Appropriation Bill 2011-2012 - ACT Legislative Assembly

S E L E CT CO MM I T T E E O N E ST I M AT E S 2 01 1 - 20 12

Appropriation Bill 2011-2012

J U N E 2 0 1 1

A P P R O P R I A T I O N B I L L 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2

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Committee membership

Mr Brendan Smyth MLA (Chair)

Ms Meredith Hunter MLA (Deputy Chair)

Mr Jeremy Hanson CSC MLA

Mr John Hargreaves MLA

Ms Caroline Le Couteur MLA

Participating members

Ms Amanda Bresnan MLA

Mr Alistair Coe MLA

Mr Steve Doszpot MLA

Mrs Vicki Dunne MLA

Ms Mary Porter AM MLA

Mr Shane Rattenbury MLA

Mr Zed Seselja MLA

Secretariat

Committee secretary Ms Grace Concannon Assistant secretaries Dr Sandra Lilburn, Dr Brian Lloyd, Ms Veronica Strkalj,

Dr Andrea Cullen, Dr Christopher Beer, Ms Ellen Groves, Ms Nicola Kosseck

Administrative assistant Ms Lydia Chung

Contact information Telephone 02 6205 0127 Facsimile 02 6205 0432 Post GPO Box 1020, CANBERRA ACT 2601 Email [email protected] Website www.parliament.act.gov.au

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/

S E L E C T C O M M I T T E E O N E S T I M A T E S 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2

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Resolution of appointment

On Thursday10 March 2011, the Assembly resolved that:

(1) a Select Committee on Estimates 2011-2012 be appointed to examine the expenditure proposals contained in the Appropriation Bill 2011-2012 and any revenue estimates proposed by the Government in the 2011-2012 Budget and prepare a report to the Parliament;

(2) the Committee be composed of:

(a) one Member to be nominated by the Government;

(b) two Members to be nominated by the Opposition; and

(c) two Members to be nominated by the Greens;

to be notified in writing to the Speaker by 4 pm today;

(3) a non-Government Member shall be elected chair of the Committee by the Committee;

(4) funds be provided by the Parliament to permit the engagement of external expertise to work with the Committee to facilitate the analysis of the Budget and the preparation of the report of the Committee:

(5) the Committee is to report by 21 June 2011;

(6) if the Assembly is not sitting when the Committee has completed its inquiry, the Committee may send its report to the Speaker or, in the absence of the Speaker, to the Deputy Speaker, who is authorised to give directions for its printing, publishing and circulation; and

(7) the foregoing provisions of this resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the standing orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the standing orders.”.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Committee membership ......................................................................................... i

Participating members ............................................................................................ i

Resolution of appointment .................................................................................... iii

A B B R E V I A T I O N S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I X

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X I I I

1 I N T R O D U C T I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Conduct of hearings ............................................................................................ 1

Committees on demand ..................................................................................... 3

Estimates and the new Directorate structure .................................................... 4

Specialist adviser ................................................................................................ 4

Recommendations for additional information .................................................. 5

Acknowledgement .............................................................................................. 5

2 N E W G O V E R N M E N T O F F I C E B U I L D I N G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3 T R E A S U R Y D I R E C T O R A T E A N D R E L A T E D A G E N C I E S . 2 3

New Directorate structure and ‘One ACT Public Service’ .....................................23

Treasury Directorate ..........................................................................................25

“Stand on our own two feet” ............................................................................25

Financial and economic management ..............................................................26

Revenue management .......................................................................................39

The Budget Papers .............................................................................................41

Capital Works .....................................................................................................43

Home Loan portfolio ..........................................................................................44

Superannuation Provision Account (SPA) ........................................................45

The Territory Banking Account..........................................................................46

Discontinued agencies .......................................................................................48

ACTEW Corporation Limited .............................................................................48

ACTTAB Limited .................................................................................................50

Shared Services Centre .....................................................................................51

Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission ..................................56


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ACT Insurance Authority ...................................................................................60

4 C H I E F M I N I S T E R A N D C A B I N E T D I R E C T O R A T E . . . . . . . . 6 3

Government policy and strategy .......................................................................63

Industrial Relations Policy .................................................................................66

ACT Long Service Leave Authority ...................................................................68

Coordinated Communications and Community Engagement .........................68

Arts policy, advice and programs .....................................................................70

5 E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T D I R E C T O R A T E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 3

Land Policy and Infrastructure Delivery ............................................................74

Business and Industry Development ................................................................81

Tourism, Venues and Events .............................................................................84

Sport and Recreation .........................................................................................90

ACT Gambling and Racing Commission ..........................................................92

Exhibition Park Corporation ..............................................................................93

6 H E A L T H D I R E C T O R A T E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 5

Acute Services ....................................................................................................97

Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol and Drug Services ..................... 105

Public Health Services ..................................................................................... 113

Cancer Services ................................................................................................ 115

Rehabilitation, Aged and Community Care .................................................... 116

Early Intervention and Prevention ................................................................... 118

7 E D U C A T I O N A N D T R A I N I N G D I R E C T O R A T E . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 3

Public school education ................................................................................... 123

Non-government education ............................................................................ 133

Canberra Institute of Technology .................................................................... 134

Vocational education and training .................................................................. 137

Building and Construction Industry Training Fund Authority ....................... 137

8 J U S T I C E A N D C O M M U N I T Y S A F E T Y D I R E C T O R A T E . . 1 3 9

Corrective Services .......................................................................................... 151

Courts and Tribunal ......................................................................................... 154

Emergency Services Agency ........................................................................... 156

ACT Policing ..................................................................................................... 159


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9 T E R R I T O R Y A N D M U N I C P A L S E R V I C E S D I R E C T O R A T E . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 3

Information Services ........................................................................................ 164

The Office of Transport .................................................................................... 168

Waste and Recycling ........................................................................................ 175

Land Management ........................................................................................... 177

Environmental Regulation ............................................................................... 180

ACTION ............................................................................................................. 182

ACT Public Cemeteries Authority .................................................................... 185

1 0 C O M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E S D I R E C T O R A T E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 7

Outcomes-based service funding agreement ................................................. 187

Disability and Therapy Services ...................................................................... 189

Early Invention ................................................................................................. 195

Community Development and Policy ............................................................. 199

Children, Youth and Family Services .............................................................. 204

Housing ACT..................................................................................................... 209

1 1 S U S T A I N A B L E D E V E L O P M E N T D I R E C T O R A T E . . . . . . . . . 2 1 3

Water Issues ..................................................................................................... 214

Climate Change and Energy Issues ................................................................. 217

Environment Protection, Heritage and Other Matters ................................... 219

Sustainable Planning ....................................................................................... 221

Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment ........... 225

1 2 A U D I T O R - G E N E R A L A N D A C T L E G I S L A T I V E A S S E M B L Y

S E C R E T A R I A T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 7

Auditor-General ................................................................................................ 227

Staffing matters ................................................................................................. 231

ACT Legislative Assembly Secretariat ............................................................ 232

1 3 C O M M U N I T Y A N D I N D U S T R Y R E P R E S E N T A T I V E

G R O U P S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 7

ACT Council of Social Service ......................................................................... 237

ACT Council of Parents & Citizens Associations ............................................ 238

RSPCA (ACT) .................................................................................................... 239

Arthritis Association ACT................................................................................. 239

Youth Coalition of the ACT .............................................................................. 240

Australian Education Union (ACT Branch) ..................................................... 241


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Grandparents and Kinship Carers ACT (Inc) Foster Carers Association ....... 241

Victims of Crime Assistance League (ACT) Inc ............................................... 242

Technical Aid for the Disabled ........................................................................ 243

Tuggeranong Community Council .................................................................. 243

National Council of Women ACT .................................................................... 244

National Parks Association of the ACT ........................................................... 244

A Gender Agenda ............................................................................................. 245

The Heart Foundation ACT .............................................................................. 245

Capital Region Fishing Alliance ....................................................................... 246

Women With Disabilities ................................................................................. 246

Belconnen Arts Centre ..................................................................................... 247

Flynn Primary School Parents and Citizens Association & John Flynn

Community Group ........................................................................................... 247

A P P E N D I X A : P U B L I C H E A R I N G S A N D W I T N E S S L I S T 2 4 9

A P P E N D I X B : Q U E S T I O N L I S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 1

A P P E N D I X C : C O M M U N I T Y A N D R E P R E S E N T A T I V E

G R O U P S S U R V E Y F O R M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 5


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ABBREVIATIONS

ACTPCA ACT Public Cemeteries Authority

ACTPLA ACT Planning and Land Authority

ACTPS ACT Public Service

AEU Australian Education Union

AGA A Gender Agenda

AMC Alexander Maconachie Centre

ANU Australian National University

ATSI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

BAC Belconnen Arts Centre

BADC Billabong Aboriginal Development Corporation

BOO Build own operate

BOOT Build own operate transfer

CBRE CB Richard Ellis

CHC Community Housing Canberra

CHC (ACT) Calvary Health Care ACT

CIT Canberra Institute of Technology

CMD Chief Minister’s Department

CRFA Canberra Region Fishing Alliance

DAS Domestic Animal Services

COAG Council of Australian Governments

CPH Calvary Public Hospital

CPI Consumer Price Index

CPSU Community and Public Sector Union


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DECCEW Department of Environment, Climate Change, Energy, and Water

DSO disability support officer

EA Economic Analysis

ED emergency department

EDD Economic Development Directorate

EPIC Exhibition Park in Canberra

ERC Expenditure Review Committee

ESDD Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate

FIT Feed-In Tariff

FMA Act Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997

FTE Full time equivalent

GP general practitioner

GST Goods and Services Tax

HACC Home and Community Care

ICRC Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission

ICT Information and communication technologies

ISP Individual support package

IT Information Technology

LAPS Department of Land and Property Services

LCMHC Little Company of Mary Health Care

LDA Land Development Agency

MDB Murray Darling Basin

MDBA Murray Darling Basin Authority

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

NABERS National Australian Built Environment Rating System


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NCA National Capital Authority

NCW National Council of Women

NPA National Parks Association

NPP National Partnership Payments

NPV Net Present Value

NSP Needle and Syringe Program

OCSE Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment

OH&S Occupational health and safety

PSU Psychiatric Services Union

RIS Regulatory Impact Statement

RSPCA Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

RTA Road Transport Authority

SDLs Sustainable diversion limits

SPA Superannuation Provision Account

SPP Specific Purpose Payments

SSC Shared Services Centre

TADACT Technical Aid for the Disabled ACT

TAMS Department of Territory and Municipal Services

TBA Territory Banking Account

TCC Tuggeranong Community Council

UC University of Canberra

VOCAL Victims of Crime Assistance League

WPI Wage Price Index

WWD Women With Disabilities


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RECOMMENDATIONS

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N 1

1.8 The Committee recommends that all questions taken on notice, or

placed on notice during the 2011-2012 Estimates hearings be answered

before the resumption of the Budget Debate.


1.10 The Committee recommends that any unanswered questions when the

Budget debate is completed be transferred to the notice paper.


1.12 The Committee recommends that, when additional material is

provided to the Committee, at least seven copies or sets of the material be

provided to ensure that enough copies are available for members of the

Committee and the secretariat, including an electronic copy as possible.


1.14 The Committee recommends that documents prepared for use in a

particular hearing be circulated at the commencement of the hearing, or at

least 24 hours earlier if feasible, to enable appropriate scrutiny to take place

on the day of the hearing.


1.17 The Committee recommends that the Speaker investigate the

feasibility of extending Committees on Demand to all future committee

hearings (subject to resourcing) and report to the Legislative Assembly by

the first sitting day in December 2011.


2.31 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide the

ACT Legislative Assembly with additional information to support a decision

on the Government office building.


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2.36 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government commission a

study into the options for refurbishment of existing building(s) for a

government office building. This study should include lifecycle analysis of

the environmental impact as well as financial impact.


2.38 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide

information on the different environmental impacts of different star ratings

of a building of the proposed size and more information about what it means

by ‘carbon neutral enabled’ and if this includes any commitment for off-site

energy production.



financial modelling for the non-office parts of the building.

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N 1 0

2.42 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government detail job

losses as a result of the Government office building.


2.44 The Committee recommends that that the ACT Government respond

immediately respond to the interim Public Accounts Committee Report on

the Government office building.


2.45 The Committee recommends that the ACT Treasury Directorate

analyse the new Government office building under the proposed gateway

reviews and that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly

before the project proceeds.



evidence of how and why the Government office building will reduce staff

turnover and that the Government report to the Legislative Assembly before

the project proceeds.


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2.47 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government clarify the cost

of depreciation of the new Government office building and explain why there

is a difference in the amount discussed in the Committee hearings and the

amount in the budget impact analysis completed by the Treasury and that

the Government report to the Legislative Assembly before the project

proceeds.


2.48 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government clarify its

intended ownership arrangements of the Government office building

detailing under what circumstances the Government would consider selling

the building and report to the Legislative Assembly before the project

proceeds.



correct analysis conducted by the consultants with savings assumptions that

match the savings sheet provided to the Committee and that the

Government report to the Legislative Assembly before the project proceeds.


2.50 The Committee recommends that scenario options 2 and 4 be included

in the CB Richard Ellis Cost Analysis report as they were ‘excluded’ at an

earlier date and that the Government report to the Legislative Assembly

before the project proceeds.


2.51 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government clearly present

its analysis of the build own operate (BOO) and build own operate transfer

(BOOT) options.


2.52 The Committee recommends that a comprehensive analysis be

completed on the effect the new government office building will have on the

private property market and the potential crowding out of private investment

and that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly before the

project proceeds.


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2.53 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government detail the

potential increased cost of the Government office building at 88 per cent

efficiency, if only 82 per cent efficiency at the current cost can be achieved,

and explain why the consultants were asked to include it and that the

Government report to the Legislative Assembly before the project proceeds.


2.54 The Committee recommends that the ACT Treasury Directorate detail

how all of the claimed efficiency savings will be achieved and the evidence to

support these claims and that the Government report to the Legislative

Assembly before the project proceeds.


2.55 The Committee recommends that the ACT Treasury Directorate model

the potential loss of revenue from sale and stamp duty on Section 19 over

the next 25 years and that the ACT Government report to the Legislative

Assembly before the project proceeds.


2.58 The Committee recommends that the Chief Minister provide

clarification to the ACT Legislative Assembly on how any growth in the size

of the Ministry would be accommodated within the proposed new

Government office block.


2.68 The Committee recommends that, should the Government office block

proceed, it not be linked by a skybridge to the Legislative Assembly building.


2.71 The Committee recommends that the ACT Treasurer Directorate

confirms the potential role of shared Services Procurement in the

Government office block project by the recommencement of the Budget

debate.


3.7 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide, in the

Budget papers, a reconciliation of the movement of functions and the funds

that are associated with those functions.


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3.9 The Committee recommends that the Arts function be transferred to

the Economic Development Directorate.


3.15 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table, by no

later than the first sitting day in December 2011, the plan to enable the ACT

to stand on its own two feet through diversifying its economic base, instead

of being so totally dependent on Federal funding and land based taxation.


3.21 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide a

detailed analysis by Directorate of the actual savings in their respective

annual report.


3.22 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct a

review of the efficacy of the efficiency dividend policy, in particular how the

delivery of services has or will be affected.


3.38 The Committee recommends that the Treasury Directorate release the

consultants work conducted on the effect that change of use charge will have

on property prices and values.



the impact the change of use charge will have on rents in the ACT.



the impact of the change of use charge on property values in areas marked

for redevelopment.


3.41 The Committee recommends that the Treasury Directorate release all

research and modelling conducted about potential devaluation of existing

property and new dwelling prices increasing as a result of the change-of-use

tax.


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3.51 The Committee recommends that the ACT Treasury Directorate

conduct a comprehensive cost of living analysis of Government taxes, fees

and rates on Canberra families since self government.


3.57 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government comply with

the Legislation Act 2001 in respect of Regulatory Impact Statements (RISs).


3.62 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government review the

ACT component of the effect of the First Home Owner grant.


3.71 The Committee recommends that that the ACT Government outline

how much its green energy power will increase each year until the 100 per

cent target is reached, and what the cost will be to the taxpayer each year.


3.78 The Committee recommends that, where an output class has multiple

functions within the class, a breakdown be provided in the Budget Papers of

the proposed funding by function.


3.79 The Committee recommends that, where in the financial statements a

reporting line has the same figures for the out years, the ACT Government

include in the Notes to the Budget Papers an explanation as to why this is the

case.


3.80 The Committee recommends that, where ‘Other’ accounts for the bulk

of the funds in any of the financial statements, this should be broken into its

major components or the details provided in a Note to the Budget Papers.


3.81 The Committee recommends that, where an asset revaluation has

occurred, a Note to the Budget Papers be included explaining this action.


3.82 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide an

explanation for a variation of plus or minus five per cent in the Notes to the

Budget Papers.


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3.85 The Committee recommends that, where a function is moved between

Directorates or from a discontinued agency, the history and targets for

Accountability Indicators be transferred to the new location.


3.86 The Committee recommends that agencies review all indicators which

are meant to provide a measure of performance to make sure that these

indicators provide outcomes which can be measured and provide a means of

judging the performance of the agency.


3.87 The Committee recommends that where any error or omission is

discovered, the advice of this matter be provided at the first opportunity to

the Secretary of the Estimates Committee.


3.88 The Committee recommends that descriptions of capital and recurrent

expenditure initiatives give full and accurate disclosures of the purposes for

the initiatives.


3.100 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government report to the

Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in October 2011 about the

potential liability for the provision of superannuation benefits due to the High

Court decision on “Cornwall”.


3.113 The Committee recommends that ACTEW Corporation consider how

to make the best use of nutrients such as potassium and phosphorous in

effluent.



breakdown of the $4.5 million in proposed savings in the Shared Services

Centre.


3.127 The Committee recommends that Shared Services ICT undertake

appropriate consultations with agencies and their staff before undertaking

the replacement of ICT equipment.


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3.130 The Committee recommends that Shared Service ICT reconsider

their 4 year computer replacement model in light of the economic and

environmental whole of life costs.


3.131 The Committee recommends that Shared Services ICT investigate

no longer replacing keyboards and screens that are working effectively.


3.132 The Committee recommends that Shared Services ICT investigate

thin client computing models to reduce environmental and economic costs.


3.136 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government evaluate the

effects of the Federal Government’s reforms on payments to sub-contractors

and report to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in December

2011.


3.139 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government identifies

clearly the role of Shared Services Procurement, and the role of other parties,

which are involved in the delivery of capital works projects.


3.140 The Committee recommends that the fee received by Shared

Services Procurement be negotiated by the parties to a capital works project

prior to that project commencing.


3.141 The Committee recommends that the Procurement Board conduct

an immediate review of the processes which led to the design flaws and

problems with delivery of the Jerrabomberra and Rivers Sheds and that the

Treasurer table the report in the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day

in October 2011.



ICRC legislation to ensure it is clear as to the extent and balance of

economic, environmental and social analysis it should undertake in coming

to its relevant determinations.


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Legislative Assembly on the outcome of the ICRC legislation review by the

last sitting day in 2011.


4.9 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government establish a

consistent publication timetable for the Canberra Infrastructure Plan.



Legislative Assembly quarterly on funding options for the Majura Parkway, in

the event that the ACT Government does not obtain funding from the Federal

Government the Chief Minister report to the Legislative Assembly at the

earliest opportunity.


4.15 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government establish

guidelines for maintaining and replacing ACT Government agency logos and

branding and promulgate these guidelines on the ACT Government website.


4.16 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government advise the

Legislative Assembly on the change management implementation plan for

the ACTPS in the light of the Government’s move to a unified public service.



greater transparency in reporting documents with regard to staffing

movement and changes by including measures of the effectiveness and

efficiencies achieved in the delivery of services to the ACT community by the

implementation of the unified public service model.


4.18 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government publish and

table a full breakdown of the costs of implementing the Hawke Review

recommendations by the last sitting day of December 2011.


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4.22 The Committee recommends with regard to ACT Public Service

Workers’ Compensation and Work Safety Improvement Plans that the ACT

Government, by the last sitting day in December 2011 and again by the last

sitting day in June 2012, table progress reports on the implementation of the

improvement plan and the development of underlying policies and

procedures, including data collection.


4.26 The Committee recommends that the contribution rates used as the

basis for calculating revenue flows for the relevant industries and sectors be

included as a Note to the operating statements and shown for each of the

columns in the statements.


4.31 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provides a full

account of negotiations on the history leading up to the provision of the $20

million ‘gift’ to the Arboretum to the ACT Legislative Assembly by the last

sitting day in August 2011.



Legislative Assembly with the Government’s risk management plan and

protection (insurance coverage) for the Arboretum by the first sitting day in

August 2011.


4.37 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct an

audit of arts and cultural facilities in the ACT as suggested in the Loxton

Report, and report to the Legislative Assembly by the last sitting day in

March 2012.


4.42 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government revisit the

plans with the aim to preserve the acoustic qualities of the Fitter’s workshop

and co-locate Megalo, so that no group is disadvantaged.


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4.43 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government develop a

master plan for the redevelopment of the Kingston arts precinct and present

that plan to the Legislative Assembly no later than the first sitting day in

December 2011.


4.44 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government take no further

action in regard to the future use of the Fitters’ Workshop until the master

plan has been completed and presented to the Legislative Assembly.


4.46 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table in the

Legislative Assembly a timetable for the development of the Belconnen Arts

Centre by the first sitting day in November 2011.


5.39 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide details

to the Legislative Assembly when responding to the scoping study about

how the $1 million for the Australia Forum will be spent.


5.40 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government update the

Legislative Assembly on a six-monthly basis on the progress of the planning

for and design of the Australia Forum.



Legislative Assembly on a six-monthly basis on the progress of obtaining

Federal Government financial commitment to the Australia Forum.



Legisltaive Assembly, by the first sitting day in December 2011, the industry

development plans for the tourism, sport, aviation and education and

training industries.



Legislative Assembly, by the first sitting day in April 2012, the industry

development plans for the construction, information and communication

technology, defence and science and technology industries.


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5.50 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provides to the

Legislative Assembly an update on the progress in completing the demand

analysis of the potential flight markets and, when the analysis is complete,

that the analysis be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.



Legislative Assembly its industry development plan for the “clean economy”

by the first sitting day in February 2012.


5.57 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government examine how

much it would cost to bring Civic up to current lighting standards, to ensure

safety for users, as well as energy efficiency in order to meet the

Government commitment to Action 13 of the ACT Government Climate

Change Action Plan.


5.64 The Committee recommends that the Minister for Tourism, Sport and

recreation table in the Legislative Assembly the guidelines for accessing the

Blockbuster Fund before the recommencement of the Budget debate.


5.70 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government tables in the

Legislative Assembly their strategy for generating additional tourism

visitation to the ACT from China and India by the first sitting day in March

2012.


5.74 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government details to the

Legislative Assembly how it will improve the Enlighten event and over what

timeframe.


5.75 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government establishes

clear guidelines for future utilisation of commercial-in-confidence protection.


5.78 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government develop and

table in the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in December 2011 a

plan for new tourist attractions in the ACT.


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plan for new tourist events in the ACT.




plan for the accommodation sector in the ACT.



comprehensive transport plan to ensure that the additional seating capacity

within the Manuka Oval can be accommodated.


5.96 The Committee recommends that the rejuvenation plan for Exhibition

Park in Canberra be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.



Legislative Assembly on the redevelopment of the petrol station site adjacent

to EPIC and on progress with the development of low cost accommodation

on the Exhibition Park site by the last sitting day of September 2011.



reconciliation of expenditure against the $12 million of ACT funds

appropriated in the 2009–10 Budget to attract GPs to the ACT.


6.17 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provides a

comprehensive update to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in

August 2011 on the implementation of recommendations arising from the

Auditor General’s Report into Elective Surgery.


6.18 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide to the

Legislative Assembly, by the first sitting day in August 2011, a summary of

all measures being implemented by ACT Health to reduce elective surgery

wait times to meet national targets.


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Legislative Assembly the outcomes of the negotiations between the Health

Directorate and Calvary Health Care determining role delineation for The

Canberra Hospital and Calvary Public Hospital.


6.25 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government resolve the

Calvary staff entitlement issue and report the resolution to the Legislative

Assembly during within the next sitting period.


6.26 The Committee recommends that, if the Calvary staff entitlement issue

is not resolved by 1 December 2011, the Government report this to the

Legislative Assembly by the last sitting day in 2011.

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N 1 0 0


Legislative Assembly, by the first sitting day in August 2011, a detailed

breakdown of the 400 beds, by type, that form part of its plan to expand

Calvary Public Hospital and establish a sub-acute facility.


6.33 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government further

investigate whether there is demand for a birthing centre on the north side of

Canberra, and if so, consider the provision at the proposed third hospital.



Legislative Assembly the rationale for the location of the proposed sub-acute

facility.


6.39 The Committee recommends that that the ACT Government report to

the Legislative Assembly about the provision of clinical privileges for

midwives by August 2011.


xxvii



Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in September 2011 a summary of

all measures implemented and intended to be implemented by the Health

Directorate to reduce emergency department wait times to within national

targets.



timeline for the completion of the promised secure mental health facility.



need to expand drug and alcohol rehabilitation services and report to the

Legislative Assembly by March 2012.


6.60 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government investigate the

options of monitoring the health of post release remandees and prisoners.


6.61 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government investigate the

issues that prevent remandees receiving their health records and medication

and appropriate information when they are released from the court, and

report to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in September 2011.


6.72 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government take all steps

to encourage prisoners to be tested for Hepatitis C immediately upon being

processed into the AMC.



Legislative Assembly the Public Health Association report into a Needle and

Syringe Program at the Alexander Maconachie Centre and that the findings

are debated in the Legislative Assembly prior to a decision being made.


6.102 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government investigate

providing additional support to arthritis support services and report on the

outcome to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in September

2011.


xxviii


6.104 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government monitor

unmet demand in health-based community groups and include an

assessment of this demand in the Health Directorate annual report each year.


6.111 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government identify

gaps in the provision of specific men’s health programs and based on the

information obtained, develop programs accordingly.


7.6 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government advises

whether existing Federal funding covers the full cost of NSW students who

are educated in the ACT, and what negotiations with NSW have occurred.


7.13 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide details

of all initiatives to be included in the ACT Secondary Schools Innovation

Fund and how it will determine priorities for funding the various elements.


7.17 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government advise the

Legislative Assembly, of the timetable for the ‘blueprint for action’ in their

response to the report.


7.22 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consider

including teacher subject area specialities on the teachers register

established under the Teacher Quality Institute Act 2010.


7.23 The Committee recommends that, to respond to the shortage of

qualified maths and science teachers within the ACT public education

system, the ACT Government bring forward the introduction of the Teach

Next initiative so that public school maths and science students are not

disadvantaged by teachers shortages.


7.30 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide further

details of how the $11.8 million allocation for “educational reform and

provision of enhanced career paths for teachers” is to be allocated.


xxix


7.36 The Committee recommends that the Education and Training

Directorate partner with Tourism, Sport and Recreation to ensure better

provision of continuing sports programs in schools for students with

disabilities.


7.47 The Committee recommends that, when the Bradley review is

completed, it be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on the next available

sitting day.



strategy to improve staff attraction and retention rates for the Office of the

Director of Public Prosecution.


8.56 The Committee recommends that the Justice and Community Safety

Directorate report on the level of effectiveness of the wheel chair accessible

taxi regime in their annual report.


8.61 The Committee recommends that, in the light of concerns arising from

the Burnett Institute and Hamburger Reports, the ACT Budget include a

strategic indicator that measures the number of prisoners that complete

programs that address their offending behaviour, including drug

rehabilitation programs and education programs.


8.62 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct an

external review of the Alexander Maconochie Centre biannually to validate

human rights compliance and that the report of this external review be

tabled in the Legislative Assembly.


8.64 The Committee recommends that, at the completion of the review of

the capacity of the Alexander Maconochie Centre, the Government provide

details to the Legislative Assembly of projections of prisoners and

remandees who can be accommodated at the AMC.


xxx


8.66 The Committee recommends that statistics be compiled and published

in the Justice and Community Safety annual reports and Budget Papers of

those prisoners, by gender and offence, who have experienced interstate

incarceration and that this figure be expressed as a percentage of the total

AMC population.


8.68 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government tell the

Legislative Assembly of the timetable for the provision of a permanent

gymnasium and a chapel and quiet place at the Alexander Maconochie

Centre.



Legislative Assembly: a) the preferred option for a new Supreme court

building; b) the timetable for completion of design work; c) the timetable for

completion and commissioning of the project; and d) indicative costings for

the project.


8.76 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table the terms

of reference for the single court study, tell the Legislative Assembly who will

conduct the study and when the information paper on the study will be

released for public comment.


8.77 The Committee recommends that, by the first sitting day in December

2011, the ACT Government table a report outlining the case backlog targets

for 2011-12 and 2012-13 and outlining the Government’s strategy to achieve

cost efficiencies to meet these targets.


8.79 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government undertake a

study of options and feasibility for a community legal services hub, including

a process of consultation with the community legal centres and investigation

of assistance available from the Commonwealth; and report to the

Legislative Assembly on the identified options by the first sitting day in

December 2011.


xxxi


8.85 The Committee recommends that the Auditor-General conduct a

follow-on audit into all aspects related to the decision to locate the

headquarters of the Emergency Services Agency at Fairbairn and, in

particular, the advice provided to the ACT Government over the possibility of

flooding at this site.



Legislative Assembly the timetable for the return of the Communications

Centre to the Fairbairn headquarters.



Legislative Assembly with the details of any defects or deficiencies which are

still to be rectified at the Fairbairn headquarters and the cost of such

rectification.


8.90 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government clarify the role

of the Bushfire Council particularly in relation to the Bushfire Operational

Plans.


8.93 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table a list of

the defects in the Jerrabomberra and Rivers fire sheds.



Legislative Assembly details by service of the amount of overtime performed

by all Emergency Service Agency staff.


8.100 The Committee recommends that future ACT Budget Papers include

accountability indicators for ACT Police.


8.104 The Committee recommends that the number of random roadside

drug tests conducted and the number of positive tests recorded be included

in the ACT Criminal Justice Statistical Profile.


xxxii



progress report on the construction of the Belconnen Police Station, by the

first sitting day in October 2011.


8.114 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government report on

the Government’s intention for the Belconnen police station and remand

centre site.



BPAY processing times for payments with the intention of reducing delays.



timetable to the Legislative Assembly for the provision of government

shopfront services for the Gungahlin region by December 2011.



Legislative Assembly, by the first sitting day in December 2011, its policy

concerning the location of libraries and access to libraries.


9.27 The Committee recommends that all options relating to the design and

building of the Majura Parkway investigated by the ACT Government be

made available to the Legislative Assembly before the project is commenced

or appropriated funds are made available for the project.


9.29 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government analyse the

freight travelling through Canberra and provide estimations of how much

freight would be diverted by building Majura Parkway.


9.39 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government progress the

Northbourne Avenue transitway feasibility study including all modes of

transport and taking a long term view.


xxxiii



Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in December 2011 its strategy to

catch up on the maintenance program of the ACT road network.


9.50 The Committee recommends that a total waste tonnage indicator be

provided by type, including hazardous waste.



targets and timing for its waste strategy and advise the Legislative Assembly

by the first sitting day in August 2011.


9.57 The Committee recommends that No Waste ensure that it complies

with the ACT Government’s social procurement policy.


9.58 The ACT Government shall report to the Legislative Assembly as to the

selection criteria (and their weightings) for future e-waste contracts.


9.59 The Committee recommends that the Auditor-General should

investigate the previously granted e-waste and other waste contracts.


9.65 The Committee recommends that the annual operational plans for

weeds management and vertebrate pest management are made publicly

available each year so that they are accessible to Park Care groups and other

volunteers and land managers.



integrating the officials involved with the management of non-urban parks,

nature parks and national parks, as well as those involved with the

management of weeds and pests with the Environment and Sustainable

Development Directorate.


xxxiv



indicators that measure ecological values, biodiversity outcomes and water

quality.


9.77 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government negotiate with

the RSPCA about the appropriate funding which should be provided for the

services undertaken by the RSPCA and report to the Legislative Assembly by

the first sitting day in September 2011.


9.78 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government finalise with

the RSPCA, by the first sitting day in November 2011, the site for the

relocation of the RSPCA.



delivery of domestic animal services to determine the most effective and

efficient way to ensure animal welfare.


9.85 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government remove the

financial penalty for failing to tag-off in the MyWay bus ticketing system.


9.86 The Committee recommends that ACTION provide detailed data on

passenger numbers and farebox recovery on a quarterly basis to the

Legislative Assembly.


9.89 The Committee recommends that an agreement be negotiated with

NSW with regard to a uniform concession rate scale for public transport

users.


9.90 The Committee recommends that the issue of uniform concessions be

raised at the Australian Transport Council for consideration to achieve

mutual recognition of concessions across jurisdictions.


xxxv



methods for advising passengers of the availability of bike racks on buses by

route.


9.94 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government increase its

targets and achieved level of reliability and timeliness for ACTION.


9.101 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table the

business case for a crematorium at the southern cemetery.


9.103 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government indicate to

the Legislative Assembly by the last sitting day in 2011 the amount of

existing perpetual care liability and its proposal to address the liability.


10.8 The Committee recommends that consistent with the proposed move

towards outcome based measures for community contracts that the

Community Services Directorate also adopt outcome based accountability

measures.


10.10 The Committee recommends that in consideration of the outcomes

of the pay equity case, the ACT Government consider the impact on pay

short falls on community sector service delivery.


10.11 That the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly how it

will address the potential funding gap due to the equal pay case decision,

and how it will address the impact in future years.



post school options services available for students with a disability and their

families and report to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in

December 2011.


xxxvi


10.20 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide, by

the first sitting day in August 2011, further details on the breakdown of the

anticipated extra hours of community access as outlined in the Budget, how

this figure was arrived at, the extent to which there remains an unmet need

and what provision is being made to resolve these matters.



reporting framework for operators of child and family centre services to

enable it to monitor the services provided.



what support it can provide or facilitate to ensure equitable funding across

the sector, specifically what support it can provide to small (less than 60

places) community run not-for-profit childcare facilities not occupying

government-owned premises and report to the Legislative Assembly by the

first sitting day in September 2011.


10.49 The Committee recommends that, at the first sitting in October 2011,

the ACT Government table a paper outlining its strategy for community

consultation on the design, operations and management of the community

services hub at the Flynn Community Centre, together with the timetable for

completion and commissioning of the works.



further details on how their ‘whole of government language policy’ is to be

delivered, and particularly how schools will be resourced to be able to

deliver on the policy objective ‘that every child in year 3-8 be taught a second

language’.


10.66 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government establish an

Interpreter Register which will identify multicultural community people who

are available to provide interpreter services to Government and the

community.


xxxvii



Legislative Assembly when contractual arrangements have been finalised

with Billabong Aboriginal Development Corporation.



Legislative Assembly on measures to increase engagement and participation

in elections for the ACT Indigenous Elected Body.



strategy to reduce the number of Category 1 incidents at Bimberi and table

the strategy in the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in November

2011.


10.85 The Committee recommends that, by the first sitting day in

December 2011, the ACT Government table its strategies to reach the target

of 100 per cent of young people transitioning care and protection with a

transition plan.


10.90 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government ensure that

the entire appropriation for grandparent and kinship carers be directed to

non-government organisations services allocated in 2008 and that additional

money from the 2009–10 Budget be rolled over for use in future years.


10.102 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table

annually in the Legislative Assembly details the contracts for the provision of

maintenance services to Housing ACT and include the schedule of rates.



Legislative Assembly, by the first sitting day in August 2011, on the updated

final estimate of the North Weston Pond Project.


xxxviii


11.19 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table its

legal advice on the provisions of the Water Act 2007 (Cth).


11.26 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consolidates

the costs of its sustainability measures to the ACT Government, into a single

document for easy reference.


11.32 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government outline steps

which had been taken to allow for solar panel businesses to plan for the

Government’s discontinuation of the micro feed-in tariff on 1 June 2011.


11.40 The Committee recommends that Heritage be made a separate

Output Class.


11.43 The Committee recommends that the Environment Protection

Authority (EPA) publish and maintain a list of contaminated sites and

progress of clean up, and that this information be made available to the

public. The list should indicate who is responsible for the site’s rehabilitation.



Legislative Assembly, on a six monthly basis, on the progress of the clean-up

of each of these sites, the costs of the clean up and any contribution made by

the Federal Government.


11.56 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government tell the

Legislative Assembly, by the first sitting day in November 2011, of the social,

environmental, and financial implications of changes to the plans for the

suburbs of Kenny and Throsby, in particular the Government’s plans for the

peninsular development into Mulligan’s Flat and Goorooyaro nature

reserves.


xxxix


12.20 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government examine

options to ensure greater staff retention at the Office of the Auditor-General.


12.22 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provides a

funding path which will allow the number of performance audits to be

increased by two per year over the next five years.


1

1 I NT R O DU CT IO N

1.1 The Select Committee on Estimates 2011-2012 was established by resolution of the Assembly on 10 March 2011 to examine the expenditure proposals contained in the Appropriation Bill 2011-2012 and any revenue estimates proposed by the Government in the 2011-2012 Budget and prepare a report to the parliament.

1.2 During the debate leading to the establishment of the Committee, alternative models for estimates inquiry processes were considered. These included a proposal where expenditure by individual agencies would be examined by the various relevant standing committees, and with the Standing Committee on Public Accounts examining general issues such as the Territory’s overall budgetary position. The Assembly, however, decided against this model in favour of establishing the more traditional select committee. There was also debate around the length of time the Committee would have to deliver its report and the selection of the Chair of the Committee.1

Conduct of hearings

1.3 The Committee held public hearings over 12 days between Friday 30 May and Monday 30 May 2011, and sat across four days of deliberative meetings. All public hearings were held in Committee Room 1 of the ACT Legislative Assembly and were open to the media and the general public. All portfolio areas were reviewed during this period. A list of ministers and officials who appeared before the Committee is at Appendix A.

1.4 The Committee began the inquiry hearing from community and industry representative organisations. On Friday 13 May 2011, 18 stakeholder groups met with the Committee in a public hearing. A list of stakeholder representatives who appeared before the Committee is also at Appendix A.

1.5 The Committee considered that, on the whole, the hearings were orderly and 1 Legislative Assembly of the ACT, Hansard Debate, 10 March 2011, pp 694–715


2

informative and is grateful for the efforts taken by Ministers and their officials to provide correct information at the time of the hearing and to follow up promptly with questions taken on notice. There were 253 questions taken on notice.

1.6 A further 641 questions on notice were asked of ministers following the hearings, making a total of 894 questions. A full list of the status of questions on notice and questions taken on notice at 12.00 noon on Monday 20 June 2010 is at Appendix B.

1.7 Transcripts of hearings, responses to all questions, exhibits and submissions authorised for publication, and the report from the expert advisor, are available on the Legislative Assembly website.


1.8 The Committee recommends that all questions taken on notice, or placed on notice during the 2011-2012 Estimates hearings be answered before the resumption of the Budget Debate.

1.9 Given that, following previous estimates processes, not all questions have been answered before the recommencement of the Budget debate and, indeed, many were still outstanding when the Budget was passed, it is still essential that all questions are answered.


1.10 The Committee recommends that any unanswered questions when the Budget debate is completed be transferred to the notice paper.

1.11 Some concerns were raised by the Committee on the way in which additional information was provided to the committee during the hearings. On some occasions documents were provided to assist with the deliberations. Unfortunately not enough copies were made available for members present as well as for the secretariat’s needs.


1.12 The Committee recommends that, when additional material is provided to the Committee, at least seven copies or sets of the


3

material be provided to ensure that enough copies are available for members of the Committee and the secretariat, including an electronic copy as possible.

1.13 Concerns were also raised when a document was produced very late into the recall hearing concerning the financial analysis of the proposed new Government Office building. Not only was this discourteous to the Committee but it impeded the Committee’s ability to question.


1.14 The Committee recommends that documents prepared for use in a particular hearing be circulated at the commencement of the hearing, or at least 24 hours earlier if feasible, to enable appropriate scrutiny to take place on the day of the hearing.

Committees on demand

1.15 The Legislative’s Assembly’s Daily on Demand services provides searchable online audiovisual replays of Assembly proceedings. The Committee understood that this innovation was a first for an Australian parliament and will assist greatly in making parliamentary proceedings more relevant and accessible in a timely, contemporary and convenient way.2

1.16 During the estimates public hearings the Legislative Assembly trialled a similar system for committee public hearings, Committees on Demand. This allowed the audiovisual record of proceedings to be publicly accessed via the website after the public hearings. As a trial, audiovisual evidence will be removed from the website by 30 June 2011. The trial will be evaluated and based on the results, may be used for future committee inquiries.


1.17 The Committee recommends that the Speaker investigate the feasibility of extending Committees on Demand to all future

2 Legislative Assembly, http://on-demand.parliament.act.gov.au/

http://on-demand.parliament.act.gov.au/


4

committee hearings (subject to resourcing) and report to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in December 2011.

Estimates and the new Directorate structure

1.18 The proposal for a single department model recommended by the independent review of the ACT Public Service (ACTPS) conducted by Dr Allan Hawke AC was adopted by the Government on 24 March 2011 and was scheduled to take effect from 1 July 2011. However, with the resignation of the Chief Minister, Mr Jon Stanhope MLA, Ms Katy Gallagher MLA was elected as the new Chief Minister on Monday 16 May 2011.

1.19 Following the change of leadership and the implementation of the Hawke recommendation the new administrative composition was brought forward, taking effect from 17 May 2011.3 As a result new ministers, new directorates, and new portfolio responsibilities were created, making it necessary to modify schedules in the days preceding the Estimates public hearings.

1.20 The initiatives in the 2011–12 Budget will be delivered by the newly reformed and restructured ACTPS and the Budget Papers are framed around the new administrative directorate structure.4

Specialist adviser

1.21 The Committee noted that the 2010 Budget has provided recurrent funding for the purpose of assisting the Committee with the technical financial aspects of the inquiry.

1.22 The Committee sought expressions of interest from a range of individuals and organisations to fill the role of specialist budget adviser to the Committee. ACIL Tasman was selected to undertake the work and, following discussions with the Committee, undertook a review of the ACT Budget and provided a comprehensive report.

3 Administrative Arrangements 2011 (No 1), <http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2011-

244/current/pdf/2011-244.pdf> 4 2011-12 Budget Paper 1, p 4

http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2011-244/current/pdf/2011-244.pdf

http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2011-244/current/pdf/2011-244.pdf


5

1.23 The ACT Budget review was of assistance to the Committee during the hearings with Ministers and officials. The comprehensive report was authorised for publication on 17 May 2011, and is available on the Legislative Assembly website.5

Recommendations for additional information

1.24 The Committee has made a number of recommendations in the report which request further information from the ACT Government. The Committee’s expectation is that much of this information should be readily available and provided prior to the Appropriation Bill debate. If the information requested is not available, however, the Committee anticipates an explanation from the Government about why information cannot be provided. The Committee acknowledges that some information may take longer to prepare and in these cases has provided a longer timeframe.

Acknowledgement

1.25 The Committee thanks everyone who participated in or assisted in this inquiry, including Ministers, members of the legislative Assembly, advisers and staff, ACT Government officials, Assembly secretariat staff and representatives of community and industry groups.

5 ACIL Tasman, Review of ACT Budget 2011–12,

<http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/downloads/reports/ACIL%20Tasman%20Report%20revised%20for%20web.pdf>

http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/downloads/reports/ACIL%20Tasman%20Report%20revised%20for%20web.pdf

http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/downloads/reports/ACIL%20Tasman%20Report%20revised%20for%20web.pdf


6

2 N E W G OVER N ME NT OFF I C E BU I LD I NG

2.1 The Budget contains significant infrastructure commitments, including $432.196 million for a new Government Office Building to be constructed on Section 19 in Civic adjacent to the ACT Legislative Assembly.

2.2 The construction of a purpose built office building to co-locate a substantial number of the ACT Government’s administrative staff will be a significant infrastructure project undertaken by the Government. According to the Government:

A new Government Office Block will bring together ACT public servants and increase integration of services and effort. Work will commence on the Office Block in 2013–14, with funding of $124.9 million commencing over the last two years in this Budget. The total investment in the Office Block will be around $432 million, offset by $114 million in asset sales. This is a large project, a significant civic building with a strong commitment from this government to prepare our city for the future.6

2.3 The decision represents the culmination of work undertaken principally by consultants to the Government over a number of years to examine options to replace an ageing building stock and to deliver more cost effective services to the Canberra community.7 The Consultants costed five comparative options for Government office accommodation.8 On the basis of these costings, coupled with asset sales and anticipated savings in the order of $20 million per annum accrued through reduced rent and other costs, the ACT Government determined that commercial building ownership was the most prudent option.9 Alternatives, such as refurbishment of existing stock, were not considered viable.10

6 2011-2012 Budget Paper No. 1, p 4 7 Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Interim Report—Review of Auditor-General’s Report No. 6 of

2009: Government Office Accommodation, February 2011, p 10 8 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 280 9 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 296 10 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 272


7

2.4 Whilst the Economic Development Directorate (EDD) has responsibility for the project, the Committee also discussed the proposal at length with the Chief Minster and officials from Treasury and the Chief Minister’s Directorate. As the project had implications for all directorates and some other agencies, the topic was raised a number of times during the hearings. These matters are included at the end of this chapter.

2.5 The Committee noted that the Treasury Directorate had a key role in the economic analysis (EA) and, on the final day of hearings, provided the Committee with a Budget Impact Analysis for the new building.

Economic analysis

2.6 On the basis of scarcity of funds, when alternative options are being considered, economic analyses assist decision makers to determine the most economic and beneficial solution for funding among alternative courses of action.11 The Committee identified a number of issues concerning the comprehensiveness of the EA.

2.7 It appeared to the Committee that an all encompassing EA had not been conducted. During questioning, the Committee established that, to determine the best alternative course of action, a Net Present Value (NPV) computation or analysis around cash flow had been completed.12

2.8 The Committee queried whether the savings attributable to workforce management had been factored into the financial analysis—the NPV—and was advised that it had not been included.13

2.9 Whilst for the purposes of a cash flow analysis, depreciation expense is not an actual cash payment, the Committee noted that it does lead to a cash flow consequence each year of the depreciable life of an asset.14 The Committee

11 Chrystal, K.A. and Lipsey, R.G. (1997) Economics for Business and Management, Oxford University

Press, New York. 12 Ms Smithies, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, 143 and Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May

2011, p 266 13 Ms Smithies, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 141–142 14 Bazley, K. and Hancock, p (2010) Contemporary Accounting (7th edn.), Cengage Learning, South

Melbourne


8

sought clarification as to whether the $19 million in direct projected savings factored in depreciation and financial costs.15 The Committee was informed that neither were included.16

2.10 The Committee was also interested in the Under Treasurer’s clarification statement regarding the EA. The statement advised that the EA took into account the value of the land. The Under Treasurer had stated on 16 May 2011 that the value of the land had not been taken into account in the context of the Budget. On 17 May 2011, the Under Treasurer stated:

Before we change over, I just need to clarify for the record something we were discussing around the government office block yesterday. This was done on reflection last night and in consultation with my colleagues around checking some of the modelling. We were talking about whether the value of the land was in the modelling, and I think my answers really related to the budget impact. But just to clarify in relation to the economic analysis that was done and the net present value analysis that was done around that, it did take account of the value of the land, the block next to the Assembly building, of around $30 million and that does sit in the financial model I just wanted to clarify that because I did not want to leave the committee with the wrong impression around the economic modelling.17

2.11 The Committee is of the view that an EA should examine all direct and indirect life cycle costs and benefits associated with each alternative being considered. An EA along these lines is critical, as initial investment costs can be inaccurate or misguided. The Committee emphasises that a decision to invest in infrastructure commits many different resources for future allocation and various sources of funds. An EA should provide decision makers with an unbiased picture of the full life-cycle cost and benefit implications of each

15 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 145 16 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 280 17 Ms Smithies, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 234


9

alternative.18

2.12 The Committee also found limited evidence that uncertainties identified in the cost or benefit data had been tested to determine their impact on the results of the EA.19

2.13 The Committee is aware that an EA and budgeting commitments are separate processes. An EA is used to determine the best alternative to meet a required course of action. Information contained in an EA may or may not be relevant or useful in a future budget process. An EA may also contain costs spread across a number of departments or agencies which can make it difficult to be used in a budgeting process as a single element. Furthermore, the time basis of EA costs may differ from the budgeting process.20

2.14 The Committee also queried whether the building design had at this stage achieved an 88 per cent efficiency level as required by Government and was advised that it had not yet been achieved but would as a result of refinement of the design and mechanical plant and servicing of the building. The Committee noted that the costings provided were based on an 82 per cent efficiency.21 The Committee also pointed out that the net savings identified of $19.3 million were not the same as the net cost benefit which would likely be a lesser figure.22

Proposed savings and efficiencies

2.15 With regard to the proposed savings, the Committee sought further information as to how they had been determined and was frequently directed to the consultants’ work as being the source of this information.23

18 Chrystal, K.A. and Lipsey, R.G. (1997) Economics for Business and Management, Oxford University

Press, New York; Bazley, K. and Hancock, p (2010) Contemporary Accounting (7th edn.), Cengage Learning, South Melbourne.

19 Bazley, K. and Hancock, p (2010) Contemporary Accounting (7th edn.), Cengage Learning, South Melbourne

20 Chrystal, K.A. and Lipsey, R.G. (1997) Economics for Business and Management, Oxford University Press, New York; Bazley, K. and Hancock, p (2010) Contemporary Accounting (7th edn.), Cengage Learning, South Melbourne.

21 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1433 22 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1439 23 Ms Smithies, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 141


1 0

2.16 The Committee queried the claims of savings and efficiencies that had been made about the new building and was informed that the figures that had been determined were for a total of $19.3 million in operational savings and a total of $15.2 million in efficiency/productivity savings.24 A break-down of the figures were provided and included factors such as rental savings, workforce efficiencies, energy-use efficiencies and improved interagency engagement.

2.17 The Chief Minister advised that in terms of project cost estimates ‘the efficiencies around productivity and workplace efficiencies are what are known as indirect savings. They have not been factored in.’25

2.18 Over the course of the hearings, the Committee sought clarification on the analysis underpinning the savings and efficiencies, and noted that some of the claimed efficiencies are not exclusively linked to a new building. For example, the Committee was not fully convinced that efficiencies in the provision of information and communication technologies could not be achieved in existing office accommodation.26 The Committee also queried whether ICT costs had been included and was advised that the IT fitout was included but not a possible relocation of the data centre.27

2.19 The building would accommodate 3534 clerical officers (as distinct to those involved with service delivery).28 Asked whether the efficiencies costed included reductions in staff, the Director-General advised that the reductions in the following areas were anticipated:

private security

facilities management

handling of mail

shopfront consolidation. 29

2.20 The Committee also queried the robustness of the figure of $4 million

24 Mr Cappie-Wood, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 53 25 Ms Gallagher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 253 26 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 54-55 27 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 292 28 Mr Cappie-Wood, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 244 29 Mr Cappie-Wood, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 244


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attributed to efficiencies in consumables and reduced attrition as well as those that might be derived from improved workplace productivity as a result of improved staff morale.30

2.21 The Director-General of the Chief Minister’s Directorate undertook to provide information to the Committee about a detailed spreadsheet which set out these calculations.31 The Committee was later provided with a one-page table setting out the benefits, assumptions and estimated cost savings which was identified as being prepared for interagency purposes.32 Subsequently the Committee was advised by the EDD that the figures contained in the one-page document were derived from a financial analysis appended to a CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) report and that:

You will not find in this document [the spreadsheet], for instance, the numbers 19.3 and 15.2, but all those savings are built into the model. That page [the one page document provided to the Committee] is a reconciliation, if you like, of the output of the model.33

2.22 The Committee also heard that the total savings which had been promoted were a ‘compilation of numbers from various sub-consultants’.34

2.23 The Committee heard that the Government anticipated over $100 million from the sale of current property assets.35 However, the Committee was also advised that minor upgrades to current buildings would be required prior to the completion of the office block in 2017.36

2.24 Other issues discussed concerning the proposed government office building included: its impact on the Canberra property market; re-use of existing office accommodation buildings versus new construction; environmental targets; that the decision to proceed had been taken before the finalisation of the whole-of-government accommodation strategy; energy efficiency rates and environmental standards; and quality of accommodation.37

2.25 In all, the Committee found the information and explanations provided by the Government confusing. During hearings, the Committee was told that other

30 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 241 31 Mr Cappie-Wood, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 55 32 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 289


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Directorates would be able to answer specific questions, but the Committee continued to find it difficult to obtain a satisfactory level of detail.

Consultants’ briefing – ACT Government Office

2.26 The offer of a briefing from the consultants was welcomed by the Committee and on 30 May 2011 met with representatives from Fife Capital, CB Richard Ellis, Cox Architecture, DEGW (Strategic Business), Wilde and Woollard and Arup Engineering.

2.27 During the briefing the Committee was advised that:

There would be significant benefits accrued from the consolidation of public service accommodation, including less staff churn (or moving people around), healthier workplace, flexible and efficient delivery of services.38

A dynamic modelling approach had been used to allow comparison with other scenarios and that all quantifiable costs had been incorporated.39

The most significant discretionary variable is the gains related to salary costs.40

The Net Present Value (NPV) was not significantly different if productivity and efficiency benefits were excluded.41

The key variables in terms of commercial value of the building included building efficiency in the order of 88 per cent and a design and construction contingency of 12 percent. The market value of the building was estimated at $405 million exclusive of fit-out and the assessed land value of $30 million.42

33 Mr McNulty, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 265 34 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1423 35 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 274 36 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 301 37 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 140–151; pp 179–180; Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May

2011, pp 218–219; p 234 38 Mr Alcock, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, pp 1411-1414 39 Mr Tanner, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1415 40 Mr Tanner, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1417 41 Mr Tanner, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1417 42 Mr Flannery, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, pp 1418-1419


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The preferred procurement model is a design, construct, operate and manage (DECOM) arrangement which achieved pricing transparency and best management of risk.43

2.28 The Committee questioned the potential impact of this accommodation on the office rental market and it was agreed that the vacancy rate would increase.44 It also asked whether the efficiencies anticipated would accrue were the building privately owned and leased by the Government and the Committee was informed that they would.45

2.29 The Committee sought and received the assurance of the consultants that the option proposed was the best one for the ACT community.46

Committee comment

2.30 As noted previously, to date, the proposed new building is a significant infrastructure project. On the basis of the information available to the Committee, and responses to its questions on this matter, the Committee believes that more information is required before a decision is made.


2.31 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide the ACT Legislative Assembly with additional information to support a decision on the Government office building.

2.32 This view was not shared by a Member of the Committee who felt that the case had been made and was satisfied that sufficient information had been provided to sustain the decision to build the complex.

2.33 An outline of the required information is included in the following recommendations.

2.34 The Committee agreed that action is needed to address the accommodation needs of ACTPS employees and the condition of the buildings in which they

43 Mr Fife, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, pp 1419-1420 44 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1422 45 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1422 46 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1428


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are housed.

