PGPA Newsletter 72

As it is peak reporting time, we are reminding entities that it is a legislative requirement that a web accessible version of their 2020-21 annual reports must be published to the Transparency Portal after tabling. The use of the Digital Annual Reporting Tool (DART) produces a HTML version that meets both the requirements of the PGPA Rule and the Government’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

To assist entities in the use of the DART, the team has been working with entities to create new guidance in the form of bite-sized case studies/examples that enhance web accessibility. The case studies are designed to target specific components of a digital annual report, and provide demonstrations and tips from fellow Annual Report Coordinators.

The following case studies are available in the Digital Annual Reports GovTEAMS Community:

• Cross-Referencing and Hyperlinking with the Department of Health (Health);
• Ensuring your alternative text is WCAG compliant with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA);
• Accessibility: Linking to the HTML Annual Report on the Portal with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

We would like to thank Health, AMSA and the ACCC for assisting the team in developing these case studies/examples.

The team would also like to hear from Annual Report Coordinators who would like to help contribute to the community by presenting a case study. If you have ideas, we want to hear from you.

Further information, up to date messaging, as well as peer support can be found within the Digital Annual Reports GovTEAMS Community.

For all digital annual report enquiries, please contact Digital Annual Reporting team at DigitalAnnualReportProject@finance.gov.au, on 02 6215 1653, or by the team’s GovTEAMS channel.

We have had a few questions about filling out the regulatory charging note information in the DART.

To assist entities we have added the following FAQ to the DART FAQ webpage:

How do I complete the Regulatory Charging Summary Note table?

The Regulatory Charging Note Summary Table draws from information that is provided in the Regulatory Charging Financial Statement Note. The note is completed in accordance with section 34A of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Financial Reporting) Rule 2015 with guidance provided in RMG 125 Commonwealth entities financial statements guide. Entities are to report in the DART the aggregated totals of departmental and administered expenses and revenue that relate to regulatory charging (cost recovery) activities. For further information about what is a regulatory charging activity please see RMG 302 Australian Government Charging Framework.

For further information on completing this table, please contact PGPA@finance.gov.au.

A minor amendment has been made to RMG-138 to provide clarity in situations where a Remuneration Tribunal Determination establishes the value attributed to superannuation contributions made by an employer. This applies to some Secretaries, Principle Executive Officers, Full Time Office Holders and Judicial and related Offices who contribute to civilian or military defined benefit superannuation schemes, and in some cases PSSap.

In these cases, the Remuneration Tribunal Determination value is used to establish the value attributed to superannuation contributions made by an employer, not the notional value provided by Finance.

Please email PGPA@finance.gov.au if you have questions relating to this amendment.

The next quarterly Australian Government Organisation Register (AGOR) statistical update will be undertaken to report bodies in existence as at 30 September 2021.

• Portfolio updaters are required to consider bodies that are to be added and/or removed from the register.
• All task requests are to be submitted by no later than COB Friday 24 September 2021 in order for them to be captured in the September quarter statistical update.

If you have any questions related to the updating of the register, send an email to OAR@finance.gov.au.

Visit the AGOR webpage on the Finance website for information about the register.

If you have any feedback on the AGOR system please let us know by email at OAR@finance.gov.au – your feedback is always welcome to ensure we are refining and enhancing our systems and processes regularly.

Remember, Risk is everyone’s business!

Review of the Commonwealth Risk Management Policy - Update

In line with recommendation 41 of the Independent Review into the operation of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and Rule, Department of Finance, Comcover, is undertaking a review of the Commonwealth Risk Management Policy (the Policy) with a view to improving its coherence and operation.

The Policy has been drafted to focus on strengthening risk culture and behaviours to improve the risk maturity of entities.  

An inter-entity Steering Committee has been established to oversee the review and has considered whole of Australian Government reviews, Australian State and International Government risk processes, and private sector and academic insights.

A set of eight draft recommendations have been agreed and consultation on these recommendations is currently underway. 

If you would like more information, please contact riskpolicyreview@finance.gov.au.

Commonwealth Awards for Excellence in Risk Management – Nominations Closing Soon!

The 2021 Commonwealth Awards for Excellence in Risk Management (the Awards) are now open.

The Awards recognise and reward Commonwealth entities exhibiting excellence in risk management practice that supports innovation and improved decision making.

