department of the prime minister and cabinet annual report ... · whole of government perspective...

PART 2Performance report

Outcome 1: Prime Minister and Cabinet ��8

Outcome 2: Indigenous �� 22

8 Part 2: Performance report

In 2014–15 the Department worked to achieve

two outcomes: providing high quality advice to

government and improving outcomes for Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander people.

Outcome 1: Prime Minister and Cabinet

We worked to achieve this outcome through the

delivery of one programme: Prime Minister and

Cabinet. Our performance against this programme

was monitored and assessed through the programme

deliverables and KPIs published in the PBS.

For 2014–15 we met our nine deliverables and

10 KPIs. An assessment of how the Department

has performed against each deliverable and an

assessment of whether each KPI has been met is

provided below.

Programme 1�1: Prime Minister and Cabinet

The objectives of this programme were to:

• p rov i d e a d v i c e a n d s u p p o r t t o t h e

Prime Minister, the Cabinet, Portfol io

Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, and

coordination across Government on major

domestic, international and security policies

• provide support to the Cabinet and its

committees, the Federal Executive Council and

COAG to facilitate informed decision making

• provide support for the operations of the

Prime Minister’s official residences and to

former and designated Governors-General

official offices

• provide support for major events and meetings

and coordinate the logistical arrangements for

the Prime Minister’s overseas visits.

Highlights 2014–15

• delivery of the 2014 G20 Brisbane Leaders’

Su m m it i nvolv i ng the attendance and

participation of 34 world leaders and over

7,500 delegates, which was the most significant

meeting of world leaders ever held in Australia

• facilitating the unprecedented hosting of five

leaders (UK, Germany, India, China and France)

from the top 10 world economies within one week

around the G20 summit

• releasing the White Paper on Developing

Northern Australia by the Prime Minister and

the Deputy Prime Minister on 18 June 2015

• developing the Agricultural Competitiveness

White Paper (for release on 4 July 2015)

• supporting Australia’s contributions to addressing

global security challenges, including preparing

key foundational work on the threat posed by

foreign terrorist fighters and Daesh in Iraq

• supporting the Prime Minister’s engagement with

the Government’s international trade agenda,

including the conclusion and promotion of Free

Trade Agreements with Japan, Korea and China;

furthering negotiations on the TransPacific

Partnership and a bilateral agreement with

India; and consultations with domestic and

international business representatives

• supporting the Prime Minister’s founding of the

Commonwealth Science Council and setting of

national priorities for science and research

• supporting the Government to exceed its

$1 billion annual deregulation target.

9Part 2: Performance report

FIGURE 2�1 PROGRAMME 1�1 KPIs

Programme 1�1 Met

High quality, relevant and timely advice and support to the Prime Minister, including to

support him in his role as the Chair of the Cabinet and all committees, Portfolio Ministers and

Parliamentary Secretaries based on an objective and thorough understanding of issues and

whole of government perspective

ü

Regular, timely and collaborative communication and cooperation with other central agencies,

portfolio departments and other key stakeholders

ü

Coordination and support for COAG meetings ü

Leadership and coordination of the national security community to promote a national security

system that anticipates threats, responds effectively to crises and major security events, protects

the nation and shapes the world in Australia’s interest

ü

Advancement of the Government’s international priorities that promote Australia’s security,

prosperity, international profile and influence

ü

Advice and support for key stakeholders for state occasions, official visits, operations of the

Prime Minister’s Official Establishments and former Governors-General that is timely, relevant

and of high quality.

ü

Advance Australia’s interests through the G20 ü

Lead the implementation of government deregulation reforms including delivering on the

Government’s $1 billion net portfolio targets for reduction in the burden of regulation, repeal

days and Ministerial Advisory Bodies and a regulator performance framework

ü

High quality and timely advice to departments and agencies on best practice regulation making,

consistent with the requirements of the Australian Government Guide to Regulation and the

COAG’s Best Practice Regulation Guide

ü

Provide timely advice and funding to external stakeholders that provide programmes and support

to promote women’s economic empowerment and opportunity, reducing violence against women,

and women’s leadership and status

ü

Deliverable 1: Policy advice and support

To meet the objectives of this programme the

Department provided policy advice and support to

the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, Portfolio Ministers

and Parliamentary Secretaries across all areas of

the Department.

In relation to economic policy, amongst other things

we advised the Prime Minister on the fiscal outlook

and associated fiscal strategy, and matters being

considered through the 2014–15 Mid-Year Economic

and Fiscal Outlook and 2015–16 Budget, providing

a whole of government perspective to assist with

prioritisation of spending and revenue proposals.


We supported the Prime Minister in his role as co-

Chair of the Joint Commonwealth and Tasmanian

Economic Council in line with efforts to boost

Tasmanian economic and jobs growth and provided

support to the Prime Minister in administering his

Business Advisory Council meetings.

The Department supported the Prime Minister in

establishing the Commonwealth Science Council and

setting national priorities for science and research.

We worked with other departments on a whole of

government Digital Transformation Agenda, to

significantly improve the way citizens and businesses

interact with the Government online.

We supported the Prime Minister to deliver the first

Annual Statement to Parliament on Infrastructure

and to launch Infrastructure Australia’s f irst

National Audit. We supported the Government’s

work to protect the Great Barrier Reef, including

development of a world class blueprint for managing

and protecting the Reef over the next 35 years,

announced by the Prime Minister on 21 March 2015.

We also coordinated a whole of government approach

on setting Australia’s post-2020 emission reduction

target. Our United Nations Framework Convention

on Climate Change Taskforce undertook extensive

public consultation, including the release of an issues

paper, and is working closely with The Treasury and

the departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the

Environment, Industry and Science, Agriculture and

Infrastructure and Regional Development.

The Department supported Commonwealth efforts

to help communities recover after disasters including

the February 2015 Tropical Cyclone Marcia and the

April 2015 NSW east coast storms and floods. We

advised the Prime Minister on Australia’s domestic

and international response to the Ebola Virus

Disease Outbreak in West Africa and led the Ebola

Regional Contingency Planning Taskforce to prepare

a plan for responding to a possible case or outbreak

of Ebola in our region.

We also supported the Prime Minister on the Sixth

Community Pharmacy Agreement, the National

Mental Health Reform Commission’s Review of

Mental Health Programmes and Services, and

the Review of Medicines and Medical Devices

Regulation. Following the Government’s receipt of

the Productivity Commission’s reports into Childcare

and Early Childhood Learning in 2014, we worked

closely with the Department of Social Services to

analyse the findings and brief the Government. Our

analysis informed key components of the Families

Package, including substantial reform of the child

care system and introduction of a single mainstream

subsidy for child care.

The Department continued to play a major role

in strengthening Australia’s key international

relationships, supporting the Prime Minister’s

v isits to 15 di f ferent countries in 2014–15.

High-level business delegations accompanying the

Prime Minister helped take forward Australia’s

economic diplomacy objectives. We facilitated the

Prime Minister’s engagement with over 40 foreign

leaders to further Australia’s foreign, trade and

security interests during his attendance at the

East Asia Summit (EAS), APEC leaders’ meeting

and the G20.

We supported the Prime Minister’s major

international commitments to commemorate the

Centenary of the ANZAC landings in Gallipoli,

elevate Australia’s bilateral relationships with China

and with Singapore to Comprehensive Strategic

Partnerships, and conclude the Australia-India Civil

Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.

A dedicated taskforce was established in the

Department following the 17 July 2014 downing of

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine. The

taskforce coordinated Australia’s response and

advised the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on

key developments.