2.35 The Committee was concerned that the Government did not appear to have given sufficient consideration to options to renovate existing buildings. It appears that the Government has only seriously looked at this with respect to buildings it currently owns. However, the Committee considers that potentially there are suitable and available buildings in the Civic area. The Committee noted that the Government could purchase an existing building renovate it or leased it out.


2.36 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government commission a study into the options for refurbishment of existing building(s) for a government office building. This study should include lifecycle analysis of the environmental impact as well as financial impact.

2.37 The Government also spoke about the need for a six star building or a ‘carbon neutral enabled’ building but the committee was not fully informed as to what these meant, and what the impact was on energy use or cost.


2.38 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide information on the different environmental impacts of different star ratings of a building of the proposed size and more information about what it means by ‘carbon neutral enabled’ and if this includes any commitment for off-site energy production.

2.39 The Committee noted that the proposed new building will include ‘town hall’ functions as well as a gymnasium, coffee shop and child care facility. It is not clear how these non-office functions will affect the financial modelling.


2.40 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide financial modelling for the non-office parts of the building.


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2.41 The Budget also appropriates $150 000 for a study into the estimated cost and design, along with the preferred site and tenants, of a new office block in Gungahlin for ACT public servants.47 The proposed building is expected to house 500 public servants and include on-site parking.48


2.42 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government detail job losses as a result of the Government office building.

2.43 In its interim report reviewing Auditor-General’s Report No. 6 of 2009: Government Office Accommodation, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts made three recommendations concerning the Government’s proposal to build to construct a purpose-built government office building as the Government’s preferred accommodation option.49 Specifically that Committee recommended that the ACT Government:

in relation to the re-use of existing office accommodation buildings versus new construction—make no final decision with regard to the whole-of-government office building project until the Standing Committee on Public Accounts has received a copy of the business case, and the economic and environmental analysis, together with any other relevant considerations, and had time to consider this information and report to the ACT Legislative Assembly;

provide the Standing Committee on Public Accounts with an assessment of the opportunity cost of a whole-of-government office building project against other significant infrastructure projects, such as the Majura Parkway, a light rail network, a new convention centre, or a third major hospital; and

in relation to the whole-of-government office accommodation strategy— 47 2011-2012 Budget Paper No. 1, p 4; Stanhope, J. (2011) Media release: ‘ACT Public Servants to move to

Gungahlin’, 2 May. 48 2011-2012 Budget Paper No. 1, p 4; Stanhope, J. (2011) Media release: ‘ACT Public Servants to move to

Gungahlin’, 2 May. 49 Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Interim Report—Review of Auditor-General’s Report

No. 6 of 2009: Government office Accommodation, February 2011, p v—available at: http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/downloads/reports/PAC14%20AG%206%20of%2009%20Govt%20accom%20interim.pdf .

http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/downloads/reports/PAC14%20AG%206%20of%2009%20Govt%20accom%20interim.pdf

http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/downloads/reports/PAC14%20AG%206%20of%2009%20Govt%20accom%20interim.pdf


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that the ACT Government whole-of-government office accommodation strategy should be finalised, and considered by the ACT Legislative Assembly, prior to any final decision, or awarding of any contract, with regard to the whole-of-government office building project.


2.44 The Committee recommends that that the ACT Government respond immediately respond to the interim Public Accounts Committee Report on the Government office building.


2.45 The Committee recommends that the ACT Treasury Directorate analyse the new Government office building under the proposed gateway reviews and that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly before the project proceeds.


2.46 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide evidence of how and why the Government office building will reduce staff turnover and that the Government report to the Legislative Assembly before the project proceeds.


2.47 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government clarify the cost of depreciation of the new Government office building and explain why there is a difference in the amount discussed in the Committee hearings and the amount in the budget impact analysis completed by the Treasury and that the Government report to the Legislative Assembly before the project proceeds.


2.48 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government clarify its intended ownership arrangements of the Government office building detailing under what circumstances the Government would consider selling the building and report to the Legislative Assembly before the project proceeds.


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2.49 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide the correct analysis conducted by the consultants with savings assumptions that match the savings sheet provided to the Committee and that the Government report to the Legislative Assembly before the project proceeds.


2.50 The Committee recommends that scenario options 2 and 4 be included in the CB Richard Ellis Cost Analysis report as they were ‘excluded’ at an earlier date and that the Government report to the Legislative Assembly before the project proceeds.


2.51 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government clearly present its analysis of the build own operate (BOO) and build own operate transfer (BOOT) options.


2.52 The Committee recommends that a comprehensive analysis be completed on the effect the new government office building will have on the private property market and the potential crowding out of private investment and that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly before the project proceeds.


2.53 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government detail the potential increased cost of the Government office building at 88 per cent efficiency, if only 82 per cent efficiency at the current cost can be achieved, and explain why the consultants were asked to include it and that the Government report to the Legislative Assembly before the project proceeds.


2.54 The Committee recommends that the ACT Treasury Directorate detail how all of the claimed efficiency savings will be achieved and the


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evidence to support these claims and that the Government report to the Legislative Assembly before the project proceeds.


2.55 The Committee recommends that the ACT Treasury Directorate model the potential loss of revenue from sale and stamp duty on Section 19 over the next 25 years and that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly before the project proceeds.

Other implications

2.56 During the hearings, the Committee identified implications arising from the new Government office building project for specific areas of ACT Government activity including the ACT Executive, public sector management group and the ACT Legislative Assembly. The issues raised are included in this chapter and outlined below.

ACT Executive

2.57 In discussion with the Chief Minister on the implications of the new office building for the Executive, the Committee sought clarification on the rationale behind the inclusion of a ministerial floor and the implications of this decision for the Legislative Assembly building.


2.58 The Committee recommends that the Chief Minister provide clarification to the ACT Legislative Assembly on how any growth in the size of the Ministry would be accommodated within the proposed new Government office block.

2.59 The Committee also noted that plans for the proposed Government office building included a bridge linking the ACT Legislative Assembly to the office building. As ministers’ attendance in the Legislative Assembly would predominantly be in the Chamber, the Committee questioned the need for such a bridge (see recommendation 24).


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Public sector management

Staff retention and the new Government office building

2.60 The Committee asked for a reconciliation of the staff separation figures used in the Budget versus those used in the ACT consultant’s report for the new public services building and was advised that the figure varies across sectors of the ACT public service with areas such as teaching or nursing staff groups representing a major and relatively stable component of the workforce. The ACT Government was aware, however, that competition with the Commonwealth government for senior administrative staff heightened the need for effective staff retention measures including the provision of a conducive work environment. The Committee also heard that the figure of separations in the latter category had been in the range of 12 to 15 per cent but had been less (reported at 6.4 per cent in 2009-2010) since the global financial crisis.

2.61 As one of the foundational rationales for the construction of a new office building, the Committee sought clarification on the calculation of a $4 million efficiency from improved staff morale. The Director-General advised that field visits to other purpose built office complexes in Australia had indicated there ‘was a reduction in absenteeism rates and that there is improved satisfaction and retention’.

2.62 The Director-General agreed to provide the Committee with a reference to a spread-sheet, prepared as a part of the consultation process. The Committee was later provided with an untitled, one page document which, amongst other things, attributed $0.5 million in workplace efficiencies to reduced attrition and a $4 million productivity gain to reduction in unexplained absenteeism.

2.63 The Committee was concerned that the suggestion being promoted publicly that the new building would ‘result in savings of more than $34 million every year’ had not been clearly substantiated.


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ACT Legislative Assembly secretariat

2.64 The Committee asked questions regarding the ‘involvement or otherwise’ of the Secretariat in the Government’s proposed ‘one-office building project’.

2.65 In responding, the Speaker, Clerk, and Deputy-Clerk of the Legislative Assembly told the Committee that the Secretariat had been involved in discussions that were ‘at a very preliminary stage’.

2.66 The Clerk told the Committee that discussions had included references to the placement of Ministers’ offices in the new building, and the implications for divisions in the Legislative Assembly. He told the Committee that he had made representations that Ministers’ offices, in the proposed new building, should be positioned near the Legislative Assembly. He also noted that in other jurisdictions it was common for Ministers to maintain offices within the parliamentary precinct in addition to accommodation located near their staff.

2.67 The Committee was concerned at the revelation that an $11 million sky bridge linking the two buildings had been proposed. Given that Ministers would generally leave the Ministerial wing to attend the Chamber, the argument for a bridge linking the upper floors seems weak.


2.68 The Committee recommends that, should the Government office block proceed, it not be linked by a skybridge to the Legislative Assembly building.

2.69 The Committee is concerned that the construction of the proposed Government office building and the housing of the Ministerial wing in the building ties the housing of the Legislative Assembly to its current location. This will have occurred without consultation with the Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Shared Services

2.70 The Committee discussed the role of Shared Services Procurement in the potential delivery of the proposed Government office building. There was a lack of clarity as to whether SSP would be responsible of the delivery of this project.


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2.71 The Committee recommends that the ACT Treasurer Directorate confirms the potential role of shared Services Procurement in the Government office block project by the recommencement of the Budget debate.

Cultural Facilities Corporation

2.72 The Cultural Facilities Corporation was asked about the potential impact of the new Government office building on the operation of the Canberra Theatre Centre, particularly with regard to parking and was advised that the Corporation was satisfied that their views had been taken into account.50 Should the Centre be expanded in the future, however, parking arrangements would need to be reviewed.51

50 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1077 51 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 1079


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3 T R E AS U RY D I RE CTORAT E AN D

R E LAT E D AG EN CI E S

3.1 The Committee heard from the Treasurer on Monday 16 May, Tuesday 17 May, Monday 23 May52 and Thursday 26 May 2011 to discuss the following output classes, directorate functions, authorities and Territory-owned Corporations:

Economic management

Financial management

Revenue management

Home loan portfolio

Superannuation Provision Account

Territory Banking Account

discontinued agencies (Totalcare Industries Limited)

Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission

Shared Services Centre

ACTEW Corporation Limited

ACTTAB Limited

ACT Insurance Authority.

New Directorate structure and ‘One ACT Public Service’

3.2 On 3 September 2010, the former Chief Minister, Mr Jon Stanhope, announced that Dr Allan Hawke AC had been appointed to review the structure and capacity of the ACT Public Service (ACTPS).53

3.3 At the onset of the Review, the Chief Minister emphasised that its focus was about effectiveness, not efficiency, to ensure that the structure of the ACTPS continued to remain suitable for meeting the contemporary and wide-ranging

52 The Attorney General appeared as the responsible Minister for the ICRC. Under the new Directorate

structure and accompanying administrative arrangements, the ICRC falls within the Treasury Directorate. For the completeness of reporting, the ICRC is discussed in this chapter.

53 Stanhope, J. (2010) Media release: ‘Dr Allan Hawke AC to review ACT public-sector structures, capacity’, 3 September.


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needs of government and to:

...deliver on the Government’s agenda for the remainder of the term, particularly in relation to major priorities such as sustainability, housing affordability and transport, which crossed traditional agency parameters.54

3.4 The Report of the independent review—Governing the City State: One ACT Public Service—was released on 15 February 2011. The Report recommended the establishment of a directorate structure with a single department or agency, of nine directorates, oversighted by a new ACTPS Strategic Board, as the basis for the administrative structure of the ACTPS.55

3.5 The proposal for a single department model was adopted by the Government on 24 March 2011 and was scheduled to take effect from 1 July 2011. However, the new administrative composition was brought forward, taking effect from 17 May 2011.56 The initiatives in the 2011–12 Budget will be delivered by the newly reformed and restructured ACTPS and the Budget papers are framed around the new administrative directorate structure.57

3.6 The Committee offers no comment on the appropriateness of the Directorate structure; Governments are entitled to organise the public service according to their priorities. When there are changes, however, for the purpose of accountability, the Committee believes that the Government should, when functions are moved or merged, ensure that there is an easily followed analysis of the movement of functions and funds.

54 Stanhope, J. (2010) Media release: ‘Dr Allan Hawke AC to review ACT public-sector structures,

capacity’, 3 September. 55 Stanhope, J. (2011) Media release: ‘Changes to ACT Public Service’, 24 March 2011. 56 Gallagher, K. (2011) Media release: ‘New ministerial arrangements’, 17 May. 57 2011-2012 Budget Paper No. 1, p 4; Stanhope, J. (2011) Media release: ‘Changes to ACT Public Service’,

24 March 2011.


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3.7 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide, in the Budget papers, a reconciliation of the movement of functions and the funds that are associated with those functions.

3.8 The Committee notes that the only apparent anomaly in the new structure of the ACT public service is the location of the Arts function in the Community Services Directorate. The Committee believes that a more appropriate location for the Arts function is in the Economic Development Directorate.


3.9 The Committee recommends that the Arts function be transferred to the Economic Development Directorate.

Treasury Directorate

3.10 The Treasury Directorate oversees the strategic financial and economic management of the Territory with a key objective being accountability and transparency in Government expenditure.

“Stand on our own two feet”

3.11 The Treasurer was asked about the statement, which she made on 4 May 2011, when she was quoted in the Canberra Times as saying:

Only about two years ago, the Commonwealth share of the ACT budget was about 47 per cent; it is now 39 per cent. So that just shows...we are being asked to stand on our own two feet and we are having to do just that.

The Treasurer did not respond directly to questions about this statement.

3.12 The Committee is concerned at the lack of action by the Government in relation to the economic development of the ACT. The absence of a concerted economic development strategy is concerning because it is essential that the ACT extend and strengthen its economic base beyond the major dependence on the public sector, and in particular embrace clean and green industries.


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3.13 The Committee also was concerned at the lack of a coordinated approach to the development of the ACT. This is especially the case with the allocation of responsibilities for economic development policies split between the Treasury Directorate and the Economic Development Directorate.

3.14 The Committee notes that the Government tabled its latest economic development plan just before the 2008 ACT election. This plan contained a great deal of high level commentary but it had little detail on how the Government would implement a strategy to encourage and foster economic development across the ACT. In the nearly three years since that plan was released, there has been little positive action in this regard.


3.15 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table, by no later than the first sitting day in December 2011, the plan to enable the ACT to stand on its own two feet through diversifying its economic base, instead of being so totally dependent on Federal funding and land based taxation.

Financial and economic management

3.16 Key issues raised at the estimates hearings in relation to output class 1 (Financial and economic management) are discussed below.

Savings and the Efficiency Dividend

3.17 The Committee is concerned at the lack of a genuine plan to return the Budget to surplus. The return to surpluses post 2013-14 is predicated on a combination of:

• the efficiency dividend

• specific savings initiatives

• increased growth in revenue.

3.18 The Committee is concerned at the Government’s specific savings initiatives, which included items such as reduced use of stationery and reduced travel, are in fact the sorts of savings which efficiency dividends would normally target.


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3.19 Indeed, two Departments failed to achieve their efficiency dividend in 2010-11.

3.20 This leads the Committee to have doubts as to the ability of the new Directorates to continue to achieve the required savings.


3.21 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide a detailed analysis by Directorate of the actual savings in their respective annual report.


3.22 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct a review of the efficacy of the efficiency dividend policy, in particular how the delivery of services has or will be affected.

Change-of-use tax

3.23 The Committee discussed at length with the Treasurer and Treasury officials the change-of-use charge, in particular the rectification of the longstanding practice of applying fixed valuations for units, townhouses and dual occupancy development and the proposed reform to the Charge—the codification of the lease variation charge.58

3.24 The change-of-use charge or betterment levy has been in place since 1971. The Charge is payable where a lease for a block of land increases in value due to a change in the lease conditions and is determined through the development application process. The Charge captures unearned land value increments by levying development gains from planning changes.59

3.25 In terms of public finance, the concept of taxing unearned increments in land value is a widely recognised source of Government revenue. The philosophy underlying the concept is also widely acknowledged as the basis for some

58 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 158–168; Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011,

pp 197–202. 59 2011–2012, Budget Paper No. 3, p 44; Smith, J. (2000) ‘Land Value Taxation: A critique of tax reform, a

rational solution’, ANU—Centre for Economic Policy Research, Discussion Paper No. 417, June, pp 1–11.


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revenue policies and is raised in debates concerning land value taxation. The rationale for such a tax or levy is that any unearned increment in land value should be appropriated to the public on the basis of the ‘...widespread conviction that these surplus values should accrue to the public.’60

3.26 In evidence, the Treasurer emphasised the rationale behind the concept of a betterment levy:

The money [sic] is being made. I do not know if you have read the report but the report clearly shows that the developer profits have been enormous—on our land. This is about rightfully returning a share of that back to the budget so that this government and governments of the future can meet the demands that are coming in terms of government service delivery.61

Codification of the Change-of-use charge

3.27 As part of the 2010–11 Budget, in response to industry concerns with regard to the level of uncertainty in charge determinations and to address uncalled-for delays in development approvals, the Government committed to the codification62 of the Charge (referred to as the Lease Variation Charge or LVC).63

3.28 After a review64 of the system involving extensive consultation and additional economic and quantitative modelling to assess the economic impact of codification on the Territory, the Government agreed to the recommendation of the Review that the Charge be codified and that it take effect from 1 July 2011.65

3.29 The Treasurer emphasised that: 60 Dunkerley, H.B. (ed.) (1983) Urban Land Policy, Issues and Opportunities, Oxford University Press,

Oxford, p 23; Smith, J. (2000) ‘Land Value Taxation: A critique of tax reform, a rational solution’, ANU—Centre for Economic Policy Research, Discussion Paper No. 417, June, pp 1–11.

61 Ms Gallagher MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 202. 62 Codification involves establishing a public register of fixed charges for different land uses in all

suburbs across the Territory (BP, 3, p 45). 63 2011-2012 Budget Paper No.3, pp 44–47; Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 158–168; 64 Nicholls, D. and Anthony, S. (2010) Final report on the review of the Change of Use Charges System in the

ACT, Macroeconomics, report Commissioned by ACT Treasury, 29 November. 65 2011-2012 Budget Paper No.3, p 45.


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The price being paid for what will be known as lease variation charge is being made on the current land value on that site and that is what is outlined to occur or what is to be used under codification.66

3.30 The proposed LVC will be phased in over a four year transition period to provide time for the market and industry to adjust.67 The phasing in arrangements will provide for a remission of 75 per cent in 2011–12, decreasing by 10 per cent in 2012–13 and 2013–14, decreasing by 15 per cent in 2014–15 and 2015–16, to achieve a remission rate of 25 per cent.68

3.31 The Treasurer emphasised that the four year transition period was important when introducing microeconomic reform and provides time for the market to adjust. 69 The Committee discussed the subsidies available which includes a 100 per cent remission on the LVC for redevelopments involving the provision of child care places.70

3.32 The Committee noted that the proposed legislation for the introduction of the LVC, the Planning and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2011, was introduced into the Assembly on 31 March 201171 and sought information as to when the regulations and schedules would be available.

3.33 The Committee noted that the policy has been released in a general way with limited detail. 72

3.34 The Committee also discussed with the Treasurer and treasury officials whether the LCV increases the ACT’s budgetary dependence on revenue from the property sector73, and the material impacts it may have in the short and longer term, including but not limited to:

66 Ms Gallagher MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 167. 67 2011-2012 Budget Paper No.3, p 47; Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 158–168; Proof

Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 197–202. 68 2011-2012 Budget Paper No.3, p 47; Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 158–168; Proof

Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 197–202. 69 Ms Gallagher MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 199. 70 2011-2012 Budget Paper No.3, p 47; Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 158–168; Proof

Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 197–202. 71 http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/b/db_41238/default.asp 72 Ms Gallagher MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 165. 73 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 201.

http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/b/db_41238/default.asp


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a devaluing of [existing] house prices

contribute to higher [new] house purchase prices and higher rentals

act as an incentive for builders and redevelopers to bring forward applications to avoid the tax which could result in higher prices being achieved for sales in the short term.74

Rectification of the Charge

3.35 The Review also identified a longstanding practice of applying fixed valuations for units, townhouses and dual occupancy development. When compared to previous practice, the rectification of this practice has resulted in marked increases in the charges for such developments.75

3.36 The Committee noted that the net revenue raised by it in the context of overall revenue is small. Revenue from the change brought about by rectification is estimated at $14.2 million for the 2010–11 financial year. In 2011–12, it is forecast to increase in 2011–12 to $22.4 million in an overall revenue take of $1.2 billion.76

3.37 Some suggest that extracting the Charge, in its current form, may be inefficient in the context of the net revenue it raises and that alternative means for payment on unearned increments in land value should be considered, for example, a land tax surcharge on the rates, for a determined percentage of the value each year.77


3.38 The Committee recommends that the Treasury Directorate release the consultants work conducted on the effect that change of use charge will have on property prices and values.

74 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 158–168; Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011,

pp 197–202. 75 2011-2012 Budget Paper No.3, p 46; Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 158–168; Proof

Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 197–202. 76 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 159; 163. 77 Waterford, J. (2008) Taxes for the betterment of whom?, Canberra Times—Blogs, 25 September.


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3.39 The Committee recommends that the ACT Treasury Directorate model the impact the change of use charge will have on rents in the ACT.


3.40 The Committee recommends that the ACT Treasury Directorate model the impact of the change of use charge on property values in areas marked for redevelopment.


3.41 The Committee recommends that the Treasury Directorate release all research and modelling conducted about potential devaluation of existing property and new dwelling prices increasing as a result of the change-of-use tax.

Enterprise Agreement negotiations

3.42 The Committee discussed the current offer on the table to ACT public servants (clerical staff) as part of the new round of agreement making and its relationship to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Wage Price Index (WPI) and noted that the current offer of 2.5 per cent is one per cent below WPI (forecast to grow at 3.5 per cent) and half a per cent below the CPI (forecast to grow at 3 per cent). 78

3.43 The Committee also discussed the rationale for the introduction of the WPI as the indexation for utilities, and other charges, and queried why the Government was not able to offer its public servants an increase commensurate with the WPI. The Treasurer commented:

I do not think I have ever said that we will increase wages in line with WPI. I do not think that has been our industrial strategy.79

3.44 The current offer to ACTPS employees guarantees 2.5 per cent and more in exchange for productivity savings. The Treasurer argued that wages and

78 Ms Gallagher MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 176–177. 79 Ms Gallagher MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 177.


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staffing costs represent approximately 47 per cent of the Budget and consequently, any increase in wages will impact on the Territory’s operating result and its superannuation liabilities.80

3.45 Notwithstanding, the impact any further increase to the current offer of 2.5 per cent will have on the operating result and superannuation liabilities, the Committee notes that it will also further exacerbate the cost of living pressures for ACTPS employees along with impacting on workforce retention and recruitment in the ACTPS.

3.46 The ACTPS salary comparatives do not provide the Service with a competitive advantage in the marketplace against the Commonwealth public service, in particular with regard to skilled areas. The current offer will continue to make it difficult to attract and retain employees to the ACTPS.

Impact of the Budget on cost of living

3.47 An important measure with regard to a Government budget is whether it reduces the cost of living pressures on taxpayers. The Committee was interested to know whether the Treasury Directorate had done any formal modelling on the impact the Budget will have on the cost of living for Canberrans and the total tax take per capita as a consequence of the Budget and was advised that ‘there was no formal modelling on the impact of the cost of living on every person in Canberra’.81

3.48 The Committee was advised that the total tax take per capita as a percentage of the overall economy was reducing82 and for the 2011–12 Budget was estimated to be around $3,483.83 This figure is based on current population estimates and taxation revenue per capita, however it is representative of the entire population (including those who do not contribute to taxation revenue). In contrast:

80 Ms Gallagher MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 176–177. 81 Ms Gallagher MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 137. 82 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 137–138. 83 Ms Gallagher MLA, Response to QToN No. 20, 16 May 2011.


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Based on ABS data, state and local taxation revenue per employed person in the ACT was around $5,637 in 2009-10, the third lowest in Australia...84

3.49 The Committee is aware that rising increases in the cost of living are continuing to consume the disposable income of households. The Committee notes the Reserve Bank expects growth in water and sewage prices, along with a tighter housing market, will add pressure to the cost of living. The Committee further notes that water and sewage prices have grown much faster than the CPI over the last few years due to an increase in capital expenditure by water retailers as the water industry continues to spend large amounts on projects to increase water security.85

3.50 The Committee understands that the cost of living is increasing at a rate faster than inflation and this is attributable to increases in costs for food, rent, mortgage repayments, electricity and petrol. The growing divide between the cost of living and inflation is illustrated in official inflation figures—the annual inflation rate in the March quarter was 3.3 per cent, however the analytical cost of living index for households was 4.5 per cent for the year to December quarter 2010. Noting, however, that official inflation figures do not include mortgage repayments.86


3.51 The Committee recommends that the ACT Treasury Directorate conduct a comprehensive cost of living analysis of Government taxes, fees and rates on Canberra families since self government.

Regulatory impact statements

3.52 In the context of the Treasury Directorate’s 2011–12 priorities, the Committee sought further information concerning the identified priority of strengthening

84 Ms Gallagher MLA, Response to QToN No. 20, 16 May 2011. 85 Dwyer, M. (2011) Cost of living pressure worries RBA, Financial Review, 2–3 April, p 5. 86 ABS. (2011) Analytical Living Cost Indexes for Selected Australian Household Types, December 2010,

Catalogue 6463.0, ABS 2011; Reserve Bank of Australia. (2011) Statement on Monetary Policy, May; McLennan, D. (2011) Cautious Consumption, Canberra Times, Forum, p 5, 21 May 2011. Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson recommend that a cost of living impact statement be included in the Budget Papers.


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the Territory’s Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) processes.87

3.53 The Committee was told that the scope of this priority is one of the actions the ACT has to take under the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) national economy commitments. In the main, this will involve providing:

...better guidance to agencies in relation to the content and more clarity in terms of where a RIS is applicable, how you go through those processes of identifying alternative policy options and impacts on different sectors et cetera, and what actually gets put out to the public at the end of the process.88

3.54 The Committee queried whether the work may increase, decrease, or more clearly define, for example, the exemptions which are contained in the legislation around the RIS. The Committee understands that at this stage, it is not clear whether the work will involve changes to the legislation and accompanying guidance.

3.55 The Committee also discussed agency compliance with the preparation of RIS, whether the Treasurer was satisfied that agencies were complying with the requirements for preparation of RIS, whether a centralised RIS register was administered by the Treasury Directorate, and the reasons why a RIS may not be published in terms of constraints on releasing information of a commercial nature.89

3.56 The Committee is concerned that, on a number of major Government policy decisions, it would appear that no RIS were prepared.


3.57 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government comply with the Legislation Act 2001 in respect of Regulatory Impact Statements (RISs).

87 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, , p 143; Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 152–155. 88 Ms Smithies, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 152. 89 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 153–155.


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Affordable Housing Strategy

3.58 The Committee discussed a number of initiatives related to the Government’s Affordable Housing Strategy.

3.59 The Treasury Directorate’s role in the Affordable Housing Strategy was discussed. The Committee was interested if the Directorate had done any broader work on a more efficient way of allocating housing, as an alternative to land release and as a means of addressing housing affordability issues.90

Land rent scheme

3.60 The Committee sought an explanation for the increase in activity under the Land Rent Scheme for 2011–12, and then a tapering decrease through to 2012–13, the number of land rent contracts settled under the Scheme, the attractiveness of the Scheme to the financial sector, the treatment of stamp duty under the Scheme, detail on access and selling transactions under the Scheme, the impact of the Scheme in terms of getting low income earners into their first homes. The total amount of revenue collected from the Scheme in the 2010–11 financial year has been $916 000, with about $1.3 million projected for 2011–12.91

First Home Owner Scheme

3.61 The Committee discussed how much the ACT Government has spent on the First Home Owner Grant Scheme and whether the research being undertaken to evaluate the Scheme had been completed. The Committee was told that in terms of the estimated outcome figures reflected in the Budget, the amount factored in for the Scheme in 2010–11 was $18.6 million of Territory funds.92

90 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 175–176. 91 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 173–175. 92 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 168–169.


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3.62 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government review the ACT component of the effect of the First Home Owner grant.

3.63 The Committee was interested in the Treasurer’s view on the relationship between the Grant and house prices, in particular whether she agreed with the Productivity Commission’s finding on the first home owners grant and its impact on house prices. The Treasurer responded that there was general acceptance ‘that it increased prices by the amount of subsidy available’.93

Additional funding for Community Housing and the University of

Canberra

3.64 The Committee discussed the nature and terms of the additional $20 million finance facility to Community Housing Canberra (CHC), under the Affordable Housing Strategy, to extend the current loan facility available to CHC to purchase further properties for low income earners and the drawdown of the new finance facility of $23 350 million to the University of Canberra (UC) to provide for more student accommodation.94

3.65 The Committee understands that the $20 million loan to CHC is for 90 affordable housing properties in Crace, Bonner and Bruce. The extension of the current loan facility to CHC builds on $50 million already provided to CHC for affordable housing and will assist with the delivery of 1 000 affordable properties for rental and sale by 2018.95

3.66 In addition to the new loan to UC, a $6 million grant over nine years will also be made to the University for the ‘purchase and refurbishment of Wing 5 of the Cameron Offices in Belconnen for 212 student accommodation places’.96

Staffing reductions across the ACTPS

3.67 The Committee is aware that $5 million dollars appropriated under a Restructure Fund is a provision for costs that may be incurred in reducing the

93 Ms Gallagher MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 169. 94 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 210–213. 95 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 210–213; 2011-2012 Budget Paper No. 1, p 7. 96 2011-2012 Budget Paper No. 1, p 7; Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 210–213.


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ACTPS workforce in the order of 210 full time equivalent staff and the process that will be used to manage the voluntary redundancies.97 The Committee understands that there will be no involuntary redundancies and the staffing reductions will be achieved through voluntary processes—routine employee turnover and targeted redundancies.98

3.68 The Committee notes that whilst the Budget seeks to reduce the ACTPS workforce by the order of 210 full time equivalent (FTE) staff, at the same time, initiatives in the Budget will increase the ACTPS by approximately 320 FTE staff.99

3.69 The Committee further notes that a key event impacting on the size of the ACTPS was the temporary recruitment freeze on non-essential staff from 5 March 2010 to 30 June 2010. According to the Commissioner for Public Administration, the recruitment freeze was necessary as a result of changes to the allocation of GST revenue.100

Economic management

3.70 Other issues raised at the estimates hearings of 16 and 17 May 2011 included:

The whole-of-government gateway initiative for large and/or complex projects. The initiative is designed to strengthen the oversight and governance of major projects, along with supporting agencies, to ensure that projects are implemented in accordance with best practice.

The Committee discussed: the scope of gateway reviews under the initiative and whether they will factor in the triple-bottom-line work being undertaken by the Chief Minister’s Directorate and the climate change assessment tool; the basis on which projects will be identified for a specific gateway review; and whether work on gateway reviews in other jurisdictions, in particular the Commonwealth and Victoria will be used to

97 2011-2012 Budget Paper No. 1, p 3; Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 169–171. 98 2011-2012 Budget Paper No. 1, p 3; Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 169–171. 99 2011-2012 Budget Paper No. 1, p 3. 100 Commissioner for Public Administration, ACT Public Service Workforce Profile 2009–10, p 7.


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inform the initiative.101

Whether the Treasury Directorate had done any work on the Hawke Report—Governing the City State: One ACT Public Service—recommendation that annual government priorities should be published in the Budget Papers or in a formal statement of intent.102

The specific initiatives linked to the ACT Public Service Strategic Board and Review Transition Taskforce that fall under the gamut of implementing the recommendations of the Hawke Report—Governing the City State: One ACT Public Service .103

An explanation for the difference between the economic growth forecast in 2011–12 at 1.75 per cent, as compared with the rate of 4 per cent in 2010–11, and whether the growth forecast in 2011–12 was still valid following the announcement of the Federal Budget, and its subsequent impact on state final demand figures.104

Whether asset revaluations and financial sustainability105 mask changes within an agency’s budget.106

The Electoral Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 and its objective.107 The Committee notes that the Bill, and other matters, were referred by the Legislative Assembly on 7 April 2011 to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety for inquiry and report by 22 September 2011.108

Whether the Treasury Directorate has done any modelling on the economic impact of the target to reduce emissions by 40 per cent on 1990 levels by 2020.109

101 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 139–140. 102 Ms Gallagher MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 140. 103 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 170 104 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 181 105 For example—TAMS, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 207–208; ACT Housing,

Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 208–209. 106 http://www.apsc.gov.au/foundations/accountability.htm, accessed 27 May 2011. 107 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 219–221. 108 http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/committees/index1.asp?committee=114&inquiry=1003&category=13 109 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 206–207.

http://www.apsc.gov.au/foundations/accountability.htm

http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/committees/index1.asp?committee=114&inquiry=1003&category=13


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3.71 The Committee recommends that that the ACT Government outline how much its green energy power will increase each year until the 100 per cent target is reached, and what the cost will be to the taxpayer each year.

Financial management

3.72 Other issues raised at the estimates hearings of 16 and 17 May 2011 included:

Sources of Commonwealth assistance provided to the Territory—the nation building and job funding, Goods and Services Tax (GST), Specific Purpose Payments (SPP) and National Partnership Payments (NPP) revenues—the constraints attached to the assistance and the longevity of commonwealth funding as a revenue source across the Budget forward years.110

An explanation for the rollover of funding attributable to outstanding work under the Expenditure Review Committee’s (ERC) policy-service area reviews and further work targeted for the 2011–12 financial year concerning efficiency reviews.111

Revenue management

3.73 The Committee raised with the Treasurer the matter of the actual and estimated revenue for the past four years. Analysis of the estimates of revenue against the outcomes is contained in the following table:

110 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 157–158. 111 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 170; 180–181.


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ANALYSIS OF PROJECTIONS AND ACTUAL OUTCOMES

Year 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15

Revenue

2004-05 2,616 2,712 2,829

2005-06 2,459 2,565 2,690 2,816

2006-07

2,732 2,844 3,000 3,162

2007-08

3,039 3,096 3,236 3,392

2008-09

3,318 3,456 3,592 3,739

2009-10

3,452 3,518 3,659 3,831

2010-11

3,668 3,790 4,025 4,234

2011-12

3,982 4,117 4,286 4,513

Actual 2,877 3,360 3,421 3,744 3,873

Difference 531 605 582 481 Additional revenue: 2,119

Expenses

2004-05 2,688 2,756 2,852

2005-06 2,815 2,849 2,953 3,065

2006-07

2,879 2,967 3,081 3,202

2007-08

3,026 3,152 3,291 3,421

2008-09

3,324 3,490 3,654 3,830

2009-10

3,623 3,731 3,932 4,098

2010-11

3,841 4,023 4,225 4,395

2011-12

4,098 4,229 4,379 4,556

Actual 2,864 3,136 3,485 3,659 3,862

Difference 284 420 457 441 Additional spending: 1,602

Note 1: All data is GFS statistics; $000; projections are from each Budget; actuals are from the consolidated financial statements

Note 2: Actuals for 2010-11 are unaudited outcomes in the 2011-12 Budget paper BP3, p 36

Extra revenue: 517


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3.74 The Treasurer insisted that the ACT still lost millions of dollars.112

3.75 Other issues raised included:

The relationship between estimated and actual revenue in the context of a budget that continues to grow and the consequent impact on forecasted and actual deficits.113

The rational for the forecast was working on the basis that there would be negative growth in government consumption, in particular commonwealth government consumption and other areas such as household consumption would remain fairly flat.114

The issue of payments to the community sector and whether the current formula for determining these payments is still relevant.115

The Budget Papers

3.76 The Committee asked a number of Directorates the same questions concerning the presentation of the financial statements. These included:

• multiple functions being included in one output class

• the same figure being used in consecutive out years

• the use of an ‘Other’ category to include the majority of funds

• revaluation of assets

• strategic and Accountability indicators

• errors and omissions.

3.77 Many of these questions are also asked year after year, with some Ministers responding that they had anticipated the requirement for the breakdown of the information.

112 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011 pp 155-156 Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson recommend that the

Government quantify the claimed losses arising from the global financial crisis before the recommencement of the Budget debate.

113 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 155–156. 114 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 181. 115 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 181–183.


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3.78 The Committee recommends that, where an output class has multiple functions within the class, a breakdown be provided in the Budget Papers of the proposed funding by function.


3.79 The Committee recommends that, where in the financial statements a reporting line has the same figures for the out years, the ACT Government include in the Notes to the Budget Papers an explanation as to why this is the case.


3.80 The Committee recommends that, where ‘Other’ accounts for the bulk of the funds in any of the financial statements, this should be broken into its major components or the details provided in a Note to the Budget Papers.


3.81 The Committee recommends that, where an asset revaluation has occurred, a Note to the Budget Papers be included explaining this action.


3.82 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide an explanation for a variation of plus or minus five per cent in the Notes to the Budget Papers.

3.83 The Committee notes that there are many indicators of strategic objectives or of accountability matters which do not appear to provide any outcomes which can be measured and used as a means of judging performance.

3.84 The Committee also is bemused that the Government is not able to transpose data for indicators when an indicator is transferred from one agency to another


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without any change taking place in the indicator.116


3.85 The Committee recommends that, where a function is moved between Directorates or from a discontinued agency, the history and targets for Accountability Indicators be transferred to the new location.


3.86 The Committee recommends that agencies review all indicators which are meant to provide a measure of performance to make sure that these indicators provide outcomes which can be measured and provide a means of judging the performance of the agency.


3.87 The Committee recommends that where any error or omission is discovered, the advice of this matter be provided at the first opportunity to the Secretary of the Estimates Committee.


3.88 The Committee recommends that descriptions of capital and recurrent expenditure initiatives give full and accurate disclosures of the purposes for the initiatives.

Capital Works

3.89 A major focus across all of the Directorates was the proposed spending on capital works. The importance of this focus is based on the fact that spending on capital works is a major area of spending by the ACT Government.

3.90 The Committee has significant concerns about the way in which the Government delivers capital works. Again this year, there were significant roll-overs and under-delivery on projects. There also were a number of

116 For example see 2011-2012 Budget Paper No. 4, Tourism: p 43, p 75 and p 126 and Events: p 72, p 126


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projects which required additional funds. 117

3.91 The Committee raised questions about the way in which the ACT Government manages capital works projects. In recent times, there have been the problems with the new Sheds at Jerrabomberra and Rivers for the Rural Fire Service, the report from the Auditor-General that criticised the Government for the North Weston Ponds projects and there has been the cost blow-out with the North Canberra water recycling scheme from $13 million to more than $20 million.118

Home Loan portfolio

3.92 With regard to the 2011–12 priority of ‘replacing the current Home Loan Portfolio financial management system’ the Committee sought clarification on what these new arrangements would involve and whether they may have any bearing on the ACT’s ability to repay the principal owing in 2040. The Committee was told that the new arrangements constituted the replacement of the system used to manage the home loans and would have no impact the repayment of the principal owing.119

3.93 The Committee was told that as at the end of April 2011, there were around 150 loans outstanding under the Scheme which was expected to reduce to 145 by the end of the 2010–11 financial year. Approximately 2.3 loans are discharged every month which amounts to a reduction of loans outstanding by 20–25 per cent per year. On these calculations, and if all loans were to run to completion, it is estimated that the Scheme would need to continue for approximately another 11 to 12 years.120

117 Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson also considered that additional funds were required due to Government

mismanagement of the overall procurement process. 118 Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson recommended that the ACT Government establish a clear process by

which all capital works projects shall be managed and that the Assembly support the Infrastructure Canberra Bill.

119 Mr Read, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 233. 120 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 233–234.


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Superannuation Provision Account (SPA)

3.94 The Committee discussed the management of the unfunded Commonwealth (CSS/PSS) defined benefit superannuation liabilities and the target of 100 per cent funding of the liabilities by 30 June 2030. As at 30 June 2011, the liabilities were estimated to be 53 per cent funded compared to 44 per cent funded as at 30 June 2010.121

3.95 The Committee sought clarification on the defined benefit superannuation liability, which is projected to peak at approximately $7.4 billion by 30 June 2030, in particular whether this estimation was still valid and what strategy was in place to reduce it.122 The Treasurer confirmed that the estimate was valid.123

3.96 The Committee understands that the current funding strategy and budget appropriation commitments will continue until the next annual actuarial review is completed in conjunction with the next triennial actuarial review. The 2011–12 Budget estimates for the SPA incorporate the latest actuarial review of the Territory’s defined benefit employer superannuation liabilities using salary and membership data as at 30 June 2010. The next actuarial review, using salary and membership data as at 30 June 2011, will inform the 2012–13 Budget estimates. The triennial actuarial review is to be carried out in the 2011–12 financial year.124

3.97 The Committee discussed at length the High Court decision against the Commonwealth in the Cornwell superannuation case125 and the implications for the ACT Government in terms of the potential liability for compensation payable. 126 An Australian Senate Committee was conducting an inquiry into superannuation claims of former and current Commonwealth Public Service

121 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 198; 2011-2012 Budget Paper No.3, pp 233–234. 122 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 225–226. 123 Ms Gallagher MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 225–226. 124 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 225–226; 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, , pp 230–234; 2011-

2012 Budget Paper No.3, pp 229–234. 125 Commonwealth v Cornwell [2007] HCA 16 126 Mr Roger Broughton, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 230.


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employees.127

3.98 The Committee notes that there is a potential impact for the ACT in terms of liability.128

3.99 Should the ACT be held liable for, or expected to contribute to, liabilities relating to affected former Commonwealth employees that transferred to the ACT Government Service following self government, these liabilities will be unfunded. The Committee notes that investment assets will need to be put aside to meet any projected liability that might arise.


3.100 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in October 2011 about the potential liability for the provision of superannuation benefits due to the High Court decision on “Cornwall”.

The Territory Banking Account

3.101 With regard to general government sector investments, the Committee was interested to know why the outcome for the Territory Banking Account (TBA) investment portfolio had gone from an estimated $135 million to $238 million, 90 per cent more than expected, and then falls from $238 million to $58 million, a decline of 75 per cent. In particular, the Committee sought an explanation for the elements contributing to the significant growth and then decline in the TBA investment portfolio between the 2010–11 and 2011–12 financial years.129

3.102 The Committee received a detailed budget-to-budget and a year-on-year reconciliation for the TBA investment portfolio. The following table provides a reconciliation of the movement between the 2010-2011 Budget and the 2011-12 Budget for cash and investments held by the TBA, and also provides a

127 http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/fapa_ctte/superannuation_claims/tor.htm, accessed

23 May 2011. 128 Submission No. 16 (ACT Government), Senate Finance and Public Administration References

Committee, Inquiry into superannuation claims of former and current Commonwealth Public Service employees, p 1.

129 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 221.

http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/fapa_ctte/superannuation_claims/tor.htm


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reconciliation of the reason for the movement between the two financial years.130

Table 3.1 — Movements in the Territory Banking Account 2010-11 and 2011-12131

3.103 With regard to asset revaluation, the Committee noted that the estimated outcome for the TBA in 2010–11 was $999 000, compared with an estimated revaluation in 2013–14 of $1 516 000. The Committee sought clarification as to what asset was being revaluated and the basis for the significant estimated increase in 2013–14. A treasury official explained:

Some of the general government sector debt is funded by the floating interest rate, the commercial rate. And some years ago we actually put in place some interest rate swaps to actually hedge that variable rate exposure.132

3.104 Key issues raised at the estimates hearing of 17 May 2011 included:

The budgeted statement of cash flows, an explanation for the estimated outcome for financing payments shifting from $554 000 in 2010–11 to $19 million in 2014–15 attributable, in the main to some capital being repaid.133

Under changes to appropriation, an explanation for the capital injection of $214 000 for 2011–12 and outyears. The capital injection represents the

130 Ms Gallagher MLA, Response to QToN No. 35, 17 May 2011. 131 Ms Gallagher MLA, Response to QToN 35, 17 May 2011. 132 Mr McAuliffe, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 223.

Movements in the Territory Banking Account

2010-11 $m

2011-12 $m Variance $m

2010-11 Budget 136 120 -16 Audited Outcome Flow-on 206 0 Taxation Revenue 113 38 Commonwealth and GST Revenues -27 -35 Dividends, Income Tax Equivalents and Lease Sales -63 138 Interest Receipts 14 16 General Savings 0 31 Borrowings -210 110 Net Impact of Capital Initiatives (inc. Operating Expenditure) 0 -315 Net Impact of Recurrent Initiatives 0 -75 Rollovers, Re-profiling, Other 69 -71 Total movement each year 102 -163 Total accumulative movement 102 -61 2010-12 Budget 238 59 -179


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annual repayment on borrowings from the Commonwealth Government since self-government. The appropriation to this account is shown for transparency to reflect the repayments that are occurring in terms of the debt.134

The exposure of the debt portfolio to floating interest rates and the role of the floating interest rate indicator in determining the degree to which changes in interest rates will impact on budgeted interest costs.135

Discontinued agencies

3.105 The Committee sought an update on the resolution of the residual issue of superannuation liabilities for former employees of Totalcare Industries Limited and was told that the work was almost completed.136

3.106 The Committee understands that subject to any externalities outside of the Board's control, Totalcare will be wound up by the end of the 2010-11 financial year.137

ACTEW Corporation Limited

Enlarged Cotter Dam construction project

3.107 The Committee was interested to know whether the delivery of the Enlarged Cotter Dam construction project was on time and on budget.

3.108 The Managing Director told the Committee that the Project was proceeding within budget but not according to its original schedule. The delay to its planned timetable was attributable to the wet weather and flooding events that Canberra had experienced over the last twelve months.138 The Managing Director explained that they ‘anticipate at this stage that it will be three to four

133 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 224 134 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 224. 135 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 225. 136 Mr Broughton, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 228. 137 Ms Gallagher MLA, Statement to ACT Legislative Assembly, 7 December 2010, pp 5796–5797. 138 Mr Sullivan, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 184.


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months behind.’139

3.109 When asked, the Managing Director confirmed that the contingency budget item had been used almost entirely for the wet weather. On the basis of seasonal norms, the Project budget had factored in 20 days to be lost to wet weather. However, to date, 60 days had been affected by wet weather.140

Murray Darling Basin Plan—sustainable diversion limits

3.110 With regard to the 2011–12 strategic and operational issue of ‘continuing to advise and work with the ACT Government to achieve an appropriate sustainable diversion limit for the ACT in the Murray Darling Basin (MDB) Plan ’, the Committee sought clarification on whether the Corporation had done any modelling around the development of sustainable diversion limits (SDLs). The Managing Director told the Committee:

We have done some development around SDLs and the guide, but our role has been that we—we do have a lot of water expertise. In terms of assisting the department in its policy coordination.141

3.111 The Committee heard, notwithstanding that the proposed MDB Plan is not likely to have an impact on the ACT’s capacity to store water—current and future plans to increase capacity—the issue for consideration will be the economic viability of the storages.142

Canberra Sewerage Strategy

3.112 The Committee was interested in the implementation of the recommendations of the Canberra Sewerage Strategy 2010–2060 including the development of strategic plans for the Fyshwick Sewerage Treatment Plan and the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre143 and feasibility of the use of nutrients from treated effluent.144

139 Mr Sullivan, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 184. 140 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 184. 141 Mr Sullivan, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 185–186. 142 Mr Sullivan, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 187. 143 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 187–188. 144 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 188–189.


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3.113 The Committee recommends that ACTEW Corporation consider how to make the best use of nutrients such as potassium and phosphorous in effluent.

3.114 Other issues raised at the estimates hearing of 17 May 2011 included:

ACTEW’s profits and the proportion attributable to the water part of the business.145

The approach used by the ICRC to determine the price of water and the consequent impact drought and rainfall conditions may have on this equation146 and the ICRC’s latest price determination for water.147

Explanation for the substantial revision of ACTEW’s proposed dividends between 2010–11 and 2011–12.148

The methods and rates of depreciation that would be applied to the new water security projects, in particular the concept of impairment versus a direct rate of depreciation.149

The impact on ACTEW of the proposal to sell non-potable water captured from urban waterways under the Canberra Integrated Urban Waterways project.150

The sale of ActewAGL House.151

ACTTAB Limited

3.115 In the context of ACTAB’s estimated employment level, the Budget Papers reported a decrease in the 2010–11 estimated outcome from the original

145 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 189–190. 146 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 190–191. 147 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 192. 148 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 191–192. 149 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 192–193. 150 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, pp 193–194. 151 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 16 May 2011, p 194.


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budget. The Committee sought an explanation for the nature of suspension on recruitment and what effect it may, or may not, have had on ACTTAB. The Chief Executive told the Committee:

There was a period last year where our financial position caused us to rein in expenditure as best we could to try to improve the trading position of the organisation. Part of the measures that were put in place at the time was to not fill vacant positions and I am pleased to say that the trading position of the organisation is now improving and some of those positions will be filled during the current financial year.152

3.116 The Committee confirmed with the Executive Manager, Finance and Business Services that the expenditure on capital works in the Budget Papers was attributable to the acquisition of the new Spectrum betting system and terminals.153

3.117 With regard to the matter of charges being laid against a former ACTTAB accounts manager concerning alleged fraud154, the Committee heard that an internal process uncovered the matter and the weakness in the system has been addressed.155

Shared Services Centre

3.118 The Shared Services Centre (SSC) was previously part of the Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS), however, within the new administrative arrangements the SSC now forms part of the Treasury Directorate.

3.119 The Treasurer, Ms Katy Gallagher MLA, and Shared Services Centre (SSC) officials provided evidence to Committee on Thursday, 26 May 2011.

3.120 The SSC has four output classes with associated outputs. These are:

152 Mr Curtis, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 235. 153 Ms Snowden, Executive Manager, Finance and Business Services, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17

May 2011, p 235. 154 Chambers, G. (2011) ‘TAB manager netted millions, court hears’, Australian, 12 March. 155 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 236.


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Output Class 1 – Shared Services ICT (Output 1.1: Shared Services ICT )

Output Class 2 – Shared Services Procurement (Output 2.1: Shared Services Procurement)

Output Class 3 – Shared Services Human Resources (Output 3.1: Shared Services Human Resources)

Output Class 4 – Shared Service Finance (Output 4.1: Shared Services Finance)156

3.121 The Committee noted that the Government’s ERC had identified $4.5 million of potential savings within Shared Services. It questioned why such a large amount of savings could be identified so shortly after the initial establishment of the SSC.157 Employment levels were also discussed, with it being noted that 936 positions were budgeted for in the previous year, with an outcome of 893 achieved, and 980 positions being budgeted for in the coming year. The Treasurer noted that some of the increase would be a result of records management moving to the SSC, more staff being required for certain projects, and the replacement of contractors with permanent staff.158


3.122 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide a breakdown of the $4.5 million in proposed savings in the Shared Services Centre.

3.123 Aside from some discussion of a pay and leave management issue, the Committee’s questioning, in the main, focused on Shared Services’ ICT and procurement functions.

ICT Issues

3.124 The role of external contractors in delivering ICT services was discussed, including the proportion of services delivered respectively by Shared Services, the Directorates, and external contractors. In giving evidence, the Acting

156 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 169. 157 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1081. 158 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1082.


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General Manager of Shared Services ICT suggested that it was difficult to recruit ICT staff as public servants and that one quarter of the workforce were contractors.159 It was also noted that certain directorates, such as Health, may primarily manage certain projects with Shared Service input.160

3.125 ICT security matters were raised by the Committee, with it being reported that ‘hundreds of thousands’ of attacks occur annually.161 The Committee was particularly interested in the protection of young people using the internet through public schools, and security coordination with the Commonwealth government and ACT Policing.162

3.126 The Committee is concerned about the approach adopted by Shared Services ICT to the replacement of computer, screens and keyboards in the Assembly. These concerns relate to the consultation about the changes, the need for such a replacement program and the way in which the old equipment was disposed of.


3.127 The Committee recommends that Shared Services ICT undertake appropriate consultations with agencies and their staff before undertaking the replacement of ICT equipment.

3.128 The Committee was told that ‘under our business model we are required to refresh that fleet once every four years...it is more cost effective for us and agencies when we, once every four years, replace the bundle’.163 The Committee was concerned that SSICT had an inflexible business model which did not consider the environmental impact of replacing working equipment. The Committee was also of the view that SSICT has staff who fix faults with existing equipment and who would be able to replace keyboards and screens at little labour cost.

3.129 As the desktop computers in the Legislative Assembly have just been replaced 159 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1101. 160 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1101–1102. 161 Mr Moore, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1107. 162 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1107–1109. 163 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1085


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the Committee was aware that working screens and keyboards were replaced together with the CPU unit. When the Committee heard evidence from the Legislative Assembly secretariat they stated they were not offered any choices about what equipment was replaced.164


3.130 The Committee recommends that Shared Service ICT reconsider their 4 year computer replacement model in light of the economic and environmental whole of life costs.


3.131 The Committee recommends that Shared Services ICT investigate no longer replacing keyboards and screens that are working effectively.


3.132 The Committee recommends that Shared Services ICT investigate thin client computing models to reduce environmental and economic costs.

3.133 Other general issues raised by the Committee included the environmental implications of the regular replacement of hardware, and the purchasing of ‘bundles’ of hardware.165

Procurement Issues

3.134 Several procurement-related issues were raised by the Committee in its examination of the SSC.

3.135 The Committee heard of measures being introduced by Shared Services Procurement to ensure industrial relations compliance among contractors engaged by the Government. The Committee relayed concern about the regime’s potential compliance costs to contractors.166

164 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 27 May 2011, p 1284 165 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1085–1086. 166 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1089–1091.


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3.136 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government evaluate the effects of the Federal Government’s reforms on payments to sub-contractors and report to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in December 2011.

3.137 The Committee sought information as to the number of contracts of a value of greater than $200 000 let over the previous two financial years without a competitive processes being gone through (that is, on a single select basis).167

3.138 The role of Shared Services Procurement (SSP) was scrutinised very closely by the Committee, particularly given the problems which have been experienced by the project to construct two new Sheds for the Jerrabomberra and Rivers Rural Fire Service brigades. Serious questions have been raised about the services which should be delivered by SSP in undertaking capital works projects, about the quantum of the automatic fee which is provided to SSP for services which are meant to be delivered and about the way in which SSP works with other parties engaged in the delivery of capital works projects.


3.139 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government identifies clearly the role of Shared Services Procurement, and the role of other parties, which are involved in the delivery of capital works projects.


3.140 The Committee recommends that the fee received by Shared Services Procurement be negotiated by the parties to a capital works project prior to that project commencing.


3.141 The Committee recommends that the Procurement Board conduct an immediate review of the processes which led to the design flaws and problems with delivery of the Jerrabomberra and Rivers Sheds and

167 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1091–1092.


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that the Treasurer table the report in the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in October 2011.

3.142 More generally, the Committee also inquired as to Shared Services Procurement’s role and responsibility in these projects relative to the commissioning agency. It was noted that only 59 per cent of the projects’ costs was expenditure on construction, with the remainder being spent on contingencies, preliminaries, and other aspects of project management.168

3.143 The Committee also discussed social procurement. It was reported that consideration is being given by Shared Services Procurement to the production of a set of guidelines based on a Victorian document.169

Independent Competition and Regulatory

Commission

3.144 The Budget Papers note that the Independent Competition and Regulatory

Commission (ICRC) has responsibilities for ‘a range of regulatory matters’ under the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission Act 1997 (the ICRC ACT), the Utilities Act 2000, the Electricity (Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Act 2004, and the Electricity Feed-in (Renewable Energy Premium) Act 2008.170

3.145 In its public hearing of Monday 23 May 2011, the Estimates Committee considered matters under the administration of the ICRC, including competitive neutrality; competition amongst supermarkets; the balance in imperatives for the activities of the ICRC, and the status of ‘efficiency’ in this; the powers of the ICRC; and arrangements for medium-scale solar generators under the feed-in tariff.

