PGPA Newsletter 49

Finance released its Lessons Learned paper on the 2016-17 round of annual performance statements on 10 April 2018. The paper includes key learnings from the 2016-17 annual performance statements and provides examples of better practice. The examples in the paper focus on better practice in achieving a clear read between performance documents, improvements from previous years, and the balance of qualitative and quantitative measures used by entities to tell a meaningful performance story.

Part 5 (Investment) of the PGPA (Finance Minister to Accountable Authorities of Non-Corporate Commonwealth Entities) Delegation 2014 has been amended (incorporating Amendment 2018 (No. 1)) commencing 1 April 2018 for a specific entity. This amendment is administrative only and does not affect entities generally. The affected entity has been separately advised. The delegation can be found on the Finance website at: https://www.finance.gov.au/resource-management/pgpa-legislation/delegat….

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has tabled its audit report Implementation of the Annual Performance Statements Requirements 2016-17.

This report is the fourth in a series of ongoing audits on the implementation and operation of the enhanced Commonwealth performance framework. The audit objective is to continue to examine the progress of the implementation of the annual performance statements requirements under the PGPA Act and the PGPA Rule by selected entities.

Recent updates to the Flipchart of Commonwealth entities and companies:

• Remove the Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee (CAMAC) in the Treasury portfolio. CAMAC was abolished by the Statute Update (Smaller Government) Act 2018, on 20 February 2018.
•  Amend the classification for the National Portrait Gallery of Australia (NPGA) in the Communications and the Arts portfolio and the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) in the Health portfolio, to note that both these corporate Commonwealth entities became subject to the requirements of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules from 1 January 2018.
•  Amend the Australian Grape and Wine Authority in the Agriculture and Water Resources portfolio to recognise it was renamed "Wine Australia" on 7 November 2017.
• Add the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) in the Agriculture and Water Resources portfolio. The RIC was established by the Regional Investment Corporation Act 2018 and commenced on 8 March 2018 by Proclamation. However, the RIC is not expected to commence farm business loans or grants of financial assistance to States and Territories in relation to water infrastructure projects before 1 July 2018.

Comcover has places available in the following two education programs:

 Executive Pathway: SES Risk Management Professional Development Program: A strategic perspective to managing risk.

 Generalist Pathway: Practical risk management: More than just ticking boxes.

Executive Pathway: SES Risk Management Professional Development Program: A strategic perspective to managing risk.

The SES Program focuses on the leadership skills required to build the required level of risk capability within your entity. The program includes participation in a half-day workshop and continued learning and application through discussion forums and networking opportunities.

Places are available for the SES workshops on 17 April, 6 June and 11 July.

Generalist Pathway: Practical risk management: More than just ticking boxes

Program Delivery

First Step - ELearning: The Risk Management Process

The Risk Management Process eLearning Course will familiarise you with the concepts and steps in the risk management process. You can complete this course independently of the two-day workshop.

Next Step - Two-day workshop

This workshop builds on the eLearning course with participants applying the risk management process to real life scenarios. You can undertake the workshop at any stage after completing the eLearning assessment.

Upcoming Workshop date:

 15-16 May 2018

Registrations are accessible via the Comcover Learning Centre.

All enquiries contact Comcover on 1800 651 540 or Comcover@comcover.com.au.

PMRA Community on Govdex is an online community for Commonwealth officials to:

•  be informed about ongoing reforms, events and consultations;
•  discuss issues and reforms relating to the PGPA Act and internal controls; and
•  share ideas for improving the way we operate across government.

If you have questions or want more information on the PMRA or PGPA Act, visit the PMRA Community on Govdex. Access to the PMRA Community on Govdex is open to all officials of Commonwealth entities. If you are not a member, please email pmra@finance.gov.au and we will send you an invite to join.