Completing a trifecta of north Asian free trade

agreements, in 2014–15 we supported the

Prime Minister’s role in the Japan-Australia

Economic Partnership Agreement and the China-

Australia Free Trade Agreement—landmark steps in

Australia’s economic relationships with the region.

The Department coordinated whole of government

consideration of Australia’s approach to the

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Australia

announced it would become a founding member of

the Bank on 24 June 2015.

We provided policy advice and support to the

Prime Minister on a wide range of defence and

strategic issues, including: Australian Defence

Force overseas and domestic operations; the Defence

Force Structure Review; the First Principles Review,

the Defence White Paper 2015; the countering of

people smuggling; and the consolidation and reform

of Australia’s border protection agencies and services

announced in the 2014–15 Budget.

This year, we advised on cyber security incidents and

their impact on Australia, and led the Commonwealth

Government’s Cyber Security Review, including

consulting with over 180 organisations across the

public and private sector.

We supported the Prime Minister with key

ministerial changes and appointments during

2014–15 including:

• the swearing in of the Ministry on 23 December

2014 and resultant changes to the Administrative

Arrangements Order and a further swearing-in

ceremony on 28 May 2015

• the appointment of the Auditor-General. On the

Prime Minister’s advice, the Governor-General

appointed Mr Grant Hehir as Auditor-General

for the Commonwealth for 10 years, commencing

on 11 June 2015.

A continued priority during the year was assisting the

Government to manage its programme of legislation.

Photo 2�1 Dr Gao Hucheng, Minister of Commerce, People’s Republic of China; His Excellency Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China; The Honourable Tony Abbott MP, Prime Minister of Australia; and The Honourable Andrew Robb AO MP, Minister for Trade and Investment; signing the Declaration of Intent on the conclusion of negotiations of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.


We contributed to whole of government advice to

the Prime Minister on a broad range of legal policies

and issues. We coordinated and progressed portfolio

legislation. We also assisted with the Government’s

consideration of the recommendations of the Royal

Commission into the Home Insulation Programme

and advice on Royal Commissions generally.

During the year we provided advice to Portfolio

Ministers on the operation of Australia’s honours

system and supported the representatives on the

Council for the Order of Australia, the Australian

Bravery Decorations Council and the National

Emergency Medal Committee. We also provided

secretariat services to the committees that consider

honours for public servants, such as the Public

Service Medal.

We provided information and advice about national

symbols, including the Australian National Flag and

the Australian National Anthem, including through

the website (www.itsanhonour.gov.au).

We provided advice on the appropriate use of the

Commonwealth Coat of Arms, including approval

for its use in educational material or for teams

representing Australia in international competitions.

Advice was also provided to Government agencies

regarding the Australian Government Branding

Design Guidelines.

Deliverable 2: Leadership and coordination of whole of government policy development

The Department played the coordinating role in a

number of the Government’s White Paper processes

including:

• Reform of the Federation

• Agricultural Competitiveness (for release on

4 July 2015)

• Developing Northern Australia (released on

18 June 2015)

• Coordinating the development of the Industry,

Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda released

by the Prime Minister and Minister for Industry

on 14 October 2014.

Photo 2�2 The Northern Australia Advisory Group meeting with the Prime Minister at Parliament House, 28 August 2014.


All of these processes involved extensive engagement

across the Commonwealth and wide ranging

consultation with stakeholders.

We also played a lead role in developing policies and

strategic priorities to enhance regional engagement,

national cyber security policy and strategy, national

security partnerships and major national security

related crises or emergencies.

In 2014–15, working closely with policy and national

security agencies we developed and exercised

responses in the event of cyberattack, advocated for

Australia’s interests in cyberspace in international

bilateral and multilateral dialogues, and helped shape

Australia’s operational cyber security capabilities.

As Chair of the Australian Government Crisis

Committee and the National Crisis Committee,

we ensured a coordinated Commonwealth whole

of government response to national security and

emergency events, including the Martin Place Siege,

the 2015 Melbourne terrorism arrests, bushfires in

South Australia and Western Australia, and Cyclones

Lam and Nathan.

We supported the National Security Committee

(NSC) of Cabinet in developing and coordinating

national security policy, including its response

to major crises such as the downing of Malaysia

Airlines Flight MH17, by advising the Prime Minister

and the Cabinet Secretary on the programming of

NSC business, reviewing and providing advice on

submissions, facilitating meetings, and preparation

and finalisation of minutes. We also provided support

to the Secretaries’ Committee on National Security,

which meets to discuss key strategic and defence

policy issues, including matters to be considered

by the NSC.

The Department supported the development of a

number of agreements between the Commonwealth

and state and territory governments, and advised

the Prime Minister and Commonwealth agencies on

policy issues with implications for Commonwealth–

state relations. We supported the Prime Minister at

the COAG meetings of 10 October 2014 and 17 April

2015, and supported eight Senior Officials Meetings

chaired by the Secretary of PM&C.

Photo 2�3 At its meeting on 17 April, COAG agreed to a national cooperative effort to reduce family violence, an issue of major public concern affecting communities across Australia.


The Department worked with the Department

of Social Services to lead COAG discussions and

negotiations on agreements to take the National

Disability Insurance Scheme from transition trials to

full implementation of the scheme around Australia.

As part of the Reform of the Federation White

Paper, we developed a series of five policy papers

that discussed opportunities for reform in the areas

of health, education (including preschool, schools,

vocational education and training and higher

education), housing and homelessness, COAG and

federal financial relations.

Deliverable 3: Support to Cabinet and the Federal Executive Council

The Department provides secretariat and support

services for the Cabinet, its six committees and sub-

committees and the Federal Executive Council. In

2014–15 we provided direct support to 234 Cabinet

or Committee meetings. Work involved programming

Cabinet business, reviewing and providing advice

on Cabinet submissions, including implementation

aspects across all portfolios, facilitating meetings,

preparing minutes, and coordinating the consideration

of appointments by the Cabinet. In doing this we

lodged 552 Cabinet documents and recorded 1,015

Cabinet minutes. Reports to the Prime Minister and

the Cabinet on the progress of key decisions of the

Government were also provided.

We also supported the Cabinet in streamlining

its templates and processes, as set out in the

updated Cabinet Handbook, and in introducing

a First Pass process that enables the Cabinet to

consider and discuss the direction of a proposed

major policy before committing resources to its

further development. In addition, we improved the

timeliness of the release of minutes for the Cabinet

and most of its committees, supported the delivery

of high quality and timely departmental briefs to

the Prime Minister ahead of Cabinet meetings, and

continued to explore options to improve the quality

of Cabinet submissions.

We coordinated 21 meetings of the Secretaries’

Committee on National Security. We also provided

administrative support to the Federal Executive

Council to assist the Council in advising the

Governor-General and supported the Council in

streamlining its processes, as set out in the updated

Federal Executive Council Handbook. In doing this

we supported 30 meetings of the Federal Executive

Council at which 449 papers were considered.

Further, we assisted the National Archives of

Australia in preparing the release of Cabinet

documents up to 1989, as Australia transitions from

a 30-year closed period to a 20-year closed period.

We also provided advice on applications made to

public service departments and agencies under the

Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), which

captured Cabinet-related documentation.

Deliverable 4: Services for the Prime Minister, Portfolio Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries

The Department continued to facilitate and

coordinate all correspondence, briefings and

parliamentary items between our Portfolio Ministers’

offices and the Department. In 2014–15 we processed

111,338 items of correspondence.

We coordinated Senate Estimates hearings and

supported all Portfolio Ministers’ Offices in relation

to parliamentary items. During 2014–15, the

Department saw a substantial increase in the number

of parliamentary Questions on Notice (QoN) received

from 239 in 2013–14 to 589 in 2014–15. We processed

564 Senate Estimates questions on notice including

170 items for Additional Estimates, 235 items for

Budget Estimates and 159 for Supplementary

Budget Estimates.


