PGPA Newsletter 50

• The Resource Management Guides regarding Annual Reports have been updated and are available on the Finance website. 
  • RMG-135 Annual reports for non-corporate Commonwealth entities
  • RMG-136 Annual reports for corporate Commonwealth entities
  • RMG-137 Annual reports for Commonwealth companies 
•   The RMGs have been updated to reflect the indexation adjustment to the reporting requirement thresholds for Government     advertising and market research information.  
• There are no changes to the existing Annual Report requirements for the 2017-18 period. 

Finance has released a revised Resource Management Guide 202: A guide for non-corporate Commonwealth entities on the role of audit committees. 

The guide informs entities on the requirements and expectations of the role of audit committees. The guide also assists accountable authorities in developing a written charter for their audit committee, and provides guidance on the skills and knowledge required of audit committee members. 

Finance intends to develop a version for corporate Commonwealth entities and will consult further with entities in the near future.   
 

In September 2017, the Finance Minister commissioned Mr David Thodey AO and Ms Elizabeth Alexander AM to conduct an independent review of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) and Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014 (PGPA Rule), in accordance with section 112 of the PGPA Act. 
 
Information on the Review, including the terms of reference and submissions received, is available on the Review website: http://www.finance.gov.au/pgpa-independent-review/.  
 
Following extensive consultation, the reviewers have prepared a draft report, which is available on the Review website. The reviewers have not identified any major deficiencies with the PGPA framework, but they have identified a number of areas where they consider Commonwealth entities’ implementation of the framework could be improved.  
 
The reviewers have made 46 recommendations focusing on: improving the quality of performance reporting; improving risk management and engagement practices; improving the effectiveness of audit committees; improving the timeliness and scrutiny of annual reports; enhancing transparency, and reducing reporting burden. 
 
The reviewers are seeking comments from entities, other stakeholders and the public on the draft report. The draft report is open for comment for three weeks (until 22 June 2018). Written submissions can be provided to the Review Secretariat at PGPAActReview@finance.gov.au.   

Recent updates to the Flipchart of Commonwealth entities and companies: 
 

• the Workplace Gender Equality Agency moved from the Jobs and Small Business portfolio to the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio; 
• the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies moved from the Education and Training portfolio to the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio; 
• the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman and the Office of the Inspector-general of Intelligence and Security both moved from the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio to the Attorney-General’s portfolio; and
•  the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation moved from the Attorney-General’s portfolio to the Home Affairs portfolio  

The List of Commonwealth entities and companies has been enhanced to include the accountable authority’s position title for each body (e.g. Secretary, CEO, Chairperson, etc.) and the relevant section of legislation that identifies the accountable authority for the purpose of the PGPA Act.  
 

Comcover has places available in the following two education programs: 

• Specialist Pathway:  Embedding risk management into an organisation’s DNA.
• Generalist Pathway: Practical risk management: More than just ticking boxes. 

 
Specialist Pathway: Embedding risk management into an organisation’s DNA T

The Specialist Pathway provides learning and resources to extend your risk management knowledge, understanding capability so that you can provide leadership and support to colleagues and senior executives. 
 
The program incorporates in-and out-of-class opportunities to build your capabilities through scenarios, facilitated discussions, individual and syndicate activities, workplace-based tasks and presentations.  
 
Places are available for the next two-day workshop on 7 June and 18 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 dates: 

• 19 – 20 June 2018 
• 24 – 25 July 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.