Justice MinistersDear Ministers

Annual Report 2011-12

In accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994, I have pleasure in submitting the Department of Justice Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2012, for you to present to the Houses of Parliament.

Yours sincerelyDr Claire Noone Acting Secretary

The Hon Robert Clark MPAttorney-General

The Hon Peter Ryan MPMinister for Police and Emergency ServicesMinister for Bushfire Response

The Hon Andrew McIntosh MPMinister for CorrectionsMinister for Crime PreventionMinister responsible for the establishment of an anti-corruption commission

The Hon Dr Denis Napthine MPMinister for Racing

The Hon Michael O’Brien MPMinister for GamingMinister for Consumer Affairs

Secretary’s forewordOnce again, the Department of Justice (DOJ) had a productive year of delivering on our commitments with an overarching vision for a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.

This year’s annual report focuses on the diversity of the work that our staff do, and the department’s leading role in the successful operation of the state’s justice system.

Community safety has been a key area of achievement this year. The deployment of the first Protective Services Officers on the rail network, establishment of Regional Crime Prevention Reference Groups, appointment of the Road Safety Camera Commissioner and the introduction of stronger weapons laws are just some examples of how the department has led efforts to protect the public and strengthen partnerships across government and with the community.

The implementation of the new Community Correction Order (CCO) in January 2012 was an important milestone. In the first six months of operation there were 4,189 CCOs registered in Victoria. It is the most significant reform to community-based sentencing in 20 years. This is an element of an ambitious sentencing reform agenda which also includes work on statutory minimum and baseline sentences.

The creation of the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, the resolution of more than 2,000 disputes through appropriate dispute resolution (resulting in significant savings in court time), and the opening of three new Justice Service Centres are just some examples of how the department continues to focus on the delivery of efficient, effective services to Victorians.

In addition, the department continues to administer around 200 Acts of Parliament. For the 2011-12 financial year, 38 DOJ portfolio Bills were passed out of a total of 92 Bills across government. This represents 41.3 per cent of all government Bills passed.

In looking back on the year, I want to acknowledge the contribution of Penny Armytage, whose last day as Secretary was 20 July 2012. Penny was Secretary for nine and a half years. The achievements highlighted throughout this report – and many more before it – are a testament to Penny’s considerable abilities as a public servant, and her years of hard work on behalf of the people of Victoria.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank staff and volunteers across the portfolio for their continued professionalism and dedication to Victoria’s justice system, and the people it serves.

Dr Claire Noone Acting Secretary

About usWho we are

The Department of Justice (DOJ) leads the delivery of justice services in Victoria.

The department’s overarching vision is for a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.

What we do

The department provides justice-related services to the community and leads the smooth operation of the justice system in Victoria. This is done through the oversight of nine portfolios:

• Attorney-General

• Police and Emergency Services

• Bushfire Response

• Corrections

• Crime Prevention

• Establishment of an anti-corruption commission

• Gaming

• Consumer Affairs

• Racing.

The department enjoys productive partnerships with more than 60 statutory entities as well as the support of more than 90,000 volunteers.

The department’s extensive service delivery responsibilities range from managing the Victorian prison system to giving consumer information and enforcing court warrants. DOJ also manages the development of a range of laws, develops and implements policy and regulation in areas across the portfolio (such as in gaming, racing, and bushfire response) and aims to ensure that all elements of the justice system – such as police, the courts, and corrections – are working efficiently and effectively.

Our focus

• safer communities

• a responsive, efficient justice system

• well-equipped, engaged emergency services

• responsible, balanced regulation

• excellence in service delivery.

Organisational chart as at 30 June 2012

Year in review – highlightsSentencing reform

• Commencement of new Community Correction Order

• Abolition of home detention

• Progress on reforms to introduce gross violence offences and baseline sentences

Community safety

• Deployment of Protective Services Officers across the rail network

• Improved management of high-risk sex offenders

• Initiation of reform of Police Regulation Act• Stronger weapons laws

Emergency management

• Continued oversight of implementation of Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations

• Major reform of state’s emergency management arrangements

Efficient, effective services

• Establishment of new Road Safety Camera Commissioner

• Establishment of integrated Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation

• Completion of the Gambling Licences Review

• Consumer Affairs Victoria increased its focus on small business and web-based communication campaigns.

Year in review – key activitiesCommunity safety

Hours of unpaid work done by offenders 713,157

Working With Children Check cards issued 181,014

Emergency Alert messages sent 33,000

Services for Victorians

Clients assisted at Justice Service Centres 24,500 per month

Gambler’s Help Line calls received 13,364

Calls to Victims of Crime Helpline 10,088

Number of victims assisted by the Victims Assistance and Counselling Program 4,893

Kilometres travelled by Mobile Justice Service Centres (Justice buses) 28,000

Births, Deaths and Marriages: number of certificates issued 423,832

Policy and regulatory activities

Number of Acts administered – Justice portfolio 200

Number of government Bills passed by Parliament 38 DOJ (out of 92 Bills)

Unsafe products seized 11,164

Visits to departmental website 1,196,836

Number of calls taken on Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) small business hotline 3,634

CAV inspections and investigations 6,431

CAV compliance assistance visits 2,926

Total calls answered by CAV 498,563

1 Keeping the public safe and fighting crimeAchievements:• new Community Correction Order• strengthening regulation for sex offenders• the first Protective Services Officers appear on Melbourne’s train stations• Road Safety Camera Commissioner Gordon Lewis begins work• Regional Crime Prevention Reference Groups are established to improve community

safety• stronger weapons laws are introduced• facilitating the establishment of Victoria’s first Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption

Commission.

Did You Know?

Corrections Victoria delivers the Graffiti Removal Program. Teams of supervised offenders clean up graffiti on state, local government and community assets using purpose-built trailers.

For the 2011-12 financial year, supervision orders were made under the Serious Sex Offender (Detention and Supervision) Act 2009 in relation to 53 offenders – 25 of those offenders were new to the scheme, and 28 were offenders already subject to supervision whose orders were reviewed or renewed.

The department has overseen a significant commitment to law and order and community safety – especially at the grassroots level.

This includes sentencing reform, stronger weapons laws, targeting family violence and grants to community safety projects. New Regional Crime Prevention Reference Groups have been established and a Road Safety Camera Commissioner appointed to enhance safety on Victoria’s roads.

The first Protective Services Officers (PSOs) also stepped onto platforms at Melbourne train stations in February, a powerful symbol of the commitment to public safety and fighting crime.

Sentencing reforms

Significant progress has been made on the implementation of sentencing reforms in Victoria.

A highlight is the introduction of the new Community Correction Order (CCO) – the Sentencing Amendment (Community Correction Reform) Act 2011 – the most significant reform to community-based sentencing in 20 years.

The new order – available to all courts since 16 January 2012 – replaces the previous range of community-based sentences. It provides courts with greater powers and broad discretion to impose conditions that reflect the particular circumstances of the case and the offender.

The first CCO was imposed on the morning of 16 January 2012 at the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court, and as at 30 June 2012, there have been 4,189 CCOs registered in Victoria.

The conditions most often recommended and imposed on the CCO have been supervision, followed by unpaid community work. Treatment conditions have also been widely used, with

an emphasis on alcohol, drug and mental health treatment as well as programs to reduce reoffending. In terms of more restrictive conditions, the most common have been alcohol exclusion, non-association and place exclusion conditions.

Corrections Victoria is managing offenders on CCOs, using a strengthened service delivery and case management model to support the reforms. The department was provided with $72.46 million over four years, with $23.17 million per annum ongoing, to enhance its service capacity.

Sentencing reform has required close cooperation between the department, the judiciary, court registries and Victoria Police. Community views have also been taken into account, most notably through the MyViews Sentencing Survey, the results of which were issued in December 2011. The department received 18,562 responses to this consultation. The results will help shape decisions on future sentencing reforms.

Making the rail network safer

In a bid to combat antisocial behaviour on the transport system, especially at night, 2012 saw the first PSOs deployed across the rail network. As of 30 June 2012, a pool of 95 PSOs is available for deployment. The first 18 began work at CBD train stations in February as part of a broader commitment to recruit 940 officers.

The department has played a key coordination role in making this happen. The department chaired the inter-departmental committee (which includes Victoria Police and the Department of Transport) to align the deployment of PSOs with infrastructure upgrades at train stations.

The PSOs’ powers are laid out in the Justice Legislation Amendment (Protective Services Officers) Act 2011, which passed into law in September 2011. This legislation, which the department developed, ensures PSOs have adequate powers to detect, prevent and prosecute crimes of violence and antisocial behaviour on the rail network.

As part of their work PSOs may exercise powers including:

• arrest a person who commits an assault or robbery or other serious offence

• search a person reasonably believed to possess a prohibited weapon

• search for and seize graffiti implements

• seize liquor from underage persons

• assist a person experiencing a mental health episode

• arrest a person who is drunk or disorderly

• prevent a person under the influence of drugs or alcohol from driving a vehicle from a rail carpark.

Development of new sentences for violence offencesDuring 2011-12 the department has worked to develop statutory minimum sentences for the offences of intentionally or recklessly causing serious injury when committed with gross violence. A statutory minimum sentence of four years imprisonment will apply to adult offenders. Juvenile offenders aged 15 and 17 will receive a sentence of two years in youth detention.

The government accepted the Sentencing Advisory Council’s recommendation that two new indictable offences should be introduced with a higher injury threshold. The department is now focusing on developing legislation to introduce statutory minimum sentences for gross

violence offences, and to abolish all suspended sentences in the higher courts.

The government has also responded to a Sentencing Advisory Council report on the introduction of baseline sentences for serious and significant offences as defined in the Sentencing Act 1991. Baseline sentences will operate as a starting point for sentencing judges in determining the minimum non-parole period. Judges may then apply aggravating or mitigating factors to adjust sentences. Courts will retain the flexibility to tailor sentences to individual cases.