We provided advice to ministerial offices on media,

communication and community engagement to

support effective implementation of government

policies and programmes.

We draf ted 381 speeches and remarks, 661

written messages and 244 video messages for the

Prime Minister and Portfolio Ministers and provided

media support for each of the ministerial offices.

Other services provided for the Prime Minister,

Portfolio Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries

included:

• policy and logistical support for the

Prime Minister’s Community Business

Partnership meetings

• preparation of seven reports to the Prime Minister

on the status of key government priorities and

identifying key priorities for the Government

over the next 12 months

• briefs for visits to defence establishments and to

those areas and communities affected by serious

bushfires

• briefs for the Prime Minister’s extensive

international, regional, bilateral and business

engagements, including over 40 bilateral

meetings in November 2014.

We provided ongoing support to the Prime Minister

and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister

for Women, through the Office for Women, on

matters relating to women’s safety, economic

security and workforce participation and women’s

leadership. Further information is provided under

deliverable 8.

We also provided support to the Prime Minister

a nd the Pa rl ia menta r y Secreta r y to the

Prime Minister on whole of government measures

on deregulation. Further information is provided

under deliverable 9.

We coordinated the processing of FOI applications

to the Department and Portfolio Ministers and

provided advice to FOI decision makers for these

applications. We also coordinated FOI consultation

requests from other agencies, particularly concerning

the Cabinet document exemption.

The Department and Portfolio Ministers received

290 new FOI requests in 2014–15 and notified 208

access decisions, with 68 per cent of decisions

notified within the statutory deadlines under the

FOI Act. The percentage notified within statutory

deadlines for 2013–14 was 64 per cent. The figure was

incorrectly reported in the 2013–14 Annual Report

as 71 per cent.

Photo 2�4 The Prime Minister, The Honourable Tony Abbott, MP meeting with the Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, PM&C Mr Greg Moriarty, and The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Counter-Terrorism, The Honourable Michael Keenan M.P.


Deliverable 5: Heads of Government visits, official events and occasions

The 2014–15 year was an exceptional one for the

Department, both at home and overseas. We managed

visits by, and hospitality for, Guests of Government,

delivered support for major events, ceremonies

and state occasions and coordinated logistical

arrangements for the Prime Minister’s overseas visits.

We planned and coordinated 11 overseas visits by the

Prime Minister to 15 countries (some countries were

visited more than once). The Prime Minister was the

first Australian Prime Minister to address the United

Nations Security Council in New York and was the

first leader to visit the newly elected Prime Minister

of India. He attended the inauguration of the

Indonesian President and was at the forefront of

the ANZAC Centenary commemorations in Gallipoli

and Villiers-Bretonneux.

The Prime Minister travelled to the Netherlands

to pay his respects to the victims of the MH17

tragedy. He also travelled to Singapore to pay his

respects at the State Funeral of former Singaporean

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. The Prime Minister

visited Iraq, where he met with Iraq’s Prime Minister

Abadi to discuss Australia’s contribution to coalition

efforts to assist Iraq in its fight against Daesh. The

Prime Minister led delegations to APEC (China)

and EAS (Myanmar) and visited the UK, Malaysia,

Papua New Guinea, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

and New Zealand.

A programme of official Guest of Government (GoG)

visits in 2014–15 included the unprecedented hosting

of five leaders (UK, Germany, India, China and

France) from the top 10 world economies within

one week. We provided targeted briefing for the

Prime Minister and coordinated and supported

Australia-wide visit programmes that featured

tailored hospitality and ceremonies, each recognising

unique aspects of the specific bilateral relationship.

The delivery of further GoG visits was repeated

throughout the year for three Heads of States

(Ukraine, Norway, New Zealand), three Heads of

Government (Japan, Netherlands, Vietnam), and

14 ministerial level visitors (including World Trade

Organisation, China, Australia-United States

Ministerial Consultations, Australia-UK Ministerial

Consultations, UAE, Lithuania, Cambodia, Slovak

Republic, Latvia). Behind the scenes, we also

facilitated 177 private transit arrangements for

Heads of State/Heads of Government throughout

the year.

In addition to hospitality provided during the

GoG visits and visits of overseas delegations, we

arranged and delivered 53 events in support of

the Prime Minister. We arranged functions to

commemorate the tragic events of MH370, MH17

and the Martin Place Siege.

Four visiting leaders (from Japan, UK, China and

India) addressed the Parliament of Australia.

We continued to support the biannual COAG

meetings, the Prime Minister’s Christmas receptions,

Australia Day activities, and the Prime Minister’s

XI cricket match.

Sadly, the year saw the passing of several prominent

Australians, including former Prime Ministers

the Honourable Gough Whitlam AC QC and the

Right Honourable Malcolm Fraser AC CH, and in

consultation with the families, we arranged and

facilitated six State Funerals and Memorials.

We continued to support delegations with an interest

in the Cabinet decision-making process, policy

implementation and tracking outcomes from Cabinet

decisions. This year we hosted one delegation from

Yemen and presented to officials from the Pacific

island nations.

We also facilitated the Prime Minister’s engagement

in major and minor defence events and overseas

operational visits.


Deliverable 6: Official Establishments

We supported the operations of the Prime Minister’s

official residences: The Lodge in Canberra and

Kirribilli House in Sydney. We also provided

administrative support to former Governors-

General, including the provision of entitlements

(excluding pension entitlements).

Deliverable 7: G20

Austral ia’s G20 Presidency commenced on

1 December 2013, culminating in the 2014 G20

Leaders’ Summit in Brisbane on 15–16 November

2014. G20 Leaders agreed in Brisbane to work

in partnership to lift growth, boost economic

resilience, and strengthen global institutions.

The outcomes announced in Brisbane advanced

Australia’s interests and were welcomed by the

international community. Australia boosted our

relationships with G20 members, bilaterally and

collectively. We developed policy, and managed

the operational and security arrangements for

Australia’s role in the G20.

Photo 2�5 The Prime Minister speaking at Gallipoli.


We worked closely with the Prime Minister, his

G20 Sherpa and other Commonwealth Government

agencies to build consensus on the outcomes with

other G20 members. As part of the Brisbane Action

Plan, each G20 member committed to structural

reforms that together will add 2.1 per cent (or

more than US$2 trillion) to G20 GDP by 2018, if

implemented. Leaders agreed to continue their

work to make the international financial system

more resilient and agreed to a set of principles to

guide increased G20 collaboration on energy. Under

Australia’s G20 Presidency, significant progress was

made on the G20/OECD Base Erosion and Profit

Shifting Action Plan to modernise international

tax rules, and a new G20 Anti-Corruption Action

Plan was agreed. Leaders had a frank discussion in

Brisbane about how to strengthen the multilateral

trading system and, for the first time, had a G20

leaders-only retreat where they discussed their

domestic reform challenges.

We developed s t rong pa r t nersh ips w it h

Commonwealth, state and local governments and

agencies, as well as many non-government bodies, to

support Australia’s G20 Presidency. There were more

than 35 meetings of Ministers or officials, held across

Australia and in other countries during the year.

We worked particularly closely with The Treasury,

which organised meetings of G20 Finance Ministers

and Central Bank Governors, as well as meetings of

senior finance officials. We showcased Australia’s

major cities, our world class conference facilities,

and our ability to host major international events

safely and securely.