The past few years has given rise to exceptional challenges, but has also highlighted the importance of a strong underlying risk management framework and the need for agile and excellent risk management solutions to a rapidly changing environment.

Nominations are encouraged from all Commonwealth entities and can be made in one or both of the following categories:

• Enterprise Wide Risk Management – for excellence in implementing risk management frameworks, practices and processes across the entity.
• Risk Initiative – for excellence in risk management demonstrated by a specific entity program/project, or service delivery initiative. 

For further details on the Awards, please refer to our website here.

Key dates to note are:

If you require any further information, or wish to discuss your nomination please email RiskAwards@finance.gov.au or contact Finance’s Comcover line on 1800 651 540 – option 4.

Comcover Education Program – Upcoming Workshops

In response to the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic, Comcover has adapted its face-to-face risk workshops to also be accessible virtually online. For 2021, we have decided to keep this approach and take on a blended learning environment of both face-to-face and virtual workshops.

Currently, we have three workshops across four different pathways available for free to all APS employees. If any of these workshops sound beneficial to you or anybody within your entity, please register on the Comcover Learning Centre, email comcover@comcover.com.au or call 1800 651 540 – option 2.

Please also find below a calendar of all upcoming Comcover workshops, both virtual and face-to-face. We look forward to seeing you attend.

Assistant Director (EL1), Performance Management, Attorney-General’s Department

Role description

• We’re looking for a smart, hardworking professional to lead the department’s performance team in the Governance Office.
• You will be responsible for planning, developing and managing the delivery of the corporate plan and annual report, including:
  • reviewing the appropriateness of the department’s performance measures and updating them as required
  • providing out-reach services to better engage and educate stakeholders on performance reporting
  • coordinating the collection of content from across the department and drafting parts of the plan and report
  • consulting with the performance sub-committee of the department’s independent audit committee
  • coordinating the department’s participation in the annual ANAO in-flight audit of the annual performance statement
  • driving clearance and approval processes, including presenting to senior management committees
  • supporting director and colleagues within the Governance Office.

You will oversee the team’s

• coordination and delivery of the non-financial performance information for the Portfolio Budget Statements and Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (APS6-led)
• delivery of the annual stakeholder survey and the department-wide qualitative assessment process prior to the production of the Annual Report
• monitoring of performance reporting best practice and implement any changes to PGPA Act and Rule requirements
• development and maintenance of  effective relationships with key stakeholders including senior SES, divisional coordinators and executive officers, portfolio agencies and the Department of Finance

Skills and experience

• Strong relationship building and management skills
• Proven ability to interpret policy and legislation – and apply it to your role
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information to stakeholders who have limited background and time
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and competing priorities at the same time
• Strong organisational and coordination skills
• Sound understanding of the Commonwealth performance framework would be desirable.

How to express interest

To express your interest please send your CV and a statement of claims no longer than 750 words to rai.basu@ag.gov.au by 3pm - Friday 24 September 2021.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Rai Basu on 0436 625 364.

Stapling starts on 1 November 2021

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Your Future, Your Super) Act 2021 became law on 22 June 2021, which implemented the Government’s Your Future, Your Super package. One element of the package is the stapling rule, which aims to limit the creation of multiple super accounts when an employee moves jobs.

The stapling changes mean it’s more important than ever to check all new employees’ eligibility to join our super funds before they start their employment with you. This is done by using CSC’s online eligibility determiner available via Employer Sign On (ESO). We recommend you review your recruitment and on-boarding processes and consult with us to make sure you’re ready for the changes.

How we’re helping you

We’ve recently held three workshops about stapling, which were attended by a number of our employers. We’re really grateful for everyone’s interest and engagement in these sessions, and we hope they were helpful.

We’ve also just released two new webpages to help you understand more about the impact on:

• APS employees – read more here
• ADF employees – read more here.

We’re continuing to work on a number of other things to support you, so make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter to hear more.

If you need any more information, reach out to your CSC Employer Relationship Manager at any time or call us on 1300 338 240.

The PGPA Act requires a Minister to table a notice to notify each House of Parliament of certain events under section 72 of the PGPA Act.

A template for Ministers to inform Parliament is available on the Finance website under Tools and templates. When tabling a section 72 notice, a copy should be provided to Finance at: PGPA@finance.gov.au.