The government agreed with the Sentencing Advisory Council’s recommendations that: the reform should not apply to juvenile offenders; additional offences should be included in the scheme; offences do not need to be redefined; and there should be one baseline level for each offence.

The department is also looking to increase sentences for offenders who assault workers including police, ambulance officers, fire-fighters, Protective Services Officers, Victorian State Emergency Service workers or lifesavers, as well as nurses, doctors or other staff in hospital emergency departments.

Community Crime Prevention

One of the key means of improving community confidence is to tackle crime at the coalface – to help people feel confident and safer in their communities.

Under this approach, the department’s new Community Crime Prevention Unit supports the government’s crime prevention agenda including the Community Crime Prevention Program.

It also works in partnership with communities – and across government – to foster a safer Victoria.

The department, in conjunction with local partners, has helped to establish 12 Regional Crime Prevention Reference Groups across Victoria, and overseen the allocation of more than $5.7 million in community crime prevention grants.

These grants have provided:

• $2.4 million in funds to 24 projects in 22 local councils under the Public Safety Infrastructure Fund. Councils can receive grants of up to $250,000 to help develop public safety and security infrastructure such as lighting or CCTV cameras.

• $1 million in funds to 155 local projects under the Community Safety Fund, which provides grants of up to $10,000 to councils, community, sporting and business groups to undertake practical community safety projects

• $300,000 in funds for 18 graffiti prevention and removal projects across 17 local government areas

• graffiti removal trailers, education programs in schools and murals at graffiti hotspots.

Funding of $7.2 million has been made available in single grants of up to $600,000 to projects as part of the Reducing Violence Against Women and Children grants, which fund violence prevention and early intervention partnerships across community service organisations and local government areas. As part of the $7.2 million, there is dedicated funding of $2.4 million to projects developed by Koori communities under the Reducing Violence Against Women and Children grants.

The 12 Regional Crime Prevention Reference Groups, which are convened by the department’s regional directors, are a partnership forum between government departments, local government, police and community agencies.

The groups advise government on local priorities and solutions, and have a key role in determining the recipients of the Reducing Violence Against Women and Children grants.

Family violence

Family violence – and raising public awareness of the problem – has been a focus of the department in recent years.These efforts have contributed to an increase in reports of family violence. As a result the volume of family violence intervention order applications finalised in Victoria has increased 41.2 per cent since 2007-08 and grew 11.2 per cent over the last 12 months.

The number of personal safety intervention order applications has grown 40 per cent over the same period, increasing nine per cent over the last 12 months. Collectively, the volume of intervention order applications finalised in Victoria has increased 40.9 per cent over the last five years.

All Magistrates’ Courts in Victoria hear family violence matters. Two Family Violence Court divisions (Heidelberg and Ballarat) provide a more intensive service to victims of family violence – including support workers, magistrates with specialist experience in family violence matters and safe waiting areas. There are also three specialist family violence services operating at Sunshine, Melbourne and Frankston Magistrates’ Courts.

The department has been working with the courts and Victoria Police to plan for better management of this caseload.

Sexual assault reform strategy

This year the department has moved to further improve the criminal justice system’s response to sexual assault. Work has begun on planning the next steps in the sexual assault reform strategy, which the department implemented in 2006, and which was independently evaluated from 2008-2010.

The evaluation report – released in April 2011 – concluded that significant progress has been made. The government has now given direction to reconvene the committee that oversaw the reform strategy, in order to plan the next steps.

A number of initiatives operate as part of this strategy, including:

• the establishment of Victoria Police Sexual Offence and Child Abuse investigation teams and multidisciplinary centres (MDCs) in Frankston and Mildura (and funding for the establishment of a MDC at Geelong). Twenty million dollars of funding over 2012-13 to 2015-16 has been allocated for these centres.

• the Child Witness Service

• specialist sexual offences lists in the Magistrates’ Court and the County Court

• specialist Sexual Offences Units within the Office of Public Prosecutions, based at Melbourne and Geelong

• treatment programs for young people displaying sexually inappropriate behaviour

• expanded treatment and post-release programs for serious sex offenders

• a forensic nursing network

• enhanced counselling for victims of sexual assault and expanded crisis care responses

• additional training for judges and the legal profession on issues surrounding sexual assault

• expanding the availability of forensic medical examinations to adult victims of sexual assault who do not initially choose to report to Victoria Police.

Managing sex offenders

Strengthening sex offender management is a key priority for the department.

In 2011 the Victorian Ombudsman released his report into the management of registered sex offenders, which examined Victoria Police’s management of the Sex Offender Registry and the notification to the Department of Human Services (DHS) concerning registered offenders’ contact with children.

In response to the report, Corrections Victoria has worked in close collaboration with Victoria Police and DHS to refine and expand the information exchange relating to registered sex offenders. The new information exchange arrangements will:

• ensure that robust advice is available to agencies to guide the management of registered sex offenders

• allow for better resourcing

• assist in identifiying registered sex offenders considered to pose an immediate risk of harm to others.

The working relationship between Corrections Victoria, Victoria Police and DHS continues to strengthen. Each party continues to participate in the Nexus Pilot Program – a Victoria Police initiative that is trialling a more collaborative approach to the management of sex offenders.

A range of legislative amendments have also been made to the Serious Sex Offenders (Detention and Supervision) Act 2009. These will improve information sharing between agencies. The government has also committed to reforming the current suppression provisions in the Act, ensuring courts take into account the safety of children, families and the community when considering applications for the suppression of an offender’s identity and whereabouts.

Corrections Victoria operates Corella Place, a 40 bed transitional facility for sex offenders on post-sentence orders. All offenders at Corella Place – along with a number of sex offenders on post-sentence orders in the community – are subject to electronic monitoring and compliance measures.

All sex offenders on post-sentence orders, as well as high-risk sex offenders on parole, are managed by Corrections Victoria’s specialist case managers. Offence-specific treatment is also provided to sex offenders.

Safer roadsThe Victorian Auditor General’s report on Road Safety Cameras concluded:

“Road safety cameras improve road safety and reduce road trauma, and their ongoing use as an enforcement tool remains appropriate. The supporting technology used and the way the camera system operates provide a high degree of confidence that infringements are issued only where there is clear evidence of speeding or red-light running.”

Gordon Lewis has become a vital link in the ongoing campaign to improve safety on Victoria’s roads.

As the first Road Safety Camera Commissioner, the former County Court judge is charged with increasing public confidence in the road safety camera system by providing independent

assurance that cameras are accurate and effective.

The Office of the Road Safety Camera Commissioner began operations in February 2012. The Commissioner has three main functions:

• a quality assurance and reporting role to ensure the system is accurate and fair

• an investigative and review function. The Commissioner has the power to investigate matters relating to the integrity, accuracy or efficiency of the automated road safety camera system. He can publish any findings in his report to Parliament.

• a complaints handling function. The Commissioner does not investigate individual complaints but may investigate when complaints point to a systemic issue.

The role came about after a Victorian Auditor-General’s report confirmed the state’s road safety camera network improved road safety and reduced road trauma. The report also found that locations were chosen based on road safety outcomes and that the processes and controls over the camera system provide a high level of confidence that infringements from road safety cameras were issued based on sound evidence.

In response to the audit report, the department has:

• focused on evaluating the camera system, as recommended by the auditor

• begun working with VicRoads, Victoria Police and the Transport Accident Commission to focus on speed enforcement for motorcyclists

• begun work on a new communication strategy to address misconceptions about the program

• worked to get stronger assurance that mobile camera operators comply with critical procedures

• reviewed the impact of publishing a list of weekly rostered sites for mobile cameras on road safety.

The Cameras Save Lives website continues to provide detailed information about the road safety camera program, including the location of all sites for fixed cameras in Victoria, as well as data relating to the number and dollar value of infringements.

The department also developed the Road Safety Amendment (Drinking While Driving) Act 2011, making it an offence to consume alcohol while driving a motor vehicle, and to consume alcohol while accompanying a learner driver. These changes, which came into effect in December 2011, closed a loophole in Victorian law that allowed people to drink while they were driving. The amendment reinforces the road safety message to drivers that they should not drink and drive.

Improving child safety

The Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry (tabled in Parliament in February 2012) was chaired by the Hon. Philip Cummins and looked at the whole of the Victorian service system for vulnerable children, including specialist child protection services and universal services such as health and education.

The processes and operation of the courts also came under the microscope.

The department was an active member of the interdepartmental committee established to advise the government on its response to the Cummins inquiry.

The government’s directions paper Victoria’s Vulnerable Children – Our Shared Response was issued with the 2012-13 State Budget. It outlined ways to make the legal system more child friendly.

Improvements to the system include the expansion of New Model Conferences (NMCs) across the state to divert matters from contested hearings. The department ran a pilot of NMCs between 2010 and 2012. The 2012-13 Victorian Budget provided $23.7 million over four years to expand New Model Conferencing across the state.

New Children’s Court facilities at the Broadmeadows Court were also included in the 2012-13 Victorian Budget.

Capital funds of $10 million will enable new spaces to be built at the existing Broadmeadows Court to provide a child-friendly environment. Ongoing funds ($7.1 million over four years) will assist in piloting new, less adversarial approaches to court hearings.

Intervention orders

A new system for non-family intervention orders has been introduced in Victoria.

The department developed the Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010, which commenced on 5 September 2011, replacing the Stalking Intervention Orders Act 2008. Intervention orders are civil orders made in the Magistrates’ Court or Children’s Court.

They do not go on a person’s criminal record, but failure to comply with the order is a criminal offence.

A review of the previous scheme found a need for a new system. The review found that although the system had been designed for serious stalking behaviour, it was being used for a range of behaviours of varying seriousness, including inter-personal disputes that could be more effectively dealt with through mediation.