We coordinated G20 members’ engagement with

community stakeholders and delivered an extensive

public communications programme. We worked

closely with engagement groups in the G20 – the

Business 20, Think 20, Labour 20, Civil Society 20 and

the Youth 20 – to facilitate their participation. We

also hosted the official g20.org website and published

information in 14 languages about Australia’s

objectives. The website attracted 1.47 million visits in 2014. Community information forums were held

in Brisbane, and social media channels (Facebook

and Twitter) informed the public and the media,

particularly in the lead up to and during the summit.

The international media centre at the summit venue

catered for up to 3,000 media representatives.

Photo 2�6 The Right Honourable David Cameron MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Honourable Tony Abbott MP, Prime Minister of Australia


To deliver a safe, secure and smooth-running

summit we established an operational presence in

Brisbane and worked directly with local authorities

including the Brisbane City Council, Queensland

Police, the Brisbane Airport Corporation, and the

local community.

We continue to lead Australia’s participation in the

G20, working closely with other agencies, as well as

with Turkey, the 2015 G20 President, and China,

the 2016 President.

Deliverable 8: Status of Women

We provided policy coordination on reducing

violence against women, as well as promoting

women’s economic empowerment and opportunity

and women’s leadership and status.

The Office for Women provided guidance to the

Prime Minister and the Minister Assisting the

Prime Minister for Women on the COAG agenda

on reducing violence against women, as well as

the implementation of the Second Action Plan

of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022. We also

supported the Australian Delegation to the United

Nations Commission on the Status for Women

and advised on the G20 Leaders’ commitment to

reduce the workforce participation gap by 25 per cent

by 2025.

We coordinated and monitored several whole of

government policies and strategic priorities, including

continued implementation and coordination of the

Australian National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2012–2018, the release on 15 July 2014 of the

2014 Progress Report on actions taken to implement

that action plan and the Government’s commitment

to at least 40 per cent of Commonwealth Government

board positions filled by women.

We advised stakeholders and funded organisations

through the delivery of the Women’s Leadership

and Development Strategy. We also provided

funding to the Australian Women Against Violence

Alliance and the Australian and New Zealand Police

Commissioners’ event for White Ribbon Day to say

‘no’ to violence against women.

We worked closely with international counterparts

to ensure reducing violence against women, women’s

economic empowerment and opportunity and

women’s leadership and status featured strongly in

international meetings and agreements, including

in the United Nations, APEC forum and EAS.

Photo 2�7 Senator the Honourable Eric Abetz, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service, and Dr Heather Smith PSM at a function for The Queen’s Birthday 2015 Australian Public Service honours recipients.


Deliverable 9: Regulatory reform

Over the year the Office of Best Practice Regulation

put into place more efficient regulation and effective

regulatory management, by administering the

Commonwealth Government’s best practice

regulation requirements and COAG’s best practice

regulation requirements.

In 2014–15 we responded to the final assessment

request of agencies for regulation impact statements

(RISs) within the prescribed five-day limit in 38 of

39 cases. We also averaged a 4.5-day turnaround

on early assessment of RISs. In relation to COAG

proposals, our average response time was five

business days, compared to a target key performance

indicator of 10 days. We have continued to outpost

officers to assist agencies to prepare regulation

impact statements and post-implementation

reviews. There were 14 out-postings to a variety of

government agencies throughout the year.

In March 2015 we hosted the annual meeting

of regulatory reform units from all states and

territories as well as New Zealand. The meeting

provided delegates with an opportunity to review

development in regulation reform and deregulation

in their respective jurisdictions.

We worked closely with regional and international

counterparts to improve regulatory reform and

deregulation. This included hosting a successful

workshop with delegates from the Republic of Korea

in June 2015, sharing our experiences and furthering

constructive engagement with a key regional partner.

The Office of Deregulation coordinated the successful

2014 Spring and 2015 Autumn Repeal Days, as

well as the release of the Regulator Performance Framework (RPF), a key performance indicator-

based framework that supports regulators to adopt

improved, consistent, risk-based approaches when

administering regulation. We are working with

portfolios on the implementation of the RPF and

Photo 2�8 Australian and New Zealand Police Commissioners were joined by the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove, the Prime Minister the Honourable Tony Abbott MP, the Leader of the Opposition the Honourable Bill Shorten MP, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Senator the Honourable Michaelia Cash, and Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls and Chair of OurWatch, Ms Natasha Stott Despoja, to take a united stand on violence against women and children on 24 November 2014.


to implement the Government’s decision to adopt

the principle that if a system, service or product

has been approved under a trusted international

standard or risk assessment, then our regulators

should not impose any additional requirements for

approval in Australia, unless it can be demonstrated

that there is a good reason to do so.

We continue to support portfolio deregulation units

to drive reform by developing technical guidelines;

conducting biannual community of practice events

for regulators, deregulation unit forums, and regular

head of unit meetings; as well as publishing repeal

day overviews, annual reports and guidance notes

on the Cutting Red Tape website.

We provided advice that led to each jurisdiction

in COAG in 2014 selecting specific small business

and manufacturing sectors to target in their work of

reducing regulation. The reforms focus on five themes

related to digital reforms; single service models;

mutual recognition and streamlining regulatory

requirements; reduction in processing times; and

streamlining planning approvals. Universities

will also benefit from a reduction in the burden of

reporting, as all jurisdictions agreed to consult

the cross jurisdictional Higher Education Data

Committee before requesting data that is often

already available. On 17 April 2015, COAG agreed

to improve the regulatory framework governing the

assessment and control of industrial chemicals,

and continue to reduce the regulatory burden for

small business.

Industry consultations on the red tape agenda

included a post-Repeal Day 2015 breakfast event

co-hosted with the Australian Chamber of Commerce

and Industry, and the Canberra Business Chamber.

Our work ensures that new policy proposals balance

the desired outcomes of regulation against the burden

imposed on potentially large numbers of businesses,

community organisations, families and individuals.

In conjunction with the 2015 Autumn Repeal Day,

the Government announced deregulatory savings of

$2.45 billion arising from decisions since September

2013, surpassing the Government commitment to

make red tape savings of at least $1 billion per year.

Photo 2�9 Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Prime Minister on Deregulation, the Honourable Christian Porter MP, addressing representatives from businesses, associations and portfolio deregulation units at a post-Autumn Repeal Day breakfast co-hosted by PM&C, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Canberra Business Chamber on 19 March 2015.


Outcome 2: Indigenous

Indigenous affairs is a significant national priority.

The Commonwealth Government is committed to

working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

people to deliver real and positive change in their

communities. The Indigenous Affairs Group provides

advice and support to the Prime Minister, the

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, the Parliamentary

Secretaries to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet,

in order to implement the Government’s policies,

programmes and legislation. We are leading

Australia’s efforts to deliver outcomes in the key

areas of:

• getting children to school

• getting adults into jobs

• making communities safer

• recognising First Australians in our national

Constitution.

In 2014–15 this outcome was delivered through

the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) that

consolidated Indigenous policies and programmes

into five overarching streams, in order to make it

easier for organisations to deliver local services.

The five programme streams were:

• Jobs, Land and Economy

• Children and Schooling

• Safety and Wellbeing

• Culture and Capability

• Remote Australia Strategies.

A national IAS grant round in 2014–15 funded 996

organisations to deliver over 1,350 projects at a value

of $1.0 billion. In the IAS grant round, 55 per cent of

funding was allocated to Indigenous organisations

that make up 45 per cent of all organisations

receiving funding.

In keeping with our commitment to red tape

reduction, successful organisations were required

to enter into only a single funding agreement with the

Department, irrespective of the number of projects

they are supported to deliver. Each agreement

also contained simplified reporting requirements

so organisations can remain focussed on service

delivery on the ground.

The IAS represents a shift in programme focus. This

new approach seeks to ensure that investment has a

real effect by monitoring outcomes and the impact

on Indigenous people.

To improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people, the Government is engaging with

states and territories to focus on practical actions.

The Department supported the Prime Minister

at COAG where Indigenous affairs was a standing

agenda item, and engaged in a variety of multi and

bilateral discussions with the states and territories

to pursue better outcomes.

The substantial investment in the Northern Territory

(NT) will be refocussed on getting children to school,

adults into work, and keeping Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander children and communities safe

and healthy. We are negotiating a new National

Partnership Agreement with the NT Government on

Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment

that will redirect funding from the National

Partnership Agreement on Stronger Futures in the

NT. We are also renegotiating the Remote Housing

National Partnership Agreement to provide greater

flexibility to respond to housing needs.

During 2014–15 we supported the Prime Minister

to lead the day-to-day running of Government from

north-east Arnhem Land, with senior Ministers and

government officials for almost a week. This provided

an opportunity for the Government to experience

first-hand the challenges facing Aboriginal and


Torres Strait Islander people living in remote

communities. This was at the invitation of highly

respected ceremonial leader of the Gumatj clan,

Mr Galarrwuy Yunipingu AM.

We continued to support the Prime Minister’s

Indigenous Advisory Council, which provides

advice to Government on practical changes to

achieve quality educational outcomes for Indigenous

children, address community safety issues and

ensure business and employment opportunities are

available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

people. Five meetings occurred in 2014–15, including

four with the Prime Minister.

We released the Closing the Gap: Prime Minister’s

Report 2015 and the statement in Parliament, both

delivered on 11 February 2015.

Our performance against the programmes that

made up this outcome were monitored and assessed

against the programme deliverables and KPIs

published in the PBS.

For 2014–15 we met all of our deliverables and the

majority of our KPIs. An assessment of how the

Department has performed against each deliverable

and an assessment of whether each KPI has been met

is provided below, structured under five programmes

that contributed to this outcome.

Programme 2�1: Indigenous Advancement: Jobs, Land and Economy

Through the Jobs, Land and Economy Programme

the Department worked to get Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander people into work, supported

Indigenous business, and assisted Indigenous people

to effectively manage their land.

The programme helped to connect working age

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with

real and ongoing jobs, fosters Indigenous businesses

and assists Indigenous people to generate economic

and social benefits from economic assets, including

Indigenous-owned land. This included helping

Indigenous people to leverage their land assets to

create economic and social benefits for themselves

and their communities and supported the recognition

of native title rights.

The Jobs, Land and Economy Programme

aimed to improve the vocational, workplace and

entrepreneurial skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people to improve employment outcomes

and support the development of Indigenous

businesses. The programme addressed gaps between

these services and targets additional investment

where it can maximise employment opportunities

for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The

programme provided support for native title through

the funding of Native Title Representative Bodies

and Service Providers and capacity building of

Prescribed Bodies Corporate, who hold native title.

Photo 2�10 Ms Djapirri Mununggirritj, an Indigenous Engagement Officer in PM&C’s Regional Network, played a unique role when the Prime Minister led the Commonwealth Government from her traditional country of Gulkula by sharing her knowledge of the country and surrounding communities to ensure a successful visit for Government personnel. Officers like Djapirri are local role models who build relationships between their communities and the Commonwealth Government.


Programme components included demand-driven

employment funding, and the Remote Jobs and

Community Programme (RJCP).


• reforms to remote employment services that will

start to transform the economic life of remote

communities. From 1 July 2015, remote job seekers

will be active and engaged in meaningful work-

like activities that contribute to communities

and build real-life work skills and experience

• the establishment of the Employment Parity

Initiative, where the largest companies in

Australia will be supported to increase the

number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

people in their workforce to levels that reflect the

size of the Indigenous population (approximately

three per cent). The new Indigenous Procurement

Policy released on 25 May 2015 will increase the

number of contracts awarded to Indigenous

businesses, and generate more jobs for

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in

remote communities.


KPI 1 Met

Increase in the Indigenous employment and participation rates Not on track

Data to assess this KPI for 2014–15 will be available in April 2016, from the Australian Bureau of Statistics

(ABS) National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey. The latest data available nationally

shows that the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15–64 years who were

employed fell from 53.8 per cent in 2008 to 47.5 per cent in 2012–13. The proportion of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander people aged 15–64 in the labour force was 60.1 per cent in 2012–13, down from

64.5 per cent in 2008. 1 However, over the longer term from 1994 to 2012–13, both employment and labour

force participation improved.2

The number of participants in RJCP remained steady over the year from 37,257 to 36,714 as at 30 June 2015.

60.9 per cent of these participants were engaged in RJCP activities, including 38.3 per cent in structured

participation activities, such as courses to improve employability, assisting at community events or

undertaking work experience.

KPI 2 Met

Number of employment places filled with assistance by the Indigenous Advancement –

Jobs, Land and Economy programme and proportion retained to 26 weeks

ü

In 2014–15, Jobs, Land and Economy Programme supported 19,087 employment placements. This included

307 Indigenous Cadetships. During this period, 8,439 26 week job outcomes were attained.

KPI 3 Met

Proportion of job seekers in employment, education or training three months following

participating in the Indigenous Advancement – Jobs, Land and Economy programme

ü

At 30 June 2015, the Jobs, Land and Economy Programme achieved a rate of 72.1 per cent of job seekers

still in employment/education/training three months following participation in a Jobs, Land and Economy

Programme demand-driven employment project.



KPI 4 Met

Number of Indigenous ranger jobs contracted ü

Through Working on Country we funded 759 full and part-time ranger positions and 86 full and

part-time Indigenous Protected Area positions with a further 1,367 casual Indigenous positions across

both programmes.

KPI 5 Met

Number of Native Title claims finalised ü

As of 30 June 2015, 24 determinations had been made in the 2014–15 financial year (13 determinations

where native title was found in the entire determination area, nine determinations where native title exists

in parts of the determination area, and two determinations that native title did not exist).

KPI 6 Met

Number of land claims being progressed or finalised under Commonwealth land rights

legislation and number of township leases being negotiated, agreed or in place

ü

There were 43 extant land claims being progressed towards finalisation under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. Two land claims were finalised in 2014–15. The Department is negotiating

six township leases including one lease that was agreed in principle. There were three township leases

over six communities in place. 1 Some care is required in assessing progress on employment outcomes. Participants in Community Development

Employment Projects (CDEP) have historically been classified in the ABS statistics as being employed. However policy

to gradually cease CDEP in non-remote areas between 2009 and 2013, and the subsequent introduction of the RJCP

in remote areas resulted in a large fall in the number of CDEP participants during this period. The decline in CDEP

participants from 2008 to 2012–13 accounted for 60 per cent of the decline in the Indigenous employment rate over this

period. The Indigenous employment rate in mainstream jobs (non-CDEP jobs) also fell over this period but this fall was

not statistically significant.

2 The data reported in these population level indicators was the latest data available. Note that due to the complexity

of national data collections there is a lag between the outcome being recorded (as part of a survey or administrative

collection) and publication of the data.

Deliverable 1: Increased Indigenous employment, business and economic development

The Jobs, Land and Economy programme increased

Indigenous employment, business and economic

development. Through this programme 16,484

Indigenous Australians were supported into jobs

in 2014–15.

The programme also provided support for native

title through funding of Native Title Representative

Bodies and Service Providers and capacity building

of Prescribed Bodies Corporate, who hold native

title.

