Annual reports of agencies
2.1
This chapter examines selected annual reports received during the period
1 May 2014 and 31 October 2014 and provides the Senate with information that
may be of particular interest.
Agriculture Portfolio
Department of Agriculture—Annual Report
2013-14
2.2
The Secretary's review outlined the core activities of the Department of
Agriculture (the department) over the 2013-14 period, including work done to
deliver the National Drought Program Reform package and the continued reform to
Australia's biosecurity system, with a focus on sustainable cost-recovery
mechanisms. The Secretary also noted that the portfolio industries contributed
approximately $51 billion to the national economy, including more than $39 billion
in export earnings.[1]
2.3
In regard to staffing matters, the report stated that staff numbers were
reduced by 500 on a full-time equivalent basis over the reporting period until
30 June 2014. In November 2013, a voluntary redundancy program was introduced
to reduce staffing numbers in line with budget considerations and low levels of
natural attrition. Out of the 500 total separations during 2013-14,
approximately 67 per cent were associated with this redundancy program.[2]
2.4
The committee notes that the department achieved 99 out of its 118 key
performance indicators (KPI) across two outcomes and 15 programs. Of the
remaining 19 indicators, 13 were 'partially met', two were 'not met', and four
were not applicable. The department provided explanations for those KPI that
were either partially achieved or not achieved at all, and the committee
commends the department for providing clear accounts of these issues.[3]
2.5
The committee considers the department's 2013-14 report to be of a high
standard and compliant with the reporting requirements.
Australian Pesticides and
Veterinary Medicines Authority—Annual Report 2013-14
2.6
The Chief Executive Officer's report noted that a significant part of
the work of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
(APVMA) during 2013-14 was to update systems and processes as part of efforts
to prepare industry and stakeholders for legislative reforms that commenced on
1 July 2014. In particular, APVMA reviewed and updated regulatory guidance
material in consultation with industry and conducted face-to-face information
and training sessions for the relevant stakeholders.[4]
2.7
APVMA also delivered new online services to allow applications for the
approval and registration of chemicals, as well as payments of fees and levies to
be dealt with via an integrated online system.[5]
2.8
The committee notes that APVMA listed its 'adherence to the APS Code of
Conduct' performance measure as 'not achieved', owing to one breach of the Code
of Conduct that was investigated and dealt with during the 2013-14 period.[6]
2.9
The committee considers APVMA's 2013-14 report to be of a high standard
and compliant with the reporting requirements. However, the committee recommends
that in future annual reports, APVMA consider incorporating a table outlining a
collated list of the numerous performance measures allocated across the eight
strategy areas, including information on whether these have been achieved.
Infrastructure and Regional Development Portfolio
Department of Infrastructure and
Regional Development —Annual Report 2013-14
2.10
Following machinery-of-government changes after the September 2013
election, under the Administrative Arrangements Order of 18 September 2013, the
then Department of Infrastructure and Transport was allocated functions
relating to regional development, local government and services to territories.
It was renamed the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (the
department). [7]
2.11
The Secretary's overview detailed the key achievements of the department
over the year, making particular reference to the $6.9 billion allocated
through direct and indirect grants for the construction and maintenance of
national land transport infrastructure. The overview also noted that the department
negotiated a concessional bridging loan with the New South Wales Government for
the delivery of stage two of the WestConnex project in Sydney.[8]
2.12
The Western Sydney Unit was established within the department to assist
with preparations for the planned 2016 construction of a new airport at Badgerys
Creek in Western Sydney. The Western Sydney Unit is responsible for detailed
airport planning and undertaking consultation with councils, local communities
and aviation industry stakeholders.[9]
2.13
In regard to the regional development and local government portfolio
outcome, the report noted that funding agreements were implemented for all
Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees and contract payments to the
value of $17.7 million were delivered. The department also reviewed and
approved three-year regional plans for each of the 55 RDA committees that work
to categorise key economic development priorities.[10]
2.14
In March 2014 the department took the lead in the work of the Joint
Agency Coordination Centre (JACC), established in response to the disappearance
of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Malaysia. JACC
coordinates the responses of Australian agencies and international search
partners, and has a significant role in the media management of the incident. The
committee notes that during the initial months of its operation, more than 80
departmental staff were involved in JACC activities.[11]
2.15
The committee considers the department's 2013-14 report to be well-presented
and compliant with the reporting requirements.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau —Annual
Report 2013-14
2.16
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) Chief Commissioner's
review of 2013-14 noted that the period was a challenging one for the agency, for
reasons including the complexity of the incidents dealt with and the
availability of resources. ATSB reduced staff numbers by twelve per cent during
2013-14, leading to some functions being combined. The Chief Commissioner noted
that the diminished capacity of ATSB to carry out its functions would impact
upon the timeliness of the completion of some investigations and lead to more
limited industry engagement.[12]
2.17
During 2013-14 ATSB took several steps to improve information
accessibility for interested stakeholders, including opening online access to the
Australian National Aviation Occurrence Database which allows members of the
public to search for de-identified information on aviation accidents and
incidents. ATSB also launched a webpage which provides de-identified
confidential reports on aviation, maritime and rail safety concerns. [13]
2.18
In regard to assessing, classifying and publishing summaries of accident
and incident occurrences, ATSB has a target timeframe of one day for the
publication of occurrences being investigated, and five days for summaries of
other incidents. During 2013-14, only 77 per cent of occurrences under
investigation were published online within one working day, and only five
percent of summaries of other occurrences were published online within the
specified target of five days. The median publishing time was 24 days. The committee
notes that the report stated that the failure to achieve these KPI was a result
of a reduction in staffing levels within the Notifications Division.[14]
2.19
One of the core activities undertaken by ATSB during the year was the
search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, initiated in March 2014.
A new KPI was added for Program 1.1, and this will be fully reported on in the
2014-15 annual report. However, the 2013-14 report does provide some detail of
the actions taken so far. Along with representatives from international accident
investigation agencies, the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation, and the
Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation, ATSB contributed to the
work of the flight path reconstruction group in analysing the satellite
communication information
2.20
Under Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation,
Malaysia has investigative responsibility for the MH370 incident. In response
to a request for assistance from the Malaysian Government, and under the provisions
of the Australian Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003, five ATSB
investigators provided assistance to the investigation in Malaysia. The
committee notes that, owing to the need to redirect investigative and
administrative staff to tasks relating to the MH370 incident, ATSB has flagged
that this may constrain the scope of future investigations.[15]
2.21
The committee commends ATSB on a comprehensive annual report, noting in
particular the thorough compliance index.
Senator Bill Heffernan
Chair
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