The review found a need to improve protection for victims of genuine predatory stalking and victims at risk of violence and other serious conduct, and to improve mechanisms for appropriately protecting children.

The new Act enables victims of assault, sexual assault, harassment, property damage, or interference with property, stalking and serious threats, to apply for an intervention order. It also promotes and assists the resolution of disputes through mediation.

Stronger weapons laws

Weapons laws have been strengthened in Victoria. The changes mean increased regulation of imitation firearms, improved police powers to conduct weapon searches and a strengthening of regulations around unregistered firearms.

The department developed the Control of Weapons and Firearms Act 2012, which came into effect in May 2012, bringing increased penalties for prohibited persons possessing, using or carrying imitation firearms.

The maximum penalty, which is 10 years imprisonment or 1200 penalty units (up to $146,000), better reflects the seriousness of the offence given that imitation firearms are capable of causing serious distress or harm when misused, particularly in crimes such as robberies.

The Act also removes the distinction between registered and unregistered firearms, combining two separate offences into one for prohibited persons to possess, carry or use a firearm. This change will mean police prosecutors will no longer have to prove to the court whether an accused person knew a firearm was registered or unregistered – focusing on the offence of a prohibited person carrying a firearm, and overcoming an unnecessary hurdle in the process of bringing about a successful prosecution.

This new law builds on the department’s earlier work in strengthening weapons laws, which has included amendments that:

• enable police to conduct random searches for weapons in designated areas

• make it an offence for a person to sell a prohibited or controlled weapon to a child

• make it an offence for a child to purchase a weapon.

The new Act also implements the government’s commitment to remove the seven-day notice provision in relation to planned designated area searches for weapons.

Working with Children Check

The Working With Children Check (WWCC) scheme is designed to keep children safe by ensuring individuals who may pose a risk are prevented from working with them.

This year the department issued 181,014 WWCC cards. Around half these applications were from volunteers and half from employees.

The department also received more than 39,000 applications from people renewing their card after five years. As of 30 June 2012, 539 people had been refused a card based on the nature of their offence and a further 566 people had their cards revoked as a result of offending that was detected by the department’s ongoing monitoring of cardholders.

The department has also developed amendments to the Working With Children Act 2005 designed to strengthen the scheme. The Working With Children Amendment Bill 2012 will, among other provisions:

• strengthen the test applied by the department’s Secretary and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for obtaining and maintaining a WWCC card

• suspend a person’s automatic right to continue working with children while their suitability is being reassessed as a result of a charge, conviction or finding of guilt in relation to a serious sexual, drug or violent offence

• allow the department to revoke a WWCC card following a suspension, if the cardholder fails to provide required information

• include murder in the list of category 1 offences under the scheme, thereby making a person ineligible to hold a WWCC card (unless overturned by VCAT).

Faces of JusticeBeverley Garratt, regional community work program manager, southern regionEarly in her career Beverly Garratt tried life as a dental nurse and nursing aide.

However a desire to work with young people led her back to welfare studies and then a volunteer role with the Department of Justice, a move which has led to a career so far spanning 24 years.

“Working in Justice was a way of working with young people as a case manager,’’ says Beverley. “But it also opened my eyes up to a lot of other types of offenders and age groups and their needs.’’

Beverley spent 16 years in case management and other roles such as a court advice officer.

She now runs community work programs for offenders in the south east region and is making huge strides in developing pathways for participants.

“I look at creating a positive community work program – I have a firm belief that with offenders if you want to stop a negative behaviour you need to create positive opportunities,’’ she says.

Beverley focuses on ways to develop programs providing accreditation opportunities for offenders. “A lot of offenders have had negative educational experiences and these programs can give them confidence – it is all about self-esteem.

“We are careful to provide opportunities which will benefit them and provide them with a sense of achievement.’’

Some recent programs include Money 4 Jam, which operates out of Taskforce. This program provides female offenders with the opportunity to acquire food-handling qualifications while learning how to make jams and chutneys.

Offenders have also been working on the mountain bike trail at Lysterfield Park, which was damaged by the storms in February 2012. “It is about providing an opportunity to make a difference in an offender’s life and then it is up to them whether they grasp that opportunity.

“We get a lot of positive feedback from offenders who have never received any sort of accreditation before,’’ she says.

2 An efficient, effective justice systemHighlights:• introduction of new Community Correction Order • 2,000 disputes resolved through Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria• 7,000 hours of police time saved through infringements trial• wide-ranging civil law reform program.

Between 2008-09 and 2011-12, dispute resolution services saved more than 3,000 court days across the Magistrates’, County and Supreme Courts. This is a net annual saving of $4.3 million per year to government and $30 million to the community.

Resolving disputes

Disputes ranging from fences to property damage and noise complaints are heard at the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV). The centre offers free, confidential dispute resolution services to all Victorians in the form of advice, conflict coaching and mediation services.

This year the centre took more than 19,000 calls and resolved more than 2,000 disputes through mediation and assisted settlement.

As well as dealing with general neighbourhood disputes, DSCV works in partnership with the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria to provide formal programs that aim to divert matters away from the courts. The Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010 allows specific intervention order cases to be referred out of the court by a registrar or magistrate to DSCV for assessment, advice and mediation.

The number of Intervention Order referrals to DSCV has increased from just over 800 in 2007-08 to more than 2,500 in 2011-12. The program has proved extremely effective in reducing court delay: DSCV has saved more than 400 Magistrates’ Court sitting days this year alone.

Civil matters under $40,000 are also referred to the centre. The Civil Program is also expanding – in 2011-12, more than 400 matters were referred to DSCV and 85 per cent of these were resolved without the need for further court action. DSCV’s Civil Program operates at Broadmeadows, Sunshine, Werribee, Latrobe Valley, Ballarat, Sale, Shepparton and Horsham Magistrates’ courts.

Case studyDean, Kate, Joan and Peter owned neighbouring warehouse apartments.

Dean and Kate lived downstairs and had a young child. They said the flushing of toilets, showers and moving around upstairs often caused their toddler to wake.

Joan and Peter who lived above them said they often heard the toddler crying and the neighbours playing endless children’s videos but tolerated it, saying they believed that the acoustics of the building were inferior, therefore the slightest knock or noise could be heard by neighbours.

They and other neighbours had many complaints from Dean and Kate over a period of 12 months.

An incident when Joan and Peter were hosting a family birthday dinner was the final straw for them. During dinner, they heard a very aggressive thumping on the front door, which was

embarrassing and disruptive, especially in front of guests.

Joan said she found Dean at the door; he was agitated and became increasingly abusive about the noise created by guests laughing and the clatter of chairs on the floorboards. He said the noise was making it difficult to settle their child to sleep.

Following the incident, Dean and Kate were shocked to find that Joan and Peter had resorted to an application for an intervention order at court.

Both parties spoke to a dispute assessment officer at the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria and arranged to attend a mediation session.

The mediation provided an opportunity for each of the parties to put forward their point of view in a structured setting with the mediators guiding the process. By the end of the mediation, both parties came to an agreement and the intervention order application was withdrawn.

Based on true events. Names have been changed.

Infringements trial

An estimated 7,000 hours of police time and 800 hours of court hearing time have been saved by the continuation of a trial expansion of the infringements system.

Under the trial, two offences – shop theft of goods valued at less than $600, and wilful damage of goods worth less than $500 – are able to be dealt with by infringements (on-the-spot fines), giving police an alternative to laying charges in appropriate cases.

In response to the trial – a continuing part of a broader pilot which has been running for several years – the department prepared amendments included in the Courts and Sentencing Legislation Amendment Act 2012, which classify these two offences as infringement offences until 2014.

This year, just under 3,250 infringements were issued for these two offences.

Police reform

The department is leading the effort to reform the legislative framework through which police function in Victoria.

In response to an inquiry by Jack Rush QC into the command and management of Victoria Police, the department has begun work on modernising the legislation defining the roles and responsibilities of police in Victoria.

Among the recommendations from the inquiry was that the Police Regulation Act 1958 be replaced with a new Act.

The department – which has worked in partnership with Victoria Police and the Department of Premier and Cabinet – has developed the government’s response to the inquiry and begun working through the detail of which legislative model would work best for Victoria. This has included studying models in other jurisdictions and advising the government on legislative options.

While this work is underway, the department has been developing amendments to the existing Act. This means productivity gains achieved through Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) negotiations – and a resulting Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – between government and Victoria Police will be fully realised.

Among the gains from the EBA negotiations (which concluded in November 2011) are shift and roster changes allowing for the flexible deployment of police at times of higher crime, or emergency situations.

Improvements under the MOU, which will be reflected in the amendments to the Act, include agreements to:

• amend the process for appeals of transfer and promotions decisions, dramatically cutting the time taken to resolve appeals and delays in placing police resources

• establish a Police Registration and Services Board to, among other things, facilitate the transfer of sworn police from other jurisdictions, and enable former police members to remain registered and re-enter the force

• increase workforce flexibility with the ability to appoint members on a part-time or fixed-term basis.

These amendments are expected to be introduced into Parliament during 2012.

Native title negotiations

In July 2011, the Federal Court recognised native title of the Gunditjmara and Eastern Maar peoples in south-western Victoria. The department led mediation efforts throughout these native title negotiations, avoiding costly and lengthy litigation.

This was the first time in Victoria that two traditional owner groups were recognised as holding native title rights over the same parcels of Crown land. As part of the mediated outcome, the groups agreed to work together to minimise the cost and administrative burden for users of the land who have to comply with the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 and the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

A further highlight this year was the commencement of negotiations with two traditional owner groups using the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010.

The first, with the Dja Dja Wurrung people, is to settle their four native title claims in Bendigo and the surrounding region. These negotiations, which will ensure neighbouring traditional owner groups have been consulted about where boundaries intersect with the Dja Dja Wurrung, aim to conclude in December 2012. The second, with the Wadi Wadi, Wamba Wamba, and Barapa Barapa peoples in Swan Hill and surrounding region, aim to conclude in 2013.