3.146 The Committee considered there appears to be a lack of clarity and consistency in relation to the matters the ICRC would consider in its analysis and determination of pricing strategies. On the one hand there are elements of

168 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1095–1096. 169 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1099–1100. 1702011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 483 Victorian Department of Planning and Regional Development

(2010) Social Procurement: A Guide for Victorian Local Government, October—available at: <http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/localgovernment/publications-and-research/council-procurement>


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economic analysis that might be used in certain investigative projects, but not used in others. On the other hand some projects might attract a broader approach in economic analysis.

3.147 The Committee also considered there was a lack of clarity in relation to the extent to which environmental and social analyses influence the overall investigative outcomes.

3.148 The Committee noted these matters also emerged at the federal level in relation to the matters the Murray-Darling Basin Authority should consider when setting sustainable water diversion limits.


3.149 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government review the ICRC legislation to ensure it is clear as to the extent and balance of economic, environmental and social analysis it should undertake in coming to its relevant determinations.


3.150 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly on the outcome of the ICRC legislation review by the last sitting day in 2011.

Competitive neutrality

3.151 The Committee asked the Attorney-General about the number of complaints received by the ICRC regarding competitive neutrality. The ICRC’s Senior Commissioner and Commissioner responded. The Senior Commissioner told the Committee that no complaints had been lodged in the year to date. The Commissioner told the Committee that the ICRC’s previous Senior Commissioner had had discussions with two parties regarding competitive neutrality, which had not resulted in formal complaints. The Commissioner also advised the Committee about the process available to a person seeking to make a complaint.171

171 Mr Gray, Mr Buckley, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 665.


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Supermarket competition

3.152 The Committee asked about the role of the ICRC in the context of the Government’s regulation and policy on supermarket competition.

3.153 The Senior Commissioner told the Committee that the ‘ICRC’s functions in this area are conducted through its membership of the supermarkets committee’. He told the Committee that the Supermarket Committee, which had been established by the Government one year ago, had ‘a responsibility to monitor and to report’, and that the way the committee had decided to discharge that function was ‘by asking the ICRC on its behalf to monitor price movements in supermarkets across Canberra’.172

Objectives of the Commission

3.154 The Committee asked about the objectives of the ICRC, and in particular the relative emphasis accorded to the objectives of ‘efficiency, environmental and social considerations’. The Committee noted that this contrasted with the elements of a triple-bottom-line analysis which were ‘economic, environment and social considerations’.173

3.155 In responding, the Senior Commissioner told the Committee that the relative emphasis accorded these priorities varied depending on context. 174

Powers of the ICRC

3.156 The Committee asked about the role and powers of the ICRC, and in particular whether the Commission would be ‘playing the major role in the determination of retail electricity prices’. The Senior Commissioner told the Committee that it was currently the mid-point in a two-year arrangement for the ICRC’s powers in this regard. It had set electricity prices ‘a year ago for a two-year period with provision for review halfway through the period’, and the review was in-progress. The ICRC had direct powers to set electricity tariffs. Having set them, it checks ‘to make sure that those detailed tariffs give

172 Mr Gray, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 666. 173 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 667. 174 Mr Gray, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 667.


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rise to the average price adjustment that we have mandated’ and then signs off ‘on the schedules and they become authoritative for the financial year’.175

Medium-scale solar generators

3.157 The Committee asked questions regarding the tariff applied to medium-scale solar generators under the Government’s feed-in tariff program. In particular, it asked about the relative rates for medium-scale and micro generators, noting that the tariff for medium-scale generators had been maintained at 75 per cent of the premium rate.176

3.158 In responding to questions, the Senior Commissioner told the Committee that the ICRC’s practice was to prepare advice for the responsible minister which suggests ‘a tariff that puts that rate of return at around the long bond rate level’. In this instance, the ‘nature of the advice to the minister was that the 75 per cent should become 100 per cent’ (meaning that the tariff for medium-scale generators should be equivalent to the premium rate). 177

3.159 The responsible minister was Mr Corbell in his capacity as Minister for the Environment and Sustainability, who was present at the hearing. The Minister responded to the Committee’s questions, stating that the reason he had decided not to accept the recommendation of the ICRC was that there were in his view questions about assumptions made in the financial modelling used by the Commission, in particular regarding future exchange rates for the Australian dollar, which had implications for ‘the relative costs of purchasing solar equipment—panels and so on’.178

3.160 The Attorney General also told the Committee that in making the decision he had had regard to ‘advice the government had been receiving from potential investors in the medium generator category about what they were looking at in terms of a price range’, and he told the Committee that he had taken ‘those issues into account as well as the advice of the ICRC in determining what the

175 Mr Gray, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 670–671. 176 Mr Gray, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 671. 177 Mr Gray, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 671. 178 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 671–673.


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percentage rate should be for the medium generator category’.179

ACT Insurance Authority

3.161 The ACT Insurance Authority (ACTIA) is established under section 7 of the ACT Insurance Authority Act 2005. The Authority commenced operations on 1 April 2001 replacing the Insurance Management Account which was introduced from 1 July 1998. ACTIA meets the insurable claims and losses of ACT Government agencies and has no external clients. ACTIA reports to the Treasurer and is financed through risk-based premiums that reflect the asset holdings and liability risks faced by each agency.180

3.162 In the context of the Authority’s cash flow statement, the Committee asked for a reconciliation of the payments relating to the category ‘Other’ for the amount of $90 million. The General Manager explained:

Most of it is our normal claims payment activity. Another big chunk of it is payments associated with a significant property damage claim from flooding in October and December last year.181

3.163 This matter is covered in recommendation 41.

3.164 With regard to payments associated with significant property damage claims from flooding in October and December 2010, the Committee was told that the most significant material damage related to roads, bridges and stormwater infrastructure along with a few claims related to flooding in schools.182

3.165 The Committee understands that the claim for the property damage is estimated at about $15 million. The Territory’s property policy provides for a reinsurance recovery of $10 million together with a self-insured retention amount of $5 million.183

3.166 As to how the Territory’s insurance coverage would be placed to respond to

179 Mr Corbell MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 671. 180 http://www.treasury.act.gov.au/actia/Documents.htm; ACTIA. (2010) 2009–10 Annual Report. 181 Mr Fletcher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 231. 182 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 232. 183 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 232.

http://www.treasury.act.gov.au/actia/Documents.htm


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catastrophic events, for example, major bushfires and floods, the Committee heard that the Territory’s insurance and policy coverage was ‘well placed to meet the type of natural disaster.’184

3.167 The Committee also discussed the Authority’s risk management training designed to work with agency insurance and risk managers to support and promote good risk management practices.185

Treasury‘s capital works program

3.168 The Committee notes the Treasury Directorate will receive appropriations in 2011–12, and the 2012–13 outyear, for two information and communication technology (ICT) initiatives. The initiatives are concerned with upgrades to ICT applications and infrastructure: (i) upgrade to the latest stable version of the whole-of-government financial management and project management information system (Oracle E-Business Suite); and (ii) to cover costs that may be required to upgrade the Territory’s whole-of-government banking systems.186

184 Mr Fletcher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 233. 185 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 232. 186 2011-2011 Budget Paper No. 3, p 166


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4 C HI E F M IN IST ER AN D C AB IN ET

D I R EC TO RAT E

4.1 The Chief Minister and Cabinet Directorate provides advice and other assistance to the Chief Minister and Cabinet, the administration of key projects for the Territory and guidance for the ACT Public Service.

4.2 The Committee heard from the Chief Minister, Ms Katy Gallagher MLA on 18 May and 30 May 2011 in regard to the following output areas:

Output 1.1—Government Policy and Strategy

Output 1.2—Public Sector Management

Output 1.3–Industrial Relations Policy

Output 1.4—Coordinated Communications and Community Engagement

ACT Executive.

4.3 The Committee also met with the Minister for Arts, Ms Joy Burch MLA on 25 May 2011 in regard to following output:

CMD Output 1.5—Arts policy, advice and programs, and

Cultural Facilities Corporation

Government policy and strategy

Whole of government policy and project initiatives

4.4 The Committee sought clarification on three of the four initiatives specified in the Budget, having been advised that an ‘additional project is one that is still subject to cabinet consideration’.187 Identified projects include:

finalisation of the triple bottom line policy assessment tool

stage one of the performance and accountability framework

187 Ms Davoron, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 244


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development of a service planning framework.188

4.5 It was also anticipated by the Chief Minister’s Directorate that the Canberra Plan update would be released soon and work towards the new Plan would commence.189

4.6 The establishment of a Government Information Officer position to provide strategic advice to government on information communication technology (ICT) options in the delivery of services was welcomed by the Committee.190

The Director-General noted that:

Certainly it is something that we see that government has a rich vein of data and information on and we would like to see it more effectively used.191

Other issues

4.7 The Committee also raised the following issues which are outlined below:

Infrastructure Plan, including transport plan

Marjura Parkway.

4.8 The Committee was advised that the infrastructure plan including transport plan: was to be updated this year to reflect outcomes of the infrastructure round tables and the opportunities identified by the review conducted by Dr Hawke. 192


4.9 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government establish a consistent publication timetable for the Canberra Infrastructure Plan.

4 . 1 0 The Committee sought clarification on the funding arrangements for the Majura Parkway project and was advised by the Chief Minister that negotiations with the Federal government were ongoing and that the ACT

188 2011-2012 Budget Paper No. 4, p 37 and Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 244-245 189 Mr Cappie-Wood, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 246 190 Mr Cappie-Wood, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 247-248; 1452-1454 191 Mr Cappie-Wood, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 248 192 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 256


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Government ‘essentially have 12 months to get the commonwealth to pay their share of the road, and that is what I will be working on’.193 In effect, the ACT Government is funding the first two years of construction and will be looking to the Federal Government for the third and fourth years. The Chief Minister confirmed that negotiations with the Federal Government have been premised on the basis that the Federal Government will fund the final two years.194


4.11 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly quarterly on funding options for the Majura Parkway, in the event that the ACT Government does not obtain funding from the Federal Government the Chief Minister report to the Legislative Assembly at the earliest opportunity.

Implementation of the Hawke Review

4.12 The Committee sought an indication of the costs associated with the implementation of the recommendations for the structure of the ACT Public Service as set out in the report prepared by Dr Alan Hawke. The Director-General advised that a cross-agency taskforce comprised of three officers was currently dealing with implementation and that this was at no additional cost to the ACT service. However, it was noted that there may be some additional costs in the future which would have to be considered in the appropriate manner.195

4.13 The Committee also asked about how the Directorate intended to support the culture change anticipated from the restructure and was advised that the objective would be to reduce fragmentation of the public service and support ways of working together in policy formation. The establishment of a strategic board would drive and support this approach and explore innovative delivery

193 Ms Gallagher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 257 194 Ms Gallagher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, p 257 and Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30

May 2011, p 1471 195 Mr Cappie-Wood, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 254-255


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mechanisms and one government communications approach.196

4.14 The issue of ACT Government logos in general was also raised, with particular reference being made to the retention of the gang-gang logo.


4.15 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government establish guidelines for maintaining and replacing ACT Government agency logos and branding and promulgate these guidelines on the ACT Government website.


4.16 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government advise the Legislative Assembly on the change management implementation plan for the ACTPS in the light of the Government’s move to a unified public service.


4.17 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government establish greater transparency in reporting documents with regard to staffing movement and changes by including measures of the effectiveness and efficiencies achieved in the delivery of services to the ACT community by the implementation of the unified public service model.


4.18 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government publish and table a full breakdown of the costs of implementing the Hawke Review recommendations by the last sitting day of December 2011.

Industrial Relations Policy

4.19 The Committee considered several issues related to this output, beginning

196 Mr Cappie-Wood, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1450


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with discussion of work to address ‘sham contracting’, which was reported as being a particular problem within the construction and IT industries. It was noted that the issue is also currently the subject of attention by the Commonwealth Government. The Committee queried if any legislation changes would be needed and if any analysis had been done on the cost impacts of the proposed initiatives.197

4.20 Questions were also asked about work being done to improve workers’ compensation and work safety for ACTPS employees through the ACT Public Service Workers’ Compensation and Work Safety Improvement Plans.198

4.21 The Committee considers this a positive step because it will enable centralised monitoring, servicing and reporting in relation to ACTPS worker injuries and return-to-work strategies. For this to be successful, however, it needs to be underpinned by a robust policy framework, with the primary focus on rehabilitation and return-to-work programs for injured staff and a secondary focus on monitoring and reporting on injury incidence and recovery data.


4.22 The Committee recommends with regard to ACT Public Service Workers’ Compensation and Work Safety Improvement Plans that the ACT Government, by the last sitting day in December 2011 and again by the last sitting day in June 2012, table progress reports on the implementation of the improvement plan and the development of underlying policies and procedures, including data collection.

4.23 Other matters raised included the operation of the Work Safety Council involving the Government, employers and unions, the introduction of a scheme to allow ACTPS employees (and certain other groups) to salary package ACTION bus fares, and changes to funding for OH&S policy.199

197 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Monday 30 May, pp 1385-1388 198 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Monday 30 May, pp 1388-1389 199 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Monday 30 May, pp 1391-1394


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ACT Long Service Leave Authority

4.24 The Committee discussed various matters relating to the long service leave schemes for the community sector and the construction industry. These included issues around the implementation of the community sector’s scheme since its launch last year, and the construction sector scheme’s investments, including the Manning Clark Building in Tuggeranong and its refurbishment.200

4.25 The Committee noted disclosure of long service leave rates payable by employers is not made clear in the statement of intent, nor does it provide the relevant industries and sectors with any guidance as to how the rates might trend into the future, nor does it disclose the basis on which revenue flows into the relevant funds are calculated.


4.26 The Committee recommends that the contribution rates used as the basis for calculating revenue flows for the relevant industries and sectors be included as a Note to the operating statements and shown for each of the columns in the statements.

Coordinated Communications and Community

Engagement

4.27 Current strategies for improving community communications and engagement were discussed with a particular focus on the use of ICT technologies to reach the public. As a part of measuring the general success of this engagement, the Directorate was looking to strategies successfully used in Tasmania.201

4.28 The Committee was interested to hear more about arrangements being made with the Federal Government for the Centenary of Canberra, funds owed as a part of the land provision on Constitution Avenue and the provision of $20

200 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Monday 30 May, pp 1394-1398 201 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Monday 30 May, p 1465


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million by the Commonwealth government for the Arboretum purportedly without consultation with the ACT Government or the ACT community.202

4.29 The Committee is most concerned about the advice which was provided by the Government on the history of the provision of a $20 million ‘gift’ to the Arboretum. In response to extensive questioning, the Chief Minister and advisers all denied that there had been any involvement by the ACT in the decision relating to the $20 million.

4.30 The Committee believes that members of the board of the Arboretum speaking on the ABC 666 radio station made statements about the negotiations with the Commonwealth to secure the funding for the Arboretum and that the Chair of the board and former Chief Minister, Mr John Stanhope had been working towards that outcome for months prior to its announcement.


4.31 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provides a full account of negotiations on the history leading up to the provision of the $20 million ‘gift’ to the Arboretum to the ACT Legislative Assembly by the last sitting day in August 2011.


4.32 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide the Legislative Assembly with the Government’s risk management plan and protection (insurance coverage) for the Arboretum by the first sitting day in August 2011.

4.33 The Committee was advised that the ACT Government was satisfied with the outcomes regarding Constitution Avenue and that the Federal Government has provided a $6 million contribution to the Centenary celebrations. As a consequence, the program should be finalised by Canberra’s anniversary in 2012 for announcement. The Committee also raised a query about the appeal of the program developed thus far and sought further detail about the level of

202 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 17 May 2011, pp 259- 260


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expenditure to date.203

4.34 Other matters raised included the Social Plan; the community engagement strategy; and the Griffin legacy.

Arts policy, advice and programs

4.35 The Committee noted that, subsequent to the release of the Budget, the Arts portfolio had been relocated to the Community Services Directorate as a part of the restructure of the ACT Public Service.

4.36 Much of the discussion about the Arts portfolio focussed on the delivery of infrastructure for Canberra’s arts community. The Committee was concerned at the ad hoc approach to the delivery of this infrastructure – whether it be new facilities or upgrading of existing facilities. The Committee noted the Loxton report, in particular the recommendation to conduct an audit of ACT arts facilities.204


4.37 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct an audit of arts and cultural facilities in the ACT as suggested in the Loxton Report, and report to the Legislative Assembly by the last sitting day in March 2012.

Kingston Foreshore Arts Precinct

4.38 The Committee sought further information from the Minister about the concerns that had been raised in some sectors of the community about the Fitters’ workshop in the Kingston Foreshore arts precinct and the proposed redevelopment and relocation of the Megalo Print Studio and Gallery to the site. An allocation of $3.9 million had been provided for this process. The Minister confirmed that the redevelopment and relocation would proceed as a part of a broader redevelopment of the foreshore area as a visual arts

203 Mr Lasek, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, pp 1463-1465 204 Peter Loxton & Associations, Review of the Arts in Canberra, June 2010, accessible at

<http://www.arts.act.gov.au/pages/images/Final%20Report%20by%20Peter%20Loxton.pdf>

http://www.arts.act.gov.au/pages/images/Final%20Report%20by%20Peter%20Loxton.pdf


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precinct.205 The redevelopment was in keeping with the move towards arts hubs throughout Canberra.206

4.39 The Committee queried the decision given that the workshop was reputed for its acoustic qualities and there was an apparent shortage of reasonably priced music venues.207 However, the Director of ArtsACT advised that there were a range of music venues around the city.208

4.40 The Committee considers there has been insufficient community consultation on the future use of the Fitter’s workshop since the discovery of its acoustic qualities in 2009. The Committee makes the following observations:

the public debate in relation to the future use of the Fitters’ Workshop as part of the Kinston arts precinct

the discovery of an acoustic quality for music performance in the Fitter’s Workshop

the Government is not inclined to undertake further analysis of the future use of the Fitters’ Workshop in the light of that discovery

there appears to have been little or no consultation with the music community or the broader community on the future use of the Fitter’s Workshop

the Government, regardless, appears resolved in its determination to spend $3.9 million to refurbish the workshop and to re-locate Megalo Print Studio from their current premises in Watson to the Fitters’ Workshop

it appears the government has no holistic master plan or strategy for development of the Kingston arts precinct.

4.41 Whilst the Committee is very supportive of a new facility for Megalo, it does question the need to destroy such a unique facility that the Fitters’ Workshop appears to be.

205 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1072-1074 206 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1075 207 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1076 208 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1077


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4.42 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government revisit the plans with the aim to preserve the acoustic qualities of the Fitter’s workshop and co-locate Megalo, so that no group is disadvantaged.


4.43 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government develop a master plan for the redevelopment of the Kingston arts precinct and present that plan to the Legislative Assembly no later than the first sitting day in December 2011.


4.44 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government take no further action in regard to the future use of the Fitters’ Workshop until the master plan has been completed and presented to the Legislative Assembly.

Belconnen Arts Centre

4.45 In discussion about the Stage 2 development for the Belconnen Arts Centre, the Committee heard that this was still forecast in the capital works plan but, as a two year old venue, the best development strategy would need to be considered alongside other arts venue redevelopment projects in the ACT.209


4.46 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table in the Legislative Assembly a timetable for the development of the Belconnen Arts Centre by the first sitting day in November 2011.

209 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1078


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5 E C ONO MI C DE VE LOPM ENT

D I R EC TO RAT E

5.1 The primary role of the Economic Development Directorate (EDD) is to ‘work with the business community in relation to economic development and business support programs and to design and deliver the Government’s land release program.’210

5.2 The Directorate also has responsibility for creating and implementing marketing and development programs to promote tourism in the ACT, and facilitating access to a range of sporting and recreation activities by managing sporting programs, venues, sportsgrounds and community events.211

5.3 The Directorate covers the following output class and outputs:

Output Class 1 – Economic Development

1.1 Land Policy and Infrastructure Delivery

1.2 Business and Industry Development

1.3 Tourism, Venues and Events

1.4 Sport and Recreation.

5.4 The Committee met with the Minister for Economic Development, Mr Andrew Barr MLA, and officials on Wednesday 18 May and Friday 27 May 2011. The Committee also received a briefing from the Minister and consultants in relation to the proposed government office building on Monday 30 May 2011.

210 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 119 211 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 119


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Land Policy and Infrastructure Delivery

5.5 As part of the One ACT Public Service Administrative Arrangement changes, the primary functions of the former Department of Land and Property Services (LAPS) will form the core of the EDD from 1 July 2011.212

5.6 Former LAPS Output 1.1 Major Projects Facilitation is reported as Output 1.1 in the EDD.

5.7 This output is responsible for managing whole of government capital projects; coordinating activities across government to facilitate the delivery of private sector developments; leading and coordinating the delivery of the Government’s land supply strategy; and leading and coordinating the delivery of affordable housing.213

5.8 The major infrastructure discussion revolved around the proposed Government office block, which is discussed in detail in Chapter 3.

Supermarket competition policy

5.9 The Committee questioned the Minister about the Government’s supermarket competition policy, the number of supermarkets that could be supported by group centres and whether the goal was 2.5 supermarkets per group centre as appeared to be the plan for Dickson, Kingston and Amaroo.214 In relation to the issue of 2.5 supermarkets, the Minister did not agree with the characterization that it is a ‘blanket policy across the board’ noting that, for areas with larger populations, individual group centres may be able to support more supermarkets; however, enhancing competition was an important objective.215

5.10 The Committee was interested in whether work had been done on the amount of supermarket gross floor area across Canberra per capita and within different areas. The Minister advised that while there is a role for ‘appropriate

212 Budget Paper 4, p 588 213 Budget Paper 4, p 123 214 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 302-303 215 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 303-304


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planning around the level of retail space that is made available’, it was important to ‘recognise the intersection of the market into this policy space’216. Entrepreneurship was also a factor, with ‘niche markets’ being developed which have taken market share away from some of the larger players. The Minister advised that it was the Government’s preference to have an over-supply rather than an under-supply and that a ‘worse policy outcome’ would be where the industry had capacity to supply more but was ‘being restrained by restrictive policies of government’.217

5.11 The Committee sought assurances from the Minister that the new Directorate would cooperate with ACTPLA in relation to the commercial zoning review which is integral to supermarket competition policy. The Minister advised that in relation to the intersection between the preliminary work undertaken by the planning authority and the role of the EDD, ‘that work and that partnership had been there’ and added that the new public service model would ‘facilitate a greater level of cooperation in that area’.218

5.12 In response to the Committee’s question about how the Government’s policy enables independent supermarkets to continue or expand, the Minister advised that there was ample opportunity within the marketplace, noting examples of niche markets that were already developing; the possibility of allowing more mixed use within local shopping centres; and through the policy of revitalising local shopping centres.219

5.13 Other issues raised by the Committee included:

the inclusion of certain lease conditions associated with the Casey group centre220

the rationale behind the Government’s exclusion of Woolworths and Coles on certain sites.221

216 Mr Andrew Barr MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 304 217 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 304-305 218 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 305 219 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 305-306 220 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 307-308 221 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 308-309


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Development at University of Canberra

5.14 The Committee asked questions about the role the EDD plays in facilitating the delivery of private sector developments, the types of projects currently being facilitated and the criteria used to determine the development proposals that will receive assistance.222

5.15 One of the major projects receiving support is the University of Canberra, in relation to the provision of student accommodation and assistance in delivery projects associated with the university’s master plan.223

5.16 The Committee also sought clarification about the total cost of the University of Canberra student accommodation project and whether the loan constituted 100 per cent of the total costs. The Minister undertook to provide details of the cost breakdown for the project.224

Private Sector Development

5.17 The Minister advised that he will be making a statement in the Assembly about his intentions in the portfolio and to establish the thresholds and criteria for what constitutes major project status to ensure there is transparency and that decisions made in relation to project facilitation ‘demonstrate clear community benefits.’225 The Minister agreed to provide the Committee with a list of the major projects the Directorate is working on.226

5.18 The Committee was concerned that one of the strategic objectives of the Government was the delivery of significant projects from both the private and public sectors, yet could only detail public sector projects on which work was being undertaken.

Land Development Agency

5.19 The Land Development Agency (LDA) is currently a Territory authority

222 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 309 223 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 309 QToN 479 224 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 310-311 225 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 310 226 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 310 QToN 478


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operating under the Planning and Development Act 2007. From 1 July 2011, the functions of the LDA will transfer to the Economic Development Directorate.

5.20 The Committee sought an explanation as to how the Land Development Agency would achieve its efficiency target of $5.6 million.227

5.21 The LDA advised that, over the last four years, LDA’s resources had increased by around 50 per cent but its outputs had increased by some 150 per cent. Specific savings would be achieved through increasing the scale of some projects to facilitate economies scale and improving its ballot processes.228

5.22 The Chief Executive also advised the Committee that the recent ACT Auditor-General’s review of land release and development had not identified any inefficiency and had found that the LDA had ‘exceeded its targets and had a strong financial management focus’.229

5.23 The LDA outlined several areas where it was making significant savings, and advised that it expected to achieve an estimated $690 million of revenue in the next financial year and was confident it would achieve the savings required.230

5.24 The Committee also discussed with officials the impact on industrial land prices of the industrial land release policy; the reduction in prices for industrial land; if any analysis had been undertaken on the potential effect on rates in industrial areas; and whether consequential lower land valuations had been factored in as a potential revenue loss for the Government. The LDA advised that land values for the most recent sales in Fyshwick had been between $300 and $310 a square metre, but indicated that it was difficult to do a direct comparison based on dollar per square metre, due to differences in block size and location. 231 Officials undertook to provide the Committee with the per square metre rate on recent industrial land sales.232

227 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 313 228 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 314 Act Auditor-General, residential Land Supply and

Development, Report No. 2/2011 229 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 314 230 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 314-315 231 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 315-316 232 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 318


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5.25 In relation to the land release program, the Committee sought further information on the number of residential blocks that were being built on.233 Officials advised that as there was a lag time from when the land is released through the planning and development process, it could be some 18 months before building commences.234

5.26 Officials advised that over the last four years, some 17,000 residential blocks had been released, and in the last calendar year the number of building commencements achieved was 4,800. The Directorate further advised that much of the land that is being released comprises multi-unit sites, including some mixed use sites such as the Kingston Foreshore, which allow building to commence straight away.235 Officials undertook to provide the Committee with a breakdown of the number of blocks that have ever been built on or are currently being built for the blocks released over the last four years.236

5.27 Referring to the Auditor-General’s report into residential land supply and development, the Committee sought assurances that next financial year’s land release targets, and the consequential revenue targets, would be met.237

5.28 The Directorate advised that it considered the market was still strong and that it would achieve its estimated sale of 5,500 blocks next year and 5,000 the following year.238 Officials reiterated the objective of establishing an inventory of planning-ready blocks in order to respond more easily to the market.239

5.29 In relation to meeting revenue targets, officials advised that they currently had $410 million worth of exchanged contracts, most of which were due to be settled in the next financial year. Along with other releases scheduled between now and Christmas 2011, this comprised some two-thirds of the revenue anticipated for next year. Officials stated that ‘on that basis, there is no reason

233 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 316 234 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 316-317 235 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 317-318 236 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 317 237 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 318 238 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 319 239 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 318 and p 312


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to suggest that we will not get our revenue targets’.240

Kenny contamination remediation

5.30 The Committee sought further details of the remediation required at the Kenny site.241

5.31 Officials advised that there are a range of minor contamination issues in Kenny, including rockfill and timber in drainage lines, concrete and brick fill, and stockpiles of material containing timber and steel posts. The allocation of $400,000 would assist with the remedial action required before the development can proceed, with the first stage release anticipated for 2012-13.242

5.32 Officials advised that more investigative work on sites was being undertaken prior to land release, enabling the Government to go out to tender for planning or construction studies with less risk, which would have a flow on to bid prices.243

Molonglo

5.33 The Committee commended the LDA on its decision to offer the services of a Home Sustainability Advisor for the Molonglo development. Officials advised that when completed the program would be tested and evaluated, but noted it was in place for the life of the Coombs and Wright suburbs.244

5.34 The Committee was curious to know how the water supply infrastructure at Molonglo would be more sustainable than at other greenfield developments.245

5.35 Officials advised that the $10 million would provide trunk infrastructure support to the development and also funding for stabilisation of downstream corridors, a water quality control pond, wetlands and creek stabilisation.246 Officials advised that it was still necessary to provide the pipes to carry water to the site, but that it was their intention that there be less water usage than other parts of Canberra and that in order to receive the EnviroDevelopment

240 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p319 241 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p319 242 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp319-320 243 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p321


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certification ‘a very significant percentage reduction in water ‘ is implied in the development.247 The Minister agreed to provide the Committee with a breakdown of the funding for water supply infrastructure for Molonglo.248

Australia Forum

5.36 The Government was questioned about its role in the development of the Australia Forum and associated opportunities for the West Basin precinct. 249 The Committee welcomed the announcement of a contribution of $1 million from the ACT Government to progress the Australia Forum concept. Whilst appreciative of the million dollar commitment if the Australia Forum is to get to the “shovel ready” stage further financial commitment will be required to permit the planning and design to continue.

5.37 The Committee believed that it was important for the funding that will be required to permit the planning and design phase to continue to be identified and the timing be made known.

5.38 Given that the Australia Forum was a project of national significance and that one of the main beneficiaries and users will be the Federal Government the Committee believed that the Federal Government had an obligation to make a significant contribution to the construction of the Australia Forum. The Committee notes the scoping study for the Australia Forum.250


5.39 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide details to the Legislative Assembly when responding to the scoping study about how the $1 million for the Australia Forum will be spent.

244 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 321 245 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 321-322 246 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 322-323 247 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 323 248 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 323 249 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 311-12 250 An overview of the Australia Forum Scoping Study and the work of the Australia Forum Steering

Committee, 11 April 2011, available at: <http://www.australiaforum.com.au/files/download/?id=44>

http://www.australiaforum.com.au/files/download/?id=44


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5.40 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government update the Legislative Assembly on a six-monthly basis on the progress of the planning for and design of the Australia Forum.


5.41 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government update the Legislative Assembly on a six-monthly basis on the progress of obtaining Federal Government financial commitment to the Australia Forum.

5.42 The Committee also asked questions in relation to:

the number of residential blocks expected to the released this year251

the administrative arrangements for the Land Development Agency under the new Directorate structure252

the development of Section 63 in the City.253

Business and Industry Development

5.43 This output covers ‘programs, initiatives and business policy advice to support strategic business and industry development in the ACT’.254

5.44 The Committee invited the Minister to outline the Government’s strategy, and the associated major budget initiatives for achieving economic growth for the ACT. The Minister noted several new budget initiatives to facilitate growth in the tourism and sport sectors, including in relation to the airport expansion, as well as a range of opportunities for the expansion of the education and training sector. 255

251 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 312 252 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 312 253 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 323-324 254 Budget Paper 4, p 123 255 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 324-326 Ms Le Couteur noted that the Government’s

considerations about future tourism promotion appeared to be done in the context of business as usual and did not consider the possible future impact of peak oil on transport, in particular and recommends that the Government considers peak oil in future tourism planning.


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5.45 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table in the Legisltaive Assembly, by the first sitting day in December 2011, the industry development plans for the tourism, sport, aviation and education and training industries.

5.46 The Committee referred to the Directorate’s strategy to work with industry to strengthen the ACT economy.256 The Minister acknowledged that there were other sectors that provided important opportunities for growth, such as construction, ICT, defence and science and technology industries, and he would also be working with those sectors to strengthen and expand the ACT economy.257


5.47 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table in the Legislative Assembly, by the first sitting day in April 2012, the industry development plans for the construction, information and communication technology, defence and science and technology industries.

5.48 The Committee also questioned the Government’s involvement in undertaking a demand analysis of potential flight markets.258 While agreeing that the Government should not be subsidising routes, the Minister noted that the analysis was being prepared in the context of aligning future tourism promotion with work being undertaken by the airport and airlines, and would include examining questions of long-term marketing commitments.259

5.49 The Minister also confirmed that the analysis was not related to Canberra becoming Sydney’s second airport.260 The Minister added that issues related to the timing of additional flights, and responding to peak oil and changes in the

256 Budget Paper 4, p 120 257 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 330 258 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 328 259 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 328-329 260 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 329


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price of fuel, were matters for the airport and airlines.261


5.50 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provides to the Legislative Assembly an update on the progress in completing the demand analysis of the potential flight markets and, when the analysis is complete, that the analysis be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.

5.51 The Committee questioned the Minister about:

progress with the clean economic development strategy and the nature of coordination being done with other relevant directorates262

the relationship between the education export services strategy and the clean economic strategy.263

5.52 The Committee was concerned about the length of time taken for the Government to respond to the report: Framework for an Australian Capital Territory Clean Economy Strategy – Economic, Environmental and Social Perspectives.264


5.53 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table in the Legislative Assembly its industry development plan for the “clean economy” by the first sitting day in February 2012.

5.54 Other issues raised by the Committee included:

the future of Summernats265

the funding implications of the transfer of the output from the Chief Minister’s Department266

261 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 329-330 262 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 326-327 263 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 328 264 University of Canberra, Framework for an Australian Capital Territory Clean Economy Strategy –

Economic, Environmental and Social Perspectives 265 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 324 266 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 326


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the Minister’s response to industry concerns about ACT purchasing policies.267

5.55 The Minister also agreed to provide Committee with further information regarding:

the reasons for not including a strategic indicator relating to improving the innovation capacity of the ACT economy268

a list of key sector private development initiatives269

the number of businesses cancelling or not renewing licence registrations.270

5.56 The Committee notes that the Government is putting extra funding into city lighting, but even after this funding only 35 per cent of civic will comply with current lighting standards.271


5.57 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government examine how much it would cost to bring Civic up to current lighting standards, to ensure safety for users, as well as energy efficiency in order to meet the Government commitment to Action 13 of the ACT Government Climate Change Action Plan.

Tourism, Venues and Events

5.58 At its public hearing of 27 May 2011, the Committee met with Mr Barr, in his capacity as the Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation. In the hearing, the Committee considered, under the portfolio responsibilities of the EDD, outputs 1.3: Tourism, Venues and Events, and output 1.4: Sport and Recreation.

5.59 The Budget Papers note that outputs for Tourism, Sport, Recreation and Events had been administered by the Department of the Chief Minister, and

267 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 327 268 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 331 QToN 487 269 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 331 QToN 488 270 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 332 QToN 489 271 QoN 155


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had either been absorbed, under the new Administrative Arrangements, into the responsibilities of the Economic Development Directorate, or would be effective 1 July 2011.272

5.60 The Minister told the Committee that tourism in the ACT had made ‘over $1.5 billion in contributions to the local economy’ and that it employed ‘more than’ 13,000 Canberra residents. He also noted that the previous twelve months had been ‘our strongest tourism year’ since the Sydney Olympics, and that this was an encouraging sign in the lead up to the city’s centenary.273

5.61 The Budget Papers description states that responsibilities under output 1.3 are:

The creation and implementation of a range of marketing and development programs and activities to promote tourism and major events held in the ACT. This includes promotion of the ACT as a tourism destination and the management and delivery of significant events such as Floriade and Floriade NightFest. This will also involve management and promotion of sporting and recreation events at major sporting and recreational venues including the Canberra Stadium, Manuka Oval, and Stromlo Forest Park.274

5.62 The Committee asked a number of questions for this output, including:

the separate amounts of appropriations for tourism venues and events

new accountability indicators, and whether they reflected a ‘significant change in direction’

the basis for decision-making, in particular as to whether the main focus was sporting events or ‘the government looking for tourism events’

increased funding for the Canberra Convention Bureau

marketing the ACT as a tourist destination to China

the Enlighten event.

5.63 In relation to appropriations for tourism, venues and events, the Minister told the Committee that the $15.897 million appropriation for tourism in 2010-11

272 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, pp 71–72, 124 273 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1307 274 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 124


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would increase to $17.702 million in 2011-2012. This would include a $500,000 increase to the centenary initiative; an appropriation of $1 million to the blockbuster fund; a further $440,000 to the budget of the Canberra Convention Bureau; $983,000 for Commonwealth Park. This, the Minister told the Committee, represented an overall increase in appropriations in the tourism budget.275


5.64 The Committee recommends that the Minister for Tourism, Sport and recreation table in the Legislative Assembly the guidelines for accessing the Blockbuster Fund before the recommencement of the Budget debate.

5.65 In relation to new accountability indicators, the Committee asked whether these signalled a ‘significant change in direction’. In responding to the question, the Minister told the Committee that the new indicators were associated with ‘a much stronger focus on economic return to the territory from a range of these activities’, but noted that there was would still be ‘a strong community event element contained within’.276

5.66 In relation to questions on whether the focus of decision-making would be sporting or tourism events, the Minister told the Committee that the overall quantum of funding had increased, allowing a greater emphasis on major events, but that there would be no diminution of support for community events.277

5.67 The Committee welcomes the additional funding for the Canberra Convention Bureau. In relation to questions regarding increased funding, the Minister told the Committee the increase comprised amounts for sales activity, trade show infrastructure, the development of a ‘business events specific DVD’ and to develop a ‘branding and communications toolkit’. He also advised the Committee of targets for direct delegate expenditure and associated room

275 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1308-09 276 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1311 277 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1313-14


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nights in hotel accommodation.278

5.68 In relation to questions regarding the marketing of the ACT as a tourist destination for the Chinese market, the Minister and the General Manager, Australian Capital Tourism, advised the Committee that the ACT Government was working in partnership with Tourism Australia and other stakeholders and federal government agencies to promote the ACT. This, they told the Committee, was part of a wider effort to promote Australia as a whole to the Chinese market. The Minister also responded to questions regarding preparation for the Asian games in 2015.279

5.69 The Committee notes that Tourism Australia has estimated that the major sources of growth in inbound tourism will come from China and India.


5.70 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government tables in the Legislative Assembly their strategy for generating additional tourism visitation to the ACT from China and India by the first sitting day in March 2012.

5.71 In relation to questions about Enlighten, the Minister told the Committee that the Government Payment for Outputs (GPO) for the festival was $1.5 million. The Government had expended $1.4 million ‘for various marketing promotional campaigns for Autumn and Enlighten’ and there was a further $450,000 in own source revenue. The total cost of Enlighten, the Minister told the Committee, was $3.4 million and the return to the economy was $1 million.280

5.72 The Committee also asked questions regarding the number of persons who attended in contrast to numbers of visits to events, and its effect on interstate visitation into the ACT as a result of Enlighten. The Minister and the General Manager, Australian Capital Tourism, advised the Committee that it was not possible to isolate the number of persons attending from the individual visits,

278 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1315 279 Mr Barr, Ms Shepherd, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1317-19 280 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1321-22


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on the basis of data collected by the Directorate. The General Manager, Australian Capital Tourism advised the Committee that interstate visitation into the ACT due to Enlighten was below the lower end of a range projected by Ernst & Young in planning work for the event.281

5.73 The Committee received a copy of the Ernst & Young report on Tuesday 14 June 2011. The Minister in his accompanying letter to the Committee requested that the report be not released due to commercial in confidence reasons.282


5.74 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government details to the Legislative Assembly how it will improve the Enlighten event and over what timeframe.


5.75 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government establishes clear guidelines for future utilisation of commercial-in-confidence protection.

5.76 The Committee noted that the 2010-11 Estimates Committee recommended that the Government prepare and table in the Assembly plans for the accommodation sector, new events for the ACT and new tourist attractions in the ACT. Unfortunately, the Government’s response did not provide sufficient

281 Mr Barr, Ms Shepherd, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1322-25, 1326 282 Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson upon reading the report were unable to find any reason to keep the

report commercial in confidence. There were none of the acceptable reasons such as price paid, intellectual property or production processes or formulas. Also as Enlighten is a Government funded and run event the question is who is the competition that would be so anxious to have access to this information and set up an event to run in opposition to the ACT Government’s event. They were unaware of any commercial entity willing to spend more than three million dollars to lose almost a million dollars from which the Government’s report requires commercial-in –confidence protection. They were concerned that the Minister was unable or unwilling to answer questions in detail about the Enlighten event. The numbers contained in the glossy analysis document released by the Government choose only to present the best view of the event. When asked by the committee the Minister took on notice questions that should have been able to be answered as the Government clearly had enough time to produce their summary. They were also very concerned that more than thirty percent of those who attended Enlighten did not pay for their attendance. From the analysis it is clear that most of the attendees simply came for the concert and they questioned the need for the ACT Government to be a concert promoter and indeed whether a concert is the autumn event promised by the Government.


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detail on a number of issues.

5.77 During the consideration of ACT Budget by the 2010 Select Committee on Estimates, detailed information was sought on three key activities relating to the development of the tourism industry in the ACT: plans were sought for new attractions, for new events and for accommodation. The information in the plans should include:

Attractions: such information as an overall strategy for the development of new attractions in the ACT, any details of potential new attractions or of the upgrading of existing attractions, a timetable of prospective attractions, an analysis of the economic and employment flow-on effects to the ACT, an analysis of revenue benefits which could flow to the ACT Government, the impact on visitors to the ACT, the employment effects of any new attractions and details on the source of any interest in developing new attractions in the ACT;

Events: such information as an overall strategy for the development of new events in the annual tourism calendar, any timetable within which potential new events would be inaugurated, any targets for the consideration of any new events, an analysis of the economic and employment flow-on effects to the ACT, an analysis of revenue benefits which could flow to the ACT Government, the impact on visitors to the ACT, the employment effects of any new events and details of any people or organisations which have expressed interest in developing any new events;

Accommodation: such information as an overall strategy for the development of a range of new accommodation in the ACT, details of any expressions of interest in developing new types of accommodation from local and external organisations, details of the location and type of accommodation which is being planned, an analysis of the economic and employment flow-on effects to the ACT, an analysis of revenue benefits which could flow to the ACT Government, the impact on visitors to the ACT, the employment effects of any new accommodation facilities and timetables for the delivery of new types of accommodation.


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5.78 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government develop and table in the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in December 2011 a plan for new tourist attractions in the ACT.


5.79 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government develop and table in the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in December 2011 a plan for new tourist events in the ACT.


5.80 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government develop and table in the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in December 2011 a plan for the accommodation sector in the ACT.

Sport and Recreation

5.81 For Sport and Recreation the output description lists the following responsibilities:

The Directorate will develop programs, policies and legislation, provide grants, and create education and training opportunities to maintain and improve the capabilities of the sport and recreation sector in the Territory. The Directorate will also manage and maintain sportsgrounds and facilities, and provide support services to high performance athletes in the ACT.283

5.82 The Committee asked a number of questions for this output, including:

283 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 124


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cost of grounds to sporting clubs

performance fees for the Canberra Raiders and the Brumbies

upgrades to the Manuka Oval

plans to redevelop aquatic facilities in Civic.

5.83 In responding to questions about increases in fees charged to clubs for the use of sports grounds, the Minister told the Committee that water costs comprised a significant component of increased charges. The Minister also told the Committee that the Government had ‘increased operational subsidies for all of the sports’ through the sport and recreation grants program, in addition to providing other assistance.284

5.84 In responding to questions about performance fees for the Raiders and Brumbies, the Minister told the Committee that the performance fee for the Raiders was $1,337,272. Other forms of assistance were ‘the rolling in of the former national league team program’ ($105,063) and a payroll tax concession. The Minister told the Committee that the ‘total value of the package is $1.942 million, with the cash component being $1.442 million.285

5.85 For the Brumbies, the Minister told the Committee, the performance fee for 2011 was $772,646. There was ‘another $111,439 added on’ due to further games in the season, and an additional $105,063 due to the club being ‘formerly in the national league team program’. In addition, the club had a ‘$590,000 payroll tax concession’, and the ‘total package for 2011 is $1,690,587, of which the cash component is $1.1 million’.286

5.86 In asking questions regarding upgrades to the Manuka Oval, the Committee in particular asked about an amount of $750,000 allocated for redevelopment design. The General Manager, Territory Venues and Events told the Committee that this amount was for detailed design within the context of ‘a larger proposed upgrade which is a proposal at this stage still’, and noted that this amount did ‘not relate to the funding that [was] allocated this year’. He also gave details of other expenditure for the Oval, including appropriations

284 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1334 285 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1336 286 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1336


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for temporary seating, a ‘planning study for the precinct adjacent’ to the Oval, and an amount for ‘the capital upgrades program’.287


5.87 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government develop a comprehensive transport plan to ensure that the additional seating capacity within the Manuka Oval can be accommodated.

5.88 In responding to questions about the redevelopment of aquatic facilities in Civic, the Minister told the Committee that a number of planning activities were in train. These included an investigation review of the Canberra Olympic Pool; a feasibility study for a leisure centre at Gungahlin; and a ‘point strategy for the entire ACT’. He told the Committee that final reports on these reviews were anticipated in the near future.288

ACT Gambling and Racing Commission

5.89 The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission (the Commission) is an independent statutory authority established under the Gambling and Racing Control Act 1999 to control, supervise and regulate gambling and racing activities in the Territory.289

5.90 The Commission advised the Committee that the reduction in its accumulated reserves from $4.8 million to $1.6 million reflected its voluntary return to the Territory of $3.9 million, comprising $2.0 million of accumulated operating surpluses and $1.9 million of unclaimed lottery prizes.290

5.91 The Commission noted that it has ongoing discussions with the racing industry on regulatory matters. The Commission advised that it was awaiting and would fit in with the Government’s response to the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission’s Final Report into the ACT Racing

287 Mr Guthrie, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1338 Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson considered

that the transport plan should incorporate parking as well as public transport issues. 288 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1340 289 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 397 290 Mr Jones, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 332


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Industry, including in relation to the recommended review of administrative arrangements.291 While noting that the detailed government response would be subject to the cabinet process, the Minister gave broad in-principle agreement to the ICRC’s recommendations.292

5.92 In relation to the issue of problem gambling, the Commission outlined the two research projects currently underway with the Australian National University (ANU): the first, seeking to identify the most significant factors that predict problem gamblers and how they interact; and the second, examining the reasons for the low take-up rate for help-seeking behaviour. Funding from the problem gambling assistance fund would be used to support additional research projects in 2012.293

5.93 The Committee was interested to hear about the additional community engagement activities the Commission would be undertaking. The Commission advised that, in addition to the its existing community consultation processes with Clubs ACT, the casino, and through its consultative committee, its new support services organisation was expected to result in significantly increased community engagement in the next financial year.294

5.94 The Commission also advised that improved communication between the Commission and licensees; increased education involvement with licensees; licensees taking compliance more seriously; and increased intensity of the Commission’s audit program, were factors contributing to the steady decline in the number of breaches of the legislation.295

Exhibition Park Corporation

5.95 In responding to questions regarding plans for the future of EPIC (Exhibition Park In Canberra), the General Manager, told the Committee that a

291 Mr Jones, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 333 292 Mr Andrew Barr MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 333 293 Mr Jones, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 333-334 294 Mr Jones, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 334 295 Mr Jones, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 335


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‘rejuvenation plan’ had been prepared to steer the redevelopment of EPIC, which would include considerations of an equestrian centre and a mixed-use horse-riding and bicycle track. There were also plans to create a ‘drop-in cafe’; a space to exhibit the work of young artists; a petrol station; and a fast food outlet at EPIC.296


5.96 The Committee recommends that the rejuvenation plan for Exhibition Park in Canberra be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.

5.97 The Committee noted the lack of any comment in the Budget Papers about the redevelopment of the site of the former petrol station.297 The Committee was surprised at this omission, as this site was a significant source of revenue for the Corporation; since the closure of the former petrol station, not only has the Corporation lost this revenue stream but it has incurred costs for the remediation of the site.


5.98 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly on the redevelopment of the petrol station site adjacent to EPIC and on progress with the development of low cost accommodation on the Exhibition Park site by the last sitting day of September 2011.

296 Ms Clarke, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May, pp 1344-45 297 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1345


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6 HE ALT H D IR E CTO RATE

6.1 The Health Directorate aims to achieve good health for all ACT residents by ‘planning, purchasing and providing quality community based health services, hospital and extended care services, managing public health risks, and promoting health and early care interventions’.298

6.2 The Committee met with the Minister for Health, Ms Katy Gallagher MLA on Wednesday 18 May, Thursday 19 May, and Monday 30 May 2011. The Minister was accompanied by officers from the Health Directorate.

6.3 With a requested appropriation of over $1 billion dollars, the Committee sought reassurance from the Minister that the funds would be spent appropriately and that budget items would be delivered and on schedule.299

6.4 The Health Directorate employs over 5,000 people and delivers public health services to people of the ACT through:

acute services

mental health

justice health and alcohol and drug services

public health services

rehabilitation, aged and community care

early intervention and prevention.

Efficiency dividend

6.5 Enquiring about the effect of the efficiency dividend on the Health Directorate, the Minister advised that, while Health was exempt from the additional dividend in 2010–11, this year a Cabinet decision was made to impose the efficiency dividend on all agencies. The Committee noted the $5.6 million

298 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 217 299 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 337–338


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savings initiative300 and the Director-General advised the savings may be made through:

... a range of operational areas—travel, accommodation, recruitment, printing, and stationery. We will also look at workforce and streamlining and efficiencies that might be available to us there ... without losing any service delivery.301

General practitioners in the ACT

6.6 With the shortage of general practitioners (GPs) in the ACT being well recognised, the Committee sought an update from the Minister for Health on improvements resulting from the $12 million allocated over four years in the 2009-10 Budget for GP Workforce Initiatives.302 The Minister outlined the following projects: the GP Development Fund; Teaching Incentive Payments; and the ANU Scholarships and advised that they were all progressing.

6.7 The Minister noted that such programs can provide incentives to attract GPs to the ACT, but advised that the overall number of GPs is controlled at the national level through the distribution of Medicare provider numbers and allocation of university placements for medical students.303 The Minister told the Committee:

In relation to GPs, Mr Hanson, you know very well that this Government has no control over the number of GPs in this place.304

6.8 The Director-General advised that around 18 GPs had had been attracted to the ACT since the introduction of the initiatives and that the ACT was now matching the number of new arrivals with those leaving general practice. She further advised that an additional 13 GPs are currently expressing interest in relocating to the ACT.305

300 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4 301 Dr Brown, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 372–373 302 2009–10 Budget Paper No. 3, p 78 303 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, pp 1353–1354 304 Minister for Health, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 340 Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson were

dismayed that the Minister maintained she had no control over GP numbers in the ACT. 305 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1355


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6.9 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide a reconciliation of expenditure against the $12 million of ACT funds appropriated in the 2009–10 Budget to attract GPs to the ACT.

6.10 The Committee also questioned the progress on the establishment of the Federal Government funded GP super clinic. The Minister advised that she had been working with her national counterpart, the Australian Government Minister for Health, Ms Nicola Roxon, to ensure existing general practice was included, stating ‘I did not want to see an outcome that would have our hard working GPs against the project’. The Minister noted that she was aware that a number of applicants had submitted an interest to host the super clinic and advised the Committee that she had provided a letter of support for the ANU. She was not able to elaborate on the timeframe for when the final decision would be made. 306

Acute Services

6.11 This output includes the provision of public hospital services including inpatient, outpatient and emergency department services.307

Elective surgery

6.12 The Committee was interested in the elective surgery waiting lists and enquired into a number of areas. Addressing concerns that waiting times were extended because surgeons did not share patients, the Director-General of the Health Directorate advised that the elective surgery waiting list policy had been revised to state that patients are allocated to a broader list rather than a waiting list for a specific surgeon. She further noted, however, that this was a difficult issue that had been addressed by the surgical services taskforce.308

6.13 The Committee noted the differences in waiting times for types of surgery and questioned whether more detail in the reporting of waiting lists was

306 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1361 307 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 217 308 Dr Brown, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 340–341


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warranted. The Minister for Health told the Committee that measures to improve performance reporting were being considered and as a response to surgeons’ requests, emergency surgery will now be reported. The Minister also told the Committee that New South Wales patients on the waiting list will be reported, stating that this detail:

... adds some more information to the complexity of our system that is not necessarily being demanded of anyone else’s system. It is not to find an excuse; it is just to explain that 30 per cent of our elective work is from over the border.309

6.14 Noting the $10.4 million in the Budget to provide for an additional 306 elective surgery and 100 emergency surgery operations annually,310 the Committee was interested in the detail of how this would occur. The Committee was advised that approximately 100 of the additional operations would be conducted in the private sector, based on the cost-weighted separation rate set by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.311

6.15 The Committee was further advised that the public sector operations would be conducted at the Calvary Public Hospital (CPH) and The Canberra Hospital based on agreed targets, incorporating factors such as availability of surgeons, operating times and bed availability.312

6.16 The Committee noted the Auditor-General Waiting Lists for Elective Surgery and Medical Treatment313 and sought an update on the implementation of the recommendations. The Committee was informed that the implementation was being overseen by the surgical services taskforce and that significant progress had been made in the areas of; revised waiting list policy (previously mentioned); standardising documentation across both public hospitals; improvements to requests for admission forms from surgeons; and

309 Minister for Health, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 341 310 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 3, p 19 311 Mr Thompson, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 353, QToN 68 312 Mr Thompson, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 354 313 Office of the Auditor-General, Performance Audit, Waiting Lists for Elective Surgery and Medical

Treatment, January 2011


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improvements to clerical processes.314


6.17 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provides a comprehensive update to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in August 2011 on the implementation of recommendations arising from the Auditor General’s Report into Elective Surgery.


6.18 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide to the Legislative Assembly, by the first sitting day in August 2011, a summary of all measures being implemented by ACT Health to reduce elective surgery wait times to meet national targets.

6.19 The Committee asked about the specific Budget allocation for elective surgery to be conducted at the Queanbeyan Hospital and a progress update. The Minister advised that there is agreement between the ACT Health Directorate and NSW Health to develop a plan.315

Calvary Public Hospital

6.20 Calvary Public Hospital (CPH) is managed by Calvary Health Care ACT (CHC), a subsidiary group of the Little Company of Mary (LCMHC). The Committee noted the recent Government decision to maintain acute hospital services at CPH, to build a new sub-acute facility and that $4 million dollars has been allocated in the Budget to scope this project.

6.21 Part of the decision announced by the Government was the development of a fully networked and specialised hospital system for the ACT. Noting that clear role delineation for the two acute hospitals is an important component of a networked system, the Committee was concerned that agreement had not yet been reached. The Deputy Director-General advised that while there was agreement on a broad role delineation statement, it was important to:

314 Mr Thompson, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 355–356 315 Minister for Health, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 357


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... add a degree of specificity to that statement to resolve some of the questions that still exist around the roles of the two hospitals, as well as looking to the future and understanding what the future roles of those two hospitals will be. It is particularly around the issue of concentrating emergency surgery, for example, at the Canberra Hospital and focusing on elective surgery more at Calvary and those sorts of issues.316


6.22 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table in the Legislative Assembly the outcomes of the negotiations between the Health Directorate and Calvary Health Care determining role delineation for The Canberra Hospital and Calvary Public Hospital.