Increased employment, business and economic

development were achieved through initiatives

such as:


• t he cont i nued i mplement at ion of t he

Government’s commitment to support around

5,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

to receive practical training for a guaranteed job

through Vocational and Employment Centres

(VTECs). This year saw eight additional VTECs

established, bringing the total to 29

• reforming the RJCP into the Community

Development Programme to deliver better

opportunities for remote job seekers and foster

stronger economic and social outcomes in remote

Australia through ensuring that:

~ job seekers were engaged in work-like

activities to learn new skills while being

active and contributing to their communities

~ job seekers were able to undertake activities

as hosted placements with local employers

to gain work experience and as a pathway to

real employment

• a commitment of $25 million per annum will

be available to help establish enterprises in

remote communities that can host work-like

activities, deliver real jobs and provide much

needed services to communities

• a new Commonwealth Indigenous Procurement

Policy, which requires at least three per cent of

all new domestic Commonwealth contracts to be

awarded to Indigenous enterprises by 2019–20.

Effective from 1 July 2015, the policy was

announced by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs

and the Minister for Finance on 17 March 2015

• the introduction of the Employment Parity

Initiative, which aims to achieve an additional

20,000 jobs for unemployed Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander people by 2020. Two

contracts were agreed with Accor Pacific and

Compass Group; both have a strong commitment

to employment parity and together committed

to 1,710 jobs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people over three years

Photo 2�11 The Commonwealth hosted a booth at the Supply Nation Indigenous Business Tradeshow in Sydney on 26 May 2015. Representatives from PM&C and other participating departments met with Indigenous and non-Indigenous business owners and representatives of government entities, to talk about opportunities for increasing Indigenous supplier use and employment under the new Indigenous Procurement Policy. Officials pictured are Mr Paul Kruspe (Australian Taxation Office) and Mr Andrew Stephen (Australian Department of Human Services).


• the Indigenous Wage Subsidy (IWS) that

provided employers with a wage subsidy over

26 weeks for eligible Indigenous job seekers in

ongoing full time work or ongoing part-time work

of over 15 hours per week. Through the IWS, we

provided $8.1 million of funding to assist 1,309

employers to support their Indigenous employees

• a commitment of $82 million to 68 declared

and 21 consultation Indigenous Protected

Area projects and 104 Working on Country

ranger groups across Australia, to develop

and implement environmental management

plans. These supported Indigenous land and

sea management, Indigenous employment and

sustainable enterprise development.

Programme 2�2: Indigenous Advancement: Children and Schooling

The Department worked to get children to school,

improve education outcomes and support families

to give children a good start in life.

This programme supported activities that nurture

and educate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

children, youth and adults to improve pathways to

prosperity and wellbeing. This included improving

family and parenting support; child care and early

learning; school education; youth engagement and

transition; and higher education. The programme

had a critical focus on increased school attendance

and improved educational outcomes that lead to

employment.

The Ch i ld ren and School i ng Program me

complemented a range of state, territory and

Commonwealth Government programmes, which

aim to improve the education outcomes and positive

development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

people. It provided opportunities to fill gaps between

existing services, enables innovation and leverages

further grant funding.


• work ing to l i f t school attendance and

attainment rates through revising the Schooling

Implementation Plan to the National Partnership

Agreement on Northern Territory Remote

Aboriginal Investment. This revised Plan will

complement the NT’s new 10-year Indigenous

Education Strategy, A Share in the Future

• securing agreement from COAG to work

bilaterally on the priority area of early childhood

and on the need for integration of services at the

local level, in line with Recommendation One of

the Forrest Review.


FIGURE 2�3 PROGRAMME 2�2 KPIS

KPI 1 Met

Indigenous school attendance rates in remote areas ü

The Remote School Attendance Strategy operated in 73 schools encompassing 69 communities across the

NT, NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. Publicly available data for the NT and

Queensland Government schools participating in the strategy show there was a 13 per cent (in NT) and

8 per cent (in Queensland) rise in the number of students attending school from term 3, 2013 to term 3, 2014. 1

KPI 2 Met

Year 12 or equivalent attainment—number and proportion of Indigenous young people (aged

20–24) with year 12 or equivalent Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate II level

(or above)

On track

Data to assess this KPI for 2014–15 will be available in April 2016, from the ABS National Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander Social Survey. Nationally, the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

people aged 20–24 who achieved Year 12 or equivalent increased from 45.4 per cent in 2008 to 58.5 per cent

(34,154 people) in 2012–13. 1

KPI 3 Met

Higher education—number and proportion of Indigenous 20–64 year olds with or working

towards post school qualification in Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate III

level or above

On track

Data to assess this KPI for 2014–15 will be available in April 2016, from the ABS National Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander Social Survey. In 2012–13, 133,687 or 43 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people aged 20–64 years reported they either had a non-school qualification at Certificate III

or above or were studying; a 17 percentage point increase from 2002.1

KPI 4 Met

Percentage of Indigenous students meeting National Minimum Standards in National

Assessment Programme – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)

û

Between 2008 and 2014, the proportion of Indigenous students at or above the National Minimum

Standards in reading and numeracy has shown no statistically significant improvement nationally in any

of the eight measures (Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in reading and numeracy).1

The reasons for these results are complex, arising from a mix of historical, social and economic causes.

COAG has committed to halving the gap for Indigenous children in reading, writing and numeracy within

a decade (by 2018).

1 The data reported in these population level indicators was the latest data available as at 30 June 2015. Note that due

to the complexity of national data collections there is a lag between the outcome being recorded (as part of a survey or

administrative collection) and publication of the data.

Proportion of Indigenous students at or above National Minimum Standards, 2014 NAPLAN

Reading Numeracy

Year 3 74.7% 78.2%

Year 5 70.3% 71.1%

Year 7 77.1% 79.5%

Year 9 71.2% 76.2%


Deliverable 1: Increased Indigenous school attendance and improved educational outcomes

Analysis of My School semester 1 2013 compared

with semester 1 2014 attendance rates for Remote

School Attendance Strategy (RSAS) stage 1 schools

compared with non-RSAS schools suggests that

RSAS is having a meaningful and statistically

significant impact in the NT and Queensland. The

proportion of Indigenous adults with a post-school

qualification of Certificate III or above has increased

over the past decade. However, the proportion of

Indigenous students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 at or above

National Minimum Standards has not improved

between 2008 and 2014.

Action we have taken to improve our capacity to

achieve this target included:

• continuing to roll out the RSAS and supporting

over 500 local RSAS employees with accredited

training. The RSAS is operating in 73 schools

encompassing 69 communities across the NT,

NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Western

Australia

• supporting 170 Year 12 scholars in 2014 under the

Indigenous Youth Leadership Project, achieving

a completion rate of 95 per cent. Working

with states and territories on strategies for

improving educational and attendance outcomes

for Indigenous students, including improved

availability of data

• providing a range of scholarships to enable

Indigenous children to access high quality

education, including more than 1,350 secondary

students. An overal l completion rate of

96 per cent was achieved

• encouraging Indigenous students to stay engaged

with school though mentoring, providing role

models, and by using sport and recreation. For

example, there were over 80 Sporting Chance

Academies operating in schools across NT,

Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, South

Australia and NSW. In 2014, 18,382 students

participated in Sporting Chance Academy

and education engagement activities. The

Government also supported the Australian

Indigenous Mentoring Experience to provide

mentoring to 595 secondary students on the

South Coast of NSW and the Gold Coast region

of Queensland

• increasing child and family engagement and

participation in education through the delivery

of child care and early learning programmes.

These included Indigenous playgroups, crèches

and parenting support services in the form of

early intervention and prevention programmes

as well as additional support for improving

educational outcomes for Indigenous children

attending preschool

• supporting universities to increase their

Indigenous enrolment and Indigenous completion

rates. In 2014 there were 15,043 Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander students enrolled at

university, which represents 1.48 per cent of

all domestic students, up from 1.41 per cent in

2013. In 2014, 2,023 Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander students completed university award

level courses.


