Criterion	Delivery of significant government initiatives improves, with: 90 per cent of senior responsible officials indicating that assurance reviews contributed constructively to their project 90 per cent of assurance review report recommendations are actioned or being actioned by entities.
Source	Corporate Plan 2016–17, page 11
Result	Achieved   100 per cent of senior responsible officials indicated that assurance reviews contributed constructively to their project/program in 2016–17. 97 per cent of assurance review report recommendations have been or are being actioned by entities.

 

Criterion	The Australian Government Office Occupancy Report demonstrates that Commonwealth entities are actively targeting and delivering lower lease vacancy rates, and working towards achieving the occupational density target that sets a benchmark on the amount of office space needed per employee.
Source	Corporate Plan 2016–17, page 11 Portfolio Budget Statements 2016–17, Program 2.3, page 46
Result	Achieved The 2015–16 Australian Government Office Occupancy Report was published on 3 April 2017. This report identified: a greater proportion of tenancies meeting the occupational density targets, 22.1 per cent in 2016 up from 13.0 per cent in 2015 the overall median occupational density for the Commonwealth reduced by 2.7m² per workpoint from 2015 to 2016 the workpoint vacancy rate decreased by 7.1 percentage points since September 2015 (20.9 per cent to 13.8 per cent), while the total number of workpoints continues to reduce a reduction in the net lettable area from greater than 3.1 million square metres to less than 2.8 million square metres the decrease in vacancy rate is as a result of continued successful efforts by entities to consolidate office accommodation and backfill surplus space, supported by Operation Tetris.

 

The Australian Government Occupancy Report used data as at 30 June 2016 provided by 78 entities. This report covered office accommodation with 500 square metres or more which is owned or leased by the Commonwealth. The government property information in this report is collected through the annual Australian Government Property Data Collection, which non-corporate Commonwealth entities update each year. This report presents data that assists entities to identify and progressively move to better property management practices, while also informing Whole-of-Australian-Government policy. The occupancy report sets out the occupational density for entities against the current target of 14 square metres of office space per occupied work-point. The collection of the information contained in the report promoted transparency of data across entities and supported government decisions. This is contributing to continued rationalisation of the Commonwealth property portfolio aligned to contemporary requirements of entities, and resulting in efficiencies through coordinated procurement of property services and savings delivered to the Budget following property divestments.

 

Criterion	Delivery of risk management and education programs to support entities in improving their risk management capability, which is measured annually through benchmarking.
Source	Corporate Plan 2016–17, page 11 Portfolio Budget Statements 2016–17, Program 2.4, page 47
Result	Achieved Comcover’s education program for 2016–17 included: completion of e-learning modules: Foundation—‘Introduction to Risk in the Commonwealth’—completed by 1,808 officials from 76 entities Generalist—‘Practical Risk Management’—completed by 241 officials from 40 entities. (Note this program was launched in February 2017.) attendance at workshops: Generalist—‘Practical Risk Management’—an additional 60 officials from 29 entities. (Note this program was launched in February 2017) SES—68 SES officers from 33 entities. The Department of Defence delivers the program in-house with 95 SES officials (or equivalent) completing the program in 2016–17. Results from Comcover’s 2017 Benchmarking program showed that Element 5—‘Developing a positive risk culture’—recorded the largest increase in average maturity in 2017. The 2017 benchmarking program results recorded 105 entities are at ‘integrated’ and ‘advanced’ maturity states in comparison with 99 entities in 2016. This shows that entities are continuing to mature in relation to building risk management capability.

 

One valuable method Finance uses to foster leading public sector practice in risk management is providing relevant education for public sector entities. The intention of this training is to foster improved public service practice by increasing and strengthening the capacity of entities to establish and maintain appropriate systems and internal controls for the oversight and management of risk balanced against an appropriate approach to red tape and innovation.

Comcover provides a comprehensive risk management education program that includes face-to-face training courses and flexible online learning. Comcover targets four levels of desired capability for APS officials:

• Foundation level: All Commonwealth officials, regardless of level or role, are required to understand basic risk management concepts and how risk is managed in the Commonwealth.
• Generalist level: Commonwealth officials, regardless of level, whose role requires them to engage with and apply their entity's risk management framework to successfully deliver outcomes. Generalists engage with risk at the activity level and have attained foundation level capability.
• Specialist level: Job role specialists who are required to design, implement and embed an entity's risk management framework. Specialists facilitate generalists and executives to fulfil their risk management responsibilities. Specialists have attained generalist level capability.
• SES Professional Development Program: Senior Executive Service officials whose role requires them to identify and determine the acceptable levels of risk that are appropriate to their entity's profile, allocate resources, and lead the adoption of risk management policies, strategies and best practices.