6.23 The Committee also discussed the development of the master plan for the refurbishment and redevelopment of CPH including expansion of the emergency department and a new car park; the timeframe for completion for the construction of both public hospitals; the rational for the increase in bed numbers; and in-principle agreement between the LCMHC and the Government around the use of the land on the Bruce site.317

6.24 The Committee was concerned that the 2010 audited financial statements for CHC showed that liabilities exceeded the assets and that a large part of the balance related to employee entitlements. The Minister advised that this issue had not been resolved as CHC believed that the ACT Government was liable while advice from the ACT Government solicitor confirmed that employee entitlements are part of the payments for service provided to CHC. The Minster further advised that negotiations were continuing to resolve this issue.318

316 Mr Thompson, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 364–365 317 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 364–368 318 Minister for Health, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 342–343, p 344


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6.25 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government resolve the Calvary staff entitlement issue and report the resolution to the Legislative Assembly during within the next sitting period.


6.26 The Committee recommends that, if the Calvary staff entitlement issue is not resolved by 1 December 2011, the Government report this to the Legislative Assembly by the last sitting day in 2011.

6.27 The Committee questioned the 2010 $4.83 million surplus recorded for CHC and sought assurance that this was not a result of operations of the public hospital. The Committee was advised that this had been examined, and on advice from CHC, believed that it was not related to an operating surplus for CPH.319

6.28 The Committee was also told that the promotion of CPH, in the media, had been funded by the LCMHC.320

Proposed New Hospital

6.29 The Committee inquired about the decision to maintain acute hospital services at CPH, to build a new sub-acute facility and to provide $4 million dollars in the Budget to scope this project.

6.30 Noting the $4 million allocated for scoping the new north side sub-acute hospital the Committee discussed options for its location. While the focus had been on a new north side acute hospital the Committee questioned the need for the new sub-acute hospital to be based in the north. The Minster agreed that it did not need to be in the north but considered that it should be located in the vicinity of an acute hospital, and explained:

319 Mr Thompson, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 343 320 Mr Thompson, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 344


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There is not any land near Canberra Hospital of the size that you would need for a facility like that. I think the opportunities exist on the north side.321

6.31 The Committee asked about the detailed composition of the 400 beds, including options for a birthing centre, that the Government intends to introduce as part of the expansion of Calvary Public Hospital and the new sub-acute facility. The Minister agreed to provide the Committee with details of the bed numbers by type.


6.32 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide to the Legislative Assembly, by the first sitting day in August 2011, a detailed breakdown of the 400 beds, by type, that form part of its plan to expand Calvary Public Hospital and establish a sub-acute facility.


6.33 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government further investigate whether there is demand for a birthing centre on the north side of Canberra, and if so, consider the provision at the proposed third hospital.


6.34 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide to the Legislative Assembly the rationale for the location of the proposed sub-acute facility.

321 Minister for Health, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 363


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Women and children’s hospital

6.35 Noting the additional 26 to 30 beds for the women’s and babies’ inpatient unit and a burns bath in the paediatric unit the Committee questioned the timing of the increase in the number of beds and why it was not included in the initial scoping. The Minister described the process:

... we appropriate money on the scope of a building. We then go out and consult through the next stage up to the design of the building. We consult with staff around appropriate models of care and how they would like to restructure their workplace to deliver the care they need in a new environment. That work actually informs the design of the building.322

6.36 The Committee was also advised that stage 1, incorporating the new buildings, was expected to be completed by October or November 2011. This would allow paediatrics and other services to move into the new building to enable the refurbishment and redevelopment of the existing building.323

6.37 Of the money allocated to increase obstetric and gynaecological services324 the committee sought clarification on the additional number of midwives and was advised that the majority of the money was for midwives.325

6.38 Enquiring about the progress to enable midwives to operate under the Medicare model in the ACT, the Committee was told that clinical privileges to operate within hospitals must be addressed before this can proceed.326 With significant Commonwealth funding available the Committee heard that the Health Directorate was committed to addressing the issues but could not provide a time frame when this was likely to occur.327

322 Minister for Health, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 360 323 Minister for Health, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 361 324 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 3, p 95 325 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 378–379 326 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 379 327 Mr Thompson, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 379


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6.39 The Committee recommends that that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly about the provision of clinical privileges for midwives by August 2011.

Emergency department

6.40 The Committee was concerned about the significant increase in the number of people who presented at the emergency department but left before being attended to by medical staff. The Committee was advised that this group, known as ‘did not waits’ averaged around 10 per cent of emergency department presentations and had increased by 6 per cent per annum over recent years. The Committee was also advised of a recent project examining the ‘did not waits’ that highlighted a number of strategies to address the reasons for people leaving.328


6.41 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in September 2011 a summary of all measures implemented and intended to be implemented by the Health Directorate to reduce emergency department wait times to within national targets.

6.42 Other issues discussed relating to acute services included:

the promotion of the ACT Health website 329

the level of consultation with staff regarding the hospital school for the new women and children’s hospital 330

ongoing arbitration with NSW regarding cross-border payments 331

the use of armchairs in the emergency department 332

the phasing in of the national health reform four hour emergency

328 Ms Jackson, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 393–394 329 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 345 and p 374 330 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 359 and p 370 331 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 358 332 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 394


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department targets 333

the increase in the growth and demand for additional acute services and flexibility within current structure including hospital-in-the-home type service 334

impact of the recommendations of the bullying review including the morale of staff.335

Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol and

Drug Services

6.43 This output provides a range of services in hospitals, community health centres, adult and youth correctional facilities and peoples’ homes.336

Mental Health

6.44 The Committee enquired about the specific funding allocated for mental health services and was advised that the estimate for 2011-12 is approximately $90 million, which is 7.9 per cent of the total health budget.337 Noting the Health Directorate’s target for mental health funding to reach 12 per cent of the overall Budget, the Committee questioned whether this was valid, given the increasing size of the Health Budget. The Minister advised that:

... it is an important figure in the sense that, particularly for the mental health community, it gives recognition that, in an overall pool of spending, there should be adequate resourcing to the mental health sector, whether that be in the public sector or the community sector.338

6.45 The Committee sought an update on the secure mental health facility and was told that the initial planning was being reassessed due to changes in assumed demand and availability of beds in the ACT and NSW since the opening of the

333 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 395 334 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 399 335 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 402 336 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 229 337 Mr Foster, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 385 338 Minister for Health, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 387


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AMC and a new secure facility in NSW.339 The Minster also advised that the estimated costs had almost tripled and the potential difficulties of staffing a stand-alone facility were discussed.340


6.46 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide a timeline for the completion of the promised secure mental health facility.

6.47 The Committee asked about the continuation of the mental health training pilot working across agencies to provide training for teachers, police and ambulance workers.341 The Minister advised that while this program has not been formally evaluated the feedback has been positive and the decision was made to continue the program.342

6.48 The Minister was also questioned about the current capacity of Arcadia House in relation to the provision of drug and alcohol services.343


6.49 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government review the need to expand drug and alcohol rehabilitation services and report to the Legislative Assembly by March 2012.

Budget increases for the community sector in mental health

6.50 The Committee asked questions regarding an increase in appropriations to the community sector in mental health. The Executive Director, Policy and Government Relations, told the Committee that the Budget increased expenditure in this sector by $500,000. Of this:

$122,000 was allocated to multicultural mental health programs

$80,000 to the ACT Social Enterprise Hub, which ‘seeks to strengthen

339 Dr Brown, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 390 340 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 390–391 341 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 3, p 97 342 Minister for Health, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 382 343 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 435


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vocational and employment opportunities for mental health consumers’

$150,000 was allocated toward ’community sector mental health services minimum qualifications; and another $150,000 to ’develop a research centre in mental health consumer and carer issues’.344

6.51 In response, the Committee asked whether the Government made specific provision in procurement guidelines to facilitate its use of Social Enterprise Hubs. The Minister told the Committee that this was under discussion by Cabinet, in particular how to include ‘social test criteria’ in procurement guidelines so as to support access for Social Enterprise Hubs into government procurement.345

6.52 The Committee also asked the Minister questions regarding another $500,000 increase in appropriations within the mental health area. The Director-General told the Committee that this was allocated to the provision of a part-time carer-consultant; an increase in the workforce of the dual disability service; for peri-natal mental health; for the ’enhancement of pharmacy services at the Alexander Maconochie Centre and Bimberi Youth Justice Centre’; and for the CAPIT team, which is the crisis assessment and police intervention team.346

The Psychiatric Services Unit and transitional accommodation

6.53 The Committee asked questions regarding transitional accommodation for people about to enter, or being discharged from, the Psychiatric Services Unit (PSU) at the Canberra Hospital.347

6.54 The Minister told the Committee that ACT Health had established ‘step-down, step-up’ facilities for adults and 13-to-18 year olds, and was currently in the planning stage of establishing a similar facility for young adults, in the 18-to-25 year old age range. Funding had been acquired for the facility and premises were being sought.

6.55 The Minister and the Director-General told the Committee that the main

344 Mr O’Donoughue, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 407 345 Ms Gallagher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 408 346 Dr Brown, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 409 347 Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 431


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imperative of the overall approach was to provide a number of accommodation options for people in the mental health system, and described other arrangements for supported care in the community.348 The Executive Director, Policy and Government Relations, told the Committee in greater detail the current range of accommodation options under the auspices of ACT Health.349

Justice Health and Alcohol and Drug Services

Detainees and prescriptions

6.56 The Committee asked questions regarding the provision of prescription medicines to detainees and remandees on release from the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC). In particular, the Committee asked for information on how many people on-release were being supported in terms of their medication.

6.57 In responding, the Executive Director, Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol and Drug Service, told the Committee that ’all of the people that are discharged from a sentenced stay at the AMC receive the rest of their medications that we have in stock at the AMC when they are released, because that is a planned release’. However, conditions could be quite different for people released from elsewhere in the justice system. Those ultimately released from the courts would have been dosed at the start of the day at the AMC but the health services at the AMC lacked powers to prescribe once they had been released into the community.

6.58 From that point, the Committee was told, the Alcohol and Drug Service would have carriage if the medication were prescribed in connection with an addiction, while support for other problems is administered either by the Mental Health Service or by a General Practitioner.350

6.59 The Executive Director told the Committee that there were concerns about continuity of care, particularly for former detainees released from the courts.

348 Ms Gallagher, Dr Brown, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, pp 432-33 349 Mr O’Donoughue, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 43–34 350 Ms Bracher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 410


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In response, the Executive Director told the Committee that ’what we have tried to put in place is that every person that [sic] is released from the courts has the contact details of the Hume Health Centre’, and all relevant information added to their patient records. This was an attempt to support continuity of care over the range of potential points of release from the justice system. 351


6.60 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government investigate the options of monitoring the health of post release remandees and prisoners.


6.61 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government investigate the issues that prevent remandees receiving their health records and medication and appropriate information when they are released from the court, and report to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in September 2011.

The Burnet Report

6.62 The Committee asked questions regarding the Burnet report into drug use at the AMC. In particular, the Committee asked about policies and practices on drugs at the AMC; blood-borne virus testing; access to health care and mental health care; and allegations of conflict between ACT Health and Justice Health.352

6.63 In responding, the Minister noted that some of the data presented in the report was subject to interpretation. She agreed that there were times when the ‘justice point of view’ and the ‘health point of view’ did not ‘line up’, but that resolutions had been found and would ‘continue to be’ as part of the ‘bedding down’ of the AMC. 353

351 Ms Bracher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 412 352 Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, pp 412–13 353 Ms Gallagher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 413


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6.64 The Minister also told the Committee, in relation to blood-borne viruses, that there had been positive outcomes as a result of the health services provided to prisoners, including prisoners having been cured of Hepatitis C while at the AMC. She also noted that she was aware that ‘people who were staying at the AMC had had their dental work done for the first time in years’ as a result of health services there.354

6.65 In summary, the Minister told the Committee that, while there had been challenges in establishing the AMC as a new facility, including its health services, there was a trend of improvement and refinement of systems. She told the Committee that it was not surprising that a new facility would need to undergo this kind of process, and that the challenges identified in the Burnet report were being addressed. 355

6.66 The Committee asked how the improvements claimed by the Minister would be measured.356 The Director-General responded, telling the Committee that the Directorate had undertaken an inmate health survey, and that baseline data had been sourced from corrections in New South Wales as means to provide a context for future data from the ACT.357

6.67 The Executive Director, Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol and Drug Service responded to a question about testing for blood-borne viruses. She stated that a new testing regime had been adopted in response to concerns about the performance of the previous regime, and that a detailed response to the Burnet report would be presented in the Assembly in the near future.358

6.68 In further comments, the Committee heard:

There were concern at the high prevalence of tobacco use at the AMC, identified in the Burnet report.

With regard to allegations of conflicts between different areas of service delivery at the AMC, that there had recently been a significant restructure

354 Ms Gallagher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 414 355 Ms Gallagher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 414 356 Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 414 357 Dr Brown, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 414 358 Ms Bracher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 414


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that ‘have put mental health, justice health and alcohol and drug services within one government structure’ so that they were ‘now just one division’.359

Blood-borne viruses at the AMC

6.69 The Committee asked questions regarding blood-borne viruses and a proposal for a needle and syringe program (NSP) at the AMC. In particular, the Committee asked how many Hepatitis C infections had been established as having arisen from transmission within the AMC. 360

6.70 The Minister and the Executive Director, Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol and Drug Service responded to the question. They told the Committee that that it was difficult to determine whether the three Hepatitis C infections that had been identified at the AMC had been the result of transmission within the facility, on the basis of present data and in view of the complexities of the disease.361

6.71 The Minister told the Committee that Hepatitis C at the AMC was a ‘very serious issue’ that needed to be ‘managed from a public health point of view’. She told the Committee that, in a wider context, Hepatitis C had been problematic in correctional settings and that ‘the public health response has been going on for many, many, many years and it will continue to do so into the future’.362

359 Dr Brown, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 415 Mr Hanson and Mr Smyth noted the

Minister’s comments in relation to smoking and illicit drug use at the AMC and recommend that the Minister outlines how her biggest concern about prisoners at the Alexander Maconochie Centre is the prevalence of smoking, in relation to the Burnett Report’s findings about the extent of illicit drug use.

360 Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 421 361 Ms Gallagher, Ms Bracher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, pp 421–23 362 Ms Gallagher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, pp 423–424


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6.72 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government take all steps to encourage prisoners to be tested for Hepatitis C immediately upon being processed into the AMC.

A needle and syringe program at the AMC

6.73 The Committee asked questions regarding a proposed needle and syringe program (NSP) at the AMC. In particular, the Committee asked for information on when a decision would be made on the program, and whether the Commonwealth Public Sector Union (CPSU) had shown a willingness to take part in discussion on the NSP.363

6.74 In responding, the Minister told the Committee that the Government had commissioned a review of these aspects of the AMC by the Public Health Association, and that this would, once complete, inform Government decision-making on the NSP. This was in a response to the need, she told the Committee, to ‘bring people with us’ if an NSP were to be implemented. Mr Moore would be speaking to all stake-holders at the AMC, seeking their views on the NSP. 364

6.75 The Minister told the Committee that CPSU had not been involved in any discussions on the NSP until recently. She said this was due to a perception on the part of the CPSU that ‘that if they do not participate it will not happen’. However, she also suggested the possibility that the CPSU’s position might change as a result of the review process.365

6.76 The Minister also told the Committee that there was already an informal needle and syringe program at the AMC, which had been identified by the Burnet report, which was operated entirely without the involvement of AMC staff. She told the Committee that a ’needle and syringe program, if implemented—and if we could do it in a way that staff support it—would

363 Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, pp 424–425 364 Ms Gallagher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, pp 423–25 365 Ms Gallagher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, pp 425–26


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regulate the behaviour that is already occurring in an unregulated way.’366


6.77 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table in the Legislative Assembly the Public Health Association report into a Needle and Syringe Program at the Alexander Maconachie Centre and that the findings are debated in the Legislative Assembly prior to a decision being made.

Completed health assessment at Bimberi

6.78 The Committee asked questions regarding health checks on entry to Bimberi, for which an indicator in the Budget Papers showed a result of 97 per cent.367

6.79 The Minister and the Director-General advised the Committee that there was an error in this indicator, and that accurate information for this indicator was that 81 per cent of persons taken into custody were given health checks within 24 hours.368

6.80 The Executive Director, Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol and Drug Service told the Committee that challenges with recruitment to positions, in combination with particular rostering practices at Bimberi, accounted for the shortfall. There were also particular difficulties in terms of economies of scale, in view of the small number of detainees at the facility. However, she told the Committee, a recent reduction and stabilisation in numbers at Bimberi had relieved these pressures so that the capacity to ’get to those assessments in a timely manner has actually improved’.369

Public Health Services

6.81 This output provides health and community services including ‘monitoring the health of the ACT population, promoting health, preventing disease,

366 Ms Gallagher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 425 367 Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 427 368 Ms Gallagher, Dr Brown, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 427 369 Ms Bracher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, May 19 2011, p 428 and pp 436–37


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improving health equity, protecting the health of the public and supporting workforce excellence’.370

6.82 The Committee questioned the increase in dental waiting times for restorative work and was told that while there is a slight increase, the average waiting time remains around 12 months which compares favourably with other states and territories.371 The Committee noted that children are not part of the waiting list and the Minister advised of the public dental program for children up to 14 years of age that employs specially trained children’s therapist, dental technicians and dentists.372

6.83 The Committee questioned the implications for the Health Directorate in relation to roadside drug testing. The Director-General advised that the funds were to purchase equipment and to employ two analysts to analyse an additional 400 samples attributed to the introduction of roadside testing.373

6.84 The Committee enquired about the expenditure proposals for the additional $5 million in funding for this output area. Executive Director, Financial Management explained ‘there is an increase from 2010-11 to 2011-12 because of indexation, growth and new initiatives. In relation to population health there is the impact of roadside testing on top of the natural increases and there is also the increase for the higher cost of the blood plan which is imposed upon us through the National Blood Authority’.374

6.85 Other issues discussed included:

use of non-potable water and composting toilet systems 375

the national immunisation program, the H1N1 virus and incidence of whooping cough 376

life expectancy for the ACT population including life expectancy rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait 377

strategies to reduce circulatory disease including the ‘get healthy’ telephone

370 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, , p 230 371 Dr Brown, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 384 372 Minister for Health, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 385 373 Dr Brown, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 439–440 374 Mr Foster, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 446


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coaching service and an ACT Health and ACT Division of General Practice partnership to provide early intervention to people at risk of coronary disease 378

the development of the centre for adolescent health.379

Cancer Services

6.86 Through the Capital Region Cancer Services, this output provides a comprehensive range of screening, assessment, diagnostic, treatment and palliative care services in inpatient, outpatient and community settings.380

6.87 The Committee noted the $1 million for increasing demand for cancer services and questioned what this money would be used for. The Executive Director, Capital Region Cancer Services told the Committee that this funding will provide for an academic head of haematology, a prostate nurse care coordinator, and a nurse manager position for the oncology outreach services. The Committee was also advised that staff shortages had been addressed with five additional radiotherapy positions funded from the 2010-11 Budget.381

6.88 The Committee questioned the funding for the integrated cancer centre. The Minister explained that it is a partnership between the Commonwealth and ACT Government and advised that the Capital Region Cancer Service will operate from within the integrated cancer centre. The Minister further explained that the specialised centre will be patient focussed integrating inpatient, outpatient and other specialist services such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, haematology and immunology.382

6.89 The Committee was advised of an additional allocation of $1.8 million from the Australian Government to increase patient and carer accommodation in

375 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 442–444 376 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 448–450 377 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 450–451 378 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 453 379 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 455 380 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 230 381 Mr Carey-Ide, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 456 382 Ms Gallagher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 457


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Canberra as up to 50 per cent of the provision of cancer services is for people who live outside of the ACT.383

6.90 The Committee questioned the low number of palliative care patients that die at home, despite reports in the Health Care Consumers Association Budget submission that 80 per cent of people wish to die at home. The Executive Director, Capital Region Cancer Services did not dispute this figure and told the Committee:

... the reality for many patients, and also for their carers in the home environment, is that, despite that being their stated objective, it is not always achievable. It is dependent not only on the provision of home-based palliative care services but also on the provision of a number of support services from the community, the most important of which is from their primary care provider, their general practitioner. If that general practitioner is not available to provide that backup support service for the patient and their families at home, then in most circumstances it is not possible that the objective be achieved.384

6.91 The Committee sought an update on the Palliative Care Strategy due to expire in 2011 and was advised the ‘steering group that overviews the strategy has been discussing the need to refresh the strategy. There will be a final report on the current strategy and its outcomes available quite soon’. 385

Rehabilitation, Aged and Community Care

6.92 This output provides ‘integrated, effective and timely response to rehabilitation, aged care and community services in inpatient, outpatient, emergency department, sub-acute and community-based settings’.386

Walk-in Centre

6.93 The Committee was very interested in the results of the nurse-led walk-in 383 Ms Gallagher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 460 384 Mr Carey-Ide, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 465 385 Mr O’Donoughue, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 466 386 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 230


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clinic after 12 months of operation. The Minister advised that over 13,000 people have attended the clinic. Of that figure 68 per cent have been treated, 20 per cent have been referred to general practice and approximately six to seven per cent referred to the emergency department.

6.94 Noting commentary that the clinic had failed in relation to easing pressure off the emergency department, the Minster advised that a comprehensive evaluation of the clinic was being conducted by the Australian National University, Primary Health Care Research Centre. The Minister further advised that the evaluation report was due to be completed in June 2011 and will be used to inform future decisions about the future of the walk-in centre model.387

6.95 The Committee also questioned the cost per occasion of visit; the potential to increase the scope of practice; staffing levels; and demand for similar services in the private sector; and the possible relocation or replication of walk-in clinics in suburban areas.388

6.96 The Committee discussed public transport access to the aged care and rehabilitation centre in Kambah and was advised by the Executive Director, Rehabilitation, Aged and Community Care that an evaluation of transport options will be conducted.389

6.97 The Committee enquired about the general practice aged care locum service. The Director-General advised that the services ‘started on 21 March and by the end of April we had had 15 referrals and had established MOUs with 30 general practices and 26 residential aged-care facilities’.390

6.98 The Committee was interested in the community acute and post-acute care program (CAPAC) and questioned why it was not in operation. The Executive Director of Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol and Drug Services told the Committee that this initiative was ‘developed in consultation with general practice to provide higher acute services in the community and people’s

387 Minister for Health, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 346, See also QToN 67 388 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, pp 346–353 389 Ms Kohlhagen, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 441 390 Dr Brown, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 469


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homes’. She further stated that providing acute services in people’s homes is a complex, and despite clinical guidelines, the capacity of general practice to provide fulltime medical support required for CAPAC was limited referrals.391


rehabilitation beds and the length of stay for patients extending over 30 days392

increase in sub-acute beds393

improved times for access block particularly for people over the age of 75 years394

the funding arrangements for aged care assessments, the number conducted and the waiting period to get an assessment395

the ability of the falls prevention clinic to meet current demand396

access to counsellors for transgender patients.397

Early Intervention and Prevention

6.100 This output focuses on ‘initiatives that provide early intervention to, or prevent, health care conditions that result in major acute or chronic health care burdens in the community’.398

6.101 The Committee noted the role community groups such as the Arthritis Association of the ACT played in managing chronic conditions and questioned the Minster on how their resourcing needs were met. Executive Director, Policy and Government Relations advised of a significant funding program managed through the policy area of the Health Directorate. He told the Committee that this area is often directly approached ‘by community based

391 Ms Bracher, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1350 392 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1349 393 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1365 394 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, pp 1367-1368 395 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1356-1360 396 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, pp 1362-1363 397 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, pp 1368-1369 398 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 231


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organisations either who have current service level agreements with us or who are seeking service level agreements and we are always very open to those approaches’. 399


6.102 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government investigate providing additional support to arthritis support services and report on the outcome to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in September 2011.

6.103 The Executive Director also noted the community budget submission process each year as an opportunity for organisations to ‘put their case forward’.400 The Committee was also interested in the level of unmet demand from community groups and requested information on groups that had applied for funding but not received any. 401


6.104 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government monitor unmet demand in health-based community groups and include an assessment of this demand in the Health Directorate annual report each year.

6.105 With $70 million in funding allocated to early intervention and prevention, the Committee was particularly interested in the strategies used to prevent and manage chronic disease. The Committee was advised of the ACT Chronic Disease Management Clinical Network, a network of nine agencies that coordinate care for patients. 402

6.106 The Director of Chronic Disease Management also advised of a chronic disease management register ‘which is a population based approach to more systematically managing people with chronic disease and making sure they are meeting their clinical indicators and again gaining more confidence and

399 Mr O’Donoughue, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, pp 1369 400 Mr O’Donoughue, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, pp 1369 401 See QToN 814 402 Dr Dugdale, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1374


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knowledge in managing their conditions’.403 He further advised of plans for the next financial year to directly contact patients through the register to offer them services.404

6.107 Director of Chronic Disease Management also told the Committee:

One of the key reasons for having a register is so that we can provide epidemiological quality data to track the services provided, the preventive care provided and the outcomes for patients.405

6.108 Following on from concerns raised by clinicians and patients about the operation of the Diabetes Clinic in 2011 the Committee sought a progress update. The Deputy Director-General advised that the Health Directorate had been unsuccessful in engaging a Director for the clinic and concerns raised by the clinicians were being addressed. Executive Director of the Division of Medicine in Canberra Hospital and Health Services told the Committee that the Diabetes Team with the Hospital was developing a model and a structure of governance. She also advised ‘that we have had some very recent interest in somebody who wants to consider the position of the Director of Diabetes’.406

6.109 The Committee noted the substantial increase in Commonwealth funding from $40,000 in 2010-11 to $3.8 million in 2014-15.407 The Committee was advised that this is a national partnership payment related to the issues of obesity, alcohol and tobacco.408

Men’s Health

6.110 The Committee was very interested in the issue of specific programs and promotions dedicated to improving the health of men in the ACT. In response to a question taken on notice the Committee was advised most ACT Health Services ‘are available to and include men and boys’ and a number of programs funded by ACT Health specifically for males, or those that focus on

403 O’Donoughue, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, pp 1372-1373 404 Dr Dugdale, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1374 405 Dr Dugdale, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, pp 1374 406 Ms O’Donnell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1377 4072011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, , p 235 408 Dr Kelly, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 18 May 2011, p 1380


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males were outlined.409 The Committee was particularly concerned about gaps in service provision. The Chief Health Officer told the Committee:

We do not have any specific men’s health programs within the Population Health Division; I cannot speak for the other areas of the directorate. It is a good point, particularly when you look at men’s health issues around mental health, injury and access. For men in general, the studies I know from around Australia and elsewhere, and comparative countries, show that men do not go to GPs and they do not access health care when they probably should. Some of those issues would be things to look at.


6.111 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government identify gaps in the provision of specific men’s health programs and based on the information obtained, develop programs accordingly.


the national immunisation program410

the expected increase in the incidence of diabetes411

the number of women accessing the ‘Well Women’s Check’ from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds412

strategies to reduce the level of smoking in the community.413

409 QToN 85 410 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1375 411 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1377 412 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1379 413 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, p 1381


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7 E DU CATI ON AN D TR AI NI NG

D I R EC TO RAT E

7.1 The Education and Training Directorate provides early intervention education programs; public school education services at primary school, high school and senior secondary college levels; facilitates and oversees the registration of non-government schools and home education; and supports the planning and coordination of vocational education and training.

7.2 The Committee met with the Minister for Education and Training, Mr Andrew Barr MLA, and departmental officials on Thursday 19 May 2011, Friday 20 May 2011 and Tuesday 24 May 2011.

Public school education

7.3 Output class 1 incorporates all public school education expenditure including primary, secondary and college education as well as disability education allocations in the public sector (outputs 1.1 – 1.4). The Minister advised that there were significant investments in this year’s budget, including capital initiatives in the Gungahlin region and additional funding in the areas of disability education and teachers’ salaries.414

Public high school enrolments

7.4 The Committee was interested in the quantitative data collected and the enrolment indicators from the most recent ACT School Census.415 It was apparent that the number of students attending public high school was continuing to decline with over 50 percent of ACT high school enrolments

414 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 472-473 415 ACT Education and Training Directorate, ACT School Census, 23 February 2011, accessed 25 May

2011 at <http://www.det.act.gov.au/pv_obj_cache/pv_obj_id_C8C48693FFEE3218D6422E3DCB578F1EE6B90700/filename/ACT_Schools_Census_February_2011.pdf>

http://www.det.act.gov.au/pv_obj_cache/pv_obj_id_C8C48693FFEE3218D6422E3DCB578F1EE6B90700/filename/ACT_Schools_Census_February_2011.pdf

http://www.det.act.gov.au/pv_obj_cache/pv_obj_id_C8C48693FFEE3218D6422E3DCB578F1EE6B90700/filename/ACT_Schools_Census_February_2011.pdf


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being registered in non-government schools. The Minister acknowledged the drift from the public to the private sector but noted that:

there is a diversity of options for quality education in the ACT across all sectors

when NSW students are excluded, more than 50 per cent of the total ACT resident high schools students were enrolled in the public system.

7.5 In regard to NSW students, the Committee was told that the ACT Government does not receive any direct funding from the NSW education department for these students – in a similar way in which the ACT receives payments for NSW residents who use ACT health services.


7.6 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government advises whether existing Federal funding covers the full cost of NSW students who are educated in the ACT, and what negotiations with NSW have occurred.

7.7 The Committee was advised that all major stakeholders had been consulted in relation to the evidence base for the reform agenda proposed, and further information had been obtained from the school movement surveys undertaken over the last three years. The school movement surveys indicated that parents move their students from the public to the non-government sector for the following reasons:

The most common factors considered by parents when selecting a new school included the quality of education, 96 per cent; reputation, 92 per cent, school culture, 87 per cent; school facilities, 73 per cent; peer relationships, 70 per cent; and the location of the school, 70 per cent.416

7.8 The Committee was also interested in students moving from non-government schools to government schools and was advised by the Education and Training Directorate that:

There were seven per cent of students in that group. “Personal reasons” was the most common response parents gave for moving their child...The

416 Mr Grace, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 476


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most common factors parents considered when selecting a new public school were location, 79 per cent, and quality of education, 76 per cent.417

7.9 However, the Committee also heard that, in terms of the overall student cohort of approximately 66,000 students, the actual number influencing the trend toward the non-government school sector was relatively small. The Minister advised that:

The overall trend that has been fairly consistent for a decade now, as I alluded to at the beginning, is that there is strong enrolment in the public system for primary school and college but a dip in years 7 to 10. That is the area that we need to focus on. A lot of this debate is really hinging on the enrolment decisions of 10 percentage points of a cohort of about 20,000. As you have indicated, Mr Hargreaves, the decisions of several hundred families with their sons and daughters swing this either way.418

7.10 The Committee noted that the percentage decrease in enrolments from primary to secondary school represented a 14 percent differential and asked how long it would take to change the trend. The Minister agreed that it would take many years to change what has been a 15 year trend away from public high schools.419 Towards this objective, a fund of $375,000 for public secondary school innovations had been budgeted for this and next year.420

7.11 The Committee is concerned at the dismissive way in which the Minister responded to this issue. It is not a problem of a small number of students either side of the 50 per cent mark. What is required is that the Minister address the almost 14 per cent differential from students in the Government primary school system to students in the Government high school system.

7.12 The Minister was questioned about the ACT Secondary Schools Innovation Fund which proposes spending of $0.750 million over the next two years to support:

417 Mr Grace, Proof transcript of evidence, 19 May 2011, p 476 418 Mr Barr, Proof transcript of evidence, 19 May 2011, p 477 419 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 484-486 420 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 3, p105


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improvements in secondary education

student engagement

participation

school autonomy.421


7.13 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide details of all initiatives to be included in the ACT Secondary Schools Innovation Fund and how it will determine priorities for funding the various elements.

Release of the Excellence and Enterprise strategy

7.14 When the Minister and officials returned to meet with the Committee on 24 May, the Minister advised that the Government’s Excellence and Enterprise: Advancing Public Schools of Distinction had been released. The Committee expressed disappointment that this had not been made available in time for the previous hearings when this issue was discussed in full.422

7.15 When the Minister was asked about what the cost of implementing the strategies set out in the document might be, the Minister advised that there were short, medium and long term funding implications, some of which have already been announced and contained in the current budget – for instance the Teacher Quality Institute. The Minister indicated that much of the budget for this output area would be directed towards the goals outlined.423

7.16 The Committee noted that the document anticipated the development of a ‘blueprint for action,’424 and was uncertain why such a glossy document was required to preface the concrete strategies that would be developed in the coming months. It was not clear to the Committee how the approach being adopted would address the quality and reputation of ACT Government high

421 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 504 422 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 862-863 423 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 864-865 424 Education and Training Directorate, Excellence and Enterprise: Advancing Public Schools of Distinction,

(May 2011), p 47


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schools and how the 14 per cent differential between primary and high school enrolment figures would be addressed.


7.17 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government advise the Legislative Assembly, of the timetable for the ‘blueprint for action’ in their response to the report.

7.18 The Committee sought clarification about how decisions would be made for the allocation of funds, including a school innovation fund and anticipated allocations from the federal government for trade training centres, and was advised that school networks and the principal consultative committee would provide direction in conjunction with industry representatives as appropriate.425

Staffing and recruitment issues

7.19 The Committee raised concerns about staffing and recruitment in a number of key areas including school counselling, and teaching staff with specialist qualifications such as maths, science and library studies.

7.20 The Committee was advised that the recruitment difficulties were not unique to the ACT and arise in all jurisdictions. Another difficulty for the school system in terms of recruitment included the preference expressed for university training in primary school studies.426 The Minister informed the Committee that there were two national initiatives of relevance to recruitment issues - Teach Next (for established professionals to return to teaching later in their careers) and Teach for Australia (for graduates to undertake teaching prior to moving into their chosen field).427 In the case of librarians, some schools were using paraprofessionals to meet their needs. The Committee also heard that scholarships are available for existing teachers who wanted to improve their skills to teach in these specialist areas and English as a second

425 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 869-871 426 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 491-493 427 Mr Barr and Mr Watterston, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 492


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language as well.428

7.21 The Committee was informed that the Education Directorate does not maintain a central record of teachers linked with their qualifications. This prevents proper planning to ensure adequate numbers of teachers according to each speciality.429


7.22 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consider including teacher subject area specialities on the teachers register established under the Teacher Quality Institute Act 2010.


7.23 The Committee recommends that, to respond to the shortage of qualified maths and science teachers within the ACT public education system, the ACT Government bring forward the introduction of the Teach Next initiative so that public school maths and science students are not disadvantaged by teachers shortages.

7.24 With regard to school counsellors, the Committee heard that there were personnel shortages in this area due to a number of factors and that the strategies to address this situation included improved networking, better data collection and more operational control for principals in cases where a vacancy has existed for more than five weeks.430

Teacher salaries

7.25 The Committee sought clarification on the allocation of nearly $12 million over four years for career paths for teachers and school leaders.431 The Minister advised that this funding would:

... enable a significant offer to deputy principals as part of the next EBA but it also creates the capacity to establish the six-figure salary for leading classroom

428 Ms Wilks, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 494 429 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 900 and p 904 430 Dr Collis, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 495-496 431 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 524


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teachers that we have spoken about and that was an election commitment in this term.432

7.26 The Committee heard that this was in addition to the enterprise bargaining agreement funds and would be used to increase the salary of all (approximately 120) deputy principals and to ‘establish a new position at the top of the classroom teaching scale’.433 Asked whether he considered the 16 per cent disparity between ACT and NSW deputy principals’ salaries has led to movement between jurisdictions, the Committee was advised that five teachers at this level have left the service and that it was considered by the Directorate that the level of mobility between jurisdictions was not significant.434

7.27 Regarding the leading teachers initiative, the Minister advised that he considered that, as a starting point, this might affect ‘between 10 and 15 per cent’ of senior teaching staff and that he believed that there was a need ‘to prioritise these positions’.435

7.28 The Minister also advised that that this was a distinct initiative and informed the Committee that ‘there is more than $100 million available for additional teacher salaries as part of what we will put forward to the union in this EBA process’.436

7.29 The Committee is concerned at the capacity to fund both increases in the salaries of deputy principals and the leading teacher initiative within the $12 million.


7.30 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide further details of how the $11.8 million allocation for “educational reform and provision of enhanced career paths for teachers” is to be allocated.

432 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 524 433 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 525 434 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 527 435 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 528 436 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 530


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Discipline

7.31 The Committee questioned the Minister over discipline practices in schools and asked about his support for school principals in exercising discipline.437

Other education issues


Availability of comparative data on individual student costs in non-government schools. 438

Improvement in the ICT network which will ensure a commonality of resources for all students. The introduction of SchoolsNet (supported by InTACT but separate from the ACT Government system) will improve the provision of high-speed access to learning resources for all students and free up personnel at the school level. It was anticipated that it would have approximately 40,000 users. 439

Major construction projects were discussed and the Committee was provided with an update on project progress and anticipated completion dates following rain delays. The Committee heard that over the recent period, a capital works program in the order of $200 million had been managed by the Directorate.440

437 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 489 Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson were concerned that the

Minister gave a less than fulsome endorsement of Government school principals and recommended that the Minister for Education and Training provide unambiguous support for school Principals in maintaining discipline within their schools as part of the autonomy for schools policy.

438 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 486-488 439 Mr Huxley, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 497 440 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 500-501


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Student engagement opportunities being pursued and the Committee was advised of a range of initiatives in the area of student welfare such as two recent forums on cyber-bullying and homophobia to which all school sectors sent representatives, and during which a range of strategies were devised, networks established and school based initiatives developed. Other strategies included teacher networks, in-class teaching coaches and the cross-sectoral Youth Commitment initiative.441

The Committee was advised that the suspension support team trial had achieved a 50 per cent reduction in the number of suspensions. As a consequence, the program will continue and be further developed. A student suspended over a period of four days, qualifies for involvement in the program.442

Additional funding to the ACT School Sports Council to implement a restructure following recommendations of a review.443

Measures related to student achievement.444

Priority areas of curriculum and school-based management.445

College staffing.446

Preschool governance and the integration of preschool services into the school system.447

Early childhood school enrolments. The Committee was advised that these schools are moving towards full capacity. The Committee also heard that there were three providers of childcare services at four of the sites.448

School security issues. The Committee was advised that there had been a 20 per cent decrease in the number of security incidents reported.449

441 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 506-508 442 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 508-509 443 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 512 444 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 514-518 445 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 519-522 446 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, p 532 447 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 533-534 448 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 534-535 449 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 19 May 2011, pp 537-540


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Disability education

7.33 The Committee was provided with details about the increased expenditure on disability education ($20 million over four years)450 provided in the ACT Budget and how additional funds from the Federal government (approximately $5 million over four years would be allocated to the ACT) 451 would extend capacity in this area and allow the education system to fully meet obligations under the Student Centred Appraisal of Need (SCAN) process and allow an expansion of services over the coming years.452

7.34 The additional funding in the ACT Budget will also address a range of issues highlighted in the Shaddock Review of Special Education, conducted in 2010, and which have now been implemented within the disability excellence strategic plan.453 In particular, the service agreement with Therapy ACT would be supported through the allocation of additional funds provided to the therapy assistance program. Another area of activity will involve a review of the curriculum for disability education.454

7.35 Issues concerning assistance for students with disabilities were raised with the Minister. In particular, the matter of school-based programs for the visually impaired and their ability to access funds were discussed.


7.36 The Committee recommends that the Education and Training Directorate partner with Tourism, Sport and Recreation to ensure better provision of continuing sports programs in schools for students with disabilities.

7.37 The role of the disability education reference group had been formalised to allow parental input into priority service delivery. The Directorate also advised that a consultant’s review of the SCAN allocation process was being

450 2011-2012 Budget Paper No. 4, p 326 451 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 891 452 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 891-892; See also BP4, p 324 453 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 888 454 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 887


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undertaken with the objective of improving transparency and linking the process more directly to student learning objectives.455

7.38 The Committee also sought an indication from the Minister on the following matters:

the adequacy of the special education teaching workforce and the strategies adopted to ensure adequately skilled teachers and nursing staff456

clarification was also requested on the survey sample for the accountability indicator relating to parent satisfaction. The Committee was advised that work was progressing on a project to improve the qualitative value of the survey.457

Non-government education

7.39 The Committee sought clarification on the figures related to the ACT and Federal government funding of the non-government education sector which were not clearly presented in the Budget Papers.458 The Minister also noted the need for greater transparency in the funding process used by the Federal government and noted the review conducted by David Gonski and supported the public statements indicating ‘recognition of a base level of funding required for all students, regardless of their education setting, and then a significant additional allocation based on need’.459 The Committee was advised that:

In relation to non-government schools in the ACT (2008 data), the territory was in receipt of the lowest commonwealth per capita grants in the country at $4,741 compared to a national average of $5,241.460

7.40 The Committee was advised that the most recent figures regarding non-government school per capita grants by states indicated that the ACT’s

455 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 894-895 456 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 896-901 457 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 902 and QToN 438 458 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 905-908 459 Mr Barr, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 909 460 Mr Whybrow, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 910


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contribution was on average around $1,600.461

7.41 The Committee also heard that:

The government and non-government education sectors were collaborating in a range of areas including the implementation of the national curriculum, the safe schools taskforce, collaboration on the curriculum and assessment framework, the Quality Teacher Institute, youth commitment initiatives and public school validation panels.462

Plans for non-government school campuses in a number of new areas of the ACT, were progressing. The future of the Hall Primary School site was also raised.463

As at the February 2011 School Census, there were 133 students in the ACT being homeschooled and that has gradually increased and has been relatively consistent figure over the years.464

Canberra Institute of Technology

7.42 Considering the importance of delivering high quality vocational education and training courses to the ACT community, the Committee was concerned to note the reduction in staffing levels due to expenditure savings and efficiencies. The Committee was advised that the reduction in international students (from a peak of over 1200 to an anticipated level of around 750) had a significant impact on the number of overall teaching staff required.465

461 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 869-871, Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson considered that an

inequity of funding still exists in regard to the non-government sector. The ACT Government contributes approximately 18 per cent of the education of an ACT student in a non-government school. The Committee is concerned that the Government has made no effort to close the gap to 25 per cent of funding as is the case in other jurisdictions, such as NSW. Noting that the Federal Government provides relatively less to ACT non-government schools than is the case is other jurisdictions only heightens this inequity. They recommended that the ACT Government review and then table in the Assembly it’s funding of both recurrent and capital funding for non-government schools .

462 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 911-912 463 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 914-915 464 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 917 465 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 615


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7.43 The Committee sought the views of the Minister and the CIT on the evidence given by the Australian Education Union regarding some of the niche courses run by CIT. The Committee heard that the fitting and turning facility at Fyshwick had been refurbished by the ACT Government but, because of low student demand, it was ‘a very high cost per unit of delivery.’466 The Institute works closely with industry liaison officers to assess demand and ensure the needs of industry are being met and accepts the situation that some courses may be cross-subsidised to some extent.467

7.44 The Committee noted the operating deficit for the CIT which continues over the out-years and was advised that depreciation was a significant component of the annual figure, but was advised that:

in regard to 2010-11, of $11.8 million, $7.4 million relates to the transfer of the Weston campus to TAMS. After you take that out, we did stay within budget. But just generally, going back, as an institution, we would be delighted if we achieved a surplus and were able to achieve, through our contestable activity, a surplus, which offset the depreciation.468

7.45 On the issue of contestability, the Committee heard that the CIT had been successful in a range of commercial partnerships and in securing Federal government contracts, but the future presented opportunities and challenges which had yet to be realised. It was clear that a reliance on government payment for outputs would not be sufficient in the future. The CIT considered that contestable funding and anticipated growth in international student numbers provided a focus for efforts.469

7.46 The Committee also questioned the opportunities anticipated by the “marriage” of CIT and the University of Canberra and sought confirmation on the benefits that would accrue to the community should it progress.470 The Committee heard that the best model was the subject of a review on possible governance arrangements being undertaken by Professor Bradley on behalf of

466 Mr Kowald, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p521 467 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 522 468 Mr Kowald, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 622 469 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 623-624 470 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 625-626


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the ACT Government.471 The Committee raised the following additional matters in relation to the potential amalgamation:

the need for legislative change

the impact on current strategic planning

connections between vocational education and training and tertiary studies

student accommodation issues.472


7.47 The Committee recommends that, when the Bradley review is completed, it be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on the next available sitting day.

7.48 The Committee also sought further information about the following matters:

possible options for the CIT Tuggeranong Learning Centre including site and possible operational configuration 473

the provision of vocational education and training pathways for students at the college level 474

identifying areas of skill shortage and providing relevant courses to meet industry needs 475

an update on the master plan for CIT facilities and asbestos removal at Watson 476

sustainability infrastructure and capital upgrades.477

471 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 626 472 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 626-632 473 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 633-636 474 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 637 475 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 638-639 476 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 640-644 477 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 644-645


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Vocational education and training

7.49 The Committee discussed a number of issues with the Minister and officials, including:

Processes for determining and responding to areas of skills shortages. 478

Improved administration and communication with Registered Training Organisations, including the introduction of a new ACT vocational and education management system.479

A rollover of unspent funds ($1.3 million) for the Productivity Placement Program which was funded by the Federal Government and the Committee was advised that the program would change from 2013 following an announcement in the 2011-2012 Federal budget. The objective of the new program, or enterprise workforce development strategy, would ensure flexibility and that the needs of students and industry are the driving force.480

Transfer of the asset management of Birrigai to the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate.481

Building and Construction Industry Training

Fund Authority

7.50 The Authority advised the Committee that their annual budget is conservatively estimated as the actual income from the industry levy is dependent on the level of construction undertaken during the period. The 16 per cent variation on the estimated outcome for 2010-2011 reflects this conservatism.482 Similarly, the Committee noted the substantial decrease in estimates of cash held for the coming year and was advised that this reflected

478 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 650-652 479 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 652-653 480 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 657-660 481 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 660 482 Mr Service, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 609-610


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an ‘exceptionally high’ income for the past year.483

483 Mr Guy, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 613


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8 JU STI CE AN D COM MU NI TY SAFE T Y

D I R EC TO RAT E

8.1 The Justice and Community Safety Directorate is responsible for:

maintaining the Territory’s civil and criminal justice system

keeping the community safe by protecting life, property and the environment and maintaining the rule of law under the Territory’s Westminster system of democratic government

providing for the protection of human rights in the Territory

providing effective emergency responses and management

implementing and enforcing Territory legislation.

8.2 The Attorney-General and Minister for Police and Emergency Services is responsible and accountable for the directorate’s activities and portfolio legislation.

8.3 The Attorney-General and his officers appeared before the Committee on Friday 20 May and Monday 23 May 2011.

8.4 The Department provides services in the following areas:

Justice Services (output class 1)

Corrective Services (output class 2)

Courts and Tribunal (output class 3)

Emergency Services (output class 4)

ACT Policing (output EBT 1)

Legal Services to Government

8.5 The Budget Papers state that this output is responsible for:

High quality and timely legal advice and representation for the Attorney


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General and Government.484

Increases in appropriations for the Government Solicitor

8.6 During the public hearing of 20 May 2011, the Committee asked a question regarding an increase in the appropriation to the Government Solicitor by $900,000. In response, the Attorney stated that ‘the government takes the view that investment in legal services assists the territory to protect its revenues’, and that ‘a robust and well-resourced government solicitor’s office is a very important functioning area at the centre of government’. He stated that the Chief Solicitor had advised him of the need for an increase in staffing and that the Government had responded.485

8.7 The Chief Solicitor told the Committee that a number of developments had resulted in this need for further staffing, in particular that the practice ‘had expanded quite dramatically over the course of the last three to four years’ in the areas of industrial relations; general administrative law and litigation; and ‘child care work’.486 He also told the Committee of ‘continued and expanding work in relation to human rights’, which was ‘not so much a specific work type but more…an increasing element in the advice that we had to give in some litigation in which we are participating’. As a result, he told the Committee, ‘the relevant expertise had to be acquired and grown within the office’.487

8.8 The Chief Solicitor told the Committee that while it was part ‘of any business...to manage those sorts of issues’, there had been a ‘fall-off in our completion rate’ that he considered significant in view of the ACT Government Solicitor providing ‘couple of thousand advices a year’ on behalf of Government.488

8.9 The Chief Solicitor also told the Committee the increase in funding would be 484 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 257 485 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 548 486 The child care work referred to includes legal advice on statutory compliance relating to the

detention and supervision of children and young people, ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety, Annual Report 2009–10, p 24

487 Mr Garrison, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p549 488 Mr Garrison, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p549


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spent on ‘half a dozen lawyers across the range’, divided evenly between lawyers at legal level 2 and legal level 1. 489

Human Rights Commission

8.10 The Committee asked the Attorney why the ACT Government Solicitor had received an increase in funding when the ACT Human Rights Commission (HRC) had experienced a reduction, as a result of the efficiency dividend being applied to it. The Committee suggested to the Attorney, noting the Commissioner’s educative role, that an increase in funding to the HRC could reduce the workload of the ACT Government Solicitor.

8.11 In responding to the question, the Attorney told the Committee that the human rights matters addressed by the ACT Government Solicitor were different to those under the administration of the Human Rights Commission. He told the Committee that a large part of the human rights component of the Government Solicitor’s work-load was due to ‘matters where people are, through courts or tribunals, seeking to raise human rights considerations…for courts to consider’, and that it was ‘appropriate that we have sufficient capacity in house to deal with those considerations and assist the court or tribunal in determining those matters’.490

8.12 The Chief Solicitor also told the Committee that there was ‘a lot of learning to be done within the legal profession in a range of places about the way the Human Rights Act and the associated principles operate’, and that a large part of the ACT Government Solicitor’s work in this area consisted in advising government agencies on the implications of the Human Rights Act on policy implementation. He noted that as a result the ACT Government Solicitor had ‘significant input into both policy and operational developments within a range of agencies, and that [was] a large part of the work’.491

Legislative drafting and publishing

8.13 The Budget Papers state that this output is responsible for: 489 Mr Garrison, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p549 490 Mr Garrison, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p550 491 Mr Garrison, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 550


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Provision of high quality and timely legislative drafting and publishing services for ACT legislation and maintenance of the ACT legislation register.492

Parliamentary Counsel’s Office

8.14 During the public hearing of 20 May 2011, the Committee asked the Attorney to comment on a reduction in funding to the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office (PCO). Noting that the reduction amounted to approximately $58,000, the Committee asked for details of how the funds would be saved from the PCO budget, and asked for assurances that there would not be ‘any adverse impact’ on the delivery of services from parliamentary counsel.493

8.15 The Director-General of the Justice and Community Safety Directorate told the Committee that the reduction related to ‘the various efficiency measures that the government has put in place to manage the budget’ and incorporated an ‘additional one per cent for this year that was announced in last year’s budget’.494

8.16 The Director-General also told the Committee that there were ‘general efficiencies’, and ‘some specific ones in relation to stationery, travel, consultancies et cetera, and then there is a measure to manage the growth in staffing’. She told the Committee that the figure for the funding reduction reflected ‘those three efficiencies’. 495

Public prosecutions


Prosecution of summary and indictable matters, at first instance and on appeal, provision of assistance to the Coroner, and provision of witness assistance services.496

492 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 257 493 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 560 494 Ms Leigh, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 561 495 Ms Leigh, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 561 496 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 258


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Director of Public Prosecutions

8.18 The Committee asked the Attorney about reductions in the appropriation to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). It noted that in this case the reduction amounted to $72,000, and asked details on how these savings would be made.497

8.19 The DPP, in responding to the question, told the Committee that his office would have to contemplate staff cutbacks in order to meet the savings target. He was unable as yet to advise the Committee as to whether the reduction in funding would result in reduced levels of service by his office. 498

8.20 The DPP told the Committee that the reduction in the appropriation to his office was not only the result of the application of the efficiency dividend, but also of the Efficiency Realisation Program. 499

8.21 The Attorney told the Committee that the Efficiency Realisation Program was ‘that element of the overall savings task government has allocated to all parts of government service that relates to travel, stationery, consultancies, motor vehicles and electricity use’, and he assured the Committee that the ‘total sum of the savings effort expected of the DPP is that which is reflected in the budget papers’. 500

8.22 The Committee noted that the efficiency dividend required of the DPP in 2011-12 will most likely result in staff cutbacks; this outcome is in contrast to increased funding for staff in the 2010-11 Budget, which was intended to ease the workload pressures on staff of the DPP and to reduce staff churn.

8.23 The Committee sought assurances from the Attorney that the DPP was ‘not going to face having to put off staff after we have gone through a lengthy period of fighting for and obtaining budget increases to increase the staff’.501

8.24 In responding to the question, the Attorney told the Committee that:

497 Mr White, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 577 498 Mr White, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 577 499 Mr White, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 577 500 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 578 501 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 578


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... the government’s approach to this matter is that it is up to independent statutory office-holders to determine how they manage the efficiency dividend in their areas of responsibility or the efficiency savings overall in their areas of responsibility. 502

8.25 The Attorney told the Committee that the Government’s expectation was that ‘delivery of front-line services [would] be not be affected or minimally affected and that the focus [would] be on back-office functions’.503

8.26 In the context of the efficiencies being sought from the DPP, the Committee noted its concern at reductions in funding when the Budget Papers showed that the DPP was not meeting targets (on ‘percentage of cases where court timetable is met in accordance with the court rules’), and that a note to the table indicated the courts backlog, ‘resourcing and turnover issues, the new case management system’, and difficulties with briefs from ACT Policing. The Committee asked how efficiencies could be delivered when there were unresolved matters in the DPP’s capacity to deliver its service.504

8.27 In responding to the question, the DPP told the Committee that his office had had ‘a number of very big cases in the last year’, and that additional judges had been appointed to the Supreme Court, and that when ‘there are additional judges on the bench … there are greater calls on the day-to-day resources of my office’.505

8.28 In response to a question on staff turnover, the DPP told the Committee that his office continued to face challenges in retaining staff due to differences between the rates of pay his office was able to offer and those in the wider legal sector. 506 He also told the Committee that the introduction of a new case management system in his office had been a positive development, as it gave his office:

502 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 578 503 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 578 504 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 580 505 Mr White, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 580 506 Mr White, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 580-81


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... greater flexibility in rostering, allocating matters and so on because we have much greater access to instant information about workloads of individual officers, timetables of courts, those sorts of things. So it has had a number of very practical benefits to the way that we conduct our business.507


8.29 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government develop a strategy to improve staff attraction and retention rates for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution.