Programme 2�3: Indigenous Advancement: Safety and Wellbeing

The objective of this programme was to ensure that

the ordinary law of the land applies in Indigenous

communities and ensure Indigenous people enjoy

similar levels of physical, emotional and social

wellbeing as those of other Australians.

Through this programme we supported activities

that will achieve outcomes such as, but not limited

to, the following:

• a reduction in harm from drug, alcohol and

substance misuse

• a reduction of of fending, v iolence and

victimisation in communities

• improved health, social and emotional wellbeing.

The Commonwealth Government will work together

with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

so individuals and communities can build their

future in their own way. Having a safe community

to live in is critical to closing the gap in Indigenous

disadvantage. It makes other important things

possible, like getting children to school, helping them

achieve good results, and getting adults into jobs.

Photo 2�12 The Derby Remote School Attendance Strategy team’s students participating in the 2015 Boab Festival Float parade.



• supporting remote policing with the construction

of two new police stations in the NT at the

communities of Yuendumu and Arlparra. In

addition, an agreement was reached in 2014–15

with the NT Government to build a new police

station at Wadeye

• reducing petrol sniff ing by providing low

aromatic unleaded fuel to more communities

across northern Australia. A bulk storage

facility for low aromatic unleaded fuel became

operational at Vopak Terminals in Darwin on

25 November 2014

• preparing and releasing the 2014 edition of the

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Performance Framework report, which included

assessment of determinants of health such as

education, employment and community safety

• providing access to healthy food, with 100 stores

licensed under the community stores licensing

regime. Licensing ensured stores maintained

standards that supported better nutrition and

health of people in remote communities in

the NT.


KPI 1 Met

Number of initiatives implemented in Indigenous communities to reduce violence. ü

At least 113 activities were delivered in 2014–15 in Indigenous communities, including victim support,

legal assistance, policing, crime prevention and rehabilitation.

KPI 2 Met

Number of organisations providing Indigenous specific alcohol and other drug treatment services

and activities

ü

In 2014–15, 92 organisations across Australia were funded to provide 98 alcohol and other drugs activities,

delivering both treatment and prevention services. The Department also collaborated with the NT

Government to support remote Aboriginal communities to implement local strategies that will make a

practical difference in tackling alcohol abuse.

KPI 3 Met

Number of sites providing low aromatic fuel ü

In 2014–15 there were 151 retail sites receiving low aromatic unleaded fuel throughout regional and remote

Australia. This represented an increase of 14 sites from the previous financial year.


Deliverable 1: Reduced levels of offending, violence and substance abuse

While we have had some good results in 2014–15,

national levels of offending, violence and substance

misuse continued to be disproportionately high

for Indigenous people. Through the Safety and

Wellbeing Programme we invested in activities that

aimed to address violence, including decreasing

reoffending, addressing alcohol and substance

misuse, supporting victims and reducing child abuse

and neglect.

This included:

• al locating a total of $68m to provide 92

Indigenous drug and alcohol treatment services

such as residential rehabilitation, counselling,

referral, transitional aftercare and sobering up

shelters across the country

• coordinating the provision of low aromatic fuel

to 151 sites across Australia

• funding 160 Social and Emotional Wellbeing

Counsellor positions primarily located in over

90 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health

Organisations and for eight Link Up services

across Australia to provide counselling, family

tracing and reunion services to members of the

Stolen Generations

• activities to address domestic violence, including

14 family violence prevention legal services and

services in 90 communities to raise awareness

and reduce acceptance of family violence

• activities designed to reduce offending and re-

offending and change violent attitudes, including

nine prisoners through care services and 18 youth

prevention and diversion activities

• community night patrols in 81 communities to

respond to violence and other community safety

concerns

• jointly funding with the NT Government

the continuation of up to eight Community

Engagement Police Off icers to help build

better relationships between police and remote

communities

• funding 149 sport and active recreation projects.

This funding included the employment of more

than 180 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

people and provided access to sport and active

recreation activities to over 120,000 Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander people to assist in

improving health outcomes

• providing access to healthy food, with 100 stores

licensed under the community stores licensing

regime.

Total investment in Safety and Wellbeing initiatives

in 2014–15 was approximately $248 million.

Programme 2�4: Indigenous Advancement: Culture and Capability

The objective of this programme is to support

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to

maintain their culture and participate equally in

the economic and social life of the nation and to

ensure that Indigenous organisations are capable

of delivering quality services to their clients.

This programme supported acknowledgement of the

unique place Indigenous peoples have in Australian

society and gives them a strong and representative

voice. Grant funding provided for strategies known

to positively impact Indigenous participation and

acceptance, such as positive and respectful forms of

engagement, supporting Indigenous capacity at the

individual, family, community and organisational

levels, and enhancing governance and leadership

skills to maximise the chances of achieving real

and sustainable change for the better.


The Empowered Communities design process was

completed, with Indigenous leaders submitting

their report to Government in March 2015. The

Commonwealth Government is considering this

report, available on the Department’s website.

The Department also continued to support the

Cape York Welfare Reform initiative, which aims

to restore local Indigenous authority, rebuild social

norms, encourage positive behaviours and increase

economic participation.


• the delivery of the Final Report of the Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Act of

Recognition Review Panel on 9 September 2014

• the enactment of an extension to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013

• the tabling of the Final Report of the Joint Select

Committee on Constitutional Recognition of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

• assisting over 570 organisations to conduct

National Abor ig inal and Islander Day

Observance Committee (NAIDOC) events to

celebrate the history, culture and achievements

of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The 2014 theme, Serving Country: Centenary & Beyond, recognised Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander men and women who served in

Australia’s military conflicts and engagements

• funding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Healing Foundation for 60 healing projects

across Australia, supporting the participation

of 4,848 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

children, women and men in healing activities.

Photo 2�13 Award winning Breakfast Show presenter Sai Matainavora on air at Doomadgee Radio, actively promoting local school attendance. The Department helped fund the operations of Doomadgee Radio, and congratulates Sai on increasing school attendance. Doomadgee Radio is part of the Black Star Radio Network operating throughout Cape York and the Gulf regions.



KPI 1 Met

Release of a draft proposal for a constitutional amendment to recognise Indigenous peoples and

completion of a review under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013ü

The Review under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013 was finalised in

2014. The Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Peoples built multi-party consensus on particular referendum proposals. On 25 June 2015, the Final Report

of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Peoples was tabled, providing a range of recommendations and options for recognising Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution.

KPI 2 Met

Number of cultural projects and activities supported ü

The Department supported around 734 cultural activities comprising: 570 NAIDOC events, 58 Indigenous

community broadcasting services and 106 heritage, healing, festivals and other cultural activities.

KPI 3 Met

Increased proportion of Indigenous organisations receiving significant funding from the

Commonwealth Government under this outcome, which are registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006

ü

There were 996 organisations funded under the IAS. Of these, 214 organisations (22 per cent) were

incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006. This represented a

net increase from 174 Indigenous organisations incorporated under the legislation that received funding

prior to the IAS.

Deliverable 1: Progress towards a referendum on constitutional recognition

The Constitutional Recognition Taskforce continued

to support progress towards a referendum on

constitutional recognition.

In September 2014, a Review Panel (established

under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People Recognition Act 2013 in March 2014 to assess the

nation’s readiness) delivered its Final Report to the

Government, identifying a number of preconditions

for a successful referendum. Recognising the need

to build multi-partisan consensus, the Joint Select

Committee on Constitutional Recognition of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples was

reestablished in December 2013. The Committee

inquired into steps that can be taken to progress

towards a successful referendum and undertook

public consultations. The Committee’s Final

Report, tabled on 25 June 2015, made a number of

recommendations and put forward a range of options

for constitutional change. The Commonwealth

Government will carefully consider the Final Report.

