed up
Amalgamations
Trade
Promotion Australia
Generalists and specialists
Winners and losers

Chapter 4: Whistleblowing in DFAT - (PDF format)
Whistleblowing
Act 1: the early 1980s
Response to the reviews
Results of the episode
Act 2: the Officers' Revolutionary Council
DFAT Reform Group

Chapter 5: The Reform Group allegations - (PDF format)
The Reform Group allegations
Unfounded claims
Claims with some basis
The Reform Group's credibility
The results of the Reform Group's campaign

Chapter 6: The whistleblowing phenomenon - (PDF format)
Lessons from DFAT's experience
The importance of process
Costs and benefits

Chapter 7: Management systems and program evaluation procedures: personnel management - (PDF format)
Postings
The posting process
Difficulties associated with pstdgs
Cases no. 1-3: problem posting
Lessons from the cases
Posun@ in the context of careers
The mechanics of the posting process
Skills register
Other personnel management issues
Appraisal
Promotions
Case no. 4: problem with the promotions)stem
DFAT's personnel management record

Chapter 8: Management systems and program evaluation procedures: general management and evaluation - (PDF format)
General management issues
Relationships with other overseas operating agencies
Accommodation standards overseas
Case no. 5: Difficulties with accommodation
Passprts
Taxation of locally engaged staff at p s t s
Use of telephone message system
Internal audit
- Islamabad a
Record keeping
Program evaluation procedures

Chapter 9: Security procedures and custody of classified material - (PDF format)
Leaks
Strategies for controlling leaks
Leak investigations
Personal security
Security of assets
Personal security and security of assets
Office accommodation in Canberra
Security of foreign diplomatic missions in Australia

Chapter 10: Overseas conditions of service and their implications for efficiency and effectiveness: the institutional framework - (PDF format)
The institutional framework for conditions of service
Stakeholders' views
DFAT staff
The private sector
The Department of Industrial Relations
DFA T and other overseas operating agencies
The Committee's new
conditions of service
Case No. 6 DIRDFAT relationships in

Chapter 11: Overseas conditions of service and their implications for efficiency and effectiveness: specific conditions of service - (PDF format)
issues
Overseas living allowance
Spouses' entitlements
Representation funds
Payments to domestic staff
Senior Executive Service cars
Duty-free cars

Chapter 12: Morale, staff performance and accountability - (PDF format)
Morale
Discipline
Codes of conduct
Equal employment opportunity and
industrial democracy
Equal employnent opportunity
Industrial democracy

Chapter 13: Conclusion - (PDF format)

References - A (PDF format) - B (PDF format)
Appendix I: List of published submissions
Appendix II Public hearings program
Appendix III: Committee discussion paper on submission by DFAT Reform Group
Appendix IV: Backgrounds of senior DFAT officers and extent of lateral recruitment
Glossary of acronyms

Minority report - (PDF format)