Protection of Rights


Provision of advocacy, complaints-handling, advice, community awareness raising and other services in connection with the promotion and protection of rights especially for vulnerable members of society, through services provided by the ACT Human Rights Commission, the Public Advocate of the ACT and Victim Support ACT. This output also includes services provided by the Ombudsman and the Privacy Commissioner.508

Reductions in the output class

8.31 In the public hearing of 20 May 2011, the Committee noted a reduction of $251,000 in the Protection of Rights output class, and asked how this related to the Government’s stated commitment to ‘increasing government legal resourcing, particularly in relation to human rights’.509

8.32 In response, the Attorney told the Committee that this reduction was not limited to the Human Rights Commission, but applied across the agencies represented in this output class.510

507 Mr White, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 581 508 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 258 509 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 599, referring to 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 250 510 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 599-600


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Human rights at the Alexander Maconochie Centre

8.33 The Committee also noted that the Human Rights Commissioner had stated, earlier, that she had insufficient resources with which to conduct an own-motion human rights audit of the AMC. The Attorney was asked whether the Human Rights Commissioner had been funded or asked to conduct a human rights audit of the AMC, or whether this had been discussed with her.511

8.34 In responding, the Attorney told the Committee that the Government had been waiting on the Hamburger Report to assess whether human rights were a concern at the AMC. He told the Committee that the report had ‘concluded that there was no human rights culture problem at the AMC’, and that Mr Hamburger had liaised with the Human Rights Commission ‘both when he started out on his review in terms of the establishment and the terms of reference and during the review.’512

8.35 The Attorney told the Committee that Mr Hamburger had ‘sought the Human Rights Commission’s input in relation to that process’, and that, based on the findings of the report, the Attorney did not see the need for a human rights audit of the AMC.513

Victim Support & VOCAL

8.36 The Committee asked the Attorney to update it on the delivery of Victim Support services by the contracted provider, the Victims of Crime Assistance League Inc NSW (VOCAL). The Committee said that it understood that VOCAL’s contract was due to expire this year, and that there was ‘uncertainty’ about future provision for the service, and asked the Attorney if there were particular reasons for delays in the renewal of the contract.514

8.37 The Attorney told the Committee that VOCAL had ‘provided very good services for an extended period of time’, but that more recently the

511 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 598-99 512 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 599 513 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 599 514 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 587-88


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government had ‘raised concerns’ about the adequacy of service provision.515 He told the Committee that these included concerns about referrals and provision of support, and regarding reporting against accountability measures.516 Moreover, the Attorney told the Committee, there was ‘a philosophical disagreement’ between the Government and VOCAL.517

8.38 The Victims of Crime Commissioner went into further detail, telling the Committee that ‘VOCAL also has other forms of income which it uses to provide other services’ and that in these circumstances:

The difficulty that I have had is trying to determine against VOCAL’s reporting the acquittal of the contract money that the department provides VOCAL against the particular services that VOCAL has been contracted to provide.518

8.39 The Commissioner told the Committee that this lack of clarity was ‘the essence of the tension’ between the Government and VOCAL. 519

8.40 The Attorney told the Committee that, as a result of these difficulties, the Government was ‘now of the view that we do need to test the market in relation to the provision of these services’, by putting the service out to tender.520

8.41 The Committee noted that on at least two occasions the Government’s funding contract with VOCAL has approached the end of term with no process in place for the awarding of a new contract and last-minute negotiations having to be undertaken for extensions to be agreed.

Electoral Services


Conduct of elections and referenda and the maintenance of the ACT

515 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 589 516 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 589 517 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 589 518 Mr Hinchey, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 590 519 Mr Hinchey, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 590 520 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 589


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electoral roll.521

Electoral Commission

8.43 The Committee asked the Electoral Commissioner whether the Electoral Commission was being treated as a ‘small agency’ under the provisions of the efficiency dividend, and the amount of the dividend being applied to the Commission.

8.44 In responding to the question, the Commissioner told the Committee that as the Commission is ‘part of the portfolio’, it was ‘treated as a large agency even though we only employ myself and five permanent staff under the Public Sector Management Act’. As a result, ‘the same dividend gets applied to us as is applied to any agency in the portfolio’.522

8.45 The Commissioner told the Committee that the dividend applied to the Commission would result in a reduction of approximately $28,000 to its operating budget. He told the Committee that these savings would be achieved through the use of funds that had come to the Commission for an IT project, to which staff would be seconded internally without their positions being backfilled. This would result in some organisational functions being given a lower priority.523

A complaint to the Electoral Commission

8.46 The Committee also asked the Attorney and the Electoral Commissioner about a complaint that had been lodged with the Commission regarding an ALP fund-raising dinner.524

521 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 258 522 Mr Green, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 593-94 523 Mr Green, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 594 524 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 590, Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson wanted to include the

following text, regarding this issue: In responding to the question, the Commissioner told the Committee that he had received a complaint ‘in relation to an advertisement that invited people to attend a function’, for which ‘it was arguable that the content was within the definition of electoral matter as defined in the Electoral Act’. He told the Committee that it was ‘a requirement of the Electoral Act that something of that nature should carry a statement authorising the source of the advertisement’, and that this had been absent from the advertisement.

The Commissioner told the Committee that he regarded the omission of an authorised source as ‘not something that was apparently designed to be deliberately anonymous or deliberately avoiding the


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Regulatory Services


Provision of registration and licensing services for individuals, the community, business and industry, including the enforcement of a broad range of legislation across areas of consumer protection, occupational health and safety and the regulation of parking.525

8.48 For this output, the Committee asked questions regarding egg labelling, thin-film plastic bags and regulation of private security. A further question was asked regarding compliance rates by businesses under regulations administered by Regulatory Services. 526

8.49 The Committee also asked the Attorney about ‘the number or proportion of individuals, businesses and workplaces that comply with relevant legislation’. This was taken as a Question on Notice. 527

Transport Regulation


Regulation of public passenger transport, heavy vehicles, driver competency and vehicle registration and promotion of road user safety.528

Transfer of Transport Regulation to JACS

8.51 Transport Regulation is a new responsibility for the Justice and Community Safety Directorate under the current Administrative Arrangements.529

8.52 The Committee asked the Attorney about the number of staff that would be transferred to the Directorate as a result of this change and was advised that 103 staff would be transferred. The collocation of transport regulation and

authorisation provisions; so it was at best a technical breach of the act from our perspective’. As a result, the Commission issued a warning which, the Commissioner said, is standard practice for the Commission.

525 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 258 526 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 563-64, p 575 527 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, p 575 The question was regarding BP4, p 254 528 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p259 529 Administrative Arrangements 2011 (No 1), pt. 2.4


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policing within the same directorate was also discussed.530

8.53 The Committee asked the Attorney about future location options for the Motor Vehicle Registry and vehicle inspection pits, and whether these were part of the Government’s proposal for a new single office building for the ACT Public Service. The Attorney told the Committee that vehicle inspection pits were not part of the Government’s plan for the proposed office building, and that they would be moved to another location more suitable than the current site. The Attorney also took a number of questions on notice on the matter.531

Speed cameras

8.54 The Committee asked the Attorney about plans to institute point-to-point speed cameras, in particular asking him to comment on privacy in relation to the data, such as ‘car movement logs and the like’, held under such an arrangement. The Attorney told the Committee that the arrangements would ‘accord with obligations under the Commonwealth Privacy Act and the privacy regime that applies here in the territory’, and that he would be ‘looking closely’ at this as the new responsible Minister.532

Wheelchair taxis

8.55 The Committee asked the Director, Transport Regulation about arrangements for wheelchair-accessible taxis, in particular as to the effectiveness of the current system for bookings. The Director advised the Committee of the incentives provided to operators of wheelchair-accessible taxis, and the level of effectiveness of these measures in achieving desired results.533


8.56 The Committee recommends that the Justice and Community Safety Directorate report on the level of effectiveness of the wheel chair accessible taxi regime in their annual report.

530 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 570-71 531 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 573-575 532 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 569-70 533 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 566-69, 595-97


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Corrective Services

8.57 The Committee considered Output Class 2.1, Corrective Services. The Budget Papers state that this output is responsible for:

Provision of safe and secure custody for detainees with a strong focus on the delivery of rehabilitative, educational and vocational programs, effectively managing un-sentenced offenders and community based corrections programs, and providing advice and services to the ACT justice system.534

Change of leadership at the AMC

8.58 The Committee discussed the change in leadership at the AMC.535

Metrics on the Alexander Maconochie Centre

8.59 The Committee asked a number of questions regarding the accommodation of prisoners at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC). These included questions regarding: the number of sentenced and un-sentenced prisoners on remand; capacity in rehabilitation programs; the implications of the prisoner mix for accommodation configurations; numbers of beds and planning for accommodation; numbers of women and numbers of lockdowns for women prisoners; and the relationship between periodic detention, community

534 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 259 535 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, 696-697, Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson wanted the following

text of the discussion included in the report: The Committee asked the Attorney questions regarding the position of superintendent at the AMC. The Attorney told the Committee that the former acting superintendant had agreed to return to his substantive position in New South Wales Corrective Services. He told the Committee that he was unable to comment further on employment arrangements between the Government and the former acting superintendent due to privacy considerations.( Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 697)

The Attorney also told the Committee that there had been a complaint to the ACT Human Rights Commission (HRC) regarding an incident at the AMC, and that the HRC had subsequently made a referral to ACT Policing, regarding the incident.

The Executive Director, ACT Corrective Services, advised the Committee of the chronology of events regarding the incident, and regarding time periods for extensions of contract that had already occurred for the Superintendent’s position. She also advised the Committee on conventional protocols regarding the use of force within prisons in Australia. They recommended that the Government, on the first sitting day in June 2011, detail the circumstances, processes and discussions which led to the removal of the acting superintendent of the AMC and that the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety inquire into the removal of the acting superintendent of the AMC.


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corrections and time served at the AMC. These were taken as Questions on Notice.536

8.60 The Committee asked a number of questions about the Burnett Institute and the Hamburger reports which included addressing offender behaviour, drug rehabilitation and education programs.537 The Committee heard from the Minister about the human right compliant nature of the AMC.


8.61 The Committee recommends that, in the light of concerns arising from the Burnett Institute and Hamburger Reports, the ACT Budget include a strategic indicator that measures the number of prisoners that complete programs that address their offending behaviour, including drug rehabilitation programs and education programs.


8.62 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct an external review of the Alexander Maconochie Centre biannually to validate human rights compliance and that the report of this external review be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.

8.63 The Committee also asked the Minister about the capacity of the AMC given that, on a number of occasions, the AMC has been close to or at capacity despite the Minister previously telling Committees there was capacity for the next 25 years. In particular, the Committee noted the allocation of $0.620 million for the project to review the capacity of the AMC.


8.64 The Committee recommends that, at the completion of the review of the capacity of the Alexander Maconochie Centre, the Government

536 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 710-15 537 Burnett Institute (April 2011) ‘External component of the evaluation of drug policies and services and their

subsequent effects on prisoners and staff within the Alexander Maconochie Centre’, report commissioned by ACT Health and Knowledge Consulting (March 2011) ‘Independent Review of Operations at the Alexander Maconochie Centre’, report commissioned by ACT Corrective Services


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provide details to the Legislative Assembly of projections of prisoners and remandees who can be accommodated at the AMC.

Recidivism rates

8.65 There was discussion on the effect on recidivism rates from the increase in the prison numbers for whom a period in the AMC is an initial exposure to the justice system. It was apparent that the compilation of statistics of prisoners who have experienced interstate incarceration and those whose first experience in the AMC, is not available and it is therefore difficult to judge the effect on recidivism.


8.66 The Committee recommends that statistics be compiled and published in the Justice and Community Safety annual reports and Budget Papers of those prisoners, by gender and offence, who have experienced interstate incarceration and that this figure be expressed as a percentage of the total AMC population.

Project administration at the AMC

8.67 The Committee also asked a number of questions about project administration at the AMC, including questions regarding: rollovers for budgetary items; the status of the proposed Chapel and Quiet Place; building warranty; system and security upgrades; and the status of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system.538


8.68 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government tell the Legislative Assembly of the timetable for the provision of a permanent gymnasium and a chapel and quiet place at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

538 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 710-15


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Health services at the Alexander Maconochie Centre

8.69 The issue of health services at the AMC is dealt with in chapter 6 of this report.

Courts and Tribunal

8.70 The Committee considered Output Class 3.1: Courts and Tribunal. The Budget Papers state that this output is responsible for:

High quality support to judicial officers and tribunal members in the courts and the tribunal and high quality services to the public using the courts and the tribunal.539

A new Supreme Court building and single registry

8.71 The Committee asked questions regarding a proposed new building for the ACT Supreme Court, noting that $3.8 million had been allocated in the Budget to ‘forward design’ for the project. The Attorney told the Committee that there were a number of sites under consideration for the new building, and he gave a firm commitment on behalf of the Government to the project.540

8.72 The Committee asked questions regarding a proposed single registry for the ACT Supreme and Magistrates Courts. The Director-General, Justice and Community Safety Directorate, told the Committee that a single registry for the courts would allow resources to be ‘directed most effectively’, and provide greater staffing capacity and certainty about opening hours. She told the Committee that the new registry would be located in the Magistrates Court building as this was a ‘larger, newer’ building with a greater capacity to house such a facility.541


8.73 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly: a) the preferred option for a new Supreme court building; b) the timetable for completion of design work; c) the

539 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 259 540 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 543-44 541 Ms Leigh, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 544-45


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timetable for completion and commissioning of the project; and d) indicative costings for the project.

8.74 On a related matter, the Committee asked a question regarding an appropriation for a ‘single court study’. The Attorney told the Committee that this was a study ‘to examine options for a more streamlined court structure, including consideration of a single court for the territory’, and stated that this was one of a number of options that had been considered in this regard.542

8.75 The Committee also noted the case backlog and the cost efficiency outcomes and targets, due, it was claimed, to the ACT’s inability to take advantage of economies of scale. The Committee considered the cost efficiency targets to be largely artificial, with outcomes consistently and substantially missing targets and also trending down.


8.76 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table the terms of reference for the single court study, tell the Legislative Assembly who will conduct the study and when the information paper on the study will be released for public comment.


8.77 The Committee recommends that, by the first sitting day in December 2011, the ACT Government table a report outlining the case backlog targets for 2011-12 and 2012-13 and outlining the Government’s strategy to achieve cost efficiencies to meet these targets.

Community Legal Services Hub

8.78 The Committee noted that community legal services organisations have been calling for the Government to create a community legal services hub for a number of years but that there is no support in Government for such a strategy. The Attorney-General indicated in the hearings that the Government would work with the community legal centres to assist them to improve their accommodation arrangements.

542 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 719-20


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8.79 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government undertake a study of options and feasibility for a community legal services hub, including a process of consultation with the community legal centres and investigation of assistance available from the Commonwealth; and report to the Legislative Assembly on the identified options by the first sitting day in December 2011.

Other matters

8.80 The Committee also asked questions regarding: funding of court security; consistency of sentencing in ACT Courts;543 measures to improve case management strategies; visiting judges and special magistrates; and the expense of criminal cases in the ACT.544

Emergency Services Agency

8.81 The Committee considered Output Class 4.1: Emergency Services. The Budget Papers state that this output is responsible for prevention and mitigation; preparedness; response; and recovery from emergencies.545

Flooding at Fairbairn Headquarters

8.82 The Committee asked questions regarding the flooding of the Emergency Services Agency (ESA) headquarters at Fairbairn on 3 December 2010. The Attorney advised that, while all other functions had returned to Fairbairn, damage from the flooding had been ‘extensive’ and the Communications Centre continued to operate from an ESA site in Curtin while Fairbairn was being repaired. In response to the Committee’s question on whether the Government had received advice on flood risk at the Fairbairn site, the Attorney took the question on notice. The Attorney advised the Committee that the flooding had resulted from a storm event rather than from a rising

543 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 20 May 2011, pp 550-53, 582-84 544 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 724, 722-24, 721 545 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 260


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level of water in a water course.546

8.83 The Committee sought assurances that the Fairbairn headquarters would not again be affected by flood events. The Commissioner, Emergency Services Agency, told the Committee that an evaluation had been performed on the site by a hydraulic engineer, and measures put in place, in particular increased provision for disposal of storm water from the site. He described the flooding as a ‘one in a hundred year event’, and noted that emergency calls had continued to be handled effectively during and after the event.547

8.84 The Committee remains concerned about the status of the new headquarters for the ESA, particularly in the aftermath of the flooding which occurred after the severe rain event in December 2010. The Committee is particularly concerned about such matters as the delay in the units, which were forced out of the new headquarters, being able to relocate back to the headquarters, the reasons for the damage being caused in the first place, the analysis of the location for the new headquarters as part of the initial due diligence for the site and the costs of the remediation of the headquarters.


8.85 The Committee recommends that the Auditor-General conduct a follow-on audit into all aspects related to the decision to locate the headquarters of the Emergency Services Agency at Fairbairn and, in particular, the advice provided to the ACT Government over the possibility of flooding at this site.


8.86 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide the Legislative Assembly the timetable for the return of the Communications Centre to the Fairbairn headquarters.


8.87 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide the 546 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 674-75 547 Mr Crosweller, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp681-82


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Legislative Assembly with the details of any defects or deficiencies which are still to be rectified at the Fairbairn headquarters and the cost of such rectification.

The Bushfire Council

8.88 The Committee also asked questions concerning the Bushfire Council and the Bushfire Operational Plans (BOP). Concerns were raised about the lack of notification and courtesy to the members of the Council that their appointments were to be terminated.

8.89 Questions were also asked about the role of the Council in regard to the approval of BOPs and their ongoing role in the delivery of BOPs.


8.90 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government clarify the role of the Bushfire Council particularly in relation to the Bushfire Operational Plans.

Rural Fire Sheds

8.91 The Committee asked questions regarding the Budget rollover for the Tidbinbilla Rural Fire Service Shed as well as faults in the construction of both the Jerrabomberra and Rivers Fire Sheds.

8.92 Although the Minister sought to blame the contractor many of the faults seem to be of design in nature. The Committee is concerned that fundamental issues such as the size of truck bays were not delivered to standard.548


8.93 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table a list of the defects in the Jerrabomberra and Rivers fire sheds.

Other matters

8.94 The Committee also asked questions about ICT projects and the recruitment 548 See recommendations 56 and 58 in Chapter 3, Shared Services Centre regarding this procurement

process.


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and retention of staff.

8.95 In relation to the recruitment and retention of staff, the Committee asked questions regarding the recruitment and retention of ambulance officers and fire-fighters, overtime worked and the turnover rate in the fire-fighting workforce.549


8.96 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table in the Legislative Assembly details by service of the amount of overtime performed by all Emergency Service Agency staff.

ACT Policing

8.97 The Committee considered EBT 1: ACT Policing. The Budget Papers describe this output as:

Payment to ACT Policing (the ACT branch of the Australian Federal Police) for the provision of police services to the ACT community. These services include the protection of persons and property, crime prevention and detection, maintaining peace and good order and the enforcement of ACT laws.550

8.98 The Committee notes that the 2011-12 Budget allocation of $140 million to ACT Police is the largest output within the Justice and Community Safety Directorate. Despite this, ACT Police does not report against accountability indicators in the Budget Papers. The Committee considers that the inclusion of accountability indicators for ACT Police would ensure consistency across output classes and enhance the rigour of the Budget scrutiny process.


8.99 The Committee recommends that future ACT Budget Papers include accountability indicators for ACT Police.

549 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 683-686 550 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 260


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8.100 Among other things, the Committee asked questions regarding roadside drug testing; policing agreements; measures to curb alcohol-related violence; and mental health training for police.

Roadside drug testing

8.101 In relation to roadside drug testing, the Committee asked questions as to implementation, and particularly as to whether testing had commenced. The Attorney told the Committee that that testing had begun, and asked the Chief Police Office (CPO) of the ACT to elaborate.551

8.102 The CPO told the Committee that testing had begun on the 16 May, and that this was an initial batch of tests to allow ACT Policing to ‘get the operating processes and practices and methodologies right before we go to greater numbers of testing’. Asked about targets for testing, the CPO told the Committee that ACT Policing’s ‘aspirational objective’ was ‘to reach somewhere around 2,500 to 3,000 tests per year, which is about 60 a week’.552


8.103 The Committee recommends that the number of random roadside drug tests conducted and the number of positive tests recorded be included in the ACT Criminal Justice Statistical Profile.

Policing agreements

8.104 In relation to policing agreements between the ACT and the Commonwealth to provide policing services to the ACT, the Committee asked the Attorney to advise when the next agreement would be signed. The Attorney told the Committee that he anticipated that the new agreement would be signed within the next two months.553

8.105 The Committee asked the Attorney if a possible pay rise for staff of the Australian Federal Police (which provides the service) had been factored into the budget appropriation for policing services. The Attorney advised that any

551 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 689 552 Mr Quaedvlieg, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 689 553 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 690


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provision for further expenditure of this kind would not be included in the portfolio budget, but would be allocated at a ‘whole-of-government level’.554

8.106 The Committee also noted delays in concluding policing agreements, and asked the Attorney whether efforts would be made to change this. The Attorney told the Committee that he was concerned to see agreements ‘resolved more promptly’, and advised that the Government was working ‘with a view’ to having the next agreement signed by 30 June.555

Measures to curb alcohol-related violence

8.107 The Committee asked questions regarding alcohol-related violence in Civic. The CPO told the Committee that an alcohol crime targeting team had been operational since 1 December 2010, and that in the last four months there had been a ‘26 per cent decrease’ in alcohol-related offences, ‘predominantly in the Civic area’. While it was too soon to regard this as a trend, it was ‘certainly a very positive indication’ that work done by ACT Policing with ‘licensees, and enforcement more broadly, is actually having a positive impact’.556

Mental health training for police

8.108 The Committee asked questions regarding mental health training for police officers, in particular as to whether any training had been conducted in the last financial year, and how many officers had received training. The CPO told the Committee that this was ‘an extraordinarily important issue for ACT Policing’, and that ‘a significant proportion’ of ACT Policing’s front-line resources ‘get consumed through attendances to mental health issues’.557

8.109 Asked what proportion of resources went to this area, the CPO told the Committee that in April 2010 ACT Policing had ‘60 escorts of persons from front-line disturbances taken to the Canberra Hospital for assessment’. He took on notice a request for figures on the total burden on ACT Policing of events

554 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 691 555 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 692 556 Mr Quaedvlieg, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 691 557 Mr Quaedvlieg, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 694


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involving mental health problems.558

8.110 The CPO told the Committee that in the past 12 months ACT Policing had put ‘fairly robust mental health framework in place’, involving the ‘embedding of mental health clinicians’ in the ACT Policing Operations Centre and a training package that will be delivered to ‘all sworn operational front-line police in the ACT’. This would, he told the Committee allow better handling of episodes involving mental health problems, and facilitate the diversion of cases from justice into the health system.559

The Belconnen Police Station

8.111 The Committee was concerned about progress of the new Belconnen Police Station. Questions were asked regarding the delays in delivering the project and the escalation in the cost of the new Belconnen Police Station.


8.112 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide a progress report on the construction of the Belconnen Police Station, by the first sitting day in October 2011.


8.113 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government report on the Government’s intention for the Belconnen police station and remand centre site.

558 Mr Quaedvlieg, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 695 559 Mr Quaedvlieg, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 695


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9 T E RR ITORY AN D M UNIC PAL S E RVI C ES

D I R EC TO RAT E

9.1 The Territory and Municipal Services Directorate has a key role in building Canberra’s environmental, social and infrastructure capital as well as administering municipal services and public transport functions.560

9.2 The Directorate administers the majority of the Territory’s municipal services including: providing and managing public libraries; collecting and recycling waste; managing and maintaining the Territory’s roads, footpaths, cycling paths and streetlights; and delivering Canberra’s public transport.

9.3 The Directorate manages and maintains Canberra’s built environment; has responsibility for ensuring that the Government’s infrastructure assets are strategically planned, built and maintained; has a regulatory role in ensuring compliance with Territory and national standards in animal welfare; provides linen services; the Yarralumla Nursery; and, from 2011-12 will manage the ACT’s owned and leased property assets.561 Canberra Connect, the main ACT Government information, services and payments contact point, is also part of the Directorate. The Directorate manages the ACT’s environmental and recreational facilities, including parks and reserves, as well as urban open spaces.562

9.4 The Directorate includes the following output classes and outputs:

Output Class 1 – Municipal Services

1.1 Information Services

1.2 The Office of Transport

1.3 Waste and Recycling

560 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 65 561 The Committee however notes that property asset policy will be located within the Economic

Development Directorate 562 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 65


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1.4 Land Management

1.5 Environment Regulation

Output Class 2 – Enterprise Services

2.1 Government Services

ACTION

9.5 The Minister and officials appeared before the Committee on Tuesday 24 and 26 May 2011.

Information Services

9.6 This output covers the provision of customer enquiry, information, bill payment services to the community through Canberra Connect’s shopfronts, call centres and internet service; and ACT Library and Information Services and mobile libraries, the home library service, the ACT Virtual Library and the Heritage Library.563

Canberra Connect

9.7 The Committee queried why the rate of call centre waiting times less than 20 seconds was so far below the estimated target of 80 per cent. Officials noted that this indicator should not be confused with the level of customer satisfaction which, for a period of some five years, had been at 90 per cent; the indicator was instead a reflection of increased demand on the contact centre due to population growth, ‘significant rain events’ which led to a 60 per cent increase in service requests during the reporting period, and staff turnover which also impacted on response rates.564

9.8 Concerns were also raised about the delays to the processing of BPAY payments for MyWay bus cards, with officials assuring the Committee that the Canberra Connect payments portal was not a contributing factor,565 and advising that bill payments are receipted through the portal overnight and

563 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 70 564 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 831-832 565 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 833-834


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disbursed the following day.566

9.9 Officials outlined the stages in the processing of payments for MyWay cards, noting that using direct debit or a recharge agent resulted in an instant transfer567; it was also noted that delays in BPAY payments were related to financial institutions’ processing systems.568 The Minister undertook to provide the Committee with a more detailed technical explanation of the process and reasons for the difference in processing times between direct debit and BPAY payments.569


9.10 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government investigate BPAY processing times for payments with the intention of reducing delays.

Gungahlin Shopfront

9.11 The Committee noted that no additional funds were allocated to the Gungahlin Shopfront project in this year’s budget, despite the allocation of $100,000 for a feasibility study in 2009-10. To date, $59,000 has been spent on the study with no outcome and with $41,000 surrendered as savings.


9.12 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide a timetable to the Legislative Assembly for the provision of government shopfront services for the Gungahlin region by December 2011.

9.13 The Committee raised several other matters including:

• funding for upgrading Canberra Connect’s directory and ‘smart form’ payment options570

566 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 836 567 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 834-636 568 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 835 569 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 836 570 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 833


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• the level of staffing and staff turnover at the call centre571

• the methodology for gauging customer satisfaction572.

Library services

9.14 The Committee noted the proposed change to a single government intranet and IT framework and sought details on the extent to which the Library and Information Services (LIS) was consulted and any communication the LIS had with the rest of government in terms of outlining its IT and database requirements.

9.15 The LIS advised that as it was ‘very early days’ it had not had the opportunity for discussions regarding the streamlining of websites with InTACT; however InTACT had recently redeveloped the LIS’ website. The LIS while indicating that it would want to be involved in the consultations, did not envisage any problems in being able to integrate its website or its services into the proposed new IT framework, including linking into its catalogue database system.573

9.16 The Committee sought information about the reasons for (and the impact on staff of) the increase in the number of registered library users, and was advised that community outreach programs like ‘Giggle and Wiggle’ and other targeted programs, contributed to the increase in the number of library users. While the increase in users was welcomed by staff, the LIS had also adopted a range of labour saving initiatives to manage workloads including the implementation of the radio frequency identification system a couple of years earlier and the recent installation of a new book sorter in Gungahlin.574

9.17 Noting incidents that had occurred at Dickson Library, the Committee sought assurances in relation to library staff safety, and were advised that the LIS ran a staff training and development program during which staff were taught security risk skills. In addition there were also stringent procedures around what staff should do if they felt unsafe, and all staff had been issued with

571 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 832-833 572 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 833 573 Ms Little, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 838-839 574 Ms Little, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp840-842


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personal security duress alarms. The LIS was also working with ACT Health to implement a program around mental health issues.575

9.18 The Director-General also advised that he has regular discussions with the Chief of Police regarding police responsiveness at the time of incidents576 and in terms of the number of occasions that police were called to assist, officials stressed that due to the standard procedures and training provided, many issues were defused by staff, but that police were called as needed.577

9.19 The Minister advised that in relation to the increased numbers of users and the policy for opening new libraries ‘issues around demand, the levels of coverage we currently have, usage and patterns of new settlement or concentrations of population in the city’578 would be assessed when necessary. Officials advised that national standards around libraries cover hours of opening, staffing and collection size.579

9.20 In relation to the policy that no-one would be further than five kilometres from a public library and whether there was a move to reduce this to three kilometres, the Minister advised that the Government’s position was that the level of service provision of libraries was adequate, particularly with the opening of the Gungahlin library, and there were no plans to open any additional libraries at this stage; however the Minister indicated that this would be kept under review, noting that Molonglo was still in its early stages and consideration would be given to the establishment of a library in that area as the new suburbs developed.580


9.21 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table in the Legislative Assembly, by the first sitting day in December 2011, its policy concerning the location of libraries and access to libraries.

575 Ms Little, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 842-843 576 Mr Byles, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 842 577 Ms Little, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 842-843 578 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 843 579 Ms Little, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 843 580 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, pp 843-844


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9.22 The Committee was advised that the library had a collection development policy which aimed to provide a representative collection with a balanced number of perspectives on any topic. Acquisition decisions were informed through monitoring book requests, media coverage and literature awards. Officials noted that the additional capital injection for materials had had an impact on loans which had ‘skyrocketed’ in comparison with previous years and other libraries.581

9.23 Other issues raised by the Committee in relation to this output included:

growth funding for municipal services582

implications of asset acceptance by the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate583

the text message notification system used by the library584

the number of pages downloaded from library databases on the website.585

The Office of Transport

9.24 This output covers the management of ACT roads, including stormwater infrastructure, community paths, bridges, streetlights and carparks, and the provision of public transport.586

Majura Parkway

9.25 The Committee sought an update on the Majura Parkway proposal. The Minister advised that the Territory Government had allocated $144 million to the project and, while it was continuing to make representations to the Commonwealth in relation to the remaining 50 per cent share required for the construction of the road, it was also seeking advice on the implications of commencing construction ahead of a final funding commitment from the

581 Ms Little, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 844-845 582 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 836-838 583 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 838 584 Ms Little, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 839-840 585 Ms Little, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 840 586 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 70


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Commonwealth.587

9.26 The Minister advised that options on the timing, staging and development for the project were currently being prepared for the Government’s consideration. Options included the Territory Government commencing construction of the project with Commonwealth funding being contributed in a later year, or upgrading and improving the capacity of Majura Road regardless of a funding commitment from the Commonwealth; however, the Minister agreed that it would not be desirable for the Majura Parkway to be constructed in the same way that Gungahlin Drive had been built. 588


9.27 The Committee recommends that all options relating to the design and building of the Majura Parkway investigated by the ACT Government be made available to the Legislative Assembly before the project is commenced or appropriated funds are made available for the project.

9.28 The Committee notes that through an answer to a question on notice the Government stated that it did not have any data on the amount of freight travelling through urban Canberra, where this freight originates or is travelling, or how much freight traffic Majura Parkway could be expected to divert. This is despite the Government citing the diversion of freight as a major reason for building Majura Parkway.589


9.29 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government analyse the

587 Mr Simon Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 794 588 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 794-795; see also pp 800-801. Ms Le

Couteur also noted that the Government's answer to QoNE11 -114 TAMS revealed that it has done no comparison of the improvements in travel for residents of Gungahlin that would result from building Majura Parkway compared to building high quality, fast public transport routes from Gungahlin. Ms Le Couteur believes that a comparison of the transport options is required to determine which projects should receive funding and recommends that the Government provide comparative analysis of the improvements in travel for residents of Gungahlin that would result from building Majura Parkway compared to building high quality, fast public transport routes from Gungahlin or any other feasible transport options.

589 QoN 113


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freight travelling through Canberra and provide estimations of how much freight would be diverted by building Majura Parkway.

9.30 The Committee was also interested in whether the project was still considered a sustainability measure as submitted by the Government to Infrastructure Australia, and whether alternative proposals, including consideration of public transport infrastructure options, had been examined.

9.31 With an important objective of the project being to divert heavy freight traffic away from city areas and facilitate more timely and efficient passage along Majura Avenue, the Minister noted that the Government was, at the same time, continuing to make significant investments in public transport service delivery and infrastructure enhancement.590

9.32 Officials advised that the EIS for the project had included a number of options in addition to the recommended and approved proposal, including doing nothing or upgrading the existing Majura Road. In addition to the diversion of freight traffic from the city, the parkway would also provide improved access to Canberra Airport, service the needs of Gungahlin and employment areas in the city, south and at the airport, and divert traffic away from suburbs of north Canberra.591

9.33 In responding to the issue of peak oil, the Minister highlighted the importance of developing a stronger, more responsive and more efficient public transport system to provide a viable alternative to private motor vehicles; however, noting the likely market responses to peak oil and carbon pricing, and anticipated shift to other forms of private transport such as electric vehicles, there was still a need to ensure an efficient road network which addressed issues such as congestion.592

9.34 The Committee also raised the following issues:

590 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 796 591 Mr Gill, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 796 592 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 797


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inclusion of flyovers on the Majura parkway593

impact of traffic noise on residents in areas surrounding the parkway594

consideration of a high speed public transport link, including a very fast train route, to north Canberra.595

Northbourne Avenue

9.35 The Committee continued with questions relating to the Northbourne Avenue feasibility study currently underway.

9.36 Officials advised that the Northbourne Avenue feasibility study was covering issues such as the optimal way for the avenue to act as a mass transit corridor, protection of cyclists, integration with land use in the area, and management of traffic and access along the corridor. The Committee was told that the first round of community consultations were held in March with key stakeholders along the corridor, including Pedal Power, representatives from the freight industry, the taxi council, representatives from the NCA and community councils, to be followed by a broader round of consultations to take place in June with a view to finalising the study in September or October.596

9.37 The Committee was advised that the $2.5 million for the Northbourne Avenue transitway had been allocated to enable design work for a preferred solution to give public transport priority once the feasibility process had been finalised.597 Decisions on the $4 million allocated in the previous budget to start early works on Northbourne would be informed by the results of the feasibility study.598The issue of on-road cycle lanes on Northbourne Avenue was raised both in terms of safety concerns and their impact on the construction of off-road bus-bays. The Minister advised that the number of transport requirements to be accommodated posed a challenge for what is a narrow corridor, but the Government would examine how best to give priority to

593 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 797-798 594 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 798 595 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 798-800 596 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 802-803 597 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 802 598 Mr Peters, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 803


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public transport while also meeting the needs of commuter cyclists, off-road cyclists and pedestrians.599

9.38 The extent to which ‘bus-bunching’ contributed to restricting traffic flow on Northbourne Avenue, and ways to address the problem, were also raised, with officials undertaking to check whether the issue had been examined previously.600


9.39 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government progress the Northbourne Avenue transitway feasibility study including all modes of transport and taking a long term view.

9.40 The Committee also discussed with the Minister and officials:

• the future traffic, public transport and cycling projections and land use plans to be taken into consideration in the design timeline for the proposed changes to the Northbourne corridor601

• the modes of public transport to be considered as part of the Northbourne Avenue project602

• design constraints associated with electrical and fibre optic services located along the avenue603

• the impact of building transit ways on public transport speeds during peak times604

• the timing of, and allocation of funding for, construction of new bus stations in Dickson and Barton.605

599 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 805 600 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 805-806 601 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 803 602 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 804 603 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 804 604 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 806 605 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 807


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Resurfacing of municipal roads

9.41 The Committee noted that this was the third year in a row that resurfacing of municipal roads had been under target. Officials advised that its road resurfacing program targets had been affected by a combination of the impact of the wettest year in three decades and also the greater use of asphalt overlay rather than resealing.606

9.42 The Committee was advised that where a particular activity could not be delivered, there was capacity within the program to divert funds to other areas such as stormwater infrastructure.607 The Minister added that it was a ‘rolling program’ and what was not completed in one year would be undertaken the following year.608

9.43 While the Minister advised that the infrastructure maintenance task was managed within the context of the overall budget and the allocation made available for that purpose, the Committee remained concerned that the Government did not have a strategy for the maintenance of the Territory’s ageing roads, including in relation to responding to exceptional circumstances, such as heavy rainfall.609


9.44 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table in the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in December 2011 its strategy to catch up on the maintenance program of the ACT road network.

Relocation of Dickson RTA Inspection Site

9.45 The Committee sought an update on the proposed relocation of the RTA inspection site at Dickson.

9.46 The Minister advised that as part of the construction of the proposed new

606 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 813-814 607 Mr Gill, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 815 608 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 816 609 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 816-817


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central government office building, a range of functions would be required to relocate from the Dickson Motor Registry site to the city, allowing the Dickson site to become surplus for potential sale or redevelopment.610

9.47 Noting the plan to divert freight vehicles away from Northbourne Avenue, the Minister indicated that it would be desirable to relocate the Dickson inspection facilities ‘to a more suitable location away from that major entry corridor into the city.’611

9.48 The Committee questioned the Minister at length about what specific provision had been made for the relocation of the inspection site.612 The Minister advised that, at this stage of the process, it was only necessary to make a ‘notional allocation for the replacement of that facility in the overall project.’613 The Minister undertook to provide the Committee with details of the estimated cost to relocate the inspection pits and the current value of the Dickson Motor Registry.614 The Committee is disappointed that the response to a question taken on notice by the Minister was not received by 17 June, in time for the Committee’s consideration. Other issues related to the Office of Road Transport examined by the Committee included:

allocation of $1.5 million funding for, and the recent report on, walking and cycling infrastructure, the City Cycle Loop, and cycle safety issues615

the provision of $1 million to improve bus stops to meet disability discrimination requirements616

the feasibility study to identify options for building transit way stops along the Adelaide Avenue corridor617

interpretive signage for, and the condition of, the dry-stone wall close to Athllon Drive618

public transport options associated with proposed re-development of the Yarralumla brickworks and environs619

the implementation of road and traffic management improvements on Streeton Drive, Weston620

concerns about the number of accidents and traffic flow problems at the 610 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 846 611 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 846-847


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intersection of Mulley Street and Streeton Drive621

the implementation of the Vision Zero road safety program across government622

the reason for (and implications for the proposed park and ride at Kippax of) the construction of the two new roundabouts on Southern Cross Drive.623

the targets and estimated outcomes for bus priority/transit lanes and on-road cycle lanes624

the breakdown of the 2010-11 expenditure on new road safety measures, including the road education campaign625

funding for, and distribution of, shade structures for playgrounds, and their susceptibility to vandalism626

the revitalisation of Eastern Valley Way and the extent and nature of public consultations on the planned upgrades.627

Waste and Recycling

9.49 The Committee began its consideration of this output by noting an increase in waste going to landfill per capita (from 0.59 tonnes to 0.67 tonnes annually) and inquiring into the cost of this waste management. It was noted that under current pricing arrangements, the cost to Government peaks at 200,000 tonnes

612 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 847-850 613 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 849 614 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 847-848 615 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 807-809 616 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 808 and 809-810 617 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 810 618 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 811 619 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 812 620 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 812-813 621 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 814 622 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 817-819 623 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, pp 826-828 624 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 845 625 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 851 626 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 852 627 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 24 May 2011, p 853


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after which the price per tonne decreases. 628


9.50 The Committee recommends that a total waste tonnage indicator be provided by type, including hazardous waste.

9.51 Overall, it was noted that the generation of waste in the ACT was increasing and that the proportion of waste recycled was decreasing. The Minister argued that this was a result of a one-off event (that is, waste from the development of ponds at Molonglo), and growth in ‘intractable’ waste, such as electronics and other elaborately-transformed goods, which are difficult to recycle.629 The Committee noted a proposed decrease in the target for waste recycling.630

9.52 The Government’s landfill and recycling facilities were discussed. At West Belconnen it was noted that funding had been allocated to add more clay capping to parts of the site, that the site is maintained for potential use as emergency landfill if needed 631, and that a master-plan is being prepared for the site. 632 At Hume, it was noted that the Government is considering acquiring land adjacent to the existing Mugga Lane facility.633


9.53 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government establish targets and timing for its waste strategy and advise the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in August 2011.

9.54 There was brief discussion of the Government’s progress in seeking Revolve’s vacating its site 634, and of social procurement related to waste and recycling.635

9.55 In relation to the latter, the Committee notes public concern around previous

628 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Tuesday 24 May 2011, pp 854-855 629 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Tuesday 24 May 2011, pp 856-858 630 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Tuesday 24 May 2011, pp 858-859 631 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1111-1112 632 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1115 633 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1114 634 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1114-1115 635 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1110-1113


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waste contracts and that the Standing Committee on Public Accounts has asked the Auditor-General to consider investigating these contracts in its report on procurement issues.

9.56 More specifically, the Committee notes the case of a local company, Renewable Processes, who have written to the Committee outlining their difficulties in receiving consistent advice and support from Government despite having established an e-waste recycling facility in the ACT and being committed to socially-inclusive employment practices. 636 It is noted that while the Government indicated its support for procurement from social enterprises in June 2010, two previous e-waste contracts in 2009 and 2011 were given to firms based outside of the ACT without apparent regard to environmental or social considerations.


9.57 The Committee recommends that No Waste ensure that it complies with the ACT Government’s social procurement policy.


9.58 The ACT Government shall report to the Legislative Assembly as to the selection criteria (and their weightings) for future e-waste contracts.


9.59 The Committee recommends that the Auditor-General should investigate the previously granted e-waste and other waste contracts.

Land Management

9.60 The Committee considered a wide range of dimensions to this output relating

636 Letter from Renewable Processes Ltd, received 8 June 2011,available at:

http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/downloads/exhibits/22.%20Letter%20from%20Renewable%20Processes%20Pty%20Ltd.pdf




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to the management of both the urban and rural areas of the ACT.

9.61 Within urban areas, an issue raised was the resourcing of mowing. The Committee inquired as to the proportion of mowing conducted by the agency and that performed by contractors. It was informed of priority areas (which include main thoroughfares and sports grounds) and of the addition and withdrawal of agency funding for mowing depending on weather patterns and grass levels. The relevant officials suggested that customer surveys had found 93 percent of the community was satisfied with the agency’s mowing practices. 637

9.62 Another urban issue raised was the Directorate’s urban tree renewal program and policies for the replacement of trees. It was noted that all trees removed under the program will not automatically be replaced and consideration will be given to ensuring that replanting does not impact on solar access. It was indicated that 20,000 trees will be planted in greenfield suburbs in the coming year.638

9.63 Regarding rural areas, the Committee heard of various initiatives, including woodland restoration, pest control (including rabbit control), and weed control projects. 639 There was also discussion of the number of rangers employed and questioning whether current employment levels were adequate. The relevant officials suggested there was fluctuation in the number of rangers over time and ongoing turnover. It was noted that a recruitment process had recently been undertaken and that this would create a pool to fill future vacancies as they arose. It was also noted that some land management activities (such as pest and weed control) were sometimes performed by contractors or non-ranger staff. 640

9.64 The Committee noted that members of the public are often concerned that weed and pest management is not happening in their area, or that work the previous years will not be followed up in consecutive years. Annual release of

637 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1121-1124 638 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1117-1119 639 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Tuesday 24 May 2011, pp 819-824 & Proof Transcript of Evidence,

Thursday 26 May, pp 1119-1120 640 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1125-1127


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the operational plans would provide transparency about how this money is to be spent in any financial year and could seek to alleviate public concern.641


9.65 The Committee recommends that the annual operational plans for weeds management and vertebrate pest management are made publicly available each year so that they are accessible to Park Care groups and other volunteers and land managers.

9.66 The agency’s Bushfire Operations Plan was discussed, including the non-achievement of the target for the proportion of land to be treated to reduce bushfire risk. It was suggested that recent wet weather had meant the fuel mitigation burning could not take place and that additional effort had to be given to grazing and slashing activities. The Committee sought details of any fuel load analysis that had been conducted. 642

9.67 Following on from the Hawke Report’s recommendation that there should be a reduction in the number of logos used by different parts of the Government, it was asked if the Parks, Conservation and Lands unit of the Directorate would retain its gang-gang insignia. The Minister indicated that no decision had been made by the Government at this time. 643

Organisational structure of the Parks Service

9.68 The Committee considers that the ACT Government should take the opportunity of the Hawke Review to significantly rebuild the capacity and effectiveness of land management by reinstating a separate unit within the new Sustainable Development Directorate that is responsible for managing national parks, nature reserves and other areas of high conservation value that currently do not have reserve status.644

9.69 The Committee is a concerned that the Territory is not building the skills and knowledge of natural resource managers to the best advantage, nor utilising

641 Budget Paper 4 No. pp 76-77, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Tuesday 24 May 2011, p 823 642 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1116-1117 643 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1124-1125 644 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Tuesday 24 May 2011, p 819


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this expertise effectively. National parks and reserve rangers are often highly trained ecologists or people with similar backgrounds, whose policy advice on land monitoring issues is integral to the ongoing development of the land management policies. There is a valuable role that parks managers can and should play in the development of policy, management plans and the monitoring of the implementation of management and operational plans.


9.70 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consider integrating the officials involved with the management of non-urban parks, nature parks and national parks, as well as those involved with the management of weeds and pests with the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate.

9.71 The Committee was also concerned that there were no ecological indicators in the Budget for the management of reserves and national parks.


9.72 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government investigate indicators that measure ecological values, biodiversity outcomes and water quality.

Environmental Regulation

9.73 Discussion of this output was primarily focused on the Directorate’s Domestic Animal Services (DAS) unit, issues associated with the RSPCA, and the relationship between the two entities. While it was suggested that some services currently delivered by DAS could be outsourced to the RSPCA as they are in some other states, the relevant officials indicated that the ACT RSPCA has indicated that it would prefer that these responsibilities remain with the Government.645

9.74 Government funding of the RSPCA was discussed, including a number of emergency payments made by the Government over recent years. It was

645 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1127-1130


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suggested that the RSPCA has suffered financial difficulties resulting from poor returns from their investments due to the global financial crisis and decreases in donations.646

9.75 The RSPCA continues to struggle to satisfy the demand for its services. Moreover, the RSPCA requires new premises and the need for these becomes more urgent each day.

9.76 The Committee notes the recommendation made by 2010-11 Estimates Committee regarding the proposed relocation of the RSPCA including the government response that despite senior officers from TAMS meeting with the RSPCA in relation to potential requirements no timeline had been determined.647 The Committee is concerned that the new site for the RSPCA is still pending.


9.77 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government negotiate with the RSPCA about the appropriate funding which should be provided for the services undertaken by the RSPCA and report to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in September 2011.


9.78 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government finalise with the RSPCA, by the first sitting day in November 2011, the site for the relocation of the RSPCA.

9.79 Questions were also asked of DAS’ funding and the outcomes of dogs in DAS’ care. It was reported that in the previous financial year 249 dogs were euthanised, 169 were transferred interstate, rescue and fosterers took 100 dogs,

646 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1128-1129. Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson were

concerned that the Government has treated the RSPCA (ACT) with disdain, even though the RSPCA provides a wide range of services including some for which the ACT Government does not provide any recompense. In their view, the comments from the Minister to the Committee simply reflect this disdain, as the emphasis was on the provision of ad hoc funding by the ACT Government and not on providing regular funding which matches the costs incurred by the RSPCA.

647 Government Response 2010–11 Estimates Committee Report, p 14


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the RSPCA took 15 dogs, and 257 were sold. 648


9.80 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government review the delivery of domestic animal services to determine the most effective and efficient way to ensure animal welfare.

ACTION

9.81 ACTION provides public transport services within the ACT, including scheduled bus services, school bus services, and special needs transport services.649

9.82 The Committee examined a wide range of issues, beginning with the roll-out of the MyWay ticketing system and associated issues. Concern was raised around the requirement of MyWay passengers to ‘tag off’ upon leaving a bus in order to pay the lowest fare. It was suggested by some Committee members that this may be onerous upon certain groups of passengers, including older people, people with disabilities, and school children.650 The Minister however argued that the tagging-off requirement was essential to improve network planning through the better understanding of passengers’ journeys. 651

9.83 The Committee notes that a grace period is currently in place until the 30 June 2011 that allows bus users who do not tag off to still get charged the lowest possible fare. After 30 June 2011, any user who does not tag on and off a bus will be charged the higher cash fare.

9.84 The Committee was interested in the data which could now be generated from MyWay on the pattern of passenger usage of ACTION services. At the same time, the Committee expressed an interest in receiving information on trends in patronage and in the revenue collected from fares.

648 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1129 649 2011-12 Budget Paper No 4, pp 109-111 650 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1130-1132 651 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1132


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9.85 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government remove the financial penalty for failing to tag-off in the MyWay bus ticketing system.


9.86 The Committee recommends that ACTION provide detailed data on passenger numbers and farebox recovery on a quarterly basis to the Legislative Assembly.

9.87 Concern was also expressed about the privacy of MyWay cardholders with the suggestion that as the cards are produced in Perth they were thus subject to a different state’s privacy regime. It was also suggested that the usage profiles of patrons, and particularly children, were potentially accessible to a number of ACTION and Canberra Connect employees. The Minister undertook to clarify to the Committee which ACTION and other Government employees had access to such data.652

9.88 Questions were asked about concession holders from NSW and other jurisdictions not able to have their concession cards recognised in the ACT since the introduction of the new ticketing system.


9.89 The Committee recommends that an agreement be negotiated with NSW with regard to a uniform concession rate scale for public transport users.


9.90 The Committee recommends that the issue of uniform concessions be raised at the Australian Transport Council for consideration to achieve mutual recognition of concessions across jurisdictions.

Bike racks on buses

652 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1137-1139


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9.91 The Committee notes that the 2010–11 Estimates Committee recommended the ACT Government provide more data in its accountability indicators about bike racks and reliability. The Committee is concerned that this has not yet been achieved. In response to a question on notice, the Government stated that not all buses could be retrofitted to take bike racks and thus 100 per cent availability of bike racks on bus services was not possible. 653


9.92 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government investigate methods for advising passengers of the availability of bike racks on buses by route.

9.93 The general timeliness and reliability of ACTION’s scheduled services were discussed. It was noted that the timeliness target for the previous year had not been met and that the ACT’s target of 85 per cent was below NSW and Victoria’s equivalent targets (at 96 and 95 per cent respectively). Constituents’ complaints of the failure of buses to turn up (that is, cancelled services) were relayed by the Committee. ACTION officials noted that driver shortages had been a problem, and it was reported that the possibility of introducing a real-time service status information system for passengers was being investigated.654


9.94 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government increase its targets and achieved level of reliability and timeliness for ACTION.

9.95 Various employment and industrial relations issues were discussed. These included the management of absenteeism among ACTION staff, workers’ compensation claims, and insurance issues.655 The Minister reported that an in- principle agreement had been reached with a union representing mechanical staff with a key issue being the resolution of the rostering of

653 QoN 525 654 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1132-1135 655 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1136-1137, 1140-1141


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relevant staff on weekends.656

9.96 Funding for new services was considered by the Committee. The Minister reported that an extension of the Blue Rapid service to Kippax would be trialled for six months, services would commence for several new Gungahlin suburbs (specifically, Casey, Crace, Bonner, and Forde), and that services for day-time Fyshwick commuters, the Inner North, the Canberra Hospital, and certain other locations would be improved.657

9.97 The Committee also noted the proportion of ACTION’s bus fleet compliant with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 658, and also the consultation with the clients of the Independent Living Centre on their public transport needs in the context of the shift of the Centre from Weston Creek to Tuggeranong. 659

ACT Public Cemeteries Authority

9.98 The ACT Public Cemeteries Authority (ACTPCA) is an independent statutory authority which manages three cemeteries at Gungahlin, Woden, and Hall.660

9.99 The main focus of discussion was funding for and process related to the development of a new cemetery in the Tuggeranong district. The Committee was told that a site has been identified, that consultants are to be engaged to advance the project and that further public consultation will take place as the project progresses. 661

9.100 The Committee was also interested in the inclusion of a crematorium at the southern cemetery.

656 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1141-1142 657 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1139-1140 658 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1135-1136 659 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1142 660 2011-12 Budget Paper No 4, p 415 661 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1143-1144


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9.101 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table the business case for a crematorium at the southern cemetery.

Perpetual care liability

9.102 The issue of the ACTPCA’s perpetual care liability was discussed, and it is unclear that the proposals will address the issue of the existing perpetual care liability.


9.103 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government indicate to the Legislative Assembly by the last sitting day in 2011 the amount of existing perpetual care liability and its proposal to address the liability.

9.104 Other issues raised included whether vandalism was a problem, and the availability of natural burials.


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10 C O MMU NIT Y S E RVI CE S D I RE CTO R AT E

10.1 The Community Services Directorate provides a wide range of programs and policies which deliver services to individual, families and the ACT community.

10.2 The Committee met with the Minister for Community Services on Monday 23 May, Wednesday 25 May, and Friday 27 May. The Committee also met with the Minister for Ageing, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and the Minister for Women on Friday 27 May and the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs on Monday 30 May 2011.

10.3 The Community Services Directorate provides services through the following output classes:

Disability and Therapy Services

Early Intervention

Community Development and Policy

Children, Youth and Family Services

Housing ACT.

Outcomes-based service funding agreement

10.4 The Committee sought clarification on the process for developing an outcomes-based service funding agreement framework.662 The Minister advised that the objective of the new framework would be to clarify expected outcomes and extend the length of agreements through the identification of expected outcomes and milestones through the duration of the agreement.663 The Director-General advised that the framework would impact on providers of services within output classes 2, 3 and 4 and will support continuity of service while facilitating innovation and cooperation within the community sector.

662 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1004, BP4, p 347 663 Ms Burch, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1004


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10.5 The Committee asked for clarification of the Directorate’s view on current performance measures and was advised that the intention was to establish some measure of the difference the service makes to those using the services. This analysis would also involve consultation with the community sector.664

10.6 The Committee considered that the measurement of outcomes presented a number of challenges in terms of qualitative measures of the effectiveness of human services and indicated that progress towards this goal would be observed with great interest by the Assembly. The Director-General advised that some work on outcome measures was occurring at the COAG Reform Council level and he anticipated that implementation in the ACT would occur from June 2013.665

Accountability indicators

10.7 Further detail about the accountability indictors used and performance measures adopted to support them was sought by the Committee. The Director-General explained the use of ‘proxy measures’ indicating that these are used to indicate a trend along a pathway and was asked whether measures such as client satisfaction surveys were made public. While noting that the Directorate reports survey results in the annual reports, the Committee considered that a more extensive disclosure was warranted – for instance, by publishing detailed results to specific questions on the Directorate website.


10.8 The Committee recommends that consistent with the proposed move towards outcome based measures for community contracts that the Community Services Directorate also adopt outcome based accountability measures.

Pay equity case

10.9 The Committee discussed the potential impact of the pay equity case on the provision of community services in the ACT and whether there would be an

664 Mr Hehir, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1004-1006 665 Mr Hehir, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1008


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appropriation to cover the anticipated salary increases or whether a reduction of services was anticipated. The Minister advised that some consideration of this had been made and, although the quantum was unknown, it was anticipated that an appropriate response by Government would be made.


10.10 The Committee recommends that in consideration of the outcomes of the pay equity case, the ACT Government consider the impact on pay short falls on community sector service delivery.


10.11 That the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly how it will address the potential funding gap due to the equal pay case decision, and how it will address the impact in future years.