Civil law reform

Commercial disputes can often be resolved more efficiently by using arbitration procedures without needing to resort to the courts. The Commercial Arbitration Act 2011, which was passed in November 2011, will enhance the usefulness of such procedures by improving their flexibility and the enforceability of arbitrators’ awards.

The department also undertook a detailed assessment of the changes to the court rules about document disclosure in civil court actions, which came into effect on 1 January 2011.

Disclosing large volumes of documents is a particularly costly part of the litigation process, and the new rules mean that parties now only have to disclose the documents that are directly relevant to the issues in the litigation. They no longer have to be concerned with documents of only indirect relevance.

Courts and Tribunals Service

The department has created a new more independent Courts and Tribunals Service (CTS) to provide administrative support to Victoria’s judiciary.

This has been established as a more independent operational division of the department in line with the government’s commitment to strengthening judicial independence.

The CTS has assumed the responsibilities previously undertaken by the department’s Courts division while adopting greater autonomy and independence.

The new CTS will build on the work done by the Courts division over the past few years in delivering innovative and accessible court and tribunal services.

As part of the change, functions that do not provide administrative support for courts and tribunals will transfer to other divisions of the department. In particular, courts-related policy and program functions will move to Strategic Policy and Legislation, Regional and Executive Services and Community Operations and Strategy.

In addition, with the CTS focusing on providing independent administration support to courts and tribunals, most corporate services functions will now be undertaken by the CTS.

The department has also continued to work towards the longer term goal of establishing a Courts Executive Service, independent of the department, and providing administrative services and facilities for the Victorian courts and tribunals.

Integrity and accountability reform

The department has facilitated the establishment of Victoria’s first Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) with the announcement of Mr Ron Bonighton AM as Acting Commissioner on 28 June 2012. The IBAC, which officially commenced on 1 July 2012 with its education and prevention functions, is a key commitment in the government’s integrity reform agenda.

Other commitments on this integrity agenda include the establishment of the Victorian Inspectorate, the Public Interest Monitor and the Freedom of Information Commissioner.

Key achievements in the creation of the IBAC, and towards the establishment of these other integrity bodies, include the development, led by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, of a range of legislation. These Acts include:

• the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) Act 2011• the IBAC Amendment (Investigative Functions) Act 2012• the IBAC Amendment (Examinations) Act 2012

• the Victorian Inspectorate Act 2011• the Victorian Inspectorate Amendment Act 2012• the Freedom of Information Amendment (Freedom of Information

Commissioner) Act 2011• the Public Interest Monitor Act 2011.Legislation is also being developed to establish a Judicial Complaints Commission, which will investigate complaints about poor or inappropriate performance by judges, magistrates and members of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning PlaceHighlights from this year for the centre:

• manager invited to attend Australian Davos Connection Future Summit, Melbourne

• cultural exchange day with Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place (WNLP) participants and Monash medical students

• WNLP hosted the state-wide Local Justice Worker Program (LJWP) and Koori Offender Support and Mentoring Program (KOSMP) workshop

• participants made and designed festive street signs which were displayed in Yarram over Christmas

• WNLP participants installed solar hot water services to accommodation units to reduce their green footprint.

The Koori men who enter the Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place leave changed in many ways.

Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place is a centre with a difference, designed to tackle the causes of reoffending. There are no locked doors and the men – up to 20 at a time – are expected to spend much of their time studying, developing work or living skills. A study of their heritage is a vital component of their stay.

This has clear benefits to the program participants, as well as the broader justice system and the community. Men who attend the learning centre are more likely to finish their Community Correction Order.

Reducing reoffending protects community safety, as well as reducing pressure on the justice system.

The men, who come from across Victoria, are asked to give a commitment of at least three months and need to have sorted out any drug or alcohol issues before they begin. During their time at the Gippsland-based centre, they need to fulfil their correction order requirements and learn life skills such as cooking and cleaning.

“There is an educational component – we show men new skills such as woodwork, welding and job readiness skills,’’ centre manager Shaun Braybrook says. One participant has been so inspired by this component that he is now studying for a degree in welfare at La Trobe University.

“However, the really different aspect of the place is cultural,’’ says Shaun. “A man walks away from the program with a greater understanding of what it means to be an Aboriginal man in today’s society.”

The program, which began operation in 2008, has gained worldwide recognition. It won the community corrections category of the 2010 International Corrections and Prisons Association awards, which acknowledges the program as a leader in its field.

The centre received its first referral in 2008 and to date 288 offenders have been referred to the program, of whom 254 were assessed as suitable candidates.

Criminal law reform

The department developed reforms to double jeopardy laws, culminating in the commencement of the Criminal Procedure (Double Jeopardy and Other Matters) Act 2011 in March 2012.

The Act reforms the common law rule against double jeopardy, ensuring that after a person has been acquitted of a very serious offence (such as murder or manslaughter), or in certain other limited cases, that person may still be held to account by being put on trial again for that offence.

The reforms allow the Director of Public Prosecutions to apply to the Court of Appeal for a new trial in carefully defined situations, such as:

• when there is new and compelling evidence, such as new DNA evidence or a confession

• where the conviction was ‘tainted’, for example where jurors were bribed

• where there is fresh evidence that the person has committed an administration of justice offence, such as getting a key witness to give false evidence.

The legislation also contains a number of procedural safeguards to protect against any possibility of misuse.

Clearer directions for juries

Jury directions (the instructions given by the trial judge to help a jury decide in accordance with the law whether a person is guilty or not guilty of a crime) are an essential feature of the right to trial by jury. Clear jury directions help ensure a fair trial and give the community confidence in jury verdicts.

Work has begun on wide-scale reform of jury directions that will help simplify the law, drawing on the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s 2009 report on jury directions.

The aim of these reforms is to shorten and simplify jury directions, providing clearer instructions on when juries need to be given directions and what the content should be. This will reduce appeals and retrials that increase delay and cause additional trauma to victims of crime.

The first stage of jury directions reform is due to be introduced in 2012.

Public Prosecutions Act

The department developed amendments to the Public Prosecutions Act 1994 to clarify the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions as the head of the Public Prosecutions Service. These amendments commenced on 6 March 2012.

The legislation grew out of a review by former Supreme Court judge Frank Vincent into issues at the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP), which was handed to the government in March 2011.

Efficiency in process

Improving corporate processes is a key priority for the department. This year two new projects have come to fruition, focused on best-practice procurement and project management excellence.

The new Procure2Pay system, rolled out in April and May 2012, provides an ‘end to end’ invoice management process which tracks the cycle of payment from procurement, through to delivery and into invoice payable functions in one streamlined process.

The new Project Management Excellence Framework, launched in October 2011, provides a standardised approach for initiating, delivering, managing and ending projects. This includes tracking and online reporting on progress and the benefits resulting from any project.

Faces of Justice

Shaun Braybrook, Manager Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place, Gippsland regionFor Shaun Braybrook, working with – and helping to rehabiliate – Koori offenders has been a lifelong passion.

It’s an interesting career choice for a man who started life in a very different job – plumbing.

Shaun grew up in Melbourne’s west and by age 16 was already doing his plumbing apprenticeship. That led to an 11-year career, until he decided on a different direction and took on a job as an Aboriginal youth support worker.

It wasn’t long before the pipes called again and after working again in plumbing, Shaun began working as an Aboriginal liaison worker at Port Phillip Prison in 2001.

He describes the role in one word – “tough’’ – and found himself walking the tightrope between working with offenders and learning the prison system. It was often a very lonely role – Shaun says at one point he was the only Koori male working across the prison system as a liaison officer. “It was a very complex prison and there was a high number of Koori men,’’ he says. However, the experience left him with strong ideas about what could be done for Koori men and prompted his move into Corrections Victoria, working in the indigenous policy unit as a programs manager.

“I looked to implement ideas we had put in place at Port Phillip Prison and work on cultural awareness training for officers.’’

This experience readied him for the role he now has, as manager of Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place in Gippsland.

Here Shaun runs the world-renowned facility, helping Koori men rebuild their lives, learn new skills and come to further understand and identify with their heritage.

He believes it is the combination of work, life and cultural education which really makes a difference for these men. Seeing men transform their lives and go on to make contributions to their community, is, for Shaun, the great appeal of his role.

3 Emergency management reformHighlights:• major reform of the state’s emergency management arrangements• 33,000 Emergency Alert messages sent• 195 bushfire buy-back applications received with 46 already proceeding to settlement• 232 Neighbourhood Safer Places established.

In 2011-12, Emergency Alert was used 15 times in Victoria resulting in more than 33,000 intrusive warning messages being received. Victoria used Emergency Alert on eight occasions during the March 2012 floods, resulting in more than 1,900 households/businesses and more than 4,800 mobile phone recipients intrusively receiving evacuation and prepare to evacuate warning messages.

Victoria is undergoing its biggest ever reform to the way it delivers a state-wide emergency management system.

Major events such as the February 2009 bushfires and 2010-11 floods have tested Victoria’s emergency management capacity, revealing its strengths and where the department and other agencies need to plan further improvements.

Inquiries into these recent disasters – the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and the Review of the 2010-11 Flood Warnings and Response – showed a need for an ‘all hazards, all agencies’ approach to emergency management.

To start the reform process, the department worked with the Department of Premier and Cabinet to produce a Green Paper – Towards a More Disaster Resilient and Safer Victoria which was released in September 2011. Since then, the department has been leading a multi-agency team in developing an Emergency Management White Paper, setting out reform plans.

The department received 91 submissions from a range of private individuals, community groups, municipal councils, emergency services stakeholders and private companies in response to the Green Paper.

