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Annual Report 2004–05
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Appendices
1 Performance information
The following tables summarise the performance of the Department of the
House of Representatives in 2004–05.
Summary of overall performance in relation to Outcome 1, 2004–05
Outcome 1: The House of Representatives fulfils its role as a representative
and legislative body
Intermediate outcome: Chamber and Main Committee operate effectively
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Number of sittings of the House and Main Committee |
The House sat on 51 occasions (78 occasions)
The Main Committee met on 31 occasions (46 occasions) |
Trends over time, taking into account the parliamentary
cycle |
| Hours of sitting |
The House sat for 493 hours including suspensions (e.g. overnight
during an extended sitting) or 467 hours excluding suspensions (743
hours including suspensions or 695 hours excluding suspensions)
The Main Committee met for 151 hours including suspensions or 123
hours excluding suspensions (172 hours including suspensions or 154
hours excluding suspensions) |
Legislation processed
- number of bills
- number of amendments
|
215 (195) bills (including those received from the Senate) were
introduced and 139 (191) passed both Houses and were assented to
7 bills originating in the House and 15 bills received from the Senate
(24 bills) were amended by the House of Representatives
11 (53) bills were amended by the Senate and agreed to by the House
of Representatives |
Note: Comparable performance information for 2003–04,
where available, is shown in brackets.
Intermediate outcome: Community understanding of, and interaction with,
the work of the House of Representatives and the Commonwealth Parliament
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Increased community awareness and involvement |
We received visits from 111,261 students from 3,312 schools (108,367
students from 3,193 schools).
602 persons (695 persons) attended seminars (fewer seminars held due
to the election period).
Two issues (five issues) of About the House magazine were published
(fewer issues published due to the election period).
Fortnightly advertisements about the work of the House and committees
were placed in The Australian. |
Trends over time |
Note: Comparable performance information for 2003–04,
where available, is shown in brackets.
Intermediate outcome: An operating system of parliamentary committees
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Number of committees |
30 (31) |
Trends over time, taking into account the parliamentary
cycle |
| Number of committee meetings |
490 (929) |
| Hours of committee meetings |
732 (1,574) |
| Number of committee reports presented |
62 (119) |
Note: Comparable performance information for 2003–04,
where available, is shown in brackets
Intermediate outcome: Maintain international and regional relationships
with other parliaments, parliamentary bodies and organisations
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Number of official and unofficial visits to Australia |
There were 11 (14) official and 27 (34) unofficial parliamentary
delegation visits to Australia from overseas parliaments. |
Trends over time, taking into account the parliamentary
cycle |
| Level of participation in parliamentary organisations |
Of eligible senators and members,
56 per cent (50 per cent) were members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association (CPA), while 74 eligible former senators and members were
life members of the CPA and 2 were associate members.
Of eligible senators and members,
77 per cent (77 per cent) were members of the Inter-Parliamentary
Union.
Of eligible senators and members,
36 per cent (36 per cent) were members of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary
Forum. |
| The degree of focus on priority areas of Australia’s bilateral
relationships within the visit programs |
22 visits were from countries in the Asia–Pacific region
and four visits were from the United States of America. |
Evaluation taking account of advice received from the departments
of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Prime Minister and Cabinet |
| Level of activity with regard to training for parliamentary staff
from overseas parliaments |
The department maintained its support for training and development
of colleagues from other parliaments. The most significant input into
training of parliamentary staff from overseas was the 2004 Interparliamentary
Study Program which had participants from 11 countries. Departmental
staff also supported training for staff associated with parliaments
such as the Vietnam National Assembly, the House of Representatives
of Thailand, and Tanzania. |
Trends over time, taking into account the parliamentary cycle |
Note: Comparable performance information for 2003–04,
where available, is shown in brackets.
Intermediate outcome: Members receive approved services to fulfil their
parliamentary duties
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Members satisfied that support services enable them to fulfil their
parliamentary duties |
All members (19 in total) participating in the Members’ Survey
2005 were asked if they were satisfied overall with the support services
they received from the department to help them fulfil their parliamentary
duties. Members were unanimously satisfied with the department’s
support in this regard and complimented the professionalism and courtesy
of staff.
The response to the 2005 Survey was identical to the results from
last year’s survey. |
Trends over time |
Note: Comparable performance information for 2003–04,
where available, is shown in brackets.
Summary of performance in relation to administered items, 2004–05
Administered item: Members’ salaries and allowances
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Quality: All variations and salary increases are processed with
an accuracy rate of at least 99 per cent |
All variations and salary increases were processed with an accuracy
rate of at least 99 per cent (99 per cent). |
Target is to be met |
| Quantity: 150 payments processed monthly with an annual budget
of $21.859 million |
1,846 (1,800) payments were processed for the year at a cost of
$5.49 ($5.41) per transaction.