Disability and Therapy Services

10.12 The Committee sought clarification on the additional funding to address demand for disability services, which services would receive the money and the split between government and community service delivery.666 The Executive Director of Disability ACT advised that the majority would be going to the community sector through an increase in individual support packages (ISP).667

10.13 With the Directorate’s stated strategic themes to engage and involve clients and build better community partnerships,668 the Committee sought detail on how this was achieved. The Directorate outlined a number of measures of community engagement including: the cross-government and community sector strategic governance group to advise the Director-General; regular meetings with the sector and biannual forums; community consultations on a variety of policy directions; and the various mechanisms for client feedback available through the website.669 Despite these various avenues for community

666 QToN 172 667 Ms Ford, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 731


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engagement, the Committee was concerned that there were many individuals who wanted greater access to information and to contribute to the policy development, but were missing out.670

10.14 The Committee was interested in the post-school options available for people with a disability, particularly with the school leaving age at Black Mountain School lowered.671 The Director Policy Planning and Business Support told the Committee that while Disability ACT guarantees 12 hours of post-school support, this is often combined with other options through HACC funded services, case management and respite.672


10.15 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government review the post school options services available for students with a disability and their families and report to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in December 2011.

10.16 The Committee also discussed the Social Enterprise Hub as an avenue to assist those with a capacity for employment in a range of environments and Social Ventures, to support proposals for building employment for people with a disability.673

10.17 The Committee noted the $1.7 million allocated for specialist after-school and holiday care for young people with complex behaviours. The Minister advised that Courage Partners had been commissioned to examine the existing demand and best-practice options to enhance service delivery, with the report due in June 2011. With limited after-school options available for teenagers with a disability, the Minister noted her commitment to having enhanced options in place from semester one 2012.674

668 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 347 669 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 272-231 670 QToN 171 671 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 732 672 Mr Kenny, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 732–733 673 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 734 674 Minister for Community Services, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 738


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10.18 Questioning the estimated increased target for community access hours from 200,000 in 2010-11 to 233,000 in 2011-12, the Director-General explained that this was a result of increased funding from the Australian Government through the National Disability Agreement. He further explained that as the money is received in a lump sum it is possible for the Directorate to plan the increments and enable greater increases in service delivery over a period of time. The main areas for increases are accommodation support, community support and community access hours.675

10.19 The Committee is concerned at the ambiguity over the outcome target for 2011-12 of 233,000 hours. The notes suggest the increase reflects additional emergency accommodation places and transfer of responsibility for younger people with a disability in residential aged car facilities. Yet, in Estimates’ discussions, it was implied the additional hours were designed to cater for school leavers transitioning.


10.20 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide, by the first sitting day in August 2011, further details on the breakdown of the anticipated extra hours of community access as outlined in the Budget, how this figure was arrived at, the extent to which there remains an unmet need and what provision is being made to resolve these matters.

10.21 Given the additional money for supported accommodation services, the Committee enquired about the options available to older carers with adult children. The Minister acknowledged that the demand for accommodation services for this group of people will continue to increase and that some of the growth funding is aimed at developing the support structures around the accommodation. The Minister told the Committee that the Directorate has been increasing services over the years and will continue to do. As an example the Minister noted the new ‘intentional community’ model driven by the Getting a Life Program.676

675 Mr Hehir, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 740–741 676 Minister for Community Services, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 751–752, pp 787–789


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10.22 The Policy Planning and Business Support Director described the situation of ‘natural support failure’ where the informal carers are no longer able to provide care. He told the Committee that the Directorate was able to project the future requirements of ageing carers based on the demographic information available and that the estimated figures on an annual basis were approximately 11 people requiring a supported accommodation response.677 The Minister added that with an estimated 26 per cent of carers moving away from providing primary care over the next 10 years ‘we need to factor in that growth and respond in the physical form but also in the support form’.678

10.23 The Committee questioned the client satisfaction survey target set at 75 per cent. The Disability ACT Executive Director explained that while areas of dissatisfaction may be higher, the 75 per cent average overall satisfaction rate is:

... reasonable in a demand-driven, prioritised system where people have to be eligible to get their funding, their resources and their support—particularly in some areas of our business where people have to comply with certain aspects of care that they may not agree with.679

10.24 With an anticipated increase in staffing reported in the Budget Papers, the Committee questioned the impact of this on the efficiency dividend. The Minister explained that the efficiency dividend was across the Community Services Directorate and the growth figures were redirecting and targeting areas of need.680 The Minster assured the Committee that no disability services would be cut to meet the efficiency dividend ‘in this budget nothing we have said indicates a cut to any services’.681

10.25 Noting that advocacy was a priority under the National Disability Agreement the Committee questioned whether specific funds were allocated for this purpose. The Disability ACT Executive Director advised that while it is not a line item appearing in the Budget there is additional funding, to the tune of

677 Mr Kenny, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 758 678 Minister for Community Services, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 753 679 Ms Ford, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 754 680 Minister for Community Services, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 757 681 Minister for Community Services, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 759


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$120,000 shared between Women with Disabilities and Advocacy for Inclusion, to engage a full-time policy position to promote self advocacy.682

10.26 The Committee was concerned that smaller agencies were having difficulty meeting administration costs through funding for one-off projects. The Director-General advised that the indexation683 is incorporated into the community sector funding and includes components for salaries and administrative costs. He also provided advice to the Committee of the National Disability Association policy project Strengthening the Sector, that examined the option of smaller agencies sharing administration costs across agencies.684

10.27 The Committee sought an explanation for the disparity in the amount of funding for disability services listed in the Federal Budget Papers (p 65) and the amount reported in the ACT Budget Papers.685

10.28 The Committee also discussed the following issues related to disability services:

level of unmet need686

the number of Disability Support Officers (DSO) minimum qualification, retention rate and workforce strategy687

need for a formula for annual growth funding for disability services 688

feasibility study into the future models of centre-based respite expected to report in July 2011 689

682 Ms Ford, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 763 683 The Government provides funding for not-for-profit non government community organisations

that deliver human services through a multi-year Service Funding Agreement to meet increasing wage related and administrative costs. Annual funding increases are calculated using the following formula: Community Sector Funding Rate = (Wage Price Index *0.80) + (Consumer Price Index *0.20)For the 2011-12 Budget the following rates have been applied to eligible community sector funding. 2011-12 2011-2012 Budget Paper No.3: Expenses and Forward Estimates, p76.

684 Mr Hehir, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 764 685 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 743 QToN 176 686 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 743 687 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 798–791 688 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 744 689 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 747–749


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the level of funding for wheelchair accessible taxis690

needs of carers 691

operation and membership of the Business Leaders Innovative Thoughts Solution (BLITS) 692

details of the purpose of the Commonwealth grant disability services for people under the age of 65 in residential aged care 693

the engagement of a Disability ACT housing options worker.694

Therapy services

10.29 Therapy ACT provides speech pathology services, occupational therapy, psychology, physiotherapy and social work for children with developmental delays and children and adults with a disability.

10.30 The Committee questioned the current waiting list for the different therapies responses. The Therapy ACT Senior Manager told the Committee that currently there are waiting lists across all the professions. The lists are prioritised in order of urgency and those with the highest priority are seen within 48 hours. The longest waiting periods are for speech pathology and occupational therapy.695 The Committee sought further information on the average waiting times across all the professional service areas.696

10.31 The Committee was interested in the Therapy in Schools pilot project to be developed and implemented at ACT government and non-government schools.697 The Committee was told that the 12 month pilot would be conducted in six schools, and based on the results of the evaluation it had the potential to be rolled out to other schools. The Committee discussed the details

690 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 745–747 691 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 749–751 692 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 760–762 693 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 768–770 694 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 792 695 Ms Hayes, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 770–773 696 QToN 449 697 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 3, p 106


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of the pilot at length.698

10.32 Noting the target for hours of therapy services provided the Committee questioned whether the target addressed the level of demand. 699 The Therapy ACT Senior Manager told the Committee that the additional hours would be provided by the therapy assistants, but pointed out that the target hours represent the capacity of existing staff to provide services, while the unmet need is ‘contained in the waiting list and the waiting times’.700

10.33 Asking about therapeutic responses to children with a disability, the Committee was advised that Therapy ACT works with the client and their family to assess individual treatment and care.701

10.34 The Committee questioned the relationship between Australian Government funding and therapeutic responses for children with autism in the ACT. The Director-General advised that Australian Government funding cannot be utilised by Therapy ACT.702

10.35 The Committee also discussed the new funding for the Children and Young People Equipment Loan Service and the sample size and response rate for the client satisfaction survey.703

Early Invention

New child and family centre West Belconnen

10.36 The Committee noted the establishment of child and family centres, particularly the new one in Kippax. The Committee is aware of the nearby Kippax UnitingCare and the child and family services it provides. The Committee considers it important that the services provided by centres in close proximity should be complementary and not competitive to ensure the

698 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 773–779 699 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 358 700 Ms Hayes, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 780 701 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 781 702 Mr Hehir, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, p 783 703 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 23 May 2011, pp 785–787


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maximum spread of services and facilities available to local families.

10.37 The Committee considers the Government has a role to be aware of the range of services provided as well as the reach of those services.

10.38 Given the location of the new Centre and the contribution that has been made by the members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to planning for the Centre, the Committee asked whether there would be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identified positions on staff established. The Committee was advised that staff profile planning had not been undertaken at this stage as the focus had been on establishing partnerships and responding to community interest. All Centres currently have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.704

10.39 The Committee was provided with further information about:

types of programs and activities being offered at the Centre705

coordination and cooperation with Kippax Uniting Care and Belconnen Community Services.

10.40 The Committee also sought clarification on the expenditure for this output noting an addition $1 million approximately in budgeted expenditure. The Directorate confirmed that the majority of this figure would fund the new Centre. The Committee requested a breakdown of the sources of funding and operational funding for each child and family centre.706 The Committee also heard that the West Belconnen Centre was the only one to receive Federal government funding for Indigenous focused programs.707


10.41 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government develop a reporting framework for operators of child and family centre services to enable it to monitor the services provided.

704 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1009 705 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1010 706 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1021-1022 QToN 451 707 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1022


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Children’s services

Childcare facilities

10.42 The Committee noted the significant capital investment in child care facilities and services provided for in the Budget and was advised that the $9 million allocation to services was additional support for 43 centres in Government-owned facilities to deal with requirements set out in the national quality framework.708 The Committee sought clarification on the process being used to meet these requirements and how input from service operators would be achieved. The forward planning for the provision on childcare services throughout the ACT, including progress towards the planned childcare facility at Holder, was also discussed in detail.709

10.43 The Committee also noted the pre-budget announcement of $250,000 to assist childcare centre operators not occupying government-owned facilities to undertake minor works upgrades. This funding is intended to assist childcare centres to be ready for the introduction of the national quality framework standards, beginning in 2012.

10.44 The Committee considers that there appears to be an imbalance between government -owned and community run not-for-profit childcare facilities.710


10.45 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consider what support it can provide or facilitate to ensure equitable funding across the sector, specifically what support it can provide to small (less than 60 places) community run not-for-profit childcare facilities not occupying government-owned premises and report to the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in September 2011.

708 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1012 709 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1015-1018 710 Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson also recommend that the ACT Government consider the competitive

imbalance caused by its funding strategies for capital upgrade works across the childcare sector in the ACT.


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Flynn Community Centre

10.46 The Committee noted the works planned and currently underway for the future community use of the Flynn Community Centre (the former Flynn Primary School). Also noted was the action currently before the Supreme Court brought by two groups of local residents.

10.47 The Committee noted that the Flynn Community Group considered the genesis for the legal action taken by local residents may have come from a lack of fulsome community consultation and engagement following the closure of a much-loved local school in 2006.

10.48 With a further $4 million budgeted for refurbishment and capital upgrade works for the community services hub at Flynn Community Centre, the Committee considers there is an opportunity for the Government to demonstrate its good faith by engaging the local community in the planning for those works, together with the planning for the management and operation of the community hub.


10.49 The Committee recommends that, at the first sitting in October 2011, the ACT Government table a paper outlining its strategy for community consultation on the design, operations and management of the community services hub at the Flynn Community Centre, together with the timetable for completion and commissioning of the works.

10.50 The Committee was also advised that capital funding for the Franklin early childhood centre was being managed by the Education and Training Directorate.711

Children’s services scholarships

10.51 Children’s services scholarships ($785,000 over two years) will support the workforce to improve their qualifications and to assist organisations to maintain operational staffing requirement while people are undertaking

711 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1030


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training. It was anticipated that approximately 76 scholarships would be available but the Directorate was not able to clarify whether the granting of a scholarship would include a bonding provision and further information was to be provided.712 The scholarships would also provide for long-term workers to undertake recognised prior learning (RPL) processes through the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) and other registered training organisations (RTOs).713

10.52 A survey conducted by the Children’s Services Regulatory Unit was intended to provide from generally available information a broad indication of the staffing ratios, fees and location details.714

National quality framework for early childhood education

and care services

10.53 The Committee sought clarification on a number of matters arising from the national reform agenda in the provision of childcare services, including:

Clarification on the unified regulatory licensing framework through the national quality framework for early childhood duration and care services.715

Staffing issues in the childcare sector and operational capacity to meet the national quality framework requirements.716

10.54 The refurbishment of the Holt preschool as a site for childcare services to continue operations while their facilities are being upgraded and later as a flexible space for a variety of child orientated services.717

Community Development and Policy

10.55 This output class is divided into two outputs. Output 3.1 provides a range of

712 QToN 453 713 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1031-1033 714 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1045 715 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1034-1036 716 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1038-1040 717 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1043


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community support and development activities, including administration of concessions and benefits to low income earners. This output is also responsible for the management of community facilities.718 Output 3.2 provides support and policy development activities for Multicultural Affairs, Ageing, Status of Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (ATSI).

10.56 The Committee questioned the drop in the estimated outcome of $11.8 million to $10.6 million for the 2011-12 for output 3.1 and the drop in the overall funding from an estimated $18 million to $17.2 million.719 The Director of Finance and Budget told the Committee it is ‘a combination of things coming in and out as you would expect’ with the biggest movement being a transfer of the Domestic Violence Crisis Service to Housing ACT.720 The Committee was also told no decision had been made as to which output would be subjected to the efficiency dividend.721

10.57 Noting the ACTCOSS budget submission calling on the government to ensure all community sector funding contracts include resources for staff training and development, evaluation, administrative support and supervision, the Committee asked whether this would be considered in future contracts. The Committee noted that community sector funding is indexed and the Executive Director, Policy and Organisational Services advised ‘at the moment we fund for outputs we do not actually fund for inputs. So how an organisation chooses to allocate those monies is essentially up to them’.722

10.58 The Committee sought clarification on the range of concessions available to low income earners. The Committee was advised that the concessions are available for utilities, energy, spectacles and taxis and that the funding pool of $32 million is an expense on behalf of the Territory.723 The Committee asked a series of questions in relation to the concessions program.724

718 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4 , p 355 719 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 355 720 Mr Hubbard, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1249–1250, OToN 611 721 Mr Hehir, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1250 722 Ms Overton-Clarke, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1251 723 Ms Sheehan, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1254 724 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1254–125748, QToN 614


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10.59 The Committee also discussed the community capacity building projects,725 the community facilities and amount of funding provisioned against them,726 and progress on the community hubs.727

10.60 Noting the funding allocation for the Family Violence Prevention Program728 the Committee was interested in how this would work. The Director-General advised that the program would be delivered through an existing provider and was a specific model targeting serial perpetrators of domestic violence.729 Questioned further on who would provide the services, Senior Director, Policy and Organisational Services stated that the procurement process is being considered and the Directorate is ‘hoping to be able to go out to tender or to a select process in mid year’.730

10.61 The Committee sought an update on the development of whole-of-government language policy. The Director, Office Multicultural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, advised that there has been comprehensive consultation and 30 submissions had been received in response to a discussion paper released in 2010. The Committee was assured that the priority to meet the 2011–12 deadline would be met.731

10.62 The Committee noted the $90,000 provided to the Ethnic Schools Association to be distributed to ethnic schools, of which there are about 40. The Director, Office Multicultural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs advised of an increase in funding to the peak association to assist in operating, administrative costs and the Community Languages Grants Program available to all language schools. The Committee was further advised that with assistance from the Education and Training Directorate, community language teachers are offered free professional development opportunities and the free use of school space to run their language school.732 The Committee was also

725 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1251–1254, QToN 612 726 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1253, QToN 613 727 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1258–1260 728 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 3, p 107 729 Mr Hehir, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1262 730 Ms Whitten, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1263 731 Mr Manikis, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1266 732 Mr Manikis, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1267–1268


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interested in the per capita funding available for students of the language school.

10.63 The Committee notes that the Community Services Directorate lists as one of its priorities the delivery of the whole of government language policy, but when questioned, officers said it was a matter for the Education and Training Directorate.


10.64 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide further details on how their ‘whole of government language policy’ is to be delivered, and particularly how schools will be resourced to be able to deliver on the policy objective ‘that every child in year 3-8 be taught a second language’.

10.65 The Committee was concerned that there was a lack of accredited interpreters in some community languages. The Director, Office Multicultural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs advised that interpreter services were provided by the national translating and interpreter services, TIS, and the Directorate encourages ‘community members to become accredited with the National Authority on Accreditation and Translating and Interpreting so we can grow the pool of available translators here in the ACT’.733


10.66 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government establish an Interpreter Register which will identify multicultural community people who are available to provide interpreter services to Government and the community.

10.67 Noting strategic indicator 6 regarding the promotion and increasing participation in community life,734 and that the Multicultural Festival was listed as the main event to meet this objective, the Committee sought further information on the ongoing impact this has, and particularly so for groups that do not participate in the festival. The Committee was advised that there is

733 Mr Manikis, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1278 734 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 352


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significant activity leading up to and after the event and other opportunities provided throughout the year.735 In relation to the multicultural festival, the Committee also discussed the options for enhancement and liaisons between the festival organisers and the business community.736

10.68 The Committee questioned the target for the Women’s Information Referral Centre expecting it to be an upward trend from the previous year and the Director-General advised that ‘we probably have not paid enough attention to that particular measure and we will make sure we do’.737

10.69 The Committee sought an update on the progress of the gender disaggregated data project and was advised that the timeframe for establishing it was on track and that the Women’s Plan Implementation Group was meeting to identify ‘the benchmarks across the three aspects that are identified in the Women’s Plan; the economic, the social and the environmental aspects in the plan’.738

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Issues

10.70 The Committee examined the Directorate’s relationship with the Billabong Aboriginal Development Corporation (BADC), a community housing organisation managing 17 public houses. It was noted that while the BADC was managing those properties, there is currently not a standard contractual relationship in place between it and the Government as the BADC was previously unwilling to register as a community housing organisation in accordance with the relevant legislation. Accordingly, the BADC has not been receiving payment to date from the Government for its services. 739

735 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1269–1271 736 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1273–1275 737 Mr Hehir, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1271 738 Ms Whitten, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1275 739 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Monday 30 May, pp 1401-1403


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10.71 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly when contractual arrangements have been finalised with Billabong Aboriginal Development Corporation.

10.72 The Committee inquired about recent elections for the ACT Indigenous Elected Body. While slightly more candidates stood than at the previous elections of 2008, it was reported that the turnout of 173 voters (or approximately 10 per cent of all eligible voters) was significantly lower. There was discussion of the election process run by Elections ACT and efforts made to inform and encourage voting.740


10.73 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly on measures to increase engagement and participation in elections for the ACT Indigenous Elected Body.

10.74 Other issues raised included a genealogy project and whether its findings would be made public, a program to identify and support future ATSI leaders within the ACT Public Service, and funding for elders camps.741

Children, Youth and Family Services

Bimberi Youth Justice Centre

10.75 An allocation of $1.5 million for upgrades to the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre was of interest to the Committee and further details were sought. The Committee was advised that the funding would allow a range of improvements to buildings, including vermin proofing, improvements to security features on the main roof (energising of the entire roof) and in cabins (reconfiguration of TV cabinets and better observation of sleeping detainees). The Committee noted with concern that additional expenditure at such an early stage in the life of the facility and required additional information on the

740 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Monday 30 May, pp 1403-1405 741 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Monday 30 May, pp 1405-1408


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total capital expenditure on the facility since it had become operational. 742

10.76 The Committee sought details about the number of incidents what had occurred since the opening of the facility and was advised that there had been eleven ‘category one’ incidents which were predominantly serious health complaints requiring supervised hospital treatment. The Committee sought additional information on the nature of these events.743 There had been 170

‘category 2’ events in the previous year and the trend for the current year was similar.


10.77 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government develop a strategy to reduce the number of Category 1 incidents at Bimberi and table the strategy in the Legislative Assembly by the first sitting day in November 2011.

10.78 The percentage of young people detained in Bimberi who were of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background was of concern to the Committee with the Director-General advising that the figure varied from between 30 to 50 percent and occasionally would be over 50 percent – figures he considered too high. The Committee noted that current thinking on the issue of juvenile justice was that a targeted response was required.

10.79 The Director-General indicated that they were aware of the high representation of some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families within the community with youth justice services in general and family support services and consider targeted work with these groups a priority.744 The Committee was provided with an overview of youth justice practices in the ACT which deal with approximately 150 young people per annum including 20 residents at Bimberi.745

10.80 The Committee requested further details about the allocation of expenditure

742 QToN 457 743 QToN 458-459 744 Mr Hehir, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1052 745 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1053-1055


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for this output class.746 It was also noted that the Accountability Indicator which provided the average cost per custody day had been discontinued and sought clarification. The Director-General advised that the measure provided a reverse indicator of success as the greater the number of young people in detention, the lower the cost per custody day. It was not considered a good measure of the value of the work undertaken.747 The Committee noted that such reverse indicators are used in other portfolio areas and did not provide a clear indication of achievement – particularly when the ratio composition of the data was not provided.748

Other issues in youth services

10.81 The Committee sought further information from the Directorate on the following issues:

Youth housing and homelessness and was advised that a holistic approach to youth housing needs using a case management approach was adopted by the Directorate.749

Child and young people death review committee which the Committee was advised would be on-going.750

Young People’s Plan and the regular reporting against this plan undertaken by the Directorate towards the end of each year.751

Care and protection services

Out-of-home care transition support

10.82 Further information about the support services to be provided to young people moving to independent living was provided to the Committee. Four positions will be established in government and non-government agencies and a small fund to assist with one-off leaving home expenses will be established.

746 QToN 461 747 Mr Hehir, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1059 748 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1059 749 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1057-1059 750 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1060 751 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1061


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An important component of the program will be whole-of-government coordination.752 The $200,000 brokerage fund had also been established which would be allocated to individuals depending on their circumstances.753

10.83 The Committee noted that a recent report on transitioning from care indicated that only 63 per cent of young people had a care plan.754 The Minister agreed that there was room for improvement and it was noted that the ACT was involved in the national priority project on this issue. The Committee was advised that all young people would have a leaving care plan from January 2011.755 It was predicted that 37 young people would be making the transition from care this year and the Committee was advised that this was likely to be a “growth” area of services.756

10.84 The Committee considers it important for the community that a clear policy framework underpins this program, including a well-structured and inclusive process for the development of transition plans.


10.85 The Committee recommends that, by the first sitting day in December 2011, the ACT Government table its strategies to reach the target of 100 per cent of young people transitioning care and protection with a transition plan.

10.86 The Committee sought an indication from the Minister as to whether a change to the legislation could be anticipated to provide support to these young people up to the age of 25 years old and was informed that this proposal was under consideration. Any increase in support for later years would not extend to the foster carers, however.757

752 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1027-1028 753 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1064-1065 754 CREATE (2011) Transitioning from care in Australia, accessible at < http://www.create.org.au/wp-

content/uploads/CREATE_ReportCard2011web.pdf> 755 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1029 & p 1062 756 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1063-1064 757 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, p 1066


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Kin and foster carers

10.87 The Committee heard that a previous allocation of $800,000 to the kin and foster carers area had been largely expended, including among other smaller allocation, on-going advocacy services provided by Marymead and mediation and counselling services provided by Relationships Australia. An additional $40,000 per year has been allocated to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kin and grandparent carers and a position will be based at the West Belconnen Child and Family Centre. The Committee noted that these funds had originally been promised to fund a community based organisation but, according to the account given, this commitment had not been fulfilled.758

10.88 The Committee noted the comments made by representatives of Foster Care Association ACT and Grandparents & Kinship Carers (ACT) Inc, who attended and gave evidence on the day set aside for community groups.

10.89 Noting that this matter was pursued in the hearings of the Select Committee on Estimates 2010–11, the Committee and visiting members this year again pursued this funding commitment, which was first appropriated in the 2009–10 Budget. In responses to questioning, the Committee was advised that the majority of the $800,000 has been spent on a carer liaison position located within the Community Services Directorate; advocacy and support services through Marymead; kinship care mediation and counselling service through Relationships Australia; and conference attendances. A further $40,000 has been earmarked for ATSI kinship and grandparent carers.759


10.90 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government ensure that the entire appropriation for grandparent and kinship carers be

758 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1066-1069 759 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1066-1067 Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson also recommend

that the Government carefully consider the evidence given in the Committee’s hearings by Foster Care Association ACT and Grandparents and Kinship Carers (ACT) Inc. prepare responses to each of the issues and questions raised in that evidence, discuss those responses with the witnesses and refine the responses in light of that discussion, communicate the final responses to the witnesses and report to the Assembly by the first sitting day in October 2011, including a statement of actions taken or identified to be taken together with a timeline for delivery of those actions.


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directed to non-government organisations services allocated in 2008 and that additional money from the 2009–10 Budget be rolled over for use in future years.

10.91 The Committee sought information about the following issues:

The number of therapeutic orders that had been made and was advised that none were in place. The Committee noted that the tender process for service provision in this field had been halted and the available facility was not operational. The Director-General indicated that all other options are pursued before moving to this stage and he had been advised that these options had not been exhausted at this stage.760

Planning for Karinya House and was advised that a site in Melba had been made available and it was anticipated that funds would be drawn from the ACT capital works program. The Committee welcomes this initiative and supports activities to strengthen the role of Karinya House.

Housing ACT

10.92 The objective of Housing ACT is to provide safe, affordable and appropriate housing to people experiencing housing stress and social and financial disadvantage.761

10.93 Responsibility for Housing ACT rests with the Minister for Community Services. The Committee met with the Minister and officials on Friday 27 May, to discuss issues related to Housing ACT.

10.94 Enquiring about the safety of Housing ACT tenants, the Committee was advised apart from expenditure on security patrols762 greater engagement is encouraged ‘between tenants and for tenants with the outside community so that we have more activity going on particularly in our multi-unit complexes so that that activity in itself will deter people from coming in and creating disturbances or doing vandalism, graffiti and so on’.763

10.95 The Committee was also advised of the building/housing partnership program which funds community based services to work with Housing ACT tenants;

760 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 25 May 2011, pp 1069-1070


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the tenant initiated grants program that encourages participation with the broader community; and the home to work program that supports people to engage in employment.764

10.96 The Committee sought further information on the tenancy management plans funded under the Antisocial Behaviour Response and Support initiative.765 The Executive Director of Housing and Community Services told the Committee that the intention of this program was to employ three specialist staff to work in consultation with clinical and non-clinical community based alcohol and drug services to support Housing ACT tenants with complex needs.766

10.97 The Committee questioned the adequacy of the number of property managers employed by Housing ACT to effectively manage all the tenancies. The Director-General pointed out that within ‘the property portfolio that a housing manager will have, there will be a relatively small portion of complex tenancies in that measure and that will vary depending on the region and the type of property that the housing manager is dealing with’.767 The Executive Director of Housing ACT told the Committee that two important indicators measuring the success of property management is the number of people paying their rent and the number of evictions. The Executive Director reported 99 per cent of Housing ACT rents are paid annually and less than 10 people evicted in the last financial year.768

10.98 Noting the priority to implement the public housing asset management strategy, the Committee sought an update on the strategy as it covered the years 2003 to 2008. The Minister advised that ‘the overall principles of the strategy are about reinvesting in stock’ and that the new strategy will be available in the ‘coming financial year’.769

761 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 381 762 QToN 605 763 Ms Sheehan, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1216 764 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1216–1217, QToN 606 765 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 3, p 109 766 Ms Sheehan, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1219 767 Mr Hehir, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1220 768 Ms Sheehan, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1221 769 Minister for Community Services, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1225


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10.99 The Committee was interested in the energy efficiently strategy that has been increased from $2 to $4 million in the 2011-12 financial year. The Committee was advised that energy ratings for new buildings had been increased and those older properties with lower energy rating were disposed of. During the 2009–10 year 2,567 properties had received some form of energy saving inclusions.770

10.100 The Committee questioned how Housing ACT intended to make a $1 million per annum saving via own-source revenue.771 The Director-General advised that while they have some ideas it is yet to be decided, and ‘we will also get somebody in to help to have a look ... sometimes it is useful to have an external eye come and have a look at what you do’.772

10.101 The Committee questioned the total facilities management contract and, in particular, the schedule of rates set for subcontractors.773


10.102 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table annually in the Legislative Assembly details the contracts for the provision of maintenance services to Housing ACT and include the schedule of rates.

10.103 The Committee was interested in an update on the ageing in place proposal, allowing older people to downsize from their larger properties freeing up 3, 4 and 5 bedroom properties. The Committee was advised that an important part of the project is maintaining social networks for older tenants, so they are rehoused in their area of choice. Relocation assistance is provided through the housing transition team.774

10.104 The Committee questioned the reason for the 14 per cent jump in cash and cash equivalents listed under current assets.775 The Director of Asset

770 Mr Collett, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1226 771 2011-12 Budget Paper, No. 3, p 26 772 Mr Hehir, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1228 773 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1231–1232 774 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1243 775 2011-12, Budget Paper No. 4, p 391


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Management advised that the transfer from a purchase regime to a construction regime ‘requires us [Housing ACT] to hold more cash on hand to meet the construction payment commitments’.776

10.105 The Committee also sought an explanation on the increase and decrease in asset revaluation reserve surpluses and was advised that it is a result of the capital program of buying and selling assets. The Director of Asset Management further explained:

This is based on budget movement. We have an estimated outcome for our valuation. That valuation comes in subsequently. We get a revised value for what the portfolio does and then we do another revaluation each year. So there are reductions as we sell properties and there are movements as we revalue them.777


community gardens in multi-tenant units and the capacity to use tenant initiated grants to establish gardens778

finalising construction allocation and dwellings under the Nation Building and Job Plan stimulus package779

the homelessness targets and national partnership measuring progress against key targets780

the common ground feasibility study to support low-income and homeless people781

the difficulties in registering Billabong Aboriginal Development Corporation as a community housing provider782

design issues and the timeframe for the completion of the Florey development.783

776 Mr Hyland, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1248 777 Mr Hyland, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1249 778 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1223–1224 779 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1229–1231 780Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1230 781 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 3, p 109, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1215–1216 782 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1240–1241 783 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1243–1245


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11 S U STAIN AB LE DE VE LO PM ENT

D I R EC TO RAT E

11.1 The Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate (ESDD) is a new amalgamation of several previously separate entities, specifically, the Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy, and Water (DECCEW), the ACT Planning and Land Authority (ACTPLA), the Government Architect, the transport planning and certain other units of the former Department of Territory and Municipal Services, and the heritage unit previously located within the Chief Minister’s Department. The Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment (OCSE) will also be located within the Directorate.

11.2 The Committee heard evidence from the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr Simon Corbell MLA, and officials, at hearings on Wednesday, 25 May 2011, and Thursday, 26 May 2011.

11.3 The Directorate is intended to promote sustainable living and resource use, strengthen the Territory’s response to climate change, and provide a planning and land use system that contributes to the sustainable development of the ACT. 784

11.4 The Directorate is responsible for a single output class (‘sustainable development’) comprised of four outputs. These are:

Output 1.1: Environment Protection and Water

Output 1.2: Water, Energy, and Waste

Output 1.3: Climate Change and Natural Environment

Output 1.4: Sustainable Planning785

11.5 The OCSE has a separate output description of, ‘Publication of the State of the Environment Report, investigation of complaints by Ministerial direction, or

784 2011-12 Budget Paper No 4, p 291 785 2011-12 Budget Paper No 4, pp 297-298


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where a Territory agency’s actions may have a substantial impact on the environment.’786

11.6 The Committee inquired into the staffing of the new agency. The Minister informed the Committee that the Directorate would have a staff of 457 FTEs, of whom 111 would come from DECCEW, 304 from ACTPLA, and 42 combined from TAMS and CMD. Thirty new staff are to be employed. The majority of will be recruited to address building quality issues in the Territory, with smaller numbers to work on the master-planning of centres and various environmental programs.787

11.7 Most of ESDD’s employees currently work in Dame Pattie Menzies House in Dickson or Macarthur House in Lyneham. The Committee asked if the Directorate’s employees would likely be moved to the proposed ACT Government office building in Civic, and what consultation had taken place with employees to date on such a move.788

11.8 The former DECCEW’s resource management plan and performance were discussed, with it being noted that while there had been increases in energy and water use over the previous year this was likely due to an increase in staff numbers.789 The Committee noted that Dame Pattie Menzies House will by July have achieved a 4.5 NABERS energy efficiency rating, at a cost of $200 000 and with anticipated per annum savings of $50 000.790

Water Issues

11.9 The Committee inquired into various issues related to water spanning ESDD’s outputs 1.1 and 1.2.

786 2011-12 Budget Paper No 4, p 299 787 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 939-940 788 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 940 & 982, and Proof Transcript of Evidence,

Thursday, 26 May 2011, p 1207 789 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 965-966 790 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1205-1206


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Inner-North Stormwater Reticulation Network

11.10 One issue examined was the construction of the Inner North Stormwater Reticulation Network, including two ponds/wetlands at Dickson and Lyneham. The Minister outlined two purposes for the project: supporting local biodiversity, and the supply of non-potable water to ovals, playing fields, and other public parks.791

11.11 The Committee noted that the original appropriation was $13.8 million for the project. It is now proposed to spend an additional $7.5 million to increase the capacity of piping to deliver water to irrigate playing fields, bringing the total cost of the project to $21.3 million.

11.12 The minister and officials told the Committee that the works were required to accommodate changed engineering specifications (in this case, to replace pipes that now are considered too small) for the reticulation infrastructure transferring water from the Lyneham and Dickson stormwater ponds to the ponds near Flemington Road, following notification from Sport and Recreation of a change in their requirements.792

11.13 The Committee considers the Budget Papers to be abstruse in this respect. No disclosure of the rectification or alteration works was given. The Committee is concerned that, yet again, a major capital works project being administered by the Minister has had the scope of its work changed in mid-course, leading to a substantial increase in cost.

North Weston Pond Project

11.14 On the day on which this project was discussed, the Auditor-General released a report on the management of the project. The Audit report was scathing about the process followed by the Government, given what was known about the area and the high risk attached to the project proceeding.

11.15 The Committee offers no comment at this time, as the Government has 90 days in which to respond to the report.

791 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 931 792 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 933


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11.16 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government report to the Legislative Assembly, by the first sitting day in August 2011, on the updated final estimate of the North Weston Pond Project.

Commonwealth Water Act 2007

11.17 At the request of the Committee, the Minister provided an outline of recent inter-governmental discussions around the allocation of water within the Murray Darling Basin and the work of the Commonwealth’s Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), noting that current MDBA proposals were potentially disadvantageous to the ACT.793

11.18 There was discussion about Commonwealth parliamentary inquiries into water matters, including a Senate inquiry into the federal Water Act. During this questioning the Minister indicated that while he had received legal advice on the ACT’s water entitlements under statute, he did not wish to release this advice to the Committee.794


11.19 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government table its legal advice on the provisions of the Water Act 2007 (Cth).

11.20 One member of the Committee did not agree with recommendation as the request to table legal advice is not appropriate.

11.21 The Committee sought clarification as to the pricing of water delivered to Sport and Recreation from the project, and the relative shares of the project’s funding between the Territory and the Commonwealth.795

11.22 The Committee also queried the Minister about review processes for the Think Water, Act Water strategy and environmental flow guidelines.796

793 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 945-946 794 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 947 795 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 935 796 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 983


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Climate Change and Energy Issues

11.23 The Committee examined several issues related to climate change and energy policy related to the Directorate’s outputs 1.2 and 1.3.

Green Energy

11.24 The Committee inquired into the financial costs of the Government’s green energy targets for itself and the broader ACT community. The Minister indicated that it seeks to purchase only green energy by 2016 and carbon neutrality across its operations by 2020.797 The Committee was particularly interested in how the costs of green energy and other sustainability policies were reflected in the Budget papers and any other costing that may have taken place. 798

11.25 In response to a question taken on notice the Committee was advised that the ‘cost measures that the Government has agreed to are reflected in the Budget Papers on a line-by-line basis’.799 The Committee notes the summary of sustainability measures in the Budget Papers800 but is particularly interested in the cost of these measures to the ACT Government.801


11.26 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consolidates the costs of its sustainability measures to the ACT Government, into a single document for easy reference.

11.27 Related to this line of questioning, the Committee also sought clarification as to whether regulatory impact statements (RIS) had been conducted for such climate change initiatives, and if not, the circumstances when a RIS would be undertaken. 802

797 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 941 798 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 952-958 799 QToN 718 800 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 3, Chapter 8 , pp 273–285 801 Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson recommend that the costs to the ACT tax payer are also measured. 802 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 936-937


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Solar Feed In Tariff

11.28 A further green energy and climate change issue examined was the take-up and cost of the Government’s feed-in-tariff (FIT) programs for micro, medium, and large-scale renewable electricity generation projects. The Minister indicated that by the end of March 2011, $4.44 million had been paid to 5 154 micro and medium scaled generators producing 9.5 megawatts.803

11.29 Questions were asked by the Committee as to safety issues associated with the installation of rooftop solar generation equipment and whether Government inspectors were able to meet demand, especially since changes were made to a relevant Commonwealth program.804 In later discussion of the sustainable planning output, the Committee was told that unlike other jurisdictions the ACT currently has adequate resources to inspect installations and ensure safety.805

11.30 The Minister indicated that legislation to allow for a reverse auction process to apply the FIT program to large-scale generators would likely be introduced later this year.806 The cost of the FIT program to households was discussed,807 along with potential future shifts in the price of electricity generated from non-renewable sources.808 There was also discussion of programs to encourage the efficient use of electricity, and particularly those targeted at low income households,809 as well as of a program to encourage Government agencies to improve their resource use efficiency.810

11.31 Following the end of the public hearings of the Estimates Committee the Government announced suddenly that it had closed access to the residential

803 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 971 804 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 972-973 805 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 1173-1176 806 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 958 807 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 959 808 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 959 809 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 977-978 810 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 949-950 Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson

recommend that retrospective Regulatory Impact Statements be done on the feed-in tariff scheme and the ACT carbon reduction targets to assess the impacts these pieces of legislation have on households and private businesses.


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FIT scheme. Considerable angst has been raised about this precipitate decision, particularly amongst solar panel businesses.


11.32 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government outline steps which had been taken to allow for solar panel businesses to plan for the Government’s discontinuation of the micro feed-in tariff on 1 June 2011.

11.33 Other forms of electricity generation were discussed. These included the scope for developing wind-driven electricity generation in the ACT, methane harvesting at landfills, and the proposed construction of a 1500 megawatt gas power station at Dalton (NSW). 811

11.34 Aspects of the ACT’s energy and climate change policies in the context of national policies were raised by the Committee. Matters discussed included differences in the ACT and Commonwealth’s greenhouse gas inventory methodologies 812, National Electricity Law (NEL) and consumer law reform related to electricity 813, reducing barriers to distributed generation 814, and the complementarity of ACT energy policies with relevant COAG principles. 815

11.35 The cost of consultants engaged to provide advice on various aspects of climate change policy was raised by the Committee, including consultants advising on potential climate change impacts on biodiversity in the ACT. 816

Environment Protection, Heritage and Other

Matters

11.36 The Committee also considered the Directorate’s various other environmental policy responsibilities associated with outputs 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3, as well as its

811 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 944, 976-977 812 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 963 813 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 974-976 814 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 974 815 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 980-981 816 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 930, 985-986


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responsibility for heritage transferred from the Chief Minister’s Department.

11.37 Along with generally discussing the funding of the heritage unit,817 the Committee examined several more specific heritage matters. The Committee inquired of issues around the former Flynn primary school site including forthcoming litigation and the Government’s seeking of a surety from a community group involved.818

11.38 The Committee noted that a one-off payment had been made to the National Trust, with the Minister indicating that the Trust was currently in a difficult financial position following changes in its funding from the Commonwealth.819

11.39 There was also discussion of the backlog of heritage listing nominations under consideration by the ACT Heritage Council.820 The Committee notes that there has been little improvement in addressing the significant backlog.


11.40 The Committee recommends that Heritage be made a separate Output Class.

11.41 Various aspects of air quality protection were discussed. These included the general review of air quality strategy and programs, including the ‘Don’t Burn Tonight’ program. Air quality in the Tuggeranong Valley, the location of a new air quality monitoring facility (potentially in the Belconnen district), and a program to encourage households to replace their wood burning heaters were also raised.821

11.42 There was some discussion of the management of contaminated sites across the Territory, including former landfill sites and sheep dip facilities. Contamination issues related to Eastlake and North Weston projects were discussed primarily in relation to output 1.4 (sustainable planning). The Committee also asked about environmental protection agreements required of

817 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 990 818 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 986-988 819 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 991-992 820 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 993 821 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 942-943


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land developers with regard to contaminated sites.822


11.43 The Committee recommends that the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) publish and maintain a list of contaminated sites and progress of clean up, and that this information be made available to the public. The list should indicate who is responsible for the site’s rehabilitation.


11.44 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government update the Legislative Assembly, on a six monthly basis, on the progress of the clean-up of each of these sites, the costs of the clean up and any contribution made by the Federal Government.

11.45 Other matters raised by the Committee included progress in the review of the Nature Conservation Act and the funding of relevant community groups.823

Sustainable Planning

11.46 The Committee’s examination of this output (1.4) began with general discussion of what the Minister wished to achieve in planning (there having previously been a different Minister for Planning), the implementation of Hawke Report’s recommendations relating to planning, and the integration of planning with the other components of the ESDD.824

11.47 The Committee notes the potential for better sustainability outcomes through better coordination of planning, transport and environment in the new Sustainable Development Directorate.

11.48 The Committee notes that the Chief Planning Executive will be vested in the Office of the Director-General. The Director-General will perform the functions

822 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 923-928 823 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 925-926, 937, 984 824 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1146-1152


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under the act of the chief planning executive.825

11.49 Considerable attention was given by the Committee to matters relating to the energy efficiency of new developments. The discussion covered a number of issues including the collection of data on buildings’ energy efficiency, the licensing of energy efficiency assessors, the auditing of assessors’ work, and mechanisms where complaints are made and upheld against assessors or their work.826

11.50 Similarly, there was also examination of safety issues around the installation of rooftop solar electricity generation packages, including the cancellation of the electrical licences of installers for unsafe work.827

11.51 In the broader context of discussion around actions to improve building quality in the Territory, it was also noted that the Building Act would be reviewed, including to better address energy efficiency issues including those for existing buildings.828

11.52 The master-planning of centres was a topic of interest to the Committee, with a number of centres and planning processes being discussed.829 The Committee discussed traffic management, car-parking, and public transport issues within the Erindale and Dickson master-plans. The status of the Jamison master-plan was queried, with it being reported that that while the plan did not have statutory status as such, aspects of it were incorporated into the Territory Plan.

11.53 Planning for the Weston centre (Cooleman Court) was also raised, with it being noted that the development of nearby Molonglo was likely to increase demands on the centre. The Minister indicated that the centre was a priority within the master-planning schedule.830

11.54 In response to questions from the Committee, the Minister indicated that a fact

825 825 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1149 826 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1152-1158 827 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1173-1176 828 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1193-1197 Ms Le Couteur noted that as most

buildings are in existence this is an important piece of work and urges the Government to progress this as it could be important in terms of ongoing sustainability issues

829 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1164-1173 830 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1168


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sheet could be provided on the Directorate’s website to clarify to the public the status of master-plans and the master-planning process. 831The Committee thanks the Minister for providing information on the ACTPLA website on the status of master-plans in response to its request.832

11.55 The Committee asked a number of questions about the status of the development of the suburb of Kenny and Throsby. The Minister detailed a number of changes which would occur.


11.56 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government tell the Legislative Assembly, by the first sitting day in November 2011, of the social, environmental, and financial implications of changes to the plans for the suburbs of Kenny and Throsby, in particular the Government’s plans for the peninsular development into Mulligan’s Flat and Goorooyaro nature reserves.

11.57 A number of aspects of the planning for the Molonglo district were raised. Particular focus was given to a recently released Auditor-General’s report into a project to construct a water management pond at North Weston which has been delayed due to the discovery of a large amount of construction and, particularly, asbestos waste.833 In response to questioning, the Minister noted that Government processes required improvement.834 This matter was previously discussed in paragraphs 5.30–5.32.

11.58 It was also reported that the project is now being redesigned to incorporate two ponds (in place of the originally proposed single pond) of a smaller capacity. The project is now “estimated to cost $43 million or 109 per cent of the original cost of $20.8 million”.835 The project is now also “expected to be much smaller than the originally designed pond (approximately 180 ML compared to the original pond design of 280 ML)” or only 64 per cent of the

832 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1172 833 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1183-1192 834 Mr Corbell, Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1184 835 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1188


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original capacity.

11.59 The Committee is concerned that this major capital works project is not being delivered on time or on Budget.836

11.60 Other issues discussed included the alignment of the arterial (that is John Gorton Drive) bridge across the Molonglo River and associated environmental impact issues, and the proposed direct cycleway from the district to the city. 837

11.61 The discovery of construction, including some contaminated waste at the site of the Eastlake project was raised, with it being reported that 120 hectares of the 180 hectare site are affected. It was estimated that remediating geotechnical problems would cost between $50 million and $100 million. The relocation of gas and electrical infrastructure at Eastlake was also discussed. 838

11.62 The Committee was interested in various leasing issues, including progress with proposals for Sections 63 and 100 in Civic.839 A project to identify undeveloped blocks in contravention of their leases within established urban areas was noted, with Committee members expressing interest in the scale of the issue. 840 The issue of the redevelopment of former petrol station sites was raised.841

11.63 Other matters discussed by the Committee included progress with Draft Variations 301 and 303 (regarding policies for residential and estate development) 842, situations where proponents resubmit development applications to those previously rejected 843, various issues related to the planning of Gungahlin suburbs 844, planning advice given in relation to the Government’s supermarket policy 845, and planning for the Eastern Broadacre

836 Mr Hanson and Mr Smyth also expressed concern that the project was not delivered to the original

scope. 837 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1207-1209 838 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1197-1201 839 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1176-1179 840 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1202-1205 841 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1203-1204 842 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, p 1201 843 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1180-1181 844 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1159-1161 845 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1209-1211


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corridor. 846

Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and

the Environment

11.64 The Committee discussed the general funding arrangements for the Office, including matters related to the transfer of the Office between the former Department of Territory and Municipal Service and DECCEW, and the future role of the Office in light of the Hawke Report.847

11.65 The Committee also more specifically inquired of the Office’s recent activities. Discussion focused on a report into the Canberra Nature Park, Government energy use auditing, community engagement, green infrastructure, and an environment levy previously mooted by the Office.848

846 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Thursday 26 May 2011, pp 1158-1159 847 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, p 995-996, 998 848 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Wednesday 25 May 2011, pp 996-1000


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12 AU DITOR -G EN ER AL AN D AC T

LEGI S LAT IV E AS SEMB LY SE C RETARI AT

Auditor-General

12.1 The ACT Auditor-General is a statutory position provided for under the Auditor-General Act 1996 (the Act). The Auditor-General is responsible to the ACT Legislative Assembly for conducting independent financial and performance audits of ACT public sector agencies. The Auditor-General in reporting to the Legislative Assembly provides an assurance to the ACT community that the ACT public sector is accountable, and efficiently and effectively managed.849

12.2 The Committee heard from the Acting Auditor-General and officials from the ACT Auditor-General’s Office on 27 May 2011.

Appointment of next Auditor-General

12.3 The Committee sought information on the anticipated timing for the appointment of the next Auditor-General. The Acting Auditor-General advised:

The recruitment for the Auditor-General is controlled by the Chief Minister’s Department, so we do not have direct control over that particular process. My understanding, from discussions with representatives of that department, is that we are looking at weeks, not months and months.850

12.4 The Committee also enquired of the Chief Minister as to progress on the appointment and was told that correspondence should be forwarded to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts sometime during the week beginning Monday, 30 May 2011.851

849 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 4, pp 21–28; ACT Auditor-General’s Report No. 7 of 2009: Annual Report

2008–09, p 3 850 Mr Sheville, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1299 851 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 30 May 2011, pp 1451–1452


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12.5 Subsequent to the public hearings of 27 and 30 May 2011, the Chief Minister issued a media release announcing a proposed appointment to the Office of ACT Auditor-General.852 The Chief Minister stated:

I have written to the Chair of PAC informing them of the Government’s nominee for Auditor-General of the ACT and I look forward to formalising the appointment once the PAC has considered our recommendation.853

Inquiry into the Auditor-General Act 1996

12.6 In the context of the Office’s 2011–12 priorities, the Committee asked the Acting Auditor-General to elaborate further on the impact of any changes to the Auditor-General Act 1996 resulting from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts’ (PAC) inquiry into the Act. The Acting Auditor-General told the Committee:

The PAC undertook an inquiry into the Auditor-General Act. At this stage there has not been a government response, so...we do not know what the outcome of that inquiry would be. With respect to our view about the recommendations made by the committee, we saw them as quite positive. We thought that the capacity to be able to follow the money, if you like—not be kept at the gate of the government department but actually go outside the government agency and have a look at the service providers when necessary—would be useful.854 ... From recollection as to what was in the inquiry into the Auditor-General Act, a greater role was also seen for the PAC in the appointment processes for the Auditor-General, a greater role for the PAC in the setting of the office’s budget. So those sorts of things we would see as positive.855

12.7 The Committee is aware that the PAC made 41 recommendations in its report inquiring into the Auditor-General Act 1996. The recommendations were wide ranging and focused on: (i) strengthening and safeguarding the independence of the Auditor-General; (ii) clarifying and strengthening provisions in the Act; and (iii) ensuring that the Auditor-General is equipped with the necessary powers and resources to carry out their role and mandate

852 Gallagher, K. (2011) Media release: ‘New Auditor-General for ACT’, 31 May 2011 853 Gallagher, K. (2011) Media release: ‘New Auditor-General for ACT’, 31 May 201. 854 Mr Sheville, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1300; Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May

2011, pp 1304–1305 855 Mr Sheville, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1300–1301


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in the emerging contemporary public sector environment.856

12.8 The Committee notes that the PAC inquiry is the first full inquiry into the Auditor-General Act since it was enacted in 1996 and the inquiry has been significant in reviewing the extent and application of the Act to: (i) take account of significant changes within the public sector environment and the accounting and auditing professions; (ii) take account of the broader role and mandate now expected of Auditors-General; and (iii) clarify and strengthen the Act on the basis of its performance, since it was enacted in 1996, in meeting its objectives.857

12.9 The Committee looks forward to considering the Government response to this very important inquiry.

Impact of New Directorate arrangements on financial auditing program

12.10 The Committee discussed in some detail with the Acting Auditor-General and officials from the Audit Office, the practical impact of the Hawke Report —Governing the City State: One ACT Public Service — on the financial auditing program.

12.11 The Acting Auditor-General explained:

The short-term financial impact was, I guess, that we were caught a little by surprise by the admin orders that came out in May. We were not aware that any of that was going to occur before 1 July. That being said, we believe we can cope with that and we are working with the agencies to find out exactly what are the impacts on our reporting program. At this stage, I am still fairly confident that we will achieve the delivery of the statutory reports or the audit reports on agencies’ financial statements in accordance with the timetables that we have.858

12.12 Given the administrative arrangements for the new Directorate structure became effective earlier than the beginning of the new financial year, the Committee sought information on the implications and was told:

856 Standing Committee on Public Accounts—Report No. 15—Review of the Auditor-General Act 1996,

tabled 17 February 2011; Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Media release: ‘Public Accounts Committee releases report inquiring into Auditor-General Act 1996’, 17 February.

857 Standing Committee on Public Accounts—Report No. 15—Review of the Auditor-General Act 1996, tabled 17 February 2011; Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Media release: ‘Public Accounts Committee releases report inquiring into Auditor-General Act 1996’, 17 February.

858 Mr Sheville, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1302


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What is going to happen with the agencies such as ACT Health, which effectively does not gain or lose any functions, is that the name of the organisation will change to the Health Directorate but it will report for a 12-month period. There will not be a set of accounts for ACT Health to the 16th and then the Health Directorate takes over from the 17th. It has been decided that it is just easier and actually allowable that it continues to report for the entire financial year. It is only where entities disappear, like ACTPLA and DECCEW, that you have to do two lots of reporting—one for the old and one for the new.859

12.13 The Committee notes that with the new directorate structure taking effect prior to the commencement of the 2011–12 financial year will present some challenges for the Audit Office with regard to entities which have been discontinued, in that two lots of reporting will be required. The Acting Auditor-General was confident the required audit reports on agencies’ financial statements will be delivered in accordance with the Office’s timetable.860

12.14 The Committee notes that there will be difficulties in making year on year comparisons with previous years. The Acting Director of Financial Audits explained:

That is where it is going to be difficult because you will have—for the new directorates that start off from 17 May, the only thing that will be in their financial statements will be actuals. There will not be any budget figures and there will not be any comparatives. For the entities that end on 16 May, you will be comparing an annual budget with 46 weeks effectively of actuals and a whole year of comparatives. So there will be a bit of mucking around with variance explanations and management discussion and analysis reports.861

12.15 Furthermore, there will also be similar issues with the auditing of accountability indicators. With regard to how the accountability indicators will be audited under the new directorate structure, the Committee was told:

I believe instruments are going to be processed under the Financial Management Act to have the performance indicators from the old entities reported by the new directorates so that you will be able to see the whole year picture.862

859 Mr Prentice, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1303 860 Mr Sheville, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1302 861 Mr Prentice, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1303 862 Mr Prentice, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1304


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Staffing matters

12.16 The Acting Auditor-General noted that problems retaining staff has been an important risk and challenge faced by the Office for many years. Further, whilst it is a common challenge for audit offices across Australia, its impact can be more marked in a small office, such as the ACT Audit Office. Furthermore this is exacerbated by the Office having to compete with the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) and the Commonwealth public service.863

12.17 For the current financial year, the Audit office expects a twenty-six per cent staff turnover attributable to: (i) a competitive market for their skill set and experience; and (ii) limited career opportunities for senior performance auditors in a small office.864

12.18 Notwithstanding the challenges faced by the Office to deliver its planned performance and financial audit programs, the Committee acknowledges and commends the continued commitment, professionalism and high quality outputs of the Audit Office in difficult and challenging circumstances.

12.19 The Committee is concerned that attracting and retaining experienced and skilled staff capacity is a significant risk to the Office.


12.20 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government examine options to ensure greater staff retention at the Office of the Auditor-General.

Performance Audits

12.21 The issue of the number of performance audits conducted annually by the Audit Office was raised by the Committee. The Committee was told that it is likely that only 6 performance audits would be undertaken during the coming financial year. This is less than has been the case in previous years and the

863 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1297–1299; 1301–1302. 864 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1297–1299; 1301–1302


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Committee is of the opinion that this is entirely unsatisfactory.


12.22 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provides a funding path which will allow the number of performance audits to be increased by two per year over the next five years.

