PGPA Newsletter 52

The Independent Review of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and Rule, undertaken by Ms Elizabeth Alexander AM and Mr David Thodey AO, has been completed. The report was tabled on Wednesday 19 September 2018 by the Minister for Finance and the Public Service. The report is available on the Review website at https://www.finance.gov.au/pgpa-independent-review/#finalReport.

The Minister has asked the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit to consider the report. Once the Committee has done this, the Government will finalise its response to the report’s 52 recommendations.

Any enquiries can be directed to PGPAActReview@finance.gov.au.

We would like to thank everyone for their efforts in publishing 2018-19 corporate plans by 31 August in what was for many, interesting times. Only four entities were unable to meet the deadline, most for reasons beyond their control. As usual, we are happy to review and discuss your corporate plan with you. To request this, please email pmra@finance.gov.au.

A reminder that Finance will not be producing a Lessons Learned paper for the 2018-19 round of corporate plans. Our focus will be on developing a whole of performance cycle report, consistent with the recommendations of the Joint Committee for Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) Report 469. We will use the 2017-18 performance cycle to develop and test our approach to the annual whole of performance cycle report, with a view to formally commencing this reporting in the 2018-19 performance cycle. We look forward to engaging with you on the development of our approach.

As we are sure everyone is aware, the 2017-18 annual reporting season is also in full swing. We would like to remind entities to make sure that their 2017-18 annual reports are provided to Ministers by 15 October for their tabling of the documents in the Parliament. As usual, if you require any assistance in fulfilling your entity’s annual reporting requirements please see Resource Management Guides 135, 136 & 137 and, as always we are happy to provide guidance as necessary. For guidance on Commonwealth entity and Company annual reporting requirements please email pmra@finance.gov.au.

A new Flipchart of PGPA Act Commonwealth entities and companies has been issued, dated 28 August 2018.

The Flipchart reflects the Governor-General’s Administrative Arrangements Order – 19/4/2018 (as amended by Orders in Council dated 10 May 2018 and 28 August 2018).

The changes are all at portfolio level. The Department of Human Services is now back in the Social Services Portfolio. The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science and the Department of Jobs and Small Business have been separated into individual portfolios from their former association under the Jobs and Innovation Portfolio.

The latest version of the Flipchart and its associated List of Commonwealth entities and companies can be found at https://www.finance.gov.au/resource-management/governance/#flipchart.

Comcover’s Biennial Conference - Coming Soon

Save the date! Comcover is hosting its biennial conference on 16 November 2018. This will mark the celebration of Comcover’s 20th anniversary. The conference is a great opportunity for networking, to learn from others and hear from experts in the field of risk management insurance and legal.

Comcover’s Education Program – Final Workshops for 2018 – Register Now

There are places available in the following Comcover Education Programs:

Executive Pathway (SES only): A strategic perspective to managing risk

Designed to explore the concepts of risk appetite, how to approach risk from a strategic position, and how to respond to whole-of-government and shared risks. Final workshop dates for 2018: 24 October and 21 November.

Specialist Pathway: Embedding Risk Management into an organisation’s DNA – two-day workshop including a workplace project.

Designed for specialists who are required to design and implement an entity’s risk management framework. The final two-day workshop for 2018 is on 25 October and 5 December.

Generalist Pathway: Practical Risk Management, more than just ticking boxes - eLearning and a two-day workshop.

Designed for all Commonwealth officials whose roles require an engagement with their entity’s risk management framework at an activity level (for example, managing the risks associated with project delivery). The Generalist Pathway provides learning and resources to help you actively manage risk in your workplace. You can undertake the workshop at any stage after completing the eLearning course.
Final workshop dates for 2018: 30-31 October and 27-28 November.

COMING SOON! The following eLearning courses will be available towards the end of the year.

Introduction to Comcover

Did you know Comcover can assist entities and their staff in managing risk? Find out what is available to your entity in relation to the Comcover Fund. There are a number of services and resources available to assist entities with promoting better risk management practices within Commonwealth public sector.

Managing Indemnity Risk

Would you like to learn how to understand indemnities and how to reduce the likelihood and consequences of the risks they present? This course has practical examples of risk-informed decision making.

Liaising with Comcover

Do you provide risk management advice and support and/or insurance and claims management within your entity? This course is designed specifically for you. Learn how Comcover supports you and your entity to effectively manage risk and its effects.

All Comcover Education Pathways can be accessed via the Comcover Learning Centre. Courses are free to Comcover Fund Members.

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 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.