 

Criterion	Advice, analysis and support that meets government’s needs is provided to the government on public sector superannuation policy, investment fund policy and governance matters.
Source	Corporate Plan 2016–17, page 11 Portfolio Budget Statements 2016–17, Program 2.6, page 49 Portfolio Budget Statements 2016–17, Program 2.7, page 50
Result	Achieved Finance has supported the government with advice on public sector superannuation policy, investment fund policy and governance matters, in particular, during 2016–17 Finance: provided advice to government on the Superannuation Amendment (PSSaP Membership) Bill 2016, which implements a 2016–17 Budget measure assisted the government with the six appointments made to the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation Board with the Department of the Treasury, provided advice on options for drawdowns from the Future Fund and a revised investment mandate for the Future Fund with the Department of the Environment and Energy, provided advice to government regarding a revised investment mandate for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. Finance also paid fortnightly and monthly scheme payments within prescribed timeframes with the exception of one member’s payment, which was paid one day late. The Member Contribution Statement reporting to the Australian Taxation Office was completed by 31 October 2016 in accordance with the prescribed timeframe. Annual statements were provided to parliamentary scheme members by 31 December 2016 in accordance with the prescribed timeframe.

 

Criterion	Advice on strategy, governance, operations, financial forecasts and performance of Commonwealth companies and other commercial entities is provided to government.
Source	Corporate Plan 2016–17, page 11 Portfolio Budget Statements 2016–17, Program 2.1, page 41
Result	Achieved Finance provided advice to the government on Commonwealth Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) and other entities, including in relation to corporate planning, financial and operational performance and other significant programs of work. Finance ensures that the GBE governance framework is fit for purpose and will support delivery of the government’s key priorities. Our advice and monitoring of GBE performance supports the ongoing efficiency and financial sustainability of GBEs. The governance framework is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current and appropriate.

 

Criterion	Commonwealth entities supported through the provision of guidance and information to assist them in the delivery of the enhanced Commonwealth performance framework as demonstrated by: 100 per cent of all Commonwealth entities publishing annual performance statements in their 2015–16 annual reports 95 per cent of all Commonwealth entities complying with performance reporting requirements.
Source	Corporate Plan 2016–17, page 11 Portfolio Budget Statements 2016–17, Program 2.1, page 41
Result	Substantially achieved One hundred per cent of Commonwealth entities that are required to publish annual performance statements, published such statements in their 2015–16 annual reports. Eighty-two per cent of published 2015–16 annual performance statements were fully compliant with the requirements of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and related Rule.

 

The main reason for non-compliance with the requirements of the PGPA Rule was incorrect presentation of the accountable authority’s introductory statement to their 2015–16 annual performance statement. Non-compliant entities have been followed-up in one-on-one discussions and general discussions have occurred in various forums, including community of practice sessions. Annual performance statements for Commonwealth entities—Resource Management Guide No. 134 has been revised to provide greater clarity on the requirements of the PGPA Rule.

 

Criterion	Completion of a scoping study to review the management arrangements of the Commonwealth's existing investment funds to determine if there are efficiencies to be gained from consolidating the investment management arrangements.
Source	Corporate Plan 2016–17, page 11
Result	Achieved The scoping study was completed and did not find sufficient economies or efficiencies resulting from consolidating cash holdings and cash investment management arrangements.

 

Criterion	Timely and relevant advice on procurement policy matters is provided. 80 per cent of entity queries to the procurement advice inbox responded to within three days. AusTender is available 99 per cent of the time during business hours (ACT local time).
Source	Portfolio Budget Statements 2016–17, Program 2.1, page 41
Result	Achieved   98 per cent of entity queries to the procurement advice inbox were responded to within three days in 2016–17. AusTender was available for 100 per cent of the time during business hours in 2016–17.

 

A further activity Finance is pursuing in order to bring about the governance purpose concerns fostering improved public sector procurement practices. Procurement is strategically important to all government agencies because it supports delivery of government policies, programs and services. Poor procurement processes can lead to sub optimal outcomes, such as delays or additional costs to redress problems. Through managing the procurement framework, Finance is seeking to reduce complexity and red tape and improve professionalism. The following are two notable elements of Finance’s management of the procurement framework:

• Finance’s operation of AusTender, the Australian Government’s centralised procurement information and e-tendering system, allows entities to make tender documentation available from a central website. Suppliers can search or browse and download all the relevant information on the spot rather than having to request the information be sent to them. Suppliers can also ask to be automatically notified about tenders of interest to their business.
• Finance has provided advice about procurement policy and administration to government entities and the private sector. We operate a Procurement Agency Advice email address that seeks to provide prompt advice to stakeholders about Australian Government procurement policies and processes. We have also initiated forums and roundtables to provide opportunities for greater involvement and engagement with stakeholders.

Through Commonwealth entities and companies understanding their obligations, the government, parliament and the public can have confidence that public resources are used efficiently, effectively, economically and ethically.