1 (one) pay increase was processed.
Salary and allowance expenses for members were $21.15 million ($20.79
million). |
Note: Performance information for 2003–04, where
available, is shown in brackets.
Administered item: Citizenship Visits Program
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Quality: Subsidy payments are processed within seven days of receiving
payment request |
Subsidy payments were processed within two days (two days) of receiving
a completed payment request. |
Target is to be met |
| Quantity: 14,000 student visitors with
an annual subsidy budget of $0.59 million
(Senate contribution of $0.59 million) |
18,741 eligible student visitors were subsidised, at an average
subsidy payment of $70 per student (18,190 students at an average
of $67.18)—costs were shared with the Department of the Senate.
Total expenses were $1.30 million. |
Note: Performance information for 2003–04, where
available, is shown in brackets.
Administered item: Holders of Public Office
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Quality: All variations are processed with less than a 1 per cent
error rate |
All variations were processed with an accuracy rate of 99 per cent
(99 per cent). |
Target is to be met |
| Quantity: 7 average staffing level (ASL) with an annual salary
budget of $0.62 million |
5.33 ASL (5.72 ASL) at an average of $87,880 ($80,100) per ASL.
Total expenses of $0.25 million ($0.54 million) were expended on termination
payments to staff who discontinued their service following the federal
election. |
Note: Performance information for 2003–04, where
available, is shown in brackets.
Summary of performance in relation to each output, 2004–05
| Output Group 1.1: Chamber and Main Committee |
| Output: Advice and services to enable the Chamber
and Main Committee to meet and address business as scheduled |
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Quality 1: Members and others
are highly satisfied with the advice and services provided by Clerks at
the Table |
100 per cent (94 per cent – the remainder
were ‘not applicable’) of members surveyed were satisfied with
advice and service provision; 89 per cent (88 per cent) were ‘extremely’ or ‘highly’ satisfied. |
Trends over time, measured through formal
and informal feedback |
Quality 2: Members and others
are highly satisfied with the quality and timeliness of the following support
services:
- provision of documents of the House (including bills)
- programming and procedural advice
- questions on notice
- presentation of petitions
|
100 per cent (93 per cent – the remainder
were not applicable) of members surveyed were satisfied with the quality
and timeliness of support services; 79 per cent (87 per cent) were ‘extremely’ or ‘highly’ satisfied. |
Trends over time, measured through formal
and informal feedback |
| Quantity: Hours sat by House
and Main Committee |
The House sat for 467 (695) hours.
The Main Committee met for 123 (154) hours. |
Trends over time |
| Output: Processing and drafting
of bills |
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Quality 1: Processing deadlines
met with no errors |
All deadlines were met and there were no
significant errors (as in 2003–04). |
Trends over time |
| Quality 2: Members are satisfied
that drafting meets their intentions in a timely way |
All members surveyed who had used legislative
and drafting services were satisfied with advice and service provision
(as in 2003–04). |
Trends over time, measured through formal
and informal feedback |
| Quantity 1: Number of bills
processed to third reading/assent stage within deadlines |
100 per cent (100 per cent). |
Trends over time, taking into account the
parliamentary cycle |
| Quantity 2: Number of bills/amendments
drafted within timeframe required |
100 per cent (100 per cent). |
Trends over time, taking into account the
parliamentary cycle |
| Output: Creating and processing
the records and papers of the parliament |
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Quality: Votes officer’s
minutes for House and Main Committee accurate and current to within five
minutes |
The minutes were accurate and available
through the parliamentary computing network, current to within five minutes
on all occasions. |
Trends over time |
| Quantity: Number of documents
and disallowable instruments processed |
15,637 (4,101 a) |
Trends over time |
| Output: Collection, analysis and
publication of procedural and statistical information |
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Quality 1: Accuracy and relevance
of information; timeliness of information |
Informal feedback and statements made in
the House indicate a high level of satisfaction with the information provided. |
Trends over time, measured through formal
and informal feedback |
| Quality 2: Quality of publications |
Internal and external users indicated a
high level of satisfaction with the new standing orders, updated Infosheets
and the 5th edition of House of Representatives Practice. |
Trends over time, measured through formal
and informal feedback |
| Total price for 1.1: $4.12 million |
$3.14 million ($0.54 million) |
|
Note: Performance information for 2003–04, where
available, is shown in brackets.
a The figure of 4,101 has been revised to include papers
tabled during debate, which were not included in the figure of 3,549 reported
in the 2003–04 Annual Report.