12.23 Other issues raised at the public hearing of 27 May 2011 included:

the Committee noted that the Office’s budget in 2011–12 represents a 2.3 per cent increase compared to 2010–11, an amount below the CPI (forecast at 3 per cent) and the WPI (forecast at 3.5 per cent). On the basis, that in real terms the budget is going backwards, the Committee queried what impact this would have on services provided by the Office865

the risks and dangers on the horizon for the effectiveness of the Auditor-General’s Office866

information on the numbers, nature and response to representations and public interest disclosures received by the Office during 2010–11867.

ACT Legislative Assembly Secretariat

12.24 The ACT Legislative Assembly Secretariat (the Secretariat) is headed by the statutory office of Clerk of the Assembly. The Secretariat is responsible for providing procedural, policy and administrative services to the Legislative Assembly, including administrative support to non-executive members and their staff.868

12.25 The Committee considered the appropriation for the Secretariat of the Legislative Assembly of the ACT. The Budget Papers provide a statement of purpose for the Secretariat, which states that it ‘is responsible for providing a range of business and procedural advice and support services to the

865 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1298 866 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1298–1299 867 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1299 868 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 1; ACT Legislative Assembly, Annual Report 2008–09, p 1


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Legislative Assembly’.869

12.26 In his opening statement to the Committee, the Speaker noted that:

the budget for the Assembly was $13 million for the next financial year

the Secretariat would be conducting a members’ survey to ‘ascertain how the services provided by the Secretariat are received by members’, and

that the Secretariat’s budget had been framed ‘broadly in accordance with Latimer House principles’.870

Stand-alone legislation for the Secretariat

12.27 The Committee asked the Speaker to elaborate on an item in the Secretariat’s entry in the Budget Papers which referred to ‘the development of stand-alone legislation for the Secretariat’.871

12.28 In responding, the Speaker told the Committee that this proposal would see the Secretariat created as a separate entity under its own act, distinguishing it from the ACT Public Service. This would, he told the Committee, also be consistent with the ‘essential principles’ of the Latimer House Agreement, in that it would make it clear that both the Secretariat and the parliament are not subject ‘to directions by the executive’. He advised the Committee that for this reason is was the practice ‘in many jurisdictions’ for ‘the parliamentary service to have its own stand-alone legislation’.872

12.29 The Speaker told the Committee that while this had been ‘a longer term consideration’ for the Assembly, it had been ‘particularly brought into focus’ by the adoption of recommendations by the Hawke Review to integrate the ACT Public Service into one department.873

12.30 The Clerk of the Assembly told the Committee that the Secretariat is currently created under the Public Sector Management Act. He told the Committee that at present it was unclear to what extent the Financial Management Act, the

869 2011–12 Budget Paper No. 4, p 1 870 Mr Rattenbury MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence 27 May 2011, p 1280 871 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1281 872 Mr Rattenbury MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1281 873 Mr Rattenbury MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence 27 May 2011, p 1281


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Government Procurement Act and the Freedom of Information Act applied to the Secretariat, and that a separate Act would clarify its legislative obligations.874

Broadcasting asset replacement and infrastructure upgrade

12.31 The Committee asked questions regarding upgrades to broadcasting infrastructure for the Assembly. In responding, the Manager, Hansard, Communications and Library, told the Committee that this was ‘driven by the need to change over to digital sometime in the first half of next year’. A ‘head end’ had been replaced at a cost of $32 000 so that the system could reticulate digital signals, and the next stage of the program would involve the replacement of analogue with digital monitors throughout the Assembly. In addition, this had been viewed as an ‘opportunity to look at all potential broadcasting requirements and what else we could achieve once we went digital’.875

Environmental sustainability plan

12.32 The Committee asked questions regarding an environmental sustainability plan that had appeared to be accorded a higher priority in the previous year’s Budget Papers. In responding, the Speaker told the Committee that work was continuing on the plan, and asked officers of the Secretariat to brief the Committee.876

12.33 The Manager, Strategy and Parliamentary Education told the Committee that ‘the bulk of the original sustainability plan’ had been implemented. The Clerk, as the Chair of the Secretariat’s Sustainability Committee told the Committee that the Secretariat was continuing with earlier initiatives on energy efficiency and water usage, and was considering proposals to install capacity for solar electricity generation.877

874 Mr Duncan, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1281 875 Ms Barrett, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1281 876 Mr Rattenbury MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1282 877 Mr Skinner, Mr Duncan, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1283


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Resources provided to the Speaker of the Assembly

12.34 The Committee asked questions regarding the resources provided to the Speaker’s office. In particular, it asked questions regarding the quantum of salaries, Discretionary Office Allowance (DOA) and ‘other resources’ compared to those of ‘an opposition backbench MLA’.878

12.35 The Corporate Manager told the Committee that the Speaker’s office received a further $400 DOA when compared to a ‘base member’, in the current financial year. This reflected earlier entitlements for increased postage for the Speaker’s office that had been added to its allocation. He also told the Committee the current DOA entitlements for the Leader of the Opposition and the Parliamentary Convenor of the Greens, both of which were greater than that provided to the Speaker.879

12.36 The Committee asked the Speaker how it could be assured, given his dual role as Speaker and spokesman for the Greens, that resources provided to him were not expended to further the interests of the Greens. In responding, the Speaker told the Committee that he had discussed the features of his dual role widely, with ‘parliamentarians from across the Asia-Pacific region’. This, he suggested, showed that he had been ‘quite transparent’ about his combination of roles.880

12.37 The Clerk of the Assembly told the Committee that the arrangement was unusual within parliaments, and that it provoked keen interest when raised in such settings. He told the Committee that some previous incumbents had taken a more active role than the present speaker. In large part the combination of roles had arisen due to the small scale of the Assembly, and present arrangements, although unusual, for the most part reflected ‘the nature of a small legislature’.881

12.38 Responding to subsequent questioning, the Speaker confirmed to the 878 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1285 879 Mr Duckworth, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1285–1286 880 Mr Rattenbury MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, p 1286 Mr Smyth and Mr Hanson

recommended that in order to remove any perception of a conflict of interest and loss of authority in the role of the speaker, that the Speaker relinquish his Green’s portfolio responsibilities.

881 Mr Duncan, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May 2011, pp 1287–1288


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Committee that allocations of funds made to him, with respect to his role as Speaker and spokesman for the Greens, were kept quite separate.882

In-house provision of finance services

12.39 The Committee asked questions regarding the Assembly Secretariat ‘bringing the finance function in house away from Shared Services’. The Manager, Corporate Services told the Committee that the Secretariat had previously spent $500 000 per year on purchasing finance services from Shared Services. Under the present system, which includes 1.6 new positions in the Secretariat, Full-Time Equivalent (FTE), recurrent expenses for this function would be $150 000 per year less than under the previous arrangement.883

882 Mr Rattenbury MLA, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May, pp 1288–1289 883 Mr Duckworth, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 27 May, p 1290


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13 C O MMU NIT Y AN D I NDU STRY

R E PR ES E NTAT IV E GRO UP S

13.1 The Estimates Committee sought feedback from key representative groups in the ACT community on the ACT Government's Budget. A short survey was prepared and in early May, approximately 100 groups were invited to respond. A copy of the survey is attached as Appendix C.

13.2 The Committee received 18 responses to the survey and the key issues raised are detailed in this chapter.884 Hearings with all respondents were scheduled for Friday 13 May 2011. A list of the groups who appeared is listed as Appendix A.

ACT Council of Social Service

13.3 The Council’s main concerns related to the viability of the community sector; the support being directed to low income and disadvantaged families, and the way in which the broader human rights framework is being progressed in the ACT. It argued the need for the government to formally commit to supporting the sector through the pay equity case and expressed disappointment at the failure of the budget to support the sector in terms of capacity and demand.885 While welcoming the increase in the utility concession, it questioned how the scheme would meet future cost increases.886 The Council was disappointed that the Human Rights Commission was not receiving sufficient funding to meet demands of increased community engagement on human rights issues.887

13.4 Other issues discussed included the effectiveness of the application of the community sector funding rate888; the outcomes from ACTCOSS participation in policy reviews and the Government’s responses to its budget submission recommendations889; the budget submission recommendations not reflected in

884 Copies of the surveys are available at:





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the 2011-12 budget890; staff turnover rates in the community sector and the impact on service delivery891; the need for an extension in the funding for vocational training across the sector892; and the need for better targeting of funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues.893

ACT Council of Parents & Citizens Associations

13.5 While welcoming the roll out of the national curriculum in ACT schools, the further implementation of national professional standards for teachers and the outcome of the review into improving ACT public high schools and colleges, the Council considered that inadequate provision had been made in the Budget for these initiatives, and was also unconvinced that the Education and Training Directorate had been appropriately funded in the Budget to meet its 2011 and 2012 priorities or successfully implement its 2011 operational plan.894

13.6 The Council discussed the need for sufficient funding to improve ACT public high schools and colleges, and the reasons for the increasing shift of enrolments from public to private schools895; funding for the Career Paths for Teachers and School Leaders initiative and implications for recruitment and retention896; implementation of the national curriculum897; and funding for increased frontline support for primary schools.898

885 Ms Roslyn Dundas, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp1-2; 4-5 886 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp2-3 887 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p3 888 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Friday 13 May, pp3-5 889 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Friday 13 May, pp6, 9 890 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Friday 13 May, p6 891 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Friday 13 May, p7 892 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Friday 13 May, p7 893 Proof Transcript of Evidence, Friday 13 May, pp8, 10 894 Mrs Vivienne Pearce, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p11 895 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp12-13 896 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp13-15 897 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p15 898 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p16


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RSPCA (ACT)

13.7 The RSPCA was disappointed with the funding it had received which it considered inadequate to cover the costs of the services it delivered. A particular concern raised with the Committee was the funding for and management of stray companion animals, which was a responsibility of the ACT Government.899

13.8 Other issues discussed included the timeline for the relocation of its Weston facilities;900 the current funding and service delivery model901; the need to improve regulation and policing in the areas of de-sexing and sale of animals902; and the potential impact of the shortfall in funding on the organisation’s service delivery, staffing levels and animal euthanasia rate.903

Arthritis Association ACT

13.9 While the Association was happy with the funding it had received, it was well below that required to meet the community’s needs. It advised that the low level of funding limited the number of services of the Association, noting that it was largely dependent on its volunteer workforce.904 Issues discussed included the cost of arthritis to the Australian economy905; funding levels to reflect burden of the disease906; assistance received from ACT Health907; and the importance of hydrotherapy services.908

13.10 The Association advised that it had limited traction in non-English speaking and indigenous communities and no input into juvenile arthritis, with improvements in service delivery in these areas requiring additional

899 Mr Michael Linke, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p18 900 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp19-20 901 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp20-22 902 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp22-23 903 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp23-25 904 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp26-27 905 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp26-27 906 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp28-29 907 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp29 908 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp29-30


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funding.909 The Association also noted that while there were strong referrals from doctors, the capacity to engage was limited.910

Youth Coalition of the ACT

13.11 The Youth Coalition was concerned at the budget’s failure to address affordable housing for young people, and support for vulnerable young people to engage with education, training and employment.911

13.12 Other issues discussed included access by 18-25 year olds to, and funding for, the youth services program and family support program912; inconsistency in the age cut-off points for young people to access different entitlements and support services913; funding to assist young people transition out of care914; the community kinship care program915; funding for the Youth Coalition916; the multicultural youth affairs network917; lack of funding for the Adolescent and Young People Inpatient Unit918; progress with the youth health feasibility study919; the impact of the youth commitment on the youth sector into the future920; adolescent mental health921; programs for youth with a disability922; and the central intake service under the new framework923

909 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p30 910 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p31 911 Ms Emma Robertson, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp32-33 912 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp33-34 913 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p34 914 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp34-35 915 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp35-36 916 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p36 917 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p37 918 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p38 919 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp38-39 920 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp39-40 921 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p40 922 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp40-41 923 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp401-42


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Australian Education Union (ACT Branch)

13.13 While supportive of a range of budget initiatives, including those aimed at ensuring young people with mental health issues remain engaged in the school system, and the Education and Training Directorate’s exemption from the efficiency dividend924, the AEU’s primary areas of concern were the lack of funding for competitive salaries for ACT teachers, problems with the classification structure and the salary disparity between teachers in the ACT and those in other jurisdictions, particularly with respect to deputy principals.925

13.14 Other issues discussed included the wider implications of the pay disparity between jurisdictions on relief teacher availability impacting on teachers’ ability to undertake professional development, classes being split, problems with covering staff illnesses and the impact on student learning programs if unable to source specialist teachers926; funding for niche training courses at the CIT927; the inadequacy of funding provided for new initiatives in schools928; implementation of the professional standards requirements929; the potential unintended consequences of the requirement for school computer equipment to be no older than four years930; and the disparity in ICT provision between primary and secondary schools.931

Grandparents and Kinship Carers ACT (Inc)

Foster Carers Association

13.15 The Foster Carers Association and the Grandparents and Kinship Carers Association both expressed concern about the current model of funding for

924 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p43 925 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp44, 48-49 926 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p51 927 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p44 928 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p45 929 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp45-47 930 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp50-51 931 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p44


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children in care and their carers, including for those who go through the Family Court system and discussed a range of case studies with the Committee.932

13.16 Other issues discussed included the institutional abuse of carers and children in their care933; other models for improving care of children and carers934; funding for respite for carers935; the community kinship care program and funding for outreach workers936; ID cards for carers937; access to trauma counselling and other specialist services938; the research required on the number of children in foster care, including those of who have gone through the Family Court system, the number of foster carers and their needs939; and the disparity between funding for supervised visits compared to that for carers.940

Victims of Crime Assistance League (ACT) Inc

13.17 The Victims of Crime Assistance League (VOCAL) commenced in 1988 and was the forerunner to the establishment of the government’s victim services scheme, established by the ACT government in late 1999.941 The Committee was advised that, despite a detailed budget submission which sought additional funding to establish two new roles, including one to provide support at courts, as well as to resume a five-day week operation, the funding allocated was sufficient only to allow the increase to VOCAL’s hours of operation. VOCAL advised that to make up for the funding shortfall, staff had to put in additional unpaid time. Further, while funding constraints placed limitations on what VOCAL could deliver, there had not been a reduction in

932 Ms Mannion and Marion Le, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp53-56 933 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp56-57 934 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p57 935 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p57 936 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp57-58 937 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp58-59 938 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p60 939 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp61-62 940 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp62-63 941 Mr Harper, Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p64


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demand for services.942

13.18 Other issues discussed with the Committee included the increased funding for the prison population in contrast to that for victims of crime943; the need for further discussions with regard to the duplication of services provided by VOCAL and the JACS victim support service944; and the effect of the funding uncertainty and levels on VOCAL’s ability to attract and retain staff.945

Technical Aid for the Disabled

13.19 Technical Aid for the Disabled ACT (TADACT) is a not-for-profit organisation which makes or modifies items to better meet the needs of people with disabilities.

13.20 TADACT suggested that there was considerable unmet demand for its services and that TADACT would benefit from more funding. It was noted that while TADACT is only funded by the Government for 240 contracts a year, it currently undertakes about 320 contracts 946

13.21 The Committee noted that TADACT currently does not receive Home and Community Care (HACC) and therefore is not funded to provide services to persons aged 65 or over. The Committee further noted that in other states and territories similar organisations do receive HACC funding. 947

Tuggeranong Community Council

13.22 The Tuggeranong Community Council (TCC) described the budget as a ‘mixed bag’ and as having ‘a sting in its tail’. 948 Support was expressed for various new initiatives funded in the budget including a number of community facility projects. The TCC was concerned though with rates

942 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp64-65 943 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p65 944 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p66 945 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp66-67 946 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p 72 947 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp 69-72 948 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p 74


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increases and noted that Tuggeranong residents were facing higher percentage increases than residents of other districts.949 Alternative rating options were discussed, as were various possible additional social infrastructure projects. These included a community kitchen and a library in the Lanyon Valley and footbridges, along with improved public transport.

13.23 Several planning-related issues were discussed. These included the forthcoming master-plans for Erindale and the Tuggeranong Town Centre, and concerns around the site-identification process for the proposed new cemetery in the district.

National Council of Women ACT

13.24 The National Council of Women ACT (NCW) is an umbrella organisation to which a number of women’s groups are affiliated. It also has individual members.

13.25 The NCW expressed frustration at the lack of a government-organised garden waste collection system in the ACT, noting that gardening is popular among many older women.950 The NCW was also concerned with the extent of government spending on elite sport.951

13.26 Other issues raised included older women’s access to public transport, the ‘gold pass’ for over-75s, and consumer protection issues relating to retirement villages.

National Parks Association of the ACT

13.27 The National Parks Association of the ACT (NPA) undertakes a number of activities related to the protection of the natural environment.

13.28 The NPA expressed concern around a number of issues including increasing recreational demands on parks and the absence of an overall outdoor recreation strategy for the Territory, relevant accountability indicators, a lack

949 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p 75 950 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp 85-86 951 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p 86


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of rangers, and estate maintenance funding (including funding for the control of feral pests and weeds).952

13.29 Other topics discussed included the Association’s views on ecotourism, and funding models for parks in light of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment’s proposal for a parks levy.953

A Gender Agenda

13.30 A Gender Agenda (AGA) works with the ‘sex and gender diverse community’ including transsexuals, transgender people, intersex people, cross-dressers, and others.

13.31 AGA advised the Committee that its community was marginalised in a number of ways within the broader population. 954

13.32 AGA currently does not receive any recurring funding from the ACT Government although it has been successful in securing project funding. It believes that more funding would be justified given the Government’s support of other groups. AGA’s main priorities for action include the provision of counselling, the reduction of discrimination, health outcomes, and the establishment of a gender centre. 955 It was noted that many Government agencies and community organisations approach AGA seeking training on how to engage or work with the AGA’s community. 956

The Heart Foundation ACT

13.33 The Heart Foundation discussed various priorities and associated programs, including better primary care outcomes, improved hospital care, and prevention initiatives. This included discussion of measures promoting physical activity, better nutrition, and heart attack symptom awareness campaigns.

952 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p 91 953 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp 92-93. 954 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p 96 955 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p 97 956 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p 99


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13.34 The Foundation argued that the ageing of the Territory’s population will mean that heart health issues will become increasingly important. 957

13.35 It was noted that fundraising has been more difficult for the Heart Foundation since the global financial crisis. There was also brief discussion of the links between depression and cardiovascular disease, with it being noted that the Foundation is currently partnered in a research project with Beyondblue.958

Capital Region Fishing Alliance

13.36 The Capital Region Fishing Alliance (CRFA) is a peak body representing recreational anglers in the region.

13.37 CRFA expressed disappointment that the Government had not funded fish stocking, environmental works, or a carp control study outlined in a business plan developed by the CRFA at the invitation of the Government. The Committee discussed the amount of money required for stocking local water bodies with golden perch, Murray cod, and trout.959

13.38 The Committee noted that carp have now been found in Yerrabi Pond, and the long-term degradation of Lake Burley-Griffin.

Women With Disabilities

13.39 Women With Disabilities (WWD) seeks to supports women ‘to confidently and competently advocate for themselves and partake in the community’.960

13.40 WWD felt that the Budget did not do enough towards achieving equality for women with disabilities. It noted lower workforce participation rates among women with disabilities and that sometimes support services did not assist women with their parenting and caring roles. Transport issues (that is, accessible buses and taxi vouchers) were also discussed.961 WWD did however support the Government’s intention to double the number of people with

957 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p 105 958 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp 108-109 959 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp 111-112 960 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p 117 961 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp 117-118


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disabilities in the ACT Public Service.962

13.41 The Committee inquired about WWD’s existing funding from the Government and its relationships with other disability groups such as People with Disability.

Belconnen Arts Centre

13.42 The Belconnen Arts Centre (BAC) advised the Committee that its primary concern was securing funding to re-scope the development of the second stage of its facility on the shore of Lake Ginninderra. While plans already exist for a second stage incorporating space for performances and ancillary activities such as a restaurant, BAC believed that the community’s needs may have changed in the interim. The relationship of the second stage to surrounding developments underway in the Emu Bank/Emu Inlet area, and parking issues were discussed. The BAC suggested that it would be desirable for the second stage to be completed by 2016, which is the Belconnen district’s fiftieth anniversary.963

13.43 The Committee also noted that arts organisations, in contrast to other publicly-funded community organisations, currently do not receive inflation indexed increases to their funding.964

Flynn Primary School Parents and Citizens

Association & John Flynn Community Group

13.44 The Flynn Primary School Parents and Citizens Association and John Flynn Community Group expressed strong dissatisfaction with a number of issues associated with the proposed redevelopment of the site of the former Flynn primary school and made a number of potentially serious allegations around the behaviour of the relevant Government departments. These included the:

962 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp 118 963 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp 123-127 964 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp 124-125


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fabrication of meeting dates and minutes, false and misleading advice and evidence to ministers, to the Assembly and to its committees, the serious and undeclared conflict of interest involved and deceptive and dishonest engagement and behaviour contrary to the Public Sector Management Act.965

13.45 The Committee was informed that some of these issues were currently the subject of official investigations, including by the ACT Ombudsman. Discussing the proposed heritage listing of the primary school, along with the proposed spending on works at the site and on a childcare centre, the Committee was also informed that the costs of the projects could have funded the continued operation of the primary school for 16 years.966

13.46 The Committee also heard that the Government had sought for a surety of $40 000 ahead of a court case regarding the proposed heritage listing.967

Brendan Smyth MLA Chair 17 June 2011

965 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p 129 966 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, p 131 967 Proof Transcript of Evidence, 13 May 2011, pp 130-134


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APPENDIX A: Public hearings and witness list

Friday 13th May 2011

Community Groups

Ms Roslyn Dundas, Director, ACT Council of Social Service

Mrs Vivienne Pearce, Acting President Council of Parents & Citizens Associations

Mrs Rebecca Jarman, Executive Member Council of Parents & Citizens Associations

Ms Megan Bagworth, Policy Officer Council of Parents & Citizens Associations

Mr Michael Linke, CEO, RSPCA

Mr Tony Holland, CEO, Arthritis & Osteoporosis Foundation ACT/Arthritis Association ACT

Ms Emma Robertson, Director, Youth Coalition of the ACT

Mr Jarrah Robbins, Policy Officer, Youth Coalition of the ACT

Ms Penny Gilmour, Branch Secretary, Australian Education Union (ACT Branch)

Ms Cathy Smith, Assistant to the Secretary (Professional), Australian Education Union (ACT Branch)

Mr Glenn Fowler, Assistant to the Secretary (Industrial), Australian Education Union (ACT Branch)

Ms Marion Le, AM, Grandparents & Kinship Carers (ACT)

Ms Suzanne Mannion, Foster Carers Association

Mr Bryan Harper, Chairperson, Victims of Crime Assistance League

Mr Bob Sawyer, Chair, Technical Aid for Disabled (ACT)

Mr Darryl Johnston, President, Tuggeranong Community Council

Mr Dugald Holmes, Vice-President, Tuggeranong Community Council

Ms Roslyn Dixon, Past President, National Council of Women

Ms Jenny Jarvis, President, National Council of Women

Mr Chris Emery, Treasurer, National Parks Association of the ACT

Mr Rod Griffiths, President, National Parks Association of the ACT

Mr Peter Hyndal, A Gender Agenda

Ms Heidi Yates, A Gender Agenda

Mr Tony Stubbs, CEO, Heart Foundation ACT

Ms Nerida Bellis, Cardiovascular Health Manager, Heart Foundation ACT

Mr Steven James Samuels, Capital Region Fishing Alliance

Ms Sue Salthouse, Convenor, Women with Disabilities


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Ms Nicole O’Callaghan, Policy Officer, Women with Disabilities

Ms Evol McLeod, Chair, Belconnen Arts Centre

Ms Hannah Semler, Director, Belconnen Arts Centre

Mr Roger Nicoll, John Flynn Community Group and Flynn Primary School P&C

Ms Shirley Pipitone, John Flynn Community Group and Flynn Primary School P&C

Monday 16th May 2011

Ms Katy Gallagher MLA, Chief Minister/Treasurer

Department of Treasury

Ms Megan Smithies, Under Treasurer

Mr Khalid Ahmed, Executive Director, Policy Coordination and Development

Ms Lisa Holmes, A/g Executive Director, Finance and Budget Division

Mr Kim Salisbury, Director, Economics Branch

ACTEW Corporation

Mr Mark Sullivan, Managing Director

Mr Ross Knee, Executive Manager, Water

Tuesday 17th May 2011


Department of Treasury

Ms Megan Smithies, Under Treasurer

Mr Khalid Ahmed, Executive Director, Policy Coordination and Development

Mr Roger Broughton, Executive Director, Economic and Investment Division

Mr David Read, Commissioner for Revenue, ACT Revenue Office

Mr Patrick McAuliffe, Director, Investment Branch

ACTIA

Mr John Fletcher, General Manager

ACTTAB Ltd

Mr Tony Curtis, Chief Executive

Mr Ted Quinlan, Acting Chairman

Chief Minister’s Department

Mr Andrew Cappie-Wood, Director-General

Ms Pam Davoren, Deputy Director-General, Policy Division

Ms Catherine Hudson, Commissioner for Public Administration Deputy Chief Executive,


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Governance Division

Wednesday 18th May 2011

Mr Andrew Barr MLA, Minister for Economic Development

Economic Development Directorate

Mr Ian Thomson; Chief Operating Officer, Department of Land and Property Services

Mr David Dawes; Director-General, Department of Land and Property Service

Mr Hamish NcNulty, Executive Director, Property and Strategic Projects Division

Mr Ron Maginnes, Project Consultant, Major Project Development

Mr Greg Ellis, Acting Director, Land & Property Policy

Mr John Robertson, Chief Executive Office, Land Development Agency

Ms Dita Hunt, Senior Manager, Enterprise Development, Business & Industry Development

Mr Ian Cox, General Manager, Business & Industry Development

Mr Greg Jones, Chief Executive, ACT Gaming and Racing Commission

Ms Katy Gallagher MLA, Minister for Health

Health Directorate

Dr Peggy Brown, Director-General

Mr Ian Thompson, Deputy Director-General, Strategy & Corporate

Mr Lee Martin, Deputy Chief Executive, TCH & Health Services

Mr Ron Foster, Executive Director (Chief Finance Officer), Financial Management

Ms Rosemary Kennedy, A/g Executive Director, Service & Capital Planning

Ms Rosemary O’Donnell, Executive Director, Medicine

Ms Denise Lamb, A/g Executive Director, Women, Youth & Children

Dr Paul Kelly, Chief Health Officer

Ms Kate Jackson, A/g Executive Director, Critical Care & Diagnostics

Thursday 19th May 2011

Ms Katy Gallagher MLA, Minister for Health

Health Directorate

Dr Peggy Brown, Director-General

Mr Ian Thompson, Deputy Director-General, Strategy & Corporate

Mr Ron Foster, Executive Director (Chief Finance Officer), Financial Management

Ms Katrina Bracher, Executive Director, Mental Health, Justice Health & Alcohol & Drug Service


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Mr John Woollard, A/g Director, Population Health

Ms Linda Kohlhagen, Executive Director, Rehabilitation, Aged & Community Care


Mr Ross O’Donoughue, Executive Director, Policy & Government Relations

Mr Grant Carey-Ide, Executive Director, Capital Region Cancer Services

Ms Elizabeth Trickett, Executive Director, Quality & Safety

Mr Andrew Barr MLA, Minister for Education and Training

Education and Training Directorate

Mr Tim Grace, Senior Manager, Measurement, Monitoring and Reporting

Mr Mark Whybrow, Director, Finance and Corporate Support

Mr Michael Bateman, Director, Human Resources

Dr Mark Collis, Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Student Support

Ms Trish Wilks, Director, Learning and Teaching;

Mr Mark Huxley, A/g Director, Information Services

Mr Rodney Bray, Director, Schools Capital Works

Ms Diane Joseph, Deputy Director-General

Ms Leanne Cover, Executive Director, Tertiary and International Education

Ms Sushila Sharma, A/g Director, Finance and Corporate Support

Ms Diane Joseph, Deputy Director-General


Mr Simon Corbell MLA, Attorney-General

Justice and Community Safety Directorate

Ms Kathy Leigh, Director-General

Ms Alison Playford, Deputy Director-General

Mr Peter Garrison, Chief Solicitor, ACT Government Solicitor;

Ms Moira Crowhurst, Chief Finance Officer

Mr Brett Phillips, Executive Director, Office of Regulatory Services;

Ms Karen Greenland, Director, Transport Regulation;

Mr Jon White, Director of Public Prosecutions, Office of the Director of Public

Prosecutions

Mr John Hinchey, A/g Victims of Crime Commissioner, Victims Support ACT

Mr Phillip Green, Electoral Commissioner

Mr Andrew Crockett, Director-General, Legal Aid Commission


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Mr Andrew Fleming, Chief Financial Officer, Legal Aid Commission

Mr Andrew Taylor, Public Trustee, Public Trustee for the ACT



Mr James Service, Chairman, Building and Construction Industry Training Fund

Authority

Mr Gary Guy, Chief Executive Officer, Building and Construction Industry Training

Fund Authority

Mr Adrian Marron, Chief Executive, Canberra Institute of Technology

Ms Jenny Dodd, A/g Deputy Chief Executive, Canberra Institute of Technology

Mr Peter Kowald, Deputy Chief Executive, Canberra Institute of Technology

Dr Jim Watterston, Director-General


Ms Ann Goleby, Senior Manager, Training and Tertiary Education

Mr Mark Whybrow, Director, Finance and Corporate Services


Monday 23rd May 2011

Mr Simon Corbell MLA, Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services

Justice and Community Safety Directorate

Ms Kathy Leigh, Director-General

Mr Malcolm Gray, Senior Commissioner, Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission

Mr Mike Buckley, Commissioner, Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission

Mr Mark Crosweller, Commissioner, Emergency Services Agency

Mr Greg Hammond, Executive Director, Capital Works and Infrastructure

Mr David Foot, Chief Officer, ACT Ambulance Service

Mr Conrad Barr, Assistant Fire Commissioner

Mr Roman Quaedvlieg, Chief Police Officer, ACT Policing

Ms Bernadette Mitcherson, Executive Director, ACT Corrective Services

Ms Alison Purvis, A/g Courts Administrator, ACT Law Courts and Tribunals

Ms Joy Burch MLA, Minister for Community Services

Community Services Directorate

Mr Martin Hehir, Director-General


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Ms Lois Ford, Executive Director, Disability ACT

Mr Austin Kenny, Director, Disability ACT

Ms Bronwen Overton-Clarke, Executive Director, Policy and Organisational Services

Mr Ian Hubbard, Chief Finance Officer

Ms Ros Hayes , Senior Manager, Therapy ACT

Ms Kate Starick, Director, Disability ACT

Tuesday 24th May 2011

Mr Simon Corbell MLA, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services

Territory and Municipal Directorate

Mr Tony Gill, Director, Roads ACT, Territory and Municipal Services Directorate

Mr Paul Peters, A/g Executive Director, Transport and Infrastructure Division

Ms Fay Steward, Executive Director, Land Management and Planning Division

Mr Stephen Hughes, Manager, National Parks, Reserves and Rural Lands, Parks and Conservation Service

Mr Gary Byles, Director General

Mr Nick Kalogeropoulos, Director, Finance

Ms Vanessa Little, General Manager, Libraries ACT

Mr David Colussi, A/g Director, Canberra Connect

Mr Jim Corrigan, Director, Asset Integration, Design and Development

Mr Chris Ware, Senior Manager, ACT NoWaste



Mr Jim Watterston, Director-General

Mr Mark Huxley, A/g Director, Information Services


Mr Mark Whybrow, Director, Finance and Corporate

Mr Mark Collis, Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Student

Support

Ms Trish Wilks, Director, Teaching and Learning


Ms Megan Young, A/g Registrar, Non-government schools


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Wednesday 25th May 2011

Mr Simon Corbell MLA, Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development

Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate

Mr David Papps, Director-General

Mr Alan Traves, A/g Executive Director, Corporate

Mr Bob Neil, A/g Executive Director, Environment Protection and Water Regulation

Mr Gerhard Zatschler, Manager, Heritage ACT

Ms Maxine Cooper, Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment

Mrs Narelle Sargent, Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment

Ms Joy Burch MLA, Minister for Community Services and for the Arts



Ms Helen Pappas, Senior Manager, Office for Children Youth and Family Support

Mr David Collett, Senior Director, Asset Management

Mr Ian Hubbard, Director, Finance and Budget

Ms Christine Nolan, Executive Director, Office for Children Youth and Family Support

Mr Paul Wyles, Director, Care and Protection, Office for Children Youth and Family Support

Ms Natalie Howson, Deputy Director-General

Mr David Mathews, Director, Youth Services, , Office for Children Youth and Family Support

Mr Paul Wyles, Director, Care and Protection, Office for Children Youth and Family Support

Mr Frank Duggan, Senior Director, Strategy and Purchasing, Office for Children Youth and Family Support

Ms Maureen Sheen, Executive Director, Housing and Community Services

Mr David Whitney, Director, artsACT

Mr Jeremy Lasek, Director, Culture and Communications, Chief Minister’s Directorate

Ms Harriet Elvin, Chief Executive Officer, Cultural Facilities Corporation

Thursday 26th May 2011


Treasury Directorate

Ms Megan Smithies, Under-Treasurer

Mr Andrew Whale, A/g Executive Director, Shared Services


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Mr Ken Moore, A/g General Manager, Shared Services ICT

Mr Chris Tully, A/g Director, Customer Support, Shared Services ICT

Ms Robyn Hardy, Executive Director, Shared Services Procurement

Mr Simon Corbell MLA, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services

Territory and Municipal Directorate

Mr Gary Byles, Director-General

Mr Chris Ware, Manager, ACT NoWaste

Mr Nick Kalgeropoulos, Director, Finance

Ms Fay Steward, Executive Director, Parks and City Services

Ms Fleur Flannery, Manager, Urban Forest Management

Mr Stephen Hughes, Manager, National Parks, Reserves, and Woodlands

Ms Jane Carder, Manager, Place Management

Mr Peter Dinan, Registrar, Domestic Animal Services

Mr Paul Peters, A/g Executive Director, Roads and Public Transport

Mr James Roncon, Director, ACTION

Mr Hamish Horne, Chief Executive Officer, ACT Cemeteries Authority

Mr Simon Corbell MLA, Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development

Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate

Mr David Papps, Director-General

Mr Neil Savery, Chief Planning Executive, ACTPLA

Mr John Meyer, Chief Operating Officer, ACTPLA

Mr Ben Ponton, Director, Development Services Branch, ACTPLA

Mr Craig Simmons, Director, Construction Services Branch, ACTPLA


Ms Joy Burch MLA, Minister for Community Services


Social Housing Services

Ms Maureen Sheehan, Executive Director, Housing and Community Services


Mr David Collett, Senior Director, Housing and Community Services

Mr Bob Hyland, Director, Housing and Community Services

Community Services Directorate – Community Services

Mr Ian Hubbard, Director, Finance and Budget


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Ms Bronwen Overton-Clarke, Executive Director, Policy and Organisational Services

Ms Meredith Whitten, Senior Director, Policy and Organisational Services

Mr Nic Manikis, Director, OMATSIA

Mr Shane Rattenbury MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

Mr Tom Duncan, Clerk

Mr Max Kiermaier, Deputy Clerk and Serjeant-at-Arms

Mr Ian Duckworth, Corporate Manager

Ms Val Barrett, Manager, Hansard, Communications and Library

Mr David Skinner, Manager, Strategy and Parliamentary Education

Acting Auditor-General

Mr Bernie Sheville, Acting ACT Auditor-General

Mr Rod Nicholas, Director, Performance Audits and Corporate Services, ACT Auditor-General’s Office

Mr Malcolm Prentice, Acting Director, Financial Audits

Mr Andrew Barr MLA, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation


Ms Simonne Shepherd, General Manager, Australian Capital Tourism

Mr David Dawes, Director-General , Economic Development Directorate

Mr Ian Thomson, Chief Operating Officer, Department of Land and Property Services

Mr Shane O’Leary, Director, Sport and Recreation Services

Mr Neale Guthrie, General Manager, Territory Venues and Events

Ms Liz Clarke, General Manager, Exhibition Park in Canberra

Monday 30th May 2011

Ms Katy Gallagher MLA, Chief Minister/Minister for Health

Health Directorate

Dr Peggy Brown, Director General

Ms Linda Kohlhagen, Executive Director, Rehabilitation, Aged & Community Care

Ms Katrina Bracher, Executive Director, Mental Health, Justice Health & Alcohol & Drug

Services

Mr Ian Thompson, Deputy Director General, Strategy & Corporate

Ms Elizabeth Trickett, Executive Director, Quality & Safety

Ross O’Donoughue, Executive Director, Policy & Government Relations

Assoc Professor Paul Dugdale, Director, Chronic Disease Management


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Rosemary O’Donnell, Executive Director, Medicine

Denise Lamb, A/g Executive Director, Women, Youth & Children

Ron Foster, Chief Finance Officer

John Woollard, A/g Director, Population Health

Ms Katy Gallagher MLA - Minister for Industrial Relations

Chief Minster’s Directorate

Office of Industrial Relations

Ms Liesl Centenera, Director, Office of Industrial Relations

Ms Meg Brighton, A/g Director, Continuous Improvement & Workers’

Compensation

Mr Luke McAlary, Director, Public Sector Management, People and Performance

Division

Mr Phil Collins, Chief Executive Officer/Registrar, ACT Long Service Leave Authority

Ms Joy Burch MLA - Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs


Ms Maureen Sheehan, Executive Director, Housing and Community Services

Mr Martin Hehir , Director General , Community Services Directorate

Mr Nic Manikis, Director, OMATSIA

Mr Andrew Barr MLA - Deputy Chief Minister

Mr Chris Alcock, Principal, Space Logic Pty Ltd (formally DEGW)

Mr Kip Tanner, Director, Town Planning, CB Richard Ellis (CBRE)

Mr Steven Flannery, Senior Director, CB Richard Ellis (CBRE)

Mr Allan Fife, Chief Investment Officer, Fife Capital

Ms Megan Smithies, Under Treasurer, Treasury

Mr Ian Smith, Cox Architecture

Mr David Dawes, Director-General, Business Development Directorate

Mr Haico Schepers, Senior Associate, Arup

Mr David Warren, Director, Wilde and Woollard

Ms Katy Gallagher MLA, Chief Minister

Chief Minister’s Directorate

Mr Andrew Cappie-Wood, Director-General

Mr Jeremy Lasek, Executive Director, Culture and Communications


2 5 9

Mr Luke McAlary, Director, Public Sector Management

Ms Meg Brighton, A/g Director, Continuous Improvement and Workers’ Compensation, Office of Industrial Relations, People and Performance Division.


2 6 0


2 6 1

APPENDIX B: Question List

Status of Questions on Notice and Questions taken on Notice

Type of Questions No

Received / hearings Date Asked By Portfolio Subject

Answer date

QON 1 19/05/11 Smyth Treasury Canberra Times dated 4 May 2011 7/06/11

QON 2 19/05/11 Smyth Treasury Treasurer's Advance 15/06/11

QON 3 19/05/11 Smyth TAMS Monaro highway (redirected from TRY to TAMS dated 24 May) 31/05/11

QON 4 19/05/11 Smyth Treasury Budget 9/06/11

QON 5 19/05/11 Smyth Treasury Federal budget paper BP3,107-108

QON 6 19/05/11 Smyth TAMS London Circuit and Northbourne Ave Pavement (redirected from TRY to TAMS dated 24 May) 31/05/11

QON 7 19/05/11 Smyth Chief Minister ACTPS 10/06/11

QON 8 19/05/11 Smyth Chief Minister Strategic Objectives 10/06/11

QON 9 19/05/11 Dunne Treasury ACTEW - Carbon tax 15/06/11

QON 10 19/05/11 Dunne Treasury ACTEW - Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme 7/06/11

QON 11 19/05/11 Dunne Treasury ACTEW - Dividend policy

QON 12 19/05/11 Dunne Treasury ACTEW - Financial statements 15/06/11

QON 13 19/05/11 Dunne Treasury ACTEW - Staffing

QON 14 19/05/11 Dunne Treasury ACTEW - Statement of Corporate Intent 7/06/11

QON 15 19/05/11 Dunne Treasury ACTEW - Summer rain events 7/06/11

QON 16 19/05/11 Dunne Treasury ACTEW - Tantangara water entitlements 7/06/11

QON 17 19/05/11 Dunne Treasury ACTEW - Think water, act water 7/06/11

QON 18 19/05/11 Dunne Treasury ACTEW - Water restrictions 7/06/11

QON 19 19/05/11 Dunne Treasury ACTEW - Water storage capacity

QTON 20 16/05/11 Smyth Treasury Modelling on impact of the Budget – cost of living, tax per capita. 27/05/11

QTON 21 16/05/11 Seselja Treasury Government Office Building - Depreciation within financial modelling

QTON 22 16/05/11 Seselja Treasury Current Government expenditure on office rental?

QTON 23 16/05/11 Hargreaves Treasury Government Office Accommodation Building - Amount of depreciation 9/06/11

QTON 24 16/05/11 Seselja Treasury Government expenditure on utilities for office buildings?

QTON 25 16/05/11 Seselja Treasury Implementation of Regulatory Impact Statement policy 7/06/11

QTON 26 16/05/11 Seselja Treasury Change of use tax - Application of rectification charge to residential zones 1/06/11

QTON 27 16/05/11 Hargreaves Treasury Land Rent Scheme - Cost of rent versus mortgage payments 27/05/11

QTON 28 16/05/11 Le Couteur Treasury Expenditure Review Committee (ERC) -Provide a list of the 13 policy service reviews conducted during 2010–11. 27/05/11

QTON 29 16/05/11 Dunne Treasury What are the methods and rates of appreciation applied to the new water security projects?

QTON 30 16/05/11 Rattenbury / Dunne Treasury

How the Canberra Integrated Waterways Project ) will impact on ACTEW 1/06/11

QTON 31 17/05/11 Seselja Treasury Change of use charge - Current maximum betterment charge per unit? 14/06/11

QTON 32 17/05/11 Seselja Treasury Government office building - Impact on financial modelling of Greenpower

QTON 33 17/05/11 Le Couteur Treasury

Revaluations of ACT Housing stock - whether there has been a change in accounting standards concerning the revaluation of assets. 27/05/11

QTON 34 17/05/11 Seselja Treasury Government Greenpower - Cost and target date confirmation


2 6 2



Answer date

QTON 35 17/05/11 Smyth Treasury Territory Bank A/c balance—detailed reconciliation 2/06/11

QTON 36 17/05/11 Hunter Treasury Statement of assets and liabilities - why assets are greater than forecast

QTON 37 17/05/11 Smyth Treasury Triennial review - Can the terms of reference for the Review be made available to the Committee?

QON 38 20/05/11 Coe Economic Development New Government office building 17/06/11

QON 39 20/05/11 Seselja Treasury Costing of the Government office block savings

QON 40 20/05/11 Seselja Treasury Economic activity

QON 41 20/05/11 Seselja Treasury Indexation 9/06/11

QON 42 20/05/11 Seselja Treasury Land rent Scheme

QON 43 20/05/11 Seselja Treasury Other revenue 17/06/11

QON 44 20/05/11 Seselja Treasury Staff costs 9/06/11

QON 45 20/05/11 Seselja Treasury Duty and conveyances 7/06/11

QON 46 20/05/11 Seselja Treasury Change of use charge 7/06/11

QON 47 20/05/11 Seselja Treasury Debt financing 9/06/11

QON 48 20/05/11 Seselja Treasury Government finances 9/06/11

QTON 49 16/05/11 Smyth Treasury Quantification of losses to the ACT Budget

QTON 50 16/05/11 Smyth/Hanson Treasury Effect of Commonwealth payments on ACT Budget position

QTON 51 17/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister New office building proposal -reference to spreadsheet to be provided 17/05/11

QTON 52 17/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister New office building - staff morale benefits - evidence from other jurisdictions - details about site visits undertaken to be provided 20/06/11

QTON 53 17/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Government office floor space per person - to provide current figure 10/06/11

QTON 54 17/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Arboretum - Is it insured and, if so, for how much? 10/06/11

QON 55 20/05/11 Hunter Treasury Asset revaluations

QON 56 20/05/11 Hunter Treasury Operating leases 7/06/11

QON 57 20/05/11 Hunter Treasury ACT Insurance Authority - Risk management standards 7/06/11

QON 58 20/05/11 Hunter Treasury ACT Insurance Authority - Increased user charges 7/06/11

QON 59 20/05/11 Hunter Treasury ACT Insurance Authority - Increases in asset values 7/06/11

QON 60 20/05/11 Hunter Treasury Superannuation Provision account - Portfolio Management contracts 7/06/11

QON 61 20/05/11 Hunter Treasury Superannuation Provision account - Portfolio holdings and voting on shareholder resolutions 9/06/11

QON 62 20/05/11 Hunter Treasury First home owner's grant 9/06/11

QON 63 20/05/11 Hunter Education and Training Asset revaluations 26/05/11

QON 64 23/05/11 Bresnan Economic Development Affordable housing action plan

QON 65 23/05/11 Bresnan Economic Development OwnPlace

QON 66 23/05/11 Bresnan Economic Development Narrabundah long stay caravan park 15/06/11

QTON 67 18/05/11 Smyth Health Terms of Reference for the Review of WIC 19/05/11

QTON 68 18/05/11 Hanson Health Who is doing what for elective surgery procedures? 19/05/11

QTON 69 18/05/11 Hanson Health Calvary Hospital – costing options information 9/06/11

QTON 70 18/05/11 Le Couteur Health Return to Hospital within 28 days – breakdown for the age of these patients? 31/05/11

QTON 71 18/05/11 Hanson Health Capital Works Projects – status overview

QTON 72 18/05/11 Hunter Health Dental Waiting List – comparison from two years ago – are children a part of the waiting list? 31/05/11

QTON 73 18/05/11 Hanson Health Figure on did not waits in the ED – percentage given larger denominator (Responded on hearings dated 19/5/11) 19/05/11

QTON 74 18/05/11 Bresnan Health National Health Reform - NPPs 31/05/11

QTON 75 18/05/11 Hunter Health Number of disability patients and transitioning 19/05/11


2 6 3



Answer date

QTON 76 18/05/11 Smyth Health How many bed equivalents do we have? 31/05/11

QTON 77 18/05/11 Smyth Health Number of bullying and harassment claims 19/05/11

QTON 78 19/05/11 Smyth Health Number of incidents at AMC leading to reviews of SOPs and changes 31/05/11

QTON 79 19/05/11 Smyth Health Bimberi and AMC - duress alarms to visiting staff 31/05/11

QTON 80 19/05/11 Smyth Health Health assessment at Bimberi with 24 hours - breakdown by quarter 31/05/11

QTON 81 19/05/11 Le Couteur Health Accountability Indicator 1.2l- correction to BP 31/05/11

QTON 82 19/05/11 Smyth Health Strategic Indicator 1.9.e - explanation of what has changed 31/05/11

QTON 83 19/05/11 Bresnan Health Preventative Health Programs that are being run to target... 31/05/11

QTON 84 19/05/11 Hunter Health Torres Strait Islander people – life expectancy – how are we going with this? 31/05/11

QTON 85 19/05/11 Hanson Health What are we doing to promote men’s health in the ACT – what the issues are? 31/05/11

QON 86 23/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Section 63 6/06/11

QON 87 23/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Chief Information Office (CIO) and Web 2.0 10/06/11

QON 88 23/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Government Office Block Tenants 20/06/11

QON 89 23/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Government Office Block reports 20/06/11

QON 90 23/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Government Office Block efficiency Savings 17/06/11

QON 91 23/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Government Office Block Operational Savings 17/06/11

QON 92 23/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Government Office Block Productivity Savings

QON 93 23/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Gungahlin office 10/06/11

QON 94 23/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Hawke review and staffing 10/06/11

QON 95 23/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Hawke review implementation funding 15/06/11

QON 96 23/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Staff reductions 10/06/11

QON 97 23/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Coordination of ICT and Unified public service back office 10/06/11

QON 98 23/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Logos and rebranding 10/06/11

QON 99 24/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Business statistics

QON 100 24/05/11 Smyth Treasury Commonwealth budget paper 3, page 99 (redirect from ED to TRY) 1/06/11

QON 101 24/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Canberra Business Point Program 15/06/11

QON 102 24/05/11 Smyth Economic Development BP4 Accountability Indicators page 125

QON 103 24/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Commonwealth budget paper 3, page 98

QON 104 24/05/11 Smyth Economic Development BP4, page 128

QON 105 24/05/11 Bresnan Attorney-General Crisis support unit 9/06/11

QON 106 24/05/11 Bresnan Attorney-General Secure mental health facility 9/06/11

QON 107 24/05/11 Bresnan Attorney-General Wheelchair accessible taxi service improvements 9/06/11

QON 108 24/05/11 Bresnan Health Mental health funding

QON 109 24/05/11 Bresnan Health Meal supplies to Hospitals 3/06/11

QON 110 24/05/11 Bresnan Health Care co-ordinators 3/06/11

QON 111 24/05/11 Bresnan Health Solaria regulations 3/06/11

QON 112 24/05/11 Bresnan Health Boarding houses 3/06/11

QON 113 24/05/11 Bresnan TAMS Majura Parkway freight 7/06/11

QON 114 24/05/11 Bresnan TAMS Majura Parkway, road safety and road accidents 9/06/11

QON 115 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Government office block reports 17/06/11

QON 116 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Costing of the Government office block savings 17/06/11

QON 117 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development LDA - Dump sites 20/06/11


2 6 4



Answer date

QON 118 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development LDA - Land release program

QON 119 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Government office building financing 20/06/11

QON 120 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Office vacancy rates 17/06/11

QON 121 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Government office block tenants (redirected from EDD to CMD) 20/06/11

QON 122 24/05/11 Seselja Treasury Government office block (redirected from EDD to TRY) 7/06/11

QON 123 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Government office block costs 17/06/11

QON 124 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Government office block rent 17/06/11

QON 125 24/05/11 Seselja TAMS Government rent (redirected from ED to TAMS dated 3 June 2011)

QON 126 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Government office block reports 17/06/11

QON 127 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Government office block efficiency savings 17/06/11

QON 128 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Government office block operational savings 17/06/11

QON 129 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Government Office block productivity savings 17/06/11

QON 130 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development LDA - Estimate Methodology 15/06/11

QON 131 24/05/11 Seselja Economic Development LDA - Financial statements 15/06/11

QON 132 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development UC Student accommodation

QON 133 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Wright outer asset protection zone - Stromlo 15/06/11

QON 134 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Accountability indicators - greenpower purchase

QON 135 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Government properties - energy efficiency

QON 136 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development John Gorton Drive Extension

QON 137 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Canberra business event centre equipment 15/06/11

QON 138 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Advisory services support for high growth firms 15/06/11

QON 139 24/05/11 Le Couteur Community Services Women's microcredit program (redirect from ED to CS) 7/06/11

QON 140 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Innovation connect (ICON) 15/06/11

QON 141 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Seamless National Economy

QON 142 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development National investment board 15/06/11

QON 143 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development ACT skills summit

QON 144 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Land release capital works 15/06/11

QON 145 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Molonglo water infrastructure 7/06/11

QON 146 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Government office building cost analysis 17/06/11

QON 147 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Gungahlin Government office building 17/06/11

QON 148 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Government office building art component 17/06/11

QON 149 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Government office building art component 17/06/11

QON 150 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Government office building records mgt and IT requirements 17/06/11

QON 151 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Government office building costings 17/06/11

QON 152 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Canberra CBD upgrade 15/06/11


2 6 5



Answer date

QON 153 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Temporary car park - Southern loop Commonwealth Ave 15/06/11

QON 154 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development City action plan - stage 1 15/06/11

QON 155 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Street lighting in the city 15/06/11

QON 156 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Building for our ageing community strategy indicator

QON 157 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Supermarket policy

QON 158 24/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Government Architect

QON 159 24/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Government properties (redirected from ED to TAMS dated 3 JUNE 2011) 17/06/11

QON 160 25/05/11 Bresnan Police and ES Rivers RFS Shed 20/06/11

QON 161 25/05/11 Smyth Police and ES Jerrabomberra RFS Shed

QON 162 25/05/11 Smyth Police and ES Police escorts to the Canberra Hospital for mental health related matters 20/06/11

QON 163 25/05/11 Bresnan Attorney-General Road safety and road accidents 9/06/11

QON 164 25/05/11 Bresnan TAMS Public transport and public transport indicators

QON 165 25/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Ageing and the Home & Community care program 14/06/11

QON 166 25/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Pathways from Hospital 7/06/11

QON 167 25/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Supported employment 10/06/11

QON 168 25/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Audits of disability service providers 7/06/11

QON 169 25/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Accreditation of disability services 14/06/11

QON 170 25/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Centre based respite 7/06/11

QTON 171 23/05/11 Doszpot Community Services How would individuals not linked with a group access information and be notified of meetings. 17/06/11

QTON 172 23/05/11 Hunter Community Services Breakdown of the new funding and the split between government and community service delivery. 17/06/11

QTON 173 23/05/11 Doszpot Community Services Breakdown of support days into hours. 17/06/11

QTON 174 23/05/11 Smyth / Hunter Community Services Transition from school - Details of program 17/06/11

QTON 175 23/05/11 Doszpot Community Services Satisfaction survey - what are the figures/breakdown of the last 3 years.