The White Paper, which is due to be delivered in 2012, will look at:

• risk and resilience

• emergency management governance (strategy and accountability)

• planning

• building an all-hazards response capability

• emergency response control and coordination arrangements

• relief and recovery.

It will include proposals for legislative reform.

The White Paper will also spell out the government’s response to the Floods Review which made a series of recommendations to strengthen the state’s ability to respond to future events.

In parallel, the Fire Services Commissioner is also undertaking emergency management reform in collaboration with the fire agencies – Country Fire Authority (CFA), Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).

The Fire Services Commissioner developed Victoria’s first Reform Act Plan, which builds on the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission findings and recommendations. This reform action plan is a rolling three-year program aimed to increase the interoperability, resilience, capability and capacity of Victoria’s fire services and the services they provide to the community.

Summer fire campaign

The department once again led the delivery of the Summer Fire Information and Education Campaign, which aims to bring about long-term changes in the attitudes, awareness and behaviours of Victorians in the face of fire.

This year, campaign advertising resulted in the ‘get out early’ message resonating with more Victorians.

The campaign’s emphasis on travel through bushfire prone areas was also successful, with a high number of people surveyed (up to 82 per cent) saying they would seek information on fire warnings before travelling in high risk areas.

The campaign covered print, radio, outdoor, television and online channels as well as shopping centre information booths.

More than 2.1 million visits were made to the Country Fire Authority’s (CFA) website over the duration of the campaign – an increase of 885,000 visits compared to the same period last year.

Nearly 30 per cent of visitors had not previously visited the website. This was the campaign’s primary call to action for more information.

Version 2.0 of the FireReady smartphone app was also launched during Fire Action Week.

This followed a major app overhaul that included a creative and content redesign, and the introduction of several groundbreaking geospatial features. Version 2.0 uses GPS functionality to provide information on the user’s fire weather district, current and forecast Fire Danger Ratings, and Total Fire Ban declarations. Users can also access information about emergency incidents and Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) planned burns on the same map.

During the campaign period version 2.0 of the app was downloaded more than 52,000 times.

Media and other promotions resulted in more than 1,200 Victorians visiting a dedicated webpage on the CFA’s website and prompted nearly 300 downloads of the Red Cross ‘Bushfires – preparing to leave early’ plan.

Information packs were mailed to more than 400,000 individuals either living or owning property in 420 high-risk bushfire locations across Victoria. Township Protection Plans were also provided to 300 Australia Post outlets across Victoria, and Visitor Information Centres in high-risk areas.

The campaign was delivered in cooperation with the CFA, Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Victoria Police, the Department of Human Services, DSE, the Municipal Association of Victoria, Victoria State Emergency Service and the Fire Services Commissioner.

Bushfires Royal Commission Implementation Monitor

The February 2009 bushfires, which claimed 173 lives and destroyed more than 2,000 homes, were the subject of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, which handed down its final report on 31 July 2010.

The government has committed to implementing all 67 of the Royal Commission’s recommendations. Neil Comrie AO APM, former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police and author of the Floods Review, was appointed Implementation Monitor of the Royal Commission’s recommendations in April 2011.

Mr Comrie’s primary function in this role is to monitor, review and report on the progress of government departments and agencies in implementing the government’s response to the Royal Commission’s recommendations.

This year, the department developed legislation to extend the monitoring and reporting role of the Bushfires Royal Commission Implementation Monitor for another two years. The Police and Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 will allow Mr Comrie to provide two further annual reports on implementation progress.

Extending this role will enable Mr Comrie to oversee the completion and further review of Royal Commission implementation actions until 30 September 2014.

Bushfire Buyback Scheme

Some 2,485 properties were destroyed by the 2009 Victorian bushfires. However, many people have been unable to rebuild their homes.

In response to recommendation 46 of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Final Report, the government announced the buy-back scheme, a voluntary land acquisition scheme. Landowners whose principal place of residence was destroyed by the bushfires who have not rebuilt – and where the property is within 100 metres of forest – can sell their land to government.

This scheme will enable people to settle somewhere else and ensure the land is never re-developed for residential use.

In November and December 2011, the department ran a series of 80 community consultations across bushfire affected areas. Two hundred landowners were informed about the scheme and their comments were provided to the minister before the details of the scheme were finalised.

Applications for the scheme opened 1 March 2012 and closed on 31 May. As of 30 June 2012, 68 landowners out of the 195 who applied for the scheme have been sent a letter detailing the valuation of their property and 46 of these landowners are already proceeding to settlement.

Recognising serviceTwo Department of Justice staff, Joe Buffone and Amber Brodecky, of the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner (OESC), were among those honoured as part of the Australia Day awarding of the 2012 National Emergency Medal.

The National Emergency Medal is a new medal in the Australian Honours System, which specifically recognises the contribution and commitment of those responding to nationally significant emergencies.

Both Mr Buffone and Ms Brodecky were recognised for their significant contribution during Victoria’s 2009 bushfire emergency.

Mr Buffone held the role of Deputy Emergency Services Commissioner, Policy and Planning. As a key member of the State Emergency Management Team, he kept the Emergency Services Commissioner, the Minister and the Secretary fully apprised during the emergency. He also helped provide immediate support to those affected by the fires by coordinating initial offers of assistance, and developing the early relief and recovery framework.

Like many during the emergency, Ms Brodecky worked extraordinary hours to provide support to the Emergency Services Commissioner during the bushfires. As Director, Media and Community Relations for the OESC, she played a vital role in preparing critical community information and producing regular situation reports. She also provided crucial support to ministers and the Secretary.

Other Justice portfolio recipients who received the medal were former Captain Helen Kenney and Group Officer Steven Barling (Country Fire Authority), and Firefighters Gabriel Mauerhofer and Michael Whitty (Metropolitan Fire Brigade).

Responding to the 2012 floods

Flooding in February and March of 2012 affected 20 municipalities in the north-east of Victoria, damaging more than 1,500 residential properties and 1,300 agricultural properties. In addition, 13 bridges and 322 roads were damaged. To the end of May, more than 1,900 relief grants had been administered, totalling $4.2 million.

The department played a support role for this event, including assisting in the activation of Emergency Re-establishment Assistance and the administration of the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements. The Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) – the Control Agency during flood events – asked the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner to support flood response efforts. This included leading a Strategic Assessment Group that undertook a risk assessment of the flood impact, and developed strategies to address identified issues.

Gippsland floods

During the floods in June 2012 in Gippsland, there were six community warnings via the Emergency Alert telephone warning system, sending approximately 11,600 messages. From 3-10 June, more than 722 requests for assistance were received from across Gippsland.

The department again provided assistance through the activation of Emergency Re-establishment Assistance and the administration of the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.

On 14 June, Deputy Premier Peter Ryan MLA requested the Emergency Services Commissioner to undertake a review to examine the effectiveness, relevance and timeliness of warning systems currently in place for those communities affected by the June floods. The Emergency Services Commissioner will deliver this report to the Deputy Premier in late 2012.

Excellence in communications

Clear, timely and consistent communication between emergency response organisations and the public is essential for emergency preparedness and community safety.

The national Emergency Alert system is managed by the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner (OESC). The system provides the ability to send voice messages to landline phones in a defined geographic area and text (SMS) messages to mobile phones, based on the address information of the subscriber.

Since its launch in November 2009 Emergency Alert has been used across the country on 489 separate occasions for a range of hazards including fire, flood, tsunami, storm surge, chemical incidents and missing person emergencies. The system has issued well in excess of seven million messages.

An OESC review of using telephony as a warning medium and the Emergency Alert system was completed in December 2011. The study reviewed 14 major community safety research reports. It found that Emergency Alert is proving itself to be a positive additional emergency warning medium and awareness of the system is high.

The introduction of a location based capability will further enhance Emergency Alert by allowing SMS messages to be sent to mobile phones based on their last known location, rather than based on the customer registered service address.

A contract with Telstra – signed on 23 December 2011 – will develop and provide a location based capability on its network from 1 December 2012.

The Emergency Services Communications Strategic Framework plans a vision for emergency services sector communications for the next 10 years.

One of the first milestones was the successful renegotiation, during 2011, of the contracts for the state’s Emergency Alerting System (EAS) and Metropolitan Mobile Radio (MMR) systems, ensuring continuity of these essential services until 2016. These convey time-critical information to emergency services staff and volunteers across Victoria. MMR supports more than 9,800 radios and averages approximately 1.5 million calls per month. EAS supports more than 37,000 pagers and averages approximately 90,000 messages per month.

The department has also begun working to ensure continuity of the StateNet Mobile Radio System (SMR), which enables Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), Sheriffs and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to operate smoothly in regional Victoria during regular operations, as well as during disasters. The SMR network supports more than 20,000 radios and averages about 400,000 voice calls per month and around 1.5 million data transactions per month.

Upgrades are also underway to the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority’s (ESTA) computer aided dispatch systems, and improved integration of VICSES’s communications systems with other agencies (such as the CFA and the DSE).

The ESTA upgrades, which will benefit about two million Victorians a year who request an emergency response via triple zero, will result in a more robust, reliable system.

Last resort shelters

There are a variety of shelter options for people in high bushfire risk areas.

These include properly regulated bushfire shelters, designated Neighborhood Safer Places (NSPs), and a range of informal places of shelter such as well prepared houses. A pilot program to establish purpose built or modified Community Fire Refuges in extreme risk locations has also begun.

Neighbourhood Safer Places may be open spaces or structures within the community that may afford some protection from radiant heat, the biggest killer during bushfire. They are a last resort shelter option and may assist people when there is imminent threat of bushfire and they have no plan, or their planned options are not possible.

As at 20 May 2012, 236 NSPs had been established across Victoria. Local government, in partnership with the CFA, is responsible for overseeing the establishment of NSPs.