We supported the Minister for Indigenous Affairs

to introduce an amendment to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013. The amendment was overwhelmingly passed by

Parliament in March 2015, ensuring that legislative

recognition continues until a referendum can be

held, and reaffirming Parliament’s commitment to

constitutional recognition.


We continued to work closely with Reconciliation

Australia, which delivers the ‘Recognise’ campaign.

On 11 December 2014, the Prime Minister announced

an additional $5 million of funding to Recognise

to build grassroots and nationwide understanding

of why recognition is important and what it would

achieve. This included progress of the ‘Journey to

Recognition’ across Australia to build nationwide

understanding of why recognition is important and

what it will achieve.

Deliverable 2: Participation in society

The Culture and Capability Programme aims to

improve participation in society and acceptance of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through

funding for reconciliation, leadership, interpreters,

Indigenous broadcasting services, community

events such as NAIDOC, healing, heritage and other

cultural activities. Strong culture, and activities

that promote respect for culture, help to provide

a positive future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander communities.

The Department funded the Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander Healing Foundation to provide grants

for 60 healing projects across Australia, which in turn

supported the participation of 4,848 Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander children, women and men in

294 healing activities.

We celebrated the history, culture and achievements

of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and

women by assisting over 570 organisations to conduct

NAIDOC events . The 2014 theme, Serving Country: Centenary & Beyond, recognised Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander men and women who served

in Australia’s military conflicts and engagements.

For example, in NSW, the Wagga Wagga City Council,

in conjunction with Mawang Gaway, Kapooka and

Royal Australian Air Force Wagga, commemorated

NAIDOC with a street march, wreath laying and flag

raising at the Victory Memorial Gardens. In the NT,

the community of Yirrkala celebrated the service

of Yolngu warriors in the Special Reconnaissance

Unit that, led by Squadron Leader Donald Thomson,

patrolled Australia’s remote northern coastline during

World War 2.

Photo 2�14 The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator the Honourable Nigel Scullion recognising the success of the remote school attendance strategy at Gunbalanya School in West Arnhem Land by presenting excellence awards for attendance to their students.


We supported employment and training projects,

cultural activities and Indigenous corporations to

expand through $15.5 million in Aboriginals Benefit

Account (ABA) grants.

Deliverable 3: Organisational capability

The Department implemented the Government’s

Strengthening Organisational Governance

policy to strengthen the governance capability of

organisations. Under the policy, all organisations

receiving grants of $500,000 (GST exclusive) or more

in a single financial year from funding administered

by the Department are required to incorporate under

Commonwealth legislation.

Programme 2�5: Indigenous Advancement: Remote Australia Strategies

The objective of this programme is to make strategic

investments in local, flexible solutions based on

community and Government priorities and support

for remote housing strategies.

This programme supported the provision of

infrastructure, housing, telecommunications and

home ownership in remote Indigenous communities,

as well as the development of local and regional

place-based approaches.

This programme funded activity leading to one or

more of the following outcomes:

• increased home ownership, particularly on

Indigenous owned land

• improved Indigenous telecommunications

activities to remote areas

• discrete support for remote infrastructure,

including renewable energy systems

• flexible, place-based agreements with Indigenous

communities and regions to improve Indigenous

school attendance and attainment, employment,

community safety and other enabling services.


• the quality of housing for Indigenous people

in remote communities was improved through

providing 259 new houses, 419 refurbishments,

and 74 upgrades of houses under the National

Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous

Housing (NPARIH)

• the Western Austral ia, South Austral ia,

Q ue en s l a nd , Vic t or i a a nd Ta sm a n i a

Governments accepted responsibility for the

delivery of municipal and essential services in

Indigenous communities. As a result states will

be responsible for providing these services, just

as they are in any other town or city in their state.

The only exception is the Anangu Pitjantjatjara

Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in South Australia,

where the Commonwealth will continue to

provide this funding until agreement can be

reached with the South Australian Government

Photo 2�15 Professor Marcia Langton AM, Mr Andrew Forrest and the Honourable Alan Tudge MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, supporting improvements in training and employment parity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.


• remote accessibility was improved through

completing the repairs and maintenance of 240

renewable energy systems, 546 telephones and

providing internet training and access to 102

remote Indigenous communities across Australia

• vital infrastructure was provided though working

with the community of Canteen Creek and

the Australian Army to deliver a community

centre, classroom, workshop, service provider

accommodation and road upgrade as part of

the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance

Programme (AACAP).


KPI 1 Met

Number of standardised tenancy agreements in place in relation to houses located on

Indigenous land

ü

Since NPARIH commenced, 9277 standardised tenancy agreements have been put in place in relation to

houses located on Indigenous land.

KPI 2 Met

Number of community based Indigenous Advancement Strategies developed ü

The Department continued to actively engage with communities and stakeholders to guide the practical

action taken in communities to address the Government’s priority areas of education, employment and

community safety.

KPI 3 Met

Number of new home owners on Indigenous land û

The Department’s focus was on addressing the impediments to Indigenous home ownership on Indigenous

land. The Department worked with Indigenous Business Australia and relevant jurisdictions to implement

policies to help reduce the barriers to home ownership on Indigenous land. Work aimed to reform the

delivery of Indigenous home loans in remote areas, develop and implement policies to allow the sale of

social housing policies and provide advice to potential home owners to assist individuals to make informed

decisions. Despite these efforts, there was only one additional Indigenous home ownership outcome

achieved on Indigenous land in 2014–15.

Deliverable 1: Investment in local, flexible solutions based on community priorities

Through the IAS, solutions were developed across

all programme areas, to address community needs

across Australia.

Some of the measures taken to address Indigenous

community investment priorities included the

negotiation of agreements with state governments

for the delivery of municipal and essential services,

maintenance of renewable energy systems and

phones. Through the AACAP we built a community

centre, classroom, workshop at Wutunugurra and a

road upgrade at Canteen Creek, NT.


An example was in Haasts Bluff where the only store

in the community used to operate out of an old, run

down tin shed. This created a number of food hygiene

and occupational health and safety issues. Through

funding from the ABA Stores Infrastructure Project,

the Department delivered a new purpose-built store

to improve food security and strengthen the financial

viability of the community-owned store business.

The store design improved operational efficiency and

was nominated for a Northern Territory Architecture

Award. This recognised not only the architect,

but also the consultation that occurred with the

community and traditional owners in order to ensure

the design meets the community’s needs.

The new store also created local employment. In

total, 10 local people – about 20 per cent of the

workforce – were employed through this project

(as well as another store in Papunya). The Haasts

Bluff store is one of 18 stores built or upgraded in

Indigenous communities across the NT as part of

the ABA Stores Infrastructure Project.

Deliverable 2: Investment in remote housing

To improve housing for remote Indigenous residents,

we funded the states and the NT, which delivered

259 new houses and 419 refurbishments and

rebuilds in remote Indigenous communities under

the NPARIH. The National Partnership delivered

approximately two-thirds of the 10-year target of

4,200 new houses by 30 June 2018, and has exceeded

the target of 4,876 refurbishments. The NPARIH

also delivered employment related accommodation

facilities of over 197 bedrooms in 43 houses/units and

one hostel. In addition, 74 upgrades were completed

under the National Partnership Agreement on

Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory, along

with the delivery of ongoing asbestos removal works.

Photos 2�16 A store in Haasts Bluff, a remote Indigenous community in Central Australia, built under the ABA Stores Infrastructure Project.

department of the prime minister and cabinet annual report ... · whole of government perspective...

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