QTON 176 23/05/11 Smyth Community Services Reconciliation of Commonwealth base funding and where it appears in the budget papers. 17/06/11

QTON 177 23/05/11 Hunter Community Services Breakdown of waiting lists for children and young people under 18 for Therapy ACT services. 17/06/11

QON 178 25/05/11 Hunter Education and Training

Closing the learning achievement gap between ATSI students and other students 8/06/11

QON 179 25/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Career Paths for Teachers and School leaders budget measure 17/06/11

QON 180 25/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Efficiency dividend

QON 181 25/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Relief teachers 14/06/11

QON 182 25/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Teachers numbers 6/06/11

QON 183 25/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Teachers pay 17/06/11

QON 184 25/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Teacher training scholarships to address areas of need 6/06/11

QON 185 25/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Supply of artificial grass 3/06/11

QON 186 25/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Employment of business managers in primary schools 6/06/11

QON 187 25/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Bullying in schools 6/06/11

QON 188 25/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training High school student numbers 3/06/11

QON 189 26/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Teacher Quality Institute 6/06/11

QTON 190 18/05/11 Smyth Health Status of roll-over funding listed on page 237 of Budget Paper 4. 3/06/11


2 6 6



Answer date

QON 191 26/05/11 Rattenbury Attorney-General ACT Magistrates Court Building 20/06/11

QON 192 26/05/11 Rattenbury Attorney-General ACT sentencing information 9/06/11

QON 193 26/05/11 Coe Attorney-General Car registration (redirected from TAMS to JACS) 20/06/11

QON 194 26/05/11 Smyth TAMS Gungahlin Drive 9/06/11

QON 195 26/05/11 Smyth TAMS Glenlock Interchange 7/06/11

QON 196 26/05/11 Smyth TAMS Flemington Road 17/06/11

QON 197 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General General issues - appropriations - rollovers and adjustments 20/06/11

QON 198 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General General issues - priorities

QON 199 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General General issues - Strategic objectives

QON 200 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General e-Grant 9/06/11

QON 201 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Legal Aid Commission - statement of intent 9/06/11

QON 202 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Legal Aid Services 9/06/11

QON 203 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Policy advice and Justice programs

QON 204 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Legal services to Government - accountability indicators

QON 205 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Legal services to Government - Government solicitor services 20/06/11

QON 206 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Legislative drafting and publishing services 9/06/11

QON 207 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Public prosecutions - accountability indicators

QON 208 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Public prosecutions - case management 20/06/11

QON 209 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Public prosecutions - prosecutions outcomes 20/06/11

QON 210 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Protection of rights - accountability indicators 20/06/11

QON 211 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Protection of rights - Human Rights Commission 9/06/11

QON 212 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Protection of rights - Victims of Crime 9/06/11

QON 213 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Regulatory compliance enforcement 9/06/11

QON 214 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Courts and Tribunals - accountability indicators 9/06/11

QON 215 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Courts and Tribunals - Budget costs and funding

QON 216 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Courts and Tribunals - Capital works 9/06/11

QON 217 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Courts and Tribunals - Single Court Study 9/06/11

QON 218 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Courts and Tribunals - Supreme Court Judges

QON 219 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Government funding for outputs 20/06/11

QON 220 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Community legal centres 9/06/11

QON 221 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Court and Tribunal staffing

QON 222 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Director of Public prosecutions staffing

QON 223 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Judicial officers

QON 224 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Legal Aid services 20/06/11

QON 225 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Legal Aid staff 9/06/11

QON 226 26/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General Supreme Court building 20/06/11

QON 227 26/05/11 Hanson Attorney-General Corrective Services - staffing 20/06/11

QON 228 26/05/11 Hanson Attorney-General Corrective Services - Lockdowns 20/06/11

QON 229 26/05/11 Hanson Attorney-General Corrective Services - Capital Initiative 20/06/11

QON 230 26/05/11 Hanson Attorney-General Corrective Services - Operating statement 20/06/11

QON 231 26/05/11 Le Couteur Attorney-General Justice and Community Safety - Business licensing unit 20/06/11

QON 232 26/05/11 Le Couteur Arts Funding indexation 10/06/11

QON 233 26/05/11 Le Couteur Arts Development of Arts Activity hubs 10/06/11

QON 234 26/05/11 Le Couteur Arts Street Theatre Extension 10/06/11

QON 235 26/05/11 Le Couteur Arts Workshop Kingston Foreshore

QON 236 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General JACS - Working groups 20/06/11


2 6 7



Answer date

QON 237 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General JACS - Staff management

QON 238 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General JACS - Budget initiatives

QON 239 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General JACS - Budget costs

QON 240 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General JACS - Capital costs

QON 241 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General JACS - Environment

QON 242 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General JACS - Grants programs

QON 243 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General JACS - Overhead costs

QON 244 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General JACS - Output programs

QON 245 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General JACS - IT and advertising

QON 246 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Legal Aid - Working groups 9/06/11

QON 247 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Legal Aid - Staff management

QON 248 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Legal Aid - Budget initiatives

QON 249 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Legal Aid - Budgeted costs

QON 250 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Legal Aid - Capital costs

QON 251 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Legal Aid - Environment

QON 252 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Legal Aid - Grants programs

QON 253 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Legal Aid - Overheads costs

QON 254 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Legal Aid - Output programs

QON 255 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Legal Aid - IT and advertising

QON 256 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Public Trustee - Working groups 20/06/11

QON 257 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Public Trustee - Staff management

QON 258 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Public Trustee - Budget initiatives

QON 259 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Public Trustee - Budgeted costs

QON 260 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Public Trustee - Capital costs

QON 261 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Public Trustee - Environment

QON 262 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Public Trustee - Grants programs

QON 263 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Public Trustee - Overhead costs

QON 264 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Public Trustee - Output programs

QON 265 26/05/11 Seselja Attorney-General Public Trustee - IT and advertising

QON 266 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT Solutions - Working groups

QON 267 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT Solutions - Staff management

QON 268 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT Solutions - Budget initiatives

QON 269 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT Solutions - Budgeted costs

QON 270 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT Solutions - Capital costs

QON 271 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT Solutions - Environment

QON 272 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT Solutions - Grants programs

QON 273 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT Solutions - Overhead costs

QON 274 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT - IT and Advertising

QON 275 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT - Output programs

QON 276 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT - Overhead costs

QON 277 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT - Working groups

QON 278 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT - Staff management


2 6 8



Answer date

QON 279 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT - Budget initiatives

QON 280 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT - Budget costs

QON 281 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT - Capital costs

QON 282 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT - Environment

QON 283 26/05/11 Seselja Education and Training CIT - Grants programs

QTON 284 24/05/11 Coe TAMS Feasibility Study on Northbourne Avenue 30/05/11

QTON 285 24/05/11 Dunne TAMS How much funding comes out of TAMS Core Budget for Rabbit Eradication 30/05/11

QTON 286 24/05/11 Rattenbury TAMS Can you provide a copy of the Vertebra pest management Plan? 31/05/11

QTON 287 24/05/11 Smyth TAMS List of Roads Currently on the Black Spot Program 30/05/11

QTON 288 24/05/11 Smyth TAMS What is the rate of staff turnover in the Call Centre 30/05/11

QTON 289 24/05/11 Smyth TAMS Is it possible to provide a copy of the latest Canberra Connect Customer Satisfaction Survey 31/05/11

QTON 290 24/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Why is there a 5 day delay in Bpay Payments for MyWay? Provide comparison of timing for Autopay and Bpay Payments 2/06/11

QTON 291 24/05/11 Coe TAMS Who developed the notification system for the Libraries 30/05/11

QTON 292 24/05/11 Smyth TAMS Library use policy - resident more than 5km away 30/05/11

QTON 293 24/05/11 Hunter Attorney-General

Road Safety Education - what is the breakdown of spending in the targeted education programs and what the programs seek to achieve 9/06/11

QTON 294 24/05/11 Hunter TAMS How much is spent on rectifying vandalism in the ACT 7/06/11

QTON 295 24/05/11 Coe TAMS What is the date that the Commonwealth Legislation on E-Waste is being tabled. 7/06/11

QTON 296 24/05/11 Smyth Economic Development

Current Value of the Dickson Motor Vehicle Registry (redirected from TAMS to EDD)

QTON 297 24/05/11 Dunne Economic Development

Whole of Government Office Bldg - What provision has been made for the relocation of the Dickson MVR (redirected from TAMS to EDD)

QTON 298 19/05/11 Hargreaves Education and Training Student movement - consolidated statistics 27/05/11

QTON 299 19/05/11 Hunter Education and Training School Census and School Movement Survey - copies of reports

QTON 300 19/05/11 Hunter Education and Training Teachers with maths qualifications - number 26/05/11

QTON 301 19/05/11 Doszpot/Smyth Education and Training Teacher librarians - details of current number 26/05/11

QTON 302 19/05/11 Hunter Education and Training School counsellors - number of high schools and colleges without? 6/06/11

QTON 303 19/05/11 Le Couteur Education and Training Upgrade of primary school computers - statistics 26/05/11

QTON 304 19/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training

Strategic indicators 1.1 and 1.3 - numbers of ACT colleges achieving outcomes above and below targets

QTON 305 19/05/11 Hunter Education and Training

Exit surveys for teaching staff - number that indicate they are leaving ACT to teach in NSW 27/05/11

QTON 306 19/05/11 Hunter Education and Training F/t and p/t teaching staff - further details

QTON 307 20/05/11 Smyth Education and Training Depreciation figure

QTON 308 27/05/11 Hanson Legislative Assembly Speaker's staff salary allocation 31/05/11

QTON 309 27/05/11 Coe Legislative Assembly Security system locks 31/05/11

QTON 310 20/05/11 TBC Education and Training Bradley review of UCan & CIT - terms of reference

QTON 311 20/05/11 Smyth Education and Training CIT - Balance sheet & cash flow 27/05/11

QTON 312 20/05/11 Smyth Education and Training CIT Solutions - Balance sheet & cash flow 27/05/11

QTON 313 20/05/11 Smyth Education and Training CIT Balance sheet - library resources and insurance 27/05/11

QTON 314 20/05/11 TBC Education and Training Sustainable building skills - specific qualification levels 17/06/11


2 6 9



Answer date

QON 315 27/05/11 Smyth Treasury ICRC - Change of use tax 15/06/11

QON 316 27/05/11 Smyth Treasury ICRC - Water prices 9/06/11

QON 317 27/05/11 Smyth Treasury ICRC - Supermarket policy 9/06/11

QON 318 27/05/11 Smyth Treasury ICRC - Statement of intent 9/06/11

QON 319 27/05/11 Smyth Treasury ICRC - Depreciation 10/06/11

QON 320 27/05/11 Smyth Treasury ICRC - Competitive neutrality 9/06/11

QON 321 27/05/11 Smyth Treasury ICRC - Change of use tax 9/06/11

QON 322 27/05/11 Seselja Treasury ICRC - Working groups 10/06/11

QON 323 27/05/11 Seselja Treasury ICRC - IT and advertising 10/06/11

QON 324 27/05/11 Seselja Treasury ICRC - Budget initiatives 10/06/11

QON 325 27/05/11 Seselja Treasury ICRC - Budgeted costs 15/06/11

QON 326 27/05/11 Seselja Treasury ICRC - Capital costs 10/06/11

QON 327 27/05/11 Seselja Treasury ICRC - Environment

QON 328 27/05/11 Seselja Treasury ICRC - Grants programs 10/06/11

QON 329 27/05/11 Seselja Treasury ICRC - Overhead costs 10/06/11

QON 330 27/05/11 Seselja Treasury ICRC - Output programs 15/06/11

QON 331 27/05/11 Seselja Treasury ICRC - Staff management 15/06/11

QON 332 27/05/11 Hanson Police and ES ACT Criminal Justice Statistical Profile 20/06/11

QON 333 27/05/11 Hanson Police and ES Remedial capital improvements 20/06/11

QON 334 27/05/11 Hanson Police and ES ACT Policing 20/06/11

QON 335 27/05/11 Hanson Attorney-General Corrective Services

QON 336 27/05/11 Seselja Education and Training Output programs 17/06/11

QON 337 27/05/11 Seselja Education and Training Staff management

QON 338 27/05/11 Seselja Education and Training Working groups

QON 339 27/05/11 Seselja Education and Training IT and advertising

QON 340 27/05/11 Seselja Education and Training Budget initiatives

QON 341 27/05/11 Seselja Education and Training Budgeted costs

QON 342 27/05/11 Seselja Education and Training Capital costs

QON 343 27/05/11 Seselja Education and Training Environment

QON 344 27/05/11 Seselja Education and Training Grants programs

QON 345 27/05/11 Seselja Education and Training Overhead costs

QON 346 27/05/11 Seselja Arts Output programs 16/06/11

QON 347 27/05/11 Seselja Arts Staff management

QON 348 27/05/11 Seselja Arts Working groups

QON 349 27/05/11 Seselja Arts IT and advertising

QON 350 27/05/11 Seselja Arts Budget initiatives

QON 351 27/05/11 Seselja Arts Budgeted costs

QON 352 27/05/11 Seselja Arts Capital costs 20/06/11

QON 353 27/05/11 Seselja Arts Environment

QON 354 27/05/11 Seselja Arts Grants programs

QON 355 27/05/11 Seselja Arts Overhead costs

QON 356 27/05/11 Doszpot Community Services After hours care 20/06/11

QON 357 27/05/11 Doszpot Community Services Employee leave provisions 14/06/11


2 7 0



Answer date

QON 358 27/05/11 Doszpot Community Services Disability accommodation

QON 359 27/05/11 Doszpot Community Services Therapy 14/06/11

QON 360 27/05/11 Doszpot Community Services Respite services 14/06/11

QON 361 30/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Government funding 14/06/11

QON 362 30/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Outreach support 17/06/11

QON 363 30/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Central Access Point 17/06/11

QON 364 30/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Public housing energy efficiency

QON 365 30/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Social housing 17/06/11

QON 366 30/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Public housing stock numbers 14/06/11

QON 367 30/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Percentage of public housing 14/06/11

QON 368 30/05/11 Bresnan Community Services National affordable housing agreement 17/06/11

QON 369 30/05/11 Bresnan Community Services National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness 17/06/11

QON 370 30/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Bega, Allawah and Currong Flats 20/06/11

QON 371 30/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Aboriginal housing

QON 372 30/05/11 Bresnan Community Services Billabong lease 17/06/11

QON 373 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS Environment 16/06/11

QON 374 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS Capital costs 14/06/11

QON 375 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS Grants programs 17/06/11

QON 376 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS Overhead costs 14/06/11

QON 377 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS Output programs 14/06/11

QON 378 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS Working groups 14/06/11

QON 379 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS IT and advertising 14/06/11

QON 380 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS Budget initiatives 14/06/11

QON 381 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS Budgeted costs 17/06/11

QON 382 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS Staff management

QON 383 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACT Public Cemeteries Environment 16/06/11

QON 384 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACT Public Cemeteries Capital costs 16/06/11

QON 385 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACT Public Cemeteries Grants programs 17/06/11

QON 386 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACT Public Cemeteries Overhead costs 16/06/11

QON 387 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACT Public Cemeteries Output programs 16/06/11

QON 388 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACT Public Cemeteries Working groups 7/06/11

QON 389 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACT Public Cemeteries IT and advertising 16/06/11

QON 390 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACT Public Cemeteries Budget initiatives 16/06/11

QON 391 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACT Public Cemeteries Budgeted costs 16/06/11

QON 392 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACT Public Cemeteries Staff management 16/06/11

QON 393 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACTION Environment 16/06/11

QON 394 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACTION Capital costs 15/06/11

QON 395 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACTION Grants programs 16/06/11

QON 396 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACTION Overhead costs 14/06/11

QON 397 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACTION Output programs 16/06/11

QON 398 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACTION Working groups 14/06/11

QON 399 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACTION IT and advertising 17/06/11

QON 400 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACTION Budget initiatives 16/06/11


2 7 1



Answer date

QON 401 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACTION Budgeted costs 14/06/11

QON 402 30/05/11 Seselja TAMS - ACTION Staff management 20/06/11

QON 403 30/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Environment 20/06/11

QON 404 30/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Capital costs 20/06/11

QON 405 30/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Grants programs 20/06/11

QON 406 30/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Overhead costs 20/06/11

QON 407 30/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Output programs 20/06/11

QON 408 30/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Working groups 20/06/11

QON 409 30/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D IT and advertising 20/06/11

QON 410 30/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Budget initiatives 20/06/11

QON 411 30/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Budgeted costs 15/06/11

QON 412 30/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Staff management 20/06/11

QON 413 30/05/11 Seselja Auditor-General Environment 10/06/11

QON 414 30/05/11 Seselja Auditor-General Capital costs 10/06/11

QON 415 30/05/11 Seselja Auditor-General Grants programs 10/06/11

QON 416 30/05/11 Seselja Auditor-General Overhead costs 10/06/11

QON 417 30/05/11 Seselja Auditor-General Output programs 10/06/11

QON 418 30/05/11 Seselja Auditor-General Working groups 10/06/11

QON 419 30/05/11 Seselja Auditor-General IT and advertising 10/06/11

QON 420 30/05/11 Seselja Auditor-General Budget initiatives 10/06/11

QON 421 30/05/11 Seselja Auditor-General Budgeted costs 10/06/11

QON 422 30/05/11 Seselja Auditor-General Staff management 10/06/11

QON 423 30/05/11 Seselja Treasury Environment

QON 424 30/05/11 Seselja Treasury Output programs

QON 425 30/05/11 Seselja Treasury Working groups

QON 426 30/05/11 Seselja Treasury IT and advertising 17/06/11

QON 427 30/05/11 Seselja Treasury Budget initiatives

QON 428 30/05/11 Seselja Treasury Budgeted costs

QON 429 30/05/11 Seselja Treasury Capital costs

QON 430 30/05/11 Seselja Treasury Grants programs

QON 431 30/05/11 Seselja Treasury Overhead costs

QON 432 30/05/11 Seselja Treasury Staff management

QON 433 30/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Wood heaters and wood smoke 20/06/11

QTON 434 24/05/11 TBC Education and Training

Disability students - number in government and non-government systems

QTON 435 24/05/11 TBC Education and Training Breakdown of figures - transfer between systems

QTON 436 24/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Teachers for vision impaired students - current situation 3/06/11

QTON 437 24/05/11 TBC Education and Training Blind sports in school - confirm directorate 17/06/11

QTON 438 24/05/11 Hunter Education and Training Strategic indicators - early intervention - survey sample 3/06/11

QTON 439 24/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Special education teachers - information 3/06/11

QTON 440 24/05/11 TBC Education and Training Catholic school in Gungahlin - confirm site 17/06/11


2 7 2



Answer date

QTON 441 25/05/11 Smyth Community Services Holder early childhood centre = breakdown of expenses 2013-14

QTON 442 20/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General workers' compensation costs 9/06/11

QTON 443 25/05/11 Hunter Community Services Family intervention - number of families

QTON 444 20/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General drivers for security incidents at the Courts 1/06/11

QTON 445 20/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General space for Women's Legal Centre at Lyneham 9/06/11

QTON 446 20/05/11 Coe Attorney-General point-to-point speed cameras and privacy 1/06/11


New Government building - future of the motor registry (redirected from AG to ED)

QTON 448 20/05/11 Smyth Attorney-General compliance rates for businesses regulated by the ORS 1/06/11

QTON 449 20/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General effect of the efficiency dividend on the DPP 1/06/11

QTON 450 25/05/11 TBC Community Services Has the Teddy Bears lease been extended?

QTON 451 25/05/11 TBC Community Services Operational funding for Child Family Centres 20/06/11

QTON 452 25/05/11 Dunne Community Services Alkira and Gumnuts – Number of places at the moment? 8/06/11

QTON 453 25/05/11 Dunne Community Services Timetable for Child care Scholarships and bonding. 8/06/11

QTON 454 25/05/11 TBC Community Services Breakdown of recent Budget monies for Qualifications for Childcare and RPLs 20/06/11

QTON 455 25/05/11 Dunne Community Services Number of NGO Childcare centres that are in Non ACT govt buildings? 8/06/11

QTON 456 25/05/11 Dunne Community Services Weekly cost of childcare to parents in the ACT 20/06/11

QTON 457 25/05/11 Smyth Community Services Improvements to Bimberi – capital expenditure since commissioning? 8/06/11

QTON 458 25/05/11 Smyth Community Services Roof incidents – category 1 and Category 2 definitions 8/06/11

QTON 459 25/05/11 TBC Community Services Hunter – breakdown of the 11 incidents – Category 1. 20/06/11

QTON 460 25/05/11 Hargreaves Community Services Bimberi - average length of stay 20/06/11

QTON 461 25/05/11 Dunne Community Services Youth Justice Output 4.1 - breakdown of allocations 8/06/11

QTON 462 25/05/11 Dunne Community Services Bimberi - Roof top incident in 2009-10. Why is it not a Category 1? 8/06/11

QTON 463 25/05/11 Coe Community Services

Bimberi - Provide a copy of the Critical Incident Reporting Framework and forms. Also guidelines for Critical 1 and 2 incidents? 8/06/11

QTON 464 25/05/11 Hunter Community Services Child Death Review who sits on the Government and Community Advisory Group?

QTON 465 25/05/11 Hargreaves Community Services How many kids left care in 2009-10? Is this a growth area?

QTON 466 25/05/11 Dunne Community Services Timeframe for Karinya – redesign/redevelopment/relocate? 17/06/11

QTON 467 18/05/11 Hanson Economic Development

Government Office Block - Provide the details of the leases which are to be terminated and savings

QTON 468 18/05/11 Seselja Economic Development

Government Office Block - Reconcile the $19 million in net savings versus the conclusion of the consultants 16/06/11

QTON 469 18/05/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Government Office Block - Details on refurbishment 16/06/11

QTON 470 18/05/11 Hanson Economic Development Government Office Block Site -Opportunity cost of use of site 16/06/11


Government Office Block - provide a reconciliation of the savings against all additional known costs 16/06/11

QTON 472 18/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Government Office Block - Origin of savings estimate 16/06/11

QTON 473 18/05/11 Hanson Economic Development Government Office Block - PPP vs Proposed approach 16/06/11

QTON 474 18/05/11 Seselja / Smyth Economic Development

Government Office Block - Provide copy of the Treasury budget bottom line analysis. 16/06/11


Government Office Block - Comparison of 2009 and 2011 assumptions 16/06/11

QTON 476 18/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Supabarn for Casey - lease documents 6/06/11

QTON 477 18/05/11 Hunter Economic Development Redevelopment proposal assistance - Criteria used

QTON 478 18/05/11 Smyth Economic Development List of all major projects and any being considered


University of Canberra - Student Accommodation - What proportion of the total cost of the project is covered by the loan 6/06/11


2 7 3



Answer date


Section 26, Fyshwick - The per square metre rate on recent sales of blocks at this section 6/06/11


Construction on the 17,000 blocks of land released over the last four years

QTON 482 18/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Per square metre sale price of industrial land releases

QTON 483 18/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Funding of Molonglo Water Supply 6/06/11

QTON 484 18/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Section 63 Site - Is it still a holding lease?

QTON 485 18/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Summernats - Commitment to remain in the ACT? 6/06/11


Business and Industry Development - Programming activity - Reconciliation of new and completed programs 6/06/11


Business and Industry Development - Change to Strategic Indicators


Business and Industry Development - Key Private Sector Development Initiatives - Why are there no private sector projects?

QTON 489 18/05/11 Hunter Economic Development

Business and Industry Development - Number of businesses which are cancelling/not renewing business licence registrations 6/06/11

QTON 490 26/05/11 Bresnan TAMS Date Contracts Awarded - West Belconnen Landfill 7/06/11

QTON 491 26/05/11 Bresnan TAMS Social Tendering 7/06/11

QTON 492 26/05/11 Smyth TAMS Spend on 10-11 Hazard Reduction Burns 9/06/11

QTON 493 26/05/11 Coe TAMS Mowing Budget and Reconciliation of Transfer btwn Service Provision 7/06/11

QTON 494 26/05/11 Coe TAMS Look and Feel of the City Survey 7/06/11

QTON 495 26/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Dogs Euthanized and Homed 10-11 2/06/11

QTON 496 26/05/11 Coe TAMS No of Staff who can access MyWay Card information 7/06/11

QTON 497 26/05/11 Coe TAMS MyWay Support System Software 7/06/11

QTON 498 26/05/11 Coe TAMS Independent Living Centre 2/06/11

QTON 499 26/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Southern Cemetery Financial Modelling 14/06/11

QTON 500 27/05/11 Hargreaves Auditor-General

Explanation for the differential between the Budget technical adjustments revised indexation parameters for 2011-12 and 2014–15

QON 501 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Asset Management 9/06/11

QON 502 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Garbage trucks 7/06/11

QON 503 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Shopping trolleys 9/06/11

QON 504 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Drinking fountains 9/06/11

QON 505 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Light bulb and battery collection points 9/06/11

QON 506 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Street level recycling in Civic 9/06/11

QON 507 30/05/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D New waste policy initiatives (redirected from TAMS to ESD) 8/06/11

QON 508 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS ACT new landfill and other studies 7/06/11

QON 509 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Mugga Lane - rehabilitation of Landfill cells 7/06/11

QON 510 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Hume resource recovery 7/06/11

QON 511 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Graffiti 9/06/11

QON 512 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS City path lighting 9/06/11

QON 513 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Drakeford Drive pedestrian bridge 7/06/11

QON 514 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Public Liability Insurance 9/06/11

QON 515 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Community gardens 9/06/11

QON 516 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS General ACT cat containment policy 9/06/11

QON 517 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Molonglo domestic animal planning 9/06/11

QON 518 30/05/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Molonglo Riverside Park (redirected to ESD dated 1 June 2011) 20/06/11

QON 519 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Tree register 7/06/11


2 7 4



Answer date

QON 520 30/05/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D

Review of noise standards (redirected from TAMS to ESD dated 31 May 2011) 8/06/11

QON 521 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS EPA - garbage trucks (redirected from TAMS to ESD)

QON 522 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Accountability indicators for Library Services 9/06/11

QON 523 30/05/11 Le Couteur TAMS Library purchasing policy 9/06/11

QON 524 30/05/11 Bresnan TAMS ACTION - Transport indicators 20/06/11

QON 525 30/05/11 Bresnan TAMS ACTION - Bikes, buses and MyWay 7/06/11

QON 526 30/05/11 Bresnan TAMS Social tendering, and waste contracts 9/06/11

QON 527 30/05/11 Bresnan Environment and Sustainable D Park 'n' Ride 8/06/11

QON 528 30/05/11 Bresnan Environment and Sustainable D Planning new public transport services 8/06/11

QON 529 30/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Non Government schools

QON 530 30/05/11 Doszpot Education and Training Disability education 14/06/11

QON 531 31/05/11 Rattenbury Environment and Sustainable D Carbon neutral framework for Govt 20/06/11

QON 532 31/05/11 Rattenbury Environment and Sustainable D Climate change targets 20/06/11

QON 533 31/05/11 Rattenbury Environment and Sustainable D Guide to the proposed Basin Plan 20/06/11

QON 534 31/05/11 Rattenbury Environment and Sustainable D Greenhouse Gas inventory 20/06/11

QON 535 31/05/11 Rattenbury Environment and Sustainable D Finalise a Sustainable energy policy

QON 536 31/05/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D New waste policy initiatives 8/06/11

QON 537 31/05/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Provisional heritage listings 15/06/11

QON 538 31/05/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Compliance officer for heritage protection 15/06/11

QON 539 31/05/11 Dunne Environment and Sustainable D Urban Waterways 15/06/11

QON 540 31/05/11 Dunne Environment and Sustainable D Budget funding 20/06/11

QON 541 31/05/11 Dunne Environment and Sustainable D Output description 15/06/11

QON 542 31/05/11 Dunne Environment and Sustainable D Accountability indicator b 15/06/11

QON 543 31/05/11 Dunne Environment and Sustainable D Staffing 15/06/11

QON 544 31/05/11 Dunne Environment and Sustainable D Business and corporate strategies 15/06/11

QON 545 31/05/11 Dunne Environment and Sustainable D Commissioner for the Environment and Sustainability 8/06/11

QON 546 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Govt office block 20/06/11

QON 547 31/05/11 Seselja Treasury Prospective Carbon tax (redirected from ESD to Treasury dated 2 June 2011)

QON 548 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Renewable energy 15/06/11

QON 549 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Energy and water efficiency for low income 15/06/11

QON 550 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Solar feed-in tariff 15/06/11

QON 551 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Solar roof lease 20/06/11

QON 552 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Carbon accounting 20/06/11

QON 553 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Climate change 15/06/11

QON 554 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Environment protection agency 20/06/11

QON 555 31/05/11 Seselja Legislative Assembly Ministerial office space 9/06/11

QON 556 31/05/11 Dunne TAMS Environment regulation - accountability indicators 15/06/11


2 7 5



Answer date

QON 557 31/05/11 Dunne TAMS Environment regulation - RSPCA support 7/06/11

QON 558 31/05/11 Dunne TAMS Environment regulation - animals welfare 14/06/11

QON 559 31/05/11 Dunne TAMS Centenary trail 9/06/11

QON 560 31/05/11 Dunne TAMS Govt payment for outputs 9/06/11

QON 561 31/05/11 Dunne Environment and Sustainable D

Molonglo riverside park planning (redirected from TAMS to ESD - ACTPLA dated 3 June 2011) 20/06/11

QON 562 31/05/11 Dunne TAMS Output description 20/06/11

QON 563 31/05/11 Dunne TAMS Pest management 9/06/11

QON 564 31/05/11 Dunne TAMS Stormwater improvement program 9/06/11

QON 565 31/05/11 Bresnan Attorney-General OHS harmonisation (redirect to from IR to AG date 7 June 2011)

QON 566 31/05/11 Bresnan Attorney-General Workplace investigation and bullying (redirect to from IR to AG date 7 June 2011)

QON 567 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Attorney-General

QON 568 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Arts in schools program

QON 569 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Support at Arts panels and councils 20/06/11

QON 570 31/05/11 Dunne Arts ACT Arts fund 20/06/11

QON 571 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Artists-in-Residence programs 20/06/11

QON 572 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Arts Hub Scoping Study 20/06/11

QON 573 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Budget funding 20/06/11

QON 574 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Centenary symphony

QON 575 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Community facilities

QON 576 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Community outreach 20/06/11

QON 577 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Cultural Council 20/06/11

QON 578 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Fitters workshop 20/06/11

QON 579 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Key Arts organisation 20/06/11

QON 580 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Public Art scheme 20/06/11

QON 581 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Public Arts program 20/06/11

QON 582 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Staffing 20/06/11

QON 583 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Budget strategy

QON 584 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Capital upgrades

QON 585 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Centenary of Canberra 20/06/11

QON 586 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Historic Places 20/06/11

QON 587 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Loxton review 20/06/11

QON 588 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Staffing 20/06/11

QON 589 31/05/11 Dunne Arts Strategic objective 20/06/11

QON 590 31/05/11 Bresnan Ageing ACT Older Persons Assembly 16/06/11

QON 591 31/05/11 Bresnan Ageing Towards an Age Friendly city 16/06/11

QON 592 31/05/11 Bresnan Ageing Elder abuse 16/06/11

QON 593 31/05/11 Bresnan Multicultural Affairs ACT Multicultural Grants program 17/06/11

QON 594 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Giralang 15/06/11

QON 595 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Govt architect

QON 596 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Griffith developments 15/06/11

QON 597 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Improved regulation of building energy efficiency

QON 598 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Accelerated development of unused leased land 20/06/11

QON 599 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Master planning and transport 20/06/11


2 7 6



Answer date

QON 600 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Narrabundah Golf course 15/06/11

QON 601 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Accelerated development of unused leased land

QON 602 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Change of use charge 15/06/11

QON 603 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Contaminated sites

QON 604 31/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Dickson master plan 15/06/11

QTON 605 27/05/11 Smyth Community Services Breakdown of the dollars spent on security in 2010-11 in public housing properties 20/06/11

QTON 606 27/05/11 Coe Community Services NEATS - Employment, Education and Training Number of eligible Housing ACT Tenants engaged in employment programs? 20/06/11

QTON 607 27/05/11 Coe Community Services What is the turnover of property Housing Managers in 2009-10. 17/06/11

QTON 608 27/05/11 Hunter Community Services How many houses of all stock have had energy efficiency measures and cost 20/06/11

QTON 609 27/05/11 Coe Community Services Schedule of rates for Spotless be provided to the Committee?

QTON 610 27/05/11 Coe Community Services Has the issue of adjustable benches been raised with the Joint Champions Group (JCG) for APLU? 17/06/11

QTON 611 27/05/11 Smyth Community Services Reconciliation of Government Payment for Outputs 20/06/11

QTON 612 27/05/11 Hunter Community Services Community Support and Infrastructure Grants Recipients 17/06/11

QTON 613 27/05/11 Hanson Community Services List of Community Facilities and Funding Allocated 20/06/11

QTON 614 27/05/11 Hanson Community Services List of concessions - eligibility and total amounts - $37 M split. 17/06/11

QTON 615 27/05/11 Hunter Community Services Indexation applied to the concessions program and explanation 17/06/11

QTON 616 27/05/11 Dunne Community Services Breakdown of programs and funding under outputs class for 3.1 20/06/11

QTON 617 27/05/11 Hunter Community Services List of all organisations at the refurbished hubs.

QTON 618 27/05/11 Doszpot Community Services Ethnic schools who have been offered or have taken up free accommodation into schools. 20/06/11

QTON 619 27/05/11 Hunter Community Services Breakdown of OMATSIA funding of $386,000 - p 107 BP3. 20/06/11

QTON 620 27/05/11 Doszpot Community Services Per capita funding for language students

QTON 621 26/05/11 Smyth Treasury Reconciliation of projected changes to staffing numbers including a breakdown across the four functional areas? 9/06/11

QTON 622 26/05/11 Le Couteur Treasury Can you provide a breakdown of PC rental costs? 7/06/11

QTON 623 26/05/11 Le Couteur Treasury Can you provide details of 'thin client' implementation costs? 9/06/11

QTON 624 26/05/11 Smyth Treasury How many contracts over $200,000 over the last two financial years have been let on a single tender basis? 9/06/11

QTON 625 26/05/11 Smyth Treasury Details of defects and rectifications of two unsatisfactory Rural Fire Service sheds. 9/06/11

QTON 626 26/05/11 Smyth Treasury Percentages of IT services by agency provided by Shared Services vs external contractors? 9/06/11

QTON 627 26/05/11 Hargreaves Treasury How many IT-related criminal investigations have Shared Services been involved in the last year? 9/06/11

QON 628 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Accountability indicators 20/06/11

QON 629 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Output description 20/06/11


QON 631 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Upgrade early childhood centres

QON 632 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Release of site 17/06/11


QON 634 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Diversionary framework 20/06/11

QON 635 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Recidivism rates 20/06/11


QON 637 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Kinship care program 17/06/11

QON 638 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Out-of-home care

QON 639 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Strategic objectives 17/06/11


2 7 7



Answer date

QON 640 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Youth transitioning from out-of-home care 17/06/11

QON 641 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Child care benefits 20/06/11

QON 642 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Priorities 20/06/11

QON 643 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Bimberi Youth Justice centre

QON 644 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Enhanced Youth Justice services measure 20/06/11

QON 645 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Kinship care 17/06/11

QON 646 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Children's services scholarship program 20/06/11

QON 647 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Supporting Youth Transitioning from out of home care measure

QON 648 31/05/11 Dunne Community Services Child care services

QON 649 31/05/11 Doszpot Community Services Work experience and support programs for migrants

QON 650 31/05/11 Doszpot Community Services ACT Languages policy

QON 651 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Environment

QON 652 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Grants Programs 20/06/11

QON 653 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Overhead costs

QON 654 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Output programs 20/06/11

QON 655 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Working groups 16/06/11

QON 656 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services IT and advertising

QON 657 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Budget initiatives

QON 658 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Budgeted costs

QON 659 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Capital costs

QON 660 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Staff management

QON 661 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Grants Programs 20/06/11

QON 662 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Overhead costs

QON 663 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Output programs 20/06/11

QON 664 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Working groups 16/06/11

QON 665 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services IT and advertising

QON 666 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Budget initiatives

QON 667 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Budgeted costs

QON 668 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Capital costs

QON 669 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Directorate Environment

QON 670 31/05/11 Seselja Community Services Staff management

QON 671 31/05/11 Seselja Tourism, Sport & Recreation Environment 20/06/11

QON 672 31/05/11 Seselja Tourism, Sport & Recreation Grants Programs 20/06/11

QON 673 31/05/11 Seselja Tourism, Sport & Recreation Overhead costs 20/06/11

QON 674 31/05/11 Seselja Tourism, Sport & Recreation Output programs 20/06/11

QON 675 31/05/11 Seselja Tourism, Sport & Recreation Working groups 20/06/11

QON 676 31/05/11 Seselja Tourism, Sport & Recreation IT and advertising

QON 677 31/05/11 Seselja Tourism, Sport & Recreation Budget initiatives 20/06/11

QON 678 31/05/11 Seselja Tourism, Sport & Recreation Budgeted costs 20/06/11

QON 679 31/05/11 Seselja Tourism, Sport & Recreation Capital costs

QON 680 31/05/11 Seselja Tourism, Sport & Recreation Staff management

QON 681 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Directorate Budgeted costs


2 7 8



Answer date

QON 682 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Directorate Capital costs

QON 683 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Directorate Environment 20/06/11

QON 684 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Directorate Grants Programs

QON 685 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Directorate Overhead costs

QON 686 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Directorate Output programs 20/06/11

QON 687 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Directorate Working groups

QON 688 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Directorate IT and advertising

QON 689 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Directorate Budget initiatives

QON 690 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister Directorate Staff management

QON 691 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister - ACT Executive Grants Programs

QON 692 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister - ACT Executive Overhead costs

QON 693 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister - ACT Executive Output programs

QON 694 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister - ACT Executive Working groups

QON 695 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister - ACT Executive IT and advertising

QON 696 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister - ACT Executive Budget initiatives

QON 697 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister - ACT Executive Budgeted costs

QON 698 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister - ACT Executive Capital costs

QON 699 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister - ACT Executive Environment

QON 700 31/05/11 Seselja Chief Minister - ACT Executive Staff management

QON 701 31/05/11 Seselja Legislative Assembly Environment 9/06/11

QON 702 31/05/11 Seselja Legislative Assembly Budget initiatives 9/06/11

QON 703 31/05/11 Seselja Legislative Assembly Budgeted costs 9/06/11

QON 704 31/05/11 Seselja Legislative Assembly Capital costs 9/06/11

QON 705 31/05/11 Seselja Legislative Assembly Grants Programs 9/06/11

QON 706 31/05/11 Seselja Legislative Assembly Overhead costs 9/06/11

QON 707 31/05/11 Seselja Legislative Assembly Output programs 9/06/11

QON 708 31/05/11 Seselja Legislative Assembly Working groups 9/06/11

QON 709 31/05/11 Seselja Legislative Assembly IT and advertising 9/06/11

QON 710 31/05/11 Seselja Legislative Assembly Staff management 9/06/11

QTON 711 25/05/11 Rattenbury Environment and Sustainable D Pitt and Sherry consultancy - Signing date, Cost, and Delivery 1/06/11

QTON 712 25/05/11 Rattenbury Environment and Sustainable D Strategic Consulting Group - Contract Details 1/06/11

QTON 713 25/05/11 Dunne Environment and Sustainable D

Cost of Water to Sport and Recreation from Inner North reticulation. 1/06/11


Inner North Reticulation Project - Cost of the project and what were the sources of the monies 1/06/11

QTON 715 25/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D When are RIS' not undertaken? 1/06/11

QTON 716 25/05/11 Smyth Environment and Sustainable D Value of environmental protection fines 7/06/11

QTON 717 25/05/11 Dunne Environment and Sustainable D List of Resource Management Fund projects 1/06/11


2 7 9



Answer date

QTON 718 25/05/11 Hanson Environment and Sustainable D Cost of sustainability programs to community and Government 1/06/11


Differences between ACT and Commonwealth Greenhouse Gas Inventories 1/06/11

QTON 720 25/05/11 Smyth Environment and Sustainable D Solar Installation Safety Issues 1/06/11

QTON 721 25/05/11 Hargreaves Environment and Sustainable D Methane Gas Harvesting 7/06/11

QTON 722 25/05/11 Hunter Environment and Sustainable D Support for Low Income Households - Greenpower 1/06/11

QTON 723 25/05/11 Smyth Environment and Sustainable D Sureties sought in heritage court cases 1/06/11

QTON 724 25/05/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Heritage listings and applications 1/06/11

QTON 725 25/05/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Reconciliation of the Heritage budget. 1/06/11

QTON 726 20/05/11 Hunter Attorney-General targets for % of cases where court timetable is met 1/06/11

QTON 727 20/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General sentencing for culpable driving 1/06/11

QTON 728 20/05/11 Hunter Economic Development

budgetary provision for vehicle inspection pits (redirected from AG to ED)

QTON 729 20/05/11 Le Couteur Attorney-General the Vision Zero strategy 1/06/11

QTON 730 20/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General effects of relocation on energy costs and productivity 1/06/11

QTON 731 23/05/11 Smyth Attorney-General advice to Government on Fairbairn site and flooding 1/06/11

QTON 732 23/05/11 Smyth Attorney-General whether the Bushfire Council has a formal role in approving bushfire operational plans 1/06/11

QTON 733 23/05/11 Smyth Attorney-General retention rate for the ambulance service for this financial year; 1/06/11

QTON 734 23/05/11 Smyth Attorney-General percentage of police frontline time spent on mental health issues 1/06/11

QTON 735 23/05/11 Hanson Attorney-General when the latest renewal of the secondment of the AMC Superintendant was due to terminate 2/06/11

QTON 736 23/05/11 Hanson Attorney-General number of superintendents at the AMC to date 2/06/11

QTON 737 23/05/11 Smyth Attorney-General number of incidents involving the use of force since the opening of the AMC 2/06/11

QTON 738 23/05/11 Hunter Attorney-General which recommendations have been acted on from the Working Together report 2/06/11

QTON 739 23/05/11 Hargreaves Attorney-General breakdown of the 90 on remand at the AMC - sentenced and un-sentenced 2/06/11

QTON 740 23/05/11 Le Couteur Attorney-General Money budgeted for community corrections programs, as distinct to AMC programs. 2/06/11

QTON 741 23/05/11 Hargreaves Attorney-General the split of costs between the AMC, periodic detention and community corrections 2/06/11

QTON 742 23/05/11 Hargreaves Attorney-General period for building warranty in the contract for the AMC 1/06/11

QTON 743 23/05/11 Bresnan Attorney-General whether other faiths or Aboriginal elders have a quiet space where they can go and practice 1/06/11

QTON 744 23/05/11 Bresnan Attorney-General how many lockdowns have occurred in the women's prison at the AMC over the last three to six months 1/06/11

QTON 745 23/05/11 Hunter Attorney-General the timeline on interrogating data to determine rates of recidivism 1/06/11

QTON 746 23/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General costs included in the ROGS measure on the cost of criminal cases 1/06/11

QTON 747 23/05/11 Dunne Attorney-General When was the AG was advised by the Chief Magistrate about periods of leave for magistrates 1/06/11

QON 748 31/05/11 Seselja Health Capital costs

QON 749 31/05/11 Seselja Health Environment 10/06/11

QON 750 31/05/11 Seselja Health Grants Programs 14/06/11

QON 751 31/05/11 Seselja Health Overhead costs 10/06/11

QON 752 31/05/11 Seselja Health Output programs 14/06/11

QON 753 31/05/11 Seselja Health Working groups 14/06/11

QON 754 31/05/11 Seselja Health IT and advertising

QON 755 31/05/11 Seselja Health Budget initiatives 10/06/11

QON 756 31/05/11 Seselja Health Budgeted costs 10/06/11

QON 757 31/05/11 Seselja Health Staff management


2 8 0



Answer date

QON 758 1/06/11 Hunter Women ACT Women's plan 20/06/11

QON 759 1/06/11 Hunter Women ACT Women's plan

QON 760 1/06/11 Hunter Women Work experience and support program 20/06/11

QON 761 1/06/11 Doszpot Tourism, Sport & Recreation Sportsground fees

QON 762 1/06/11 Doszpot Tourism, Sport & Recreation Grants

QON 763 1/06/11 Coe Community Services Rental Bonds Housing assistance program

QON 764 1/06/11 Coe TAMS Graffiti removal 9/06/11

QON 765 1/06/11 Coe TAMS Growth in municipal service delivery 9/06/11

QON 766 1/06/11 Coe TAMS Govt Shopfronts 16/06/11

QON 767 1/06/11 Coe TAMS Nightrider service 16/06/11

QON 768 1/06/11 Rattenbury Environment and Sustainable D

Conservation measures for threatened species and communities (redirected from TAMS to ESD dated 3 June 2011) 15/06/11

QON 769 1/06/11 Rattenbury TAMS Land management 9/06/11

QON 770 1/06/11 Bresnan TAMS Transport Planning and Majura Parkway (redirected to from ESD to TAMS date 3 June 2011)

QON 771 1/06/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Urban Development sequence for Affordable Housing 15/06/11

QON 772 1/06/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Commercial land release at Dickson

QON 773 1/06/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Draft variation 301 & 303 15/06/11

QON 774 1/06/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Whole of Govt Geospatial Amalgamation 15/06/11

QON 775 1/06/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D ACT Govt resource management fund 15/06/11

QON 776 1/06/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Savings - lease variation charge reform

QON 777 1/06/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Employment & Land planning implementation 15/06/11

QON 778 1/06/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Infill Development Infrastructure studies 15/06/11

QON 779 1/06/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Molonglo population 15/06/11

QON 780 1/06/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Regulation of Building energy efficiency

QON 781 1/06/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Building quality forum

QON 782 1/06/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Planning / building taskforce

QON 783 1/06/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Inner North transformative project

QON 784 1/06/11 Le Couteur TAMS Natural burials 16/06/11

QON 785 1/06/11 Rattenbury Environment and Sustainable D Safety inspections of solar installations

QON 786 1/06/11 Seselja Treasury Budget impact analysis

QON 787 1/06/11 Le Couteur Treasury Publishing services 17/06/11

QON 788 1/06/11 Le Couteur Treasury Accountability indicator 17/06/11

QON 789 1/06/11 Le Couteur Treasury Govt office building

QON 790 1/06/11 Le Couteur Treasury Savings initiatives

QON 791 1/06/11 Le Couteur Treasury Inquiry management for small agencies

QON 792 1/06/11 Le Couteur Community Services Social tendering - Housing (redirect from TRY to CS dated 6 June 2011)

QON 793 1/06/11 Le Couteur Treasury Social tendering 17/06/11

QON 794 1/06/11 Le Couteur Treasury General contracts 17/06/11

QON 795 1/06/11 Le Couteur Treasury Optimising whole of life costs 15/06/11

QON 796 1/06/11 Le Couteur Economic Development

Procurement process - govt office building (redirect from TRY to ED dated 6 June 2011) 17/06/11

QON 797 1/06/11 Le Couteur Treasury Strength of procurement processes - building defects


2 8 1



Answer date

QON 798 1/06/11 Le Couteur Chief Minister ICT strategic plan and govt 2.0 (redirect from TRY to CMD)

QON 799 1/06/11 Le Couteur Treasury ICT response times 17/06/11

QON 800 1/06/11 Le Couteur Treasury ICT hardware replacement processes 17/06/11

QON 801 1/06/11 Le Couteur Treasury New data centre 15/06/11

QON 802 1/06/11 Le Couteur Chief Minister Chief information officer (redirect from TRY to CMD)

QTON 803 30/05/11 Dunne Industrial relations Copy of the paper that went to the Workplace Relations Minister’s Council concerning sham contracting. 15/06/11

QTON 804 30/05/11 Hargreaves Industrial relations Information on Workers Compensation Payouts 15/06/11

QTON 805 30/05/11 Hunter Industrial relations Details of Workplace Safety consultation forums 15/06/11

QTON 806 30/05/11 Hargreaves Industrial relations Salary the salary packaging of ACTION bus fares 15/06/11

QTON 807 30/05/11 Dunne Industrial relations Magistrates Court (Workers Compensation Infringement Notice) Amendment Regulation 2011 - Changes to penalties 15/06/11

QTON 808 30/05/11 Dunne Industrial relations Changes to Budget allocation for IR 15/06/11

QTON 809 30/05/11 Hanson Health How much have we spent on the infrastructure grants? 14/06/11

QTON 810 30/05/11 Hanson Health Implementation of recommendations rising from the GP Taskforce and the Health Committee’s inquiry 14/06/11

QTON 811 30/05/11 Bresnan Health ACAT - People needing higher care places 14/06/11

QTON 812 30/05/11 Smyth Health How many staff in the ACAT team? 14/06/11

QTON 813 30/05/11 Smyth Health When an ACAT assessment is done - how long does it take? 14/06/11

QTON 814 30/05/11 Hanson Health Funding of Community Organisations - Including unsuccessful applicants 9/06/11

QTON 815 30/05/11 Bresnan Health BP4, Pg 234, 2011-12 Budget Technical Adjustments, Reason for rollovers 10/06/11

QON 816 2/06/11 Hanson Health Hospital bed costs 10/06/11

QON 817 2/06/11 Hanson Health Nurse costs 16/06/11

QON 818 2/06/11 Hanson Health Hospital staff costs 16/06/11

QON 819 2/06/11 Hanson Health Orthopaedics 10/06/11

QON 820 2/06/11 Hanson Health General Practitioners 14/06/11

QON 821 2/06/11 Hanson Health Surgery costs 14/06/11

QON 822 2/06/11 Hanson Health Nurse walk in clinic 10/06/11

QON 823 2/06/11 Smyth Tourism, Sport & Recreation Enlighten

QON 824 2/06/11 Smyth Chief Minister Public Sector Management 20/06/11

QON 825 2/06/11 Le Couteur Auditor-General User Charges 9/06/11

QON 826 2/06/11 Le Couteur Auditor-General Working with agencies to improve agency performance 9/06/11

QON 827 2/06/11 Smyth ATSIA Billabong Aboriginal Development Corp 20/06/11

QON 828 2/06/11 Smyth Tourism, Sport & Recreation Report on the Review of ACT Govt events and festivals

QON 829 2/06/11 Dunne Community Services Accountability indicators

QON 830 2/06/11 Dunne Community Services Output description

QON 831 2/06/11 Dunne Community Services Community affairs - accountability indicators 16/06/11

QON 832 2/06/11 Dunne Community Services Mature age women returning to workforce

QON 833 2/06/11 Dunne Community Services Priorities 20/06/11

QON 834 2/06/11 Dunne Community Services Status of women 16/06/11

QON 835 2/06/11 Dunne Industrial Relations Harmonised workplace safety laws

QON 836 2/06/11 Dunne Industrial Relations Industrial relations policy - output budget

QON 837 2/06/11 Dunne Industrial Relations Industrial relations policy - priorities

QON 838 2/06/11 Dunne Industrial Relations Community Sector operating statement

QON 839 2/06/11 Dunne Industrial Relations Construction Industry operating statement

QON 840 2/06/11 Dunne Industrial Relations Employee - transfer of entitlements

QON 841 2/06/11 Dunne Industrial Relations Employer contributions


2 8 2



Answer date

QON 842 2/06/11 Dunne Industrial Relations Financial statements - operating statement

QON 843 2/06/11 Dunne Industrial Relations Business priorities

QON 844 2/06/11 Dunne Industrial Relations Building works upgrade project

QON 845 2/06/11 Dunne Industrial Relations Review long service leave (portable schemes)

QON 846 2/06/11 Dunne Industrial Relations Review investment plan

QON 847 2/06/11 Seselja Chief Minister Hawk review staffing impacts 20/06/11

QON 848 2/06/11 Seselja Chief Minister Govt office upgrades

QON 849 2/06/11 Seselja Chief Minister Govt office block carbon impact

QON 850 2/06/11 Seselja Chief Minister Ministerial accommodation

QON 851 2/06/11 Seselja Chief Minister Online and social media

QON 852 2/06/11 Seselja Chief Minister Redevelopment of old office accommodation

QON 853 2/06/11 Seselja Chief Minister ACT Centenary 20/06/11

QON 854 2/06/11 Seselja Chief Minister Govt office alternatives

QON 855 2/06/11 Seselja Economic Development

Cox financial analysis assumptions (redirect from TRY to EDD dated 6 June 2011) 20/06/11


Savings assumptions from the Govt office building (redirect from TRY to EDD dated 6 June 2011) 20/06/11


Upgrade to Nara House (redirect from TRY to EDD dated 6 June 2011) 20/06/11


CBRE feasibility analysis (redirect from TRY to EDD dated 6 June 2011) 20/06/11

QTON 859 30/05/11 Smyth Community Services Contracts with Billabong for the delivery of services during the financial year 2010-2011? 20/06/11


TVE funding breakdown with events, Ian undertook to provide details of ins and outs

QTON 861 20/05/11 Hunter Attorney-General Concessions for wheelchair accessible taxi licences 1/06/11

QON 862 3/06/11 Le Couteur Economic Development Govt office building carbon neutrality

QON 863 3/06/11 Le Couteur Chief Minister Community Engagement

QON 864 3/06/11 Le Couteur Chief Minister Chief information officer

QON 865 3/06/11 Le Couteur Chief Minister Sustainability policy analysis

QTON 866 27/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Number of beds required to host a CHOGM 8/06/11

QTON 867 27/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Tourism Industry Council - Clarification of Funding 8/06/11


Enlighten – How much did Government spend and what was received in kind 9/06/11

QTON 869 27/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Details of tickets issued for Enlighten 9/06/11

QTON 870 27/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Number of visitors due to Enlighten 8/06/11


Canberra Visitor's Centre figures for period during Enlighten – provide figure for previous four years of same period 8/06/11

QTON 872 27/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Complaints about Enlighten 8/06/11

QTON 873 27/05/11 TBC Economic Development Ticket sale details for Enlighten

QTON 874 27/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Valley Dragons Rugby League Club - ground hire fees

QTON 875 27/05/11 Seselja Economic Development Sportsground upgrades - list

QTON 876 27/05/11 Doszpot Economic Development Single use grounds - Banks Oval

QTON 877 27/05/11 Doszpot Economic Development

Provide more detail around grants to blind and disabled participation in sport

QTON 878 27/05/11 Hargreaves Economic Development Redevelopment of Fairbain Park - consultation 8/06/11

QTON 879 27/05/11 Smyth Economic Development Copy of EPIC rejuvenation plan 7/06/11

QTON 880 27/05/11 Hargreaves Economic Development Fairbairn - contribution by Queanbeyan City Council 8/06/11


2 8 3



Answer date

QTON 881 27/05/11 Rattenbury Economic Development

Provide more detail around performance Fees for Brumbies and raiders

QON 882 25/05/11 Smyth OCSE Administrative adjustment in our 2010-11 budget 8/06/11

QTON 883 26/05/11 Coe Environment and Sustainable D Jamison centre 9/06/11

QTON 884 26/05/11 Hanson Environment and Sustainable D

Can you point to a project of significance that has been delivered on time, on budget and on scope by this government? 9/06/11

QTON 885 26/05/11 Smyth Environment and Sustainable D Insurance for assessors 9/06/11

QTON 886 26/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Upgrade to Dame Pattie Menzies House 9/06/11

QTON 887 26/05/11 Seselja / Smyth Environment and Sustainable D

Time taken for the remediation of the dump at East Lake and provide a map which shows the area 9/06/11

QTON 888 26/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D

Copies of consultant/contractor reports on the north Weston pond project 9/06/11

QTON 889 26/05/11 Seselja Environment and Sustainable D Provide copy of Traffic study 20/06/11

QTON 890 26/05/11 Rattenbury Environment and Sustainable D Polarised isolators on the roof

QTON 891 26/05/11 Le Couteur Environment and Sustainable D Change of use charge valuation 20/06/11

QTON 892 26/05/11 Smyth Environment and Sustainable D Section 63 - length of holding lease 20/06/11

QTON 893 26/05/11 Hunter Environment and Sustainable D Former petrol stations still used as such, partic in Ginninderra 15/06/11

QTON 894 18/05/11 Hargreaves Economic Development Government office building net assets 16/06/11


2 8 4


2 8 5

APPENDIX C: Community and representative

groups survey form

1. Name of organisation

2. Name of contact person & telephone and email contact details

3. Please list, in order of priority, your three main areas of concern regarding the ACT 2011-2012 Budget?

1.

2.

3.

Comment

4. Did you provide a budget submission to the Government?

Yes (go to question five) No (go to question six)

5. Do you think that the Budget has addressed the issues raised in your submission?

Yes No Comment

6. What are your views on the Budget in relation to your priority areas listed in question three?

Comment

7. Are there any particular issues you would like to bring to the Committee’s attention?

Yes No

8. Please provide a brief outline of the issue/s, in order of priority.

[Please append your organisation's budget analysis if available]

9. Does your organisation want to attend a hearing on 13May 2011?

Yes

No

If you have indicated yes, the Committee Office will contact you by COB Tuesday 10 May to confirm details. (Please note however, that the Committee may not be able to hear from all groups).

Please return by 12.00 noon, Monday 9 May 2011

Thank you

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