| Output Group 1.2: Community awareness |
| Output: Services to increase public knowledge and awareness
of, and interaction with, the work of the House of Representatives
and the Commonwealth Parliament |
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Quality 1: 90 per cent of participants completing seminar evaluations
are satisfied with the seminar program |
Each seminar conducted received an overall rating of ‘extremely
satisfied’ from seminar participants who completed evaluations. |
Seminar evaluations, trends over time |
| Quality 2: Quality of publications |
There was an increase in subscriptions to around 15,000 (14,000
in 2003–04). Positive feedback was received through telephone
calls and e-mails from readers. |
About the House magazine survey, trends over time |
| Quantity 1: Number of people subscribing to email alert service |
1,400 (950) individuals and organisations |
Trends over time |
| Quantity 2: Number of student visitors |
111,261 (108,367) student visitors |
Trends over time |
| Total price for 1.2: $1.13 million |
$1.27 million ($1.41 million) |
|
Note: Performance information for 2003–04, where
available, is shown in brackets.
| Output Group 1.3: Committee services |
| Output: Procedural, research, analytical and administrative
support for the conduct of inquiries and other activities of committees
and the publication of the final report |
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Quality: Rate of satisfaction of committee members with advice
and services provided through discussions with and surveys of key
clients |
89 per cent (94 per cent) of members surveyed were ‘satisfied’
to ‘extremely satisfied’ with the general non-inquiry
support provided by the Committee Office. |
Trends over time measured through formal and informal feedback |
| Quantity: Number of full year inquiries completed per year |
40 (47) full year equivalent committee inquiries were conducted. |
Trends over time, taking into account the parliamentary cycle |
| Total price for 1.3: $10.73 million |
$9.35 million ($2.03 million) |
|
Note: Performance information for 2003–04, where
available, is shown in brackets.
| Output group 1.4: Interparliamentary relations |
| Output: Advice and support to facilitate the conduct
of the Parliament’s international and regional affairs |
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Quality 1: Rate of satisfaction of delegates with regard to arrangements
for overseas visits by Australian parliamentary delegations |
All outgoing parliamentary delegations were debriefed after their
visits. Satisfaction with the visit programs was high. Feedback on
administrative arrangements assisted with improvements to the effectiveness
of visits. Representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade and other relevant agencies were invited to the debrief
meetings. |
Trends over time and surveys from debriefing meetings with delegates
and other stakeholders |
| Quality 2: Rate of satisfaction of Presiding Officers with arrangements
for incoming parliamentary delegations, participation in parliamentary
organisations and quality of policy advice |
Feedback from the Presiding Officers in relation to visit programs,
participation in parliamentary organisations and the quality of policy
advice was positive. |
Feedback from Presiding Officers |
| Quality 3: Rate of satisfaction of delegates with arrangements
for incoming parliamentary delegations |
Positive feedback was received on the quality and conduct of programs
for incoming delegations. Feedback was sought from delegates and their
diplomatic missions in Australia. |
Feedback and surveys from diplomatic representatives in Australia
and Australian diplomatic missions overseas |
| Quality 4: Timeliness of provision of passport and visa services |
All passports and visas were provided within required timeframes. |
Trends over time |
| Total price for 1.4: $1.92 million |
$1.98 million ($2.03 million) |
|
Note: Performance information for 2003–04, where
available, is shown in brackets.
| Output Group 1.5: Members’ services |
| Output: Services and advice to members |
| Performance indicator |
Performance |
How measured |
| Quality: High level of client satisfaction—number of clients
satisfied with services and advice received—measured through
surveys or by direct feedback |
95 per cent (100 per cent) of members surveyed were satisfied with
services provided; 84 per cent (74 per cent) were ‘extremely’
or ‘highly’ satisfied. |
Trends over time, measured through formal and informal feedback |
| Quantity: Number of accommodation-related services provided to
members |
283 (298) routine maintenance requests were actioned.
The target for emergency requests was ‘action within five minutes’;
this target was reached in relation to 100 per cent (100 per cent)
of the 359 (351) emergency requests received.
Furniture movement requests targets are set at three levels:
Priority 1 within three hours–93
Priority 2 within 12 hours–108
Priority 3 within 24 hours–78
Priority 4 within two to five days–320
Total–599 (518).
All were processed within the agreed timeframes.
2,750 (4,800) transport requests were processed with 99 per cent accuracy. |
Trends over time, taking into account the parliamentary cycle |
| Total price for 1.5: $3.55 million |
$3.17 million ($2.30 million) |
|
Note: Performance information for 2003–04, where
available, is shown in brackets.
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