Chapter 2
Annual reports of agencies
2.1
This chapter examines selected annual reports received during the period
1 November 2014 and 30 April 2015.
Agriculture Portfolio
Rural Industries Research and
Development Corporation—Report for 2013-14
2.2
The chair's report noted that in 2013-14 the Rural Industries Research
and Development Corporation (RIRDC) placed a strong focus on collaboration, acknowledging
that the organisation has a solid history of working together with fellow
research and development (R&D) corporations, and other industry and
government stakeholders. The report provided details on the major collaboration
projects undertaken in 2013-14, and outlined the work RIRDC is doing in
relation to cross-sector and cross-regional approaches to R&D. [1]
2.3
The report flagged that the $2 million decrease in core funding for
2014-15, coupled with further cuts of $3 million annually for the following
three years announced in the 2014 budget meant that RIRDC would be operating in
challenging financial circumstances in the coming years. The report noted that
this development had meant that staffing levels and funding for direct research
had already been reduced.[2]
2.4
A significant project undertaken by RIRDC in 2013-14 was the successful
development and launch of the Farm Diversity website, an initiative that allows
farmers to identify options for diversifying their farming enterprises. RIRDC
noted that this project grew out of an awareness of the financial and
environmental benefits of diversification, particular in regard to spreading
income risk and building resilience. [3]
2.5
The committee considers the 2013-14 report of RIRDC to be completed to a
high standard and compliant with the reporting requirements. In particular the
committee commends RIRDC on the comprehensive summary of the 2013-14 R&D
outputs and outcomes.[4]
Australian Fisheries Management
Authority—Report for 2013-14
2.6
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) report noted that
in 2013-14, the organisation implemented a number of initiatives aimed at
improving services to industry and reducing red-tape. The report outlined in
particular the improvements made to the online concessions and quota management
tool GOFish, and the increased use of multi-year total allowable catches in
South Eastern fisheries.[5]
2.7
AFMA outlined the work done in 2013-14 on managing illegal foreign
fishing activity, noting that regional cooperation with Papua New Guinea played
an important role in combating illegal fishing activities in the Torres Strait.
Specifically, the report provided information on the increase in vessels from
Vietnam between November 2013 and April 2014 seeking to illegally fish giant
clams. AFMA noted that, in conjunction with Border Protection Command, the
organisation worked swiftly to intercept and apprehend the vessels. Overall, 26
foreign fishing vessels were apprehended during the 2013-14 reporting period,
with successful prosecutions and disposal of vessels following in most cases. [6]
2.8
The committee appreciates the section of the annual report devoted to
outlining the major developments in each domestic fishery, in particular the
reports against management plans. Overall, the committee considers the 2013-14
report of AFMA to be well presented and compliant with the reporting
requirements.
Infrastructure and Regional Development Portfolio
National Capital Authority—Report
for 2013-14
2.9
The National Capital Authority (NCA) annual report outlines some of the
key achievements of the organisation during the 2013-14 period, mentioning in
particular the release of the Report on the Review of National Capital Open
Space System and the establishment of an expert Design Review Panel aimed at
assisting in evaluating the design merits of major city-shaping projects during
their conceptual stages.[7]
2.10
During 2013-14, NCA reported against one outcome; namely, "a
national capital which symbolises Australia's heritage, values and aspirations,
is internationally recognised, and worthy of pride by Australians". This
outcome was comprised of two programs; Program 1.1 National Capital Functions,
and Program 1.2 National Capital Estate. The committee notes that NCA
did not meet the target deliverables for the three categories encompassed under
the "promotion and awareness of the significance of Canberra as the
national capital" goal outlined under Program 1.1, falling short on the
target numbers for notified events on national land, visitors to the National
Capital Exhibition, and visits to online educational materials on the NCA
website.
2.11
In addition, the key performance indicator (KPI) stated for the goal was
a target of 90 percent of surveyed National Capital Exhibition visitors who
reported an increased awareness of the special importance of Canberra as the
national capital. Although NCA stated that it achieved this KPI with an actual
rate of 97 percent, the committee observes that in failing to provide further contextual
details on the statistics of this KPI (for example, the total number of
visitors surveyed), it is difficult to accurately gauge performance.[8]
2.12
The committee draws attention to comments made in previous reports on
annual reports stating that NCA should focus more on providing an assessment of
its performance, rather than on mere descriptions of its activities. While it
is acknowledged that there has been some improvement in this area, the committee
encourages NCA to place more emphasis on providing clear and substantive
assessments of its performance, together with the appropriate context, to aid
in the usefulness of future reports.[9]
Senator the Hon Bill Heffernan
Chair
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