This year the Fire Services Commissioner has allocated grants under a $13 million program to support councils and communities establish contingency shelter options in locations where this has proved difficult. This program focuses on potential sites in some of the highest bushfire risk areas in the state where it has previously proved difficult to establish NSPs, such as the Otways and Macedon Ranges.

For example, the Tony Clarke Reserve in Macedon has been designated as a Neighbourhood Safer Place following extensive clearing, civil and building works on site. The $1.185 million upgrade now provides access to the reserve from three entrances, while the sports stadium has had its Bushfire Attack Level increased to 29, an industrial standard of fire protection.

New Emergency Services CommissionerMichael Hallowes began as the Emergency Services Commissioner on 1 September 2011 after more than 30 years in United Kingdom (UK) policing.

Michael was a highly experienced hostage and crisis negotiator. He is credited with contributing to the investigations of 64 kidnappings that brought home all 76 hostages safely.

He also led the introduction of a new information and intelligence sharing system that joined up all 62 UK policing agencies. This was a very personal initiative due to his drive to deliver a legacy for the parents of two 10-year-old girls murdered by their school caretaker, where the absence of such an information-sharing capability had been a contributing factor.

As the Police Adviser to the UK government, he assisted with negotiations at the United Nations to deliver the UN Convention on Transnational Organised Crime and its supplementary protocols to counter arms trafficking, people smuggling and trafficking in women and children. As a senior detective at Scotland Yard, Michael led investigations to disrupt the illicit arms trade, and a taskforce against illegal immigration. He also played a decisive role in counter terrorism investigations.

His extensive experience in UK policing culminated in his appointment as the Operational Lead at the UK Police Staff College.

Reshaping the role of the Emergency Services Commissioner

The OESC has oversight of the state’s emergency management arrangements. With the appointment of a new commissioner, the office has been in the process of reshaping its roles and priorities.

It has embarked on a process of strengthening its own systems, including the capacity to audit emergency management plans. This includes developing a framework which will build agency capability to manage emergencies. The framework will fully align with OESC’s legislative obligations and the government’s response to specific recommendations of the Victorian Floods Review undertaken by Neil Comrie AO, APM.

One aspect of its responsibilities is to review emergency events. Incident reviews conducted in the past 12 months include:

• the TriTech Lubricants Factory Fire

• Nuplex Chemical Incident

• the Port of Portland’s hazardous materials incident.

Reviews focus on the command, control and coordination arrangements at all levels, and the effectiveness of the community information and warnings.

Training for emergencies

Emergency drills are regularly held across the state to test response times.

Evacuation drills were held with the communities of Noojee in Gippsland and Lavers Hill in the Otway Ranges in November 2011. The pilot tested community responses to simulated fire scenarios.

A major test carried out this year was Exercise Belenus, a fire emergency exercise carried out across the department’s eight regions as well as at a state level. The outcomes will be used to develop emergency management models that can be used in preparing fire-prone communities right across Victoria. The exercises were held during the evening and on weekends to encourage volunteer and community participation. Some 1,062 people attended with 60 of the 79 Victorian municipal councils sending representatives. An additional number of people in remote centres were able to observe through live web streaming.

Both the community fire drills and the emergency exercises grew out of the recommendations of the Final Report of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.

Community alert siren trial and evaluation

Olinda and Steels Creek in the Yarra Ranges were sites for community alert siren trials this year.

The trials examined three components of the Community Alert Siren System: the technology, the social or human response and the ownership arrangements of sirens.

Following the trial conducted in late 2011, which focused on the system’s activation mechanisms, phase two of the trials tested new audio components fitted to each system. It also focused on the audio coverage capabilities of both mechanical and electronic sirens in Steels Creek and Olinda.

These Yarra Ranges trials concluded in early 2012, with an evaluation report completed in June and provided to the Bushfires Royal Commission Implementation Monitor.

At the request of the Surf Coast Shire, OESC commenced a pilot study of a community alert siren in Lorne in June. This pilot study is the continuation of previous trials and explores the siren’s audibility and community alerting capabilities.

Driving community resilience

The OESC has been working with Commonwealth agencies to support development in community resilience through the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) and the Resilient Australia Awards.

In 2011-12, NDRRA was activated seven times in response to significant emergency events.

The OESC played a key support role in the administraton of NDRRA grants which included providing advice to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and managing NDRRA notification to the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department.

The OESC played a leadership role influencing and shaping NDRRA policy to better meet the needs of Victorian communities. This included the development of guidelines for better arrangements for council infrastructure.

Victorian communities often demonstrate a high level of resilience and innovation in the face of the adversity an emergency brings. Acknowledging innovation and best practice in Victorian communities, OESC was again proud to host the Australian Safer Communities

Awards (now the Resilient Australia Awards), sponsored by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department in conjunction with states and territories.

The awards cover all aspects of emergency management – risk assessment, research, education and training, information and knowledge management, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

During the 11th year of the awards program, the Victorian component of the 2011 Australian Safer Communities Awards received 33 entries from which five winners were selected and progressed to the national awards.

The Australian Red Cross progressed to the national awards after receiving the Victorian Education, Training and Research Award. Its practical communications booklet, Communicating in Recovery, developed as a guide for people working with communities post disaster, was recognised with a Nationally Significant Award from the Commonwealth Attorney-General.

Students from Lara Primary School developed and featured in a fire safety educational DVD, Fire: Friend or Foe. Lara Primary School’s principal and several students travelled to Canberra to receive the Australian Safer Communities Youth Award.

Victorian emergency services agencies sound a national first with FireBellAs the public continues to embrace social media as an information source, Victoria’s emergency services looked at how better to use it as a way to provide emergency information.

In early December 2011, 13 agencies from the emergency management sector gathered at the State Control Centre for a social media emergency exercise using the FireBell immersive learning environment.

The exercise provided the unique ability to create a real-time emergency scenario using interactive versions of social media channels in a secure learning environment.

Working under a combined bushfire and flood scenario presented across five phases, representatives from the Country Fire Authority, Victoria State Emergency Service, Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Department of Sustainability and Environment and Victoria Police were required to respond and dispatch information according to the changing scenario.

Representatives from Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner, VicRoads, the departments of Justice, Human Services, Health and Transport, Parks Victoria, the Fire Services Commissioner and Life Saving Victoria were involved as observers.

Supporting volunteers

The department has continued to support emergency services volunteers through the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) and the Valuing Volunteers Program (VVP).

The VESEP provides local emergency services volunteer groups access to grants for operational equipment, vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft, trailers and minor facility improvements. Victoria has an estimated 90,000 emergency services volunteers.

The department works in close partnership with the Country Fire Authority (CFA), VICSES, Life Saving Victoria (LSV), the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA), and a number of other emergency services agencies to deliver these programs.

In 2011-12, the department coordinated a record $11.6 million allocation to 196 local volunteer emergency services groups through the VESEP, with the overall value of equipment purchased in excess of $16 million.

A highlight of the program this year was the development of a one-off initiative to provide a grant of $1,500 to every CFA brigade, and a grant of $5,000 to every brigade group across the state. These grants have allowed brigades to purchase equipment such as Quick Fill pumps, generators, defibrillators and chainsaws.

The department also coordinated the allocation of $1.2 million through the VVP for a range of initiatives, including a VICSES Healthwatch program, CFA Employer Recognition program, a ‘Building Leaders’ program targeting LSV youth, a range of promotional and recruitment initiatives for AVCGA and an Emergency Services Foundation volunteer scholarship scheme.

In addition, the department worked closely with LSV to deliver the $3 million Water Safety Program, which includes the well regarded and effective ‘Play it Safe by the Water’ campaign, Water Safety Week, school and community education programs and lifesaving services. More than 180 organisations were involved in Water Safety Week this year.

Other work with LSV this year included:

• coordinating funding for upgrades to seven Life Saving Clubs. The first of these upgrades, to Dromana Bay, was completed in June 2012.

• support for the employment of Volunteer Support Officers, the first of whom were appointed in February 2012

• assistance with the development of a Multicultural Water Safety program.

Faces of JusticeJames Lawson, manager Bushfire Buy-back SchemeJames Lawson believes his varied career choices have all helped in his journey to the Department of Justice.

James is the manager of the Bushfire Buy-back Scheme, a role involving a mix of project management, policy work and dealing with a range of people in vulnerable situations.

The scheme, which opened for applications in March 2012, is a voluntary land acquisition program following the devastating bushfires of 2009 and developed in the context of landowners still struggling to rebuild. Victorian landowners in high bushfire risk areas can submit an application to have their property purchased by the State Government.

James is originally from the UK and graduated in 1994 with a law degree. He then embarked on a dramatic career U-turn, training as a chef.

In 2005 James arrived in Melbourne looking for work – and found it in the Department of Education.

He discovered he enjoyed policy work and moved to the Department of Treasury and Finance, eventually becoming manager of innovation.

In 2009 he began at the department, initially working in programs relating to rehabilitation of offenders, something which drew on his previous work. He also found he enjoyed being back in a role which involved a lot of people contact.

He started his current role in June 2011.

James works in a team of three and the other big aspect of his work is dealing with all the other government departments involved in the buy-back scheme.

“The appeal of working with this scheme is that it will make a difference in people’s lives.

“After three years there are people who have been unable to rebuild their homes and consequently, their lives.

“In that sense this scheme is a last resort.

“Many have not been able to rebuild for emotional reasons and for others, it is the cost of rebuilding and some are still in temporary accommodation on their land.

“Helping these people move on with their lives is very rewarding.”

4 CorrectionsHighlights:• new beds added to prison system• implementation of new Community Correction Order• reform of pre- and post-release programs• 713,157 hours of unpaid community work performed by offenders.

Did You Know?

The department oversees the state’s 13 prisons and one transitional centre, as well as Community Correctional Services.

Did You Know?

It is anticipated that building a new prison and adding 395 beds to existing prisons will create an estimated 800 construction jobs and 580 ongoing staff jobs. This is in addition to the 1,000 jobs being provided through prison expansion projects already underway.

Did You Know?

Last financial year more than 1,000 community organisations across Victoria benefited from the unpaid community work completed by prisoners and offenders. This included prisoners filling more than 21,000 sandbags to assist in Victoria’s flood crisis.

Expanding the prison system

The government is committed to a prison expansion program to ensure capacity meets demand. As part of the expansion program, beds were opened in several Victorian prisons in 2011-12.

This year:

• the 88-bed Spring Hill Unit at Marngoneet Correctional Centre began taking prisoners in July 2011

• temporary beds at Fulham Correctional Centre and Langi Kal Kal Prison were added

• three units at the Melbourne Assessment Prison had cell safety upgrades.

Work on 277 additional beds across four prisons also commenced this year:

• an 85-bed unit at Port Phillip Prison (scheduled for November 2012)

• 54 beds at Dhurringile and 54 beds at Langi Kal Kal Prisons (opened in July 2012)

• an 84-bed unit at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (opened in October 2012).

To meet ongoing demand in the system, funding was announced in the 2012-13 Victorian Budget for a 500-bed medium security prison to be built at Ravenhall in Melbourne’s west.

The prison will be delivered as a public-private partnership with the private sector responsible for design, construction, maintenance and operation.

The 2012-13 Budget also provided funding for 395 additional beds across existing facilities, which will assist with meeting demand while the new prison is being built. The total capital commitment for the new prison and these additional beds is $670.4 million.

High security prisoners

There has been an increase in the number of prisoners requiring high-security or management accommodation.

In 2011-12 the department established a High Risk Management Advisory Panel to support decision making about prisoners who pose critical risks to the system. The panel includes a senior member of Victoria Police and an independent member and provides recommendations to the Commissioner of Corrections relating to prisoner classification, placement, association with other prisoners and temporary absences from the prison. This initiative was established in response to recommendations by the Ombudsman and the Sentencing Advisory Council.

The position of Deputy General Manager, High Security, has been created to strengthen high-security units. The manager will oversee the management of high-security units at Barwon Prison and lead the coordination of internal and external information sharing regarding high-security prisoners.

Corrections Victoria’s intelligence services will be strengthened by creating the position of Director, Security and Intelligence, as well as three new analyst positions, with a dedicated focus on high-security prisoners.

Security systems at Barwon Prison are also being upgraded, with an emphasis on the replacement of closed circuit television.

Due to the complexities associated with managing high-security prisoners, including gangland figures and custodial witnesses, cooperation between Corrections Victoria and Victoria Police is crucial.

To improve the management of high-risk custodial witnesses, the department has established an Inter-departmental Custodial Witness Committee, with representatives from Corrections Victoria, Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Crime Commission.

The committee meets regularly to review the placement, movement and ongoing management of custodial witnesses, their interaction with law enforcement personnel, and application for absences from prison under Administration of Justice permits.

Research rewardedResearch into acquired brain injury in the prison system has netted Corrections Victoria a prestigious international award.

The International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) awarded the 2011 Research Award to Corrections Victoria for its research on the prevalence of acquired brain injury (ABI) in the Victorian prison system.

The research also tested an ABI screening tool to assist with the identification of brain injury among prisoners.

Deputy Commissioner Jan Shuard accepted the award on behalf of Corrections Victoria at the 13th ICPA conference in September 2011.

As a result of the study Corrections Victoria has employed an ABI clinician, introduced an ABI

screening program and is helping staff deal with prisoners and offenders with ABI.

Targeting re-offending

Prisoners have access to pre and post-release support programs. These voluntary programs are aimed at prisoners who will struggle with making the transition and are at highest risk of re-offending. The programs are run by not-for-profit groups and funded by Corrections Victoria.

Research shows that providing prisoners with rehabilitation programs such as drug and alcohol treatment and giving them support with education, housing and employment, means they are less likely to re-offend.

New measures were introduced in October 2011, to improve the way these programs are delivered.

Prison-based intake assessment workers identify prisoners who are eligible to receive intensive pre and post-release support and depending upon the particular transitional needs, use pre and/or post-release support programs.

These programs are delivered via a range of grants – the Women’s Integrated Support Program (WISP); Konnect, an Indigenous specific support program; and the Link Out program, for men, spread across the eight state government regions. A range of non-government agencies provide these programs.

Responding to community needs

Prisoners from Dhurringile Prison played a critical role in recovery efforts during the devastating Victorian floods in early 2012.

Prisoners swung into action on 1 March 2012, following a request from the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) to assist with sandbagging in the Tatura area.

A team of eight prisoners worked on sandbagging at the VICSES base. As conditions worsened, three crews worked on flood preparation in homes, community centres and businesses in Numurkah, Nathalia, Barmah and Picola.

Prisoners worked from morning until midnight filling sandbags and repairing existing sandbag walls and levy banks. A total of 10,000 sandbags was laid by the men.

Back at the prison another group was involved in making pallets from scrap timber so bags could be loaded onto trucks by forklift.

Over five days 300 pallets were made and 21,600 sandbags filled by 91 prisoners.

After the floodwaters subsided, prisoner teams from Dhurringile and Beechworth worked to help farmers repair fences and rectified damage to the Tungamah football ground, where the rooms, fence and children’s play area were severely affected.

The flood work continues a long tradition of community work by prisoners, including fire recovery work.

Prison Health Services

Following a competitive tender process, new health service agreements began in 2012 for the delivery of primary health care services and alcohol and drug programs in public prisons.

GEO Care was awarded the contract to deliver all public prison primary health services, while Caraniche will provide alcohol and drug programs and services in public prisons. A new Funding and Services Agreement with Forensicare was entered into for delivery of secondary mental health services.

All of the service agreements commence on 1 July 2012 and will operate for a period of five years.

A major focus for Justice Health in 2011-12 has been a concerted effort to respond to the findings of the Victorian Ombudsman’s report on his Investigation into prisoner access to health care, tabled in Parliament on 30 August 2011.

Significant achievements this year have included the introduction of condoms and dental dams into Victoria’s prisons for the first time and a revamped complaints handling process.

Offenders engaging with the community

Since the establishment of the Graffiti Prevention and Removal Program in November 2005, Victorian Government graffiti removal programs have removed 1,357,000 square metres of graffiti from approximately 1,500 sites across Victoria.

This is equivalent to almost 68 MCG playing fields. Conservative estimates indicate this work in the community has saved $33 million.

This has been achieved through 20,250 offenders undertaking 430,709 hours of unpaid community work.

As well as helping their local community, the work is often a vital way for offenders to develop employment skills.

To run the programs, Community Correctional Services partners with local councils, welfare groups and other non profit agencies.

Disadvantaged and refugee residents in St Albans were the recipients of reconditioned bikes donated by Green Wheels of Justice. Through this project offenders fix or refurbish stolen or unclaimed bicycles provided by Victoria Police, or donated by the community.

More than 100 bicycles have been refurbished through the program which was supported with funding through the Justice Environmental Initiatives Fund.

This project brings together a range of groups including the North-West Metro Regional Community Work Program Team, Victorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders through Second Chance Cycles, Judy Lazarus Transition Centre, Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, City of Brimbank and the St Albans Connect Project.

The project was the winner of the Most Outstanding New Project and Commissioner’s Awards at the 2011 Community Partnership Awards ceremony, held in February 2012.

The Graffiti Removal Program is another highlight of community work. This year teams of offenders on community orders cleaned up graffiti from vandalised state, local government and community asset, and rail corridors. The program operates out of 14 Community Correctional Services locations across Victoria and partners with local councils and government departments.

Tackling graffiti also involves education. Department staff ran a marquee at the 2011 Royal Melbourne Show where they talked to people about graffiti prevention and removal and the penalties for graffiti offences. They handed out 750 graffiti removal kits and about 15,000 information postcards.

For the second year running, the Victorian Government Graffiti Prevention and Removal Stand won the Best Outdoor Exhibitor Award at the 2011 Royal Melbourne Show.

A safer working environment

Keeping staff, and visiting members of the public, safe at Department of Justice locations is the focus of the new Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Strategy 2011-15 ‘Working Well’ launched in July 2011.

Other health and safety measures include:

• the OHS Learning and Development Project, which focuses on prisons through a detailed training needs analysis survey

• the Prison Injury Prevention Strategy (PIPS) Project, which is being expanded from five prisons to include all prisons under the management of the department

• establishment of a Safety and Wellbeing Governance Committee, which is reviewing the department’s accident and incident reporting system.

Faces of JusticeMelissa Saliba – community corrections officerMelissa Saliba is at the frontline of work around the new Community Correction Order.

Melissa is the officer in charge of the court services unit. She is based at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and her main function is to conduct Community Correction Order suitability assessments for Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, the County Court and the Supreme Court. She manages a team of seven.

If a magistrate is considering imposing a Community Correction Order on a person, Melissa and her team will conduct an assessment to report on the suitability of that person for this type of order.

They can conduct up to 15 assessments in a day.

The types of things they will look into include checking for a history of family violence, looking at who the person lives with, the practicality of this sort of order for the person and gauging their level of understanding of what their obligations would be under the order.

Faces of JusticeTaryn Escreet, Senior Transition Officer at the Judy Lazarus Transition CentreHelping people change their lives inspires Taryn Escreet. Working in a unique program to help prisoners nearing the end of their sentence move back into society has meant Taryn can make a real difference in someone’s life.

As a Senior Transition Officer at the Judy Lazarus Transition Centre, Taryn is responsible for 10 case managers who work intensively with 25 prisoners as they prepare to enter back into the community.

“We have the most intensive case management program for prisoners in Victoria, so the team are working really hard to help offenders make a go of it when they get released,” says

Taryn.

“I love being a part of a person’s journey toward making better choices in life and knowing we really do make a difference.”

After studying psychology at university Taryn applied for a job at Port Phillip Prison in 1999. She worked there for a few years before taking off to travel and see the world.

When Taryn returned in 2002 she took up a role with Corrections Victoria working at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, where she had the opportunity to train many young prison officers. It was a role that suited her well.

With obvious skills in training and guiding people, Taryn was recommended for a recruiting and training role at the soon to be formed Judy Lazarus Transition Centre. So in 2007 she became a Senior Transition Officer at the centre and has continued to mentor staff and help prisoners.

“At Judy Lazarus we help men prepare to return back to society, and that can be challenging after you have been in prison. Relationships, your sense of community and finding work can be difficult, so we work on those areas, amongst many others.”

The hard work is paying off, as more than 90 per cent of men who go through the program stay out of trouble and around 80 per cent have a paying job when they leave.

“Watching people change and helping them along the way is a very rewarding and fulfilling experience, and I love being a part of that,” says Taryn.

5 Delivering for VictoriansHighlights:• 24,500 clients assisted per month, at 36 regional locations• 4,893 victims assisted through Victims Assistance and Counselling Program• 423,832 birth, death and marriage certificates issued• Koori partnerships delivering results.

Did You Know?

As well as serving the community directly, the department is responsible for the administration of around 200 Acts of Parliament, ranging from the Fences Act 1968, to the Crimes Act 1958, Fire Services Commissioner Act 2010, and the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, and also develops a range of new laws.

Did You Know?

Sheriff’s Operations actions about 10,000 civil orders and more than 800,000 criminal warrants each year across Victoria.

Meeting the needs of Victorians

The Department of Justice is an integral part of the community. The services delivered by the department reflect the needs of Victorians across the state in towns, cities and rural areas.

Through a network of 36 regional locations across Victoria the department delivers high quality justice services, including sheriff’s operations, community correctional services, consumer and business services, dispute settlement services and applications for birth, death and marriage certificates. Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees develop and implement regional justice plans that address Koori over-representation in the justice system and help to ensure the needs of the Koori community inform justice service design and delivery.

Many of the locations provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for justice services, including three new sites which opened during the financial year. The rollout of these regional services makes them easier to reach for local people. The department continues to increase its regional presence and expand the types of services offered at a local level.

This financial year the department assisted an estimated 24,500 clients per month at regional locations, meeting the needs of local communities.

For example, the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages issued 423,832 certificates during the financial year, 16,900 of which were applied for at regional locations.

For those areas without a permanent Department of Justice presence there is the Justice bus, which brings the suite of justice services to communities, including remote and rural locations.

Working with victims

A record number of victims of violent crime were assisted through the Victims Support Agency and the Victims Assistance and Counselling Program.

Services included:

• the Victims of Crime Helpline received 10,088 calls, up four per cent since last year

• the Victims Assistance and Counselling Program (VACP), which provided practical support and counselling to 4,893 new clients, an increase of five per cent since last year

• the victims register, which received 131 successful applications this financial year, representing a 20 per cent increase from the previous year. The department administers this register to keep victims informed at key points while an offender is under sentence in Victoria.

The Victims of Crime Helpline began receiving male family violence referrals from police and other service providers during 2011. The VACP processed 1,410 referrals to a range of appropriate services, including men’s behaviour change programs.

The department participated in a Victoria Police SupportLink E-Referral Pilot that allows police members to electronically refer people to a range of services, including the Victims of Crime Helpline (which receives about 60 per cent of all referrals from Victoria Police under this scheme). This year, 1,275 victims of crime against the person were referred to support services. The SupportLink pilot, which was launched in October 2010, has now been extended for a further 12 months until June 2013.

All Aboard the Justice busThe Department of Justice has three Mobile Justice Service Centres – or ‘Justice buses’. These buses travelled more than 28,000 km this year. They provide a huge range of services – from helping Victoria Police with enforcement assistance at roadblocks to community-based outreach work.

Sheriff’s Operations in the North West Metropolitan Region, for example, used the Justice bus more than 50 times over the year. The buses were also involved in a Victoria Police drive safe campaign in Avondale Heights and attended a community information day in Sunshine.

In February 2012, the Justice bus travelled to Hastings, on the Mornington Peninsula, for a two-day community festival. More than 15 staff from business units across the department provided advice and information on a range of justice services – such as dealing with fines, consumer advice, and the registration of births, deaths and marriages.

Koori partnerships

Since 2000, the department’s efforts in Koori justice have fallen under the broad umbrella of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement (AJA), which was developed with the Koori community.

The third phase of this agreement (AJA3) is being developed, and is due for launch in the second half of 2012. This work is informed by an independent evaluation of the second phase of the AJA, which began in 2006. This evaluation found that the agreement had delivered significant improvements in justice outcomes for Koories in Victoria. Key findings included:

• Koori over-representation had decreased in non-metropolitan areas, while it had increased in some metropolitan areas – but may have increased more without the AJA2

• youth contact with police and incarceration had reduced

• reoffending by Koories had reduced

• victimisation has worsened but services for victims have improved

• justice services are generally more responsive and inclusive

• community justice responses had been strengthened.

The next phase of the AJA will focus on:

• preventing crime and reducing recidivism

• understanding alcohol, drugs and mental health as drivers of violence and offending

• addressing the over-representation of Koori youth in the criminal justice system

• reducing violence and victimisation, and improving community safety

• improving Koori women’s diversion

• strengthening communities and building capacity to respond to local issues particularly in relation to crime prevention and strengthening Koori youth

• increasing the effectiveness of the justice system through the department’s Koori Inclusion Action Plan, and implementation of the department’s Koori Employment Strategy.

In 2011-12, senior government representatives and members of the judiciary met on three occasions with the nine chairpersons of the State and Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees (RAJACs) and Chief Executive Officers of Aboriginal community controlled organisations. The meetings included community forums with local Koori community members in Footscray, Warrnambool and Healesville.

Koori Inclusion Action PlanThe department’s Koori Inclusion Action Plan, Mingu Gadhaba: Beginning Together, was developed in 2012 and aims to improve access and inclusion of the Koori community in service delivery and design.

Erin Birch, Senior Project Officer with the Koori Justice Unit, led the development of the plan.

“We took the name, Mingu Gadhaba, from the Taungurung language in central Victoria. It means ‘beginning together’. We chose that because it reflects the sentiment of the plan – the beginning of a journey together, to deliver better outcomes to the Koori community today and into the future,’’ she says.

Graduate program

This year the department employed 24 of the 80 graduates participating in the Victorian Public Service Graduate Recruitment and Development Scheme (VPS GRADS).

The department has been a long-time participant in the scheme, which provides university graduates with the opportunity to gain employment and develop a career within the Victorian Public Service. In addition to the VPS GRADS, in 2011 the department launched the Koori Graduate and Development Scheme (KGRADS), aimed at providing employment opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander graduates.

Both programs are for 12 months and graduates undertake three separate four-month placements across the VPS before returning to their ‘home’ unit within the department.

The department has committed to employing 28 graduates in 2013, 25 through VPS GRADS, and three through KGRADS.

Success in employmentThe department is building on its success in Koori employment.

Having already exceeded the one per cent Aboriginal employment target set under the statewide Kareeta Yirramboi plan, the department has made good progress on its commitment to increase its Koori workforce to 2.5 per cent by 2015. Since 2000, the number of Koori staff working in the department has increased from four (self-identified) Koories to 139, in March 2012. Koories are working across the Justice portfolio in diverse roles including management, policy development, projects, administration and direct service delivery in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

A new initiative of the Koori Employment Strategy is the Koori Graduate Recruitment and Development Scheme. This scheme mirrors the Victorian Public Service graduate program in that it offers three rotational placements over a 12-month period and a structured learning and development program. Two Koori graduates commenced with the department in January 2012.

In February 2012, the Koori Employment Team was awarded the IPAA Victoria Leadership in the Public Sector’s Indigenous Employment Award, which celebrates leadership in the public sector that drives public policy and service delivery.

The Mildura Emerging Leaders ProgramThe Mildura Community Partnership Program, which the department has been driving since 2008, is focused on improving health, education and economic outcomes in the region.

A highlight in recent years has been the Mildura Emerging Leaders Program, which has provided leadership and personal development opportunities to 15 students since its establishment in 2011. Students are encouraged to show leadership in their local communities and are supported in their efforts through mentoring and youth leadership programs.

This year participants completed a Certificate One in Vocational Preparation, through the Mildura-based training provider Australian National Institute, and assisted with community canoeing activities during Health and Wellbeing Day in February.

Mason Peter, aged 16, joined the Mildura Emerging Leaders program in 2011. Mason, who lives in a remote area about an hour from Mildura, is also a member of the Mildura Youth Ambassadors Program.

“I come from a small isolated farming community and I don’t really engage much with other indigenous youth, so the Emerging Leaders camps have allowed me to engage and make strong friendships,’’ Mason says.

“Just being with the group has made me more confident. I’ve gained better public speaking skills and it’s enabled me to get involved with the community, make connections and help out.” “I’ve still got a lot of work to do, and being in this group is helping me to succeed.”

“What drives me is to make a better future for Aboriginals and Torres Strait islanders. Because my Great Nan was a member of the stolen generations, I want to make her feel proud of me.”

“I want to study law to gain a better understanding of the legal system. I might want to work

with the Department of Justice, or in criminal law, or maybe politics.”

Child Witness Service

The Child Witness Service assists children and young people giving evidence to the criminal courts in Victoria. Demand for this service has increased with 689 new referrals between July 2011 and May 2012. This is in addition to an ongoing caseload of 1,241 children and young people.

A large proportion of referrals is from rural Victoria, with 38 per cent of children and young people living in the country.

Some 77 per cent of all cases involving the Child Witness Service relate to sexual offences. However this year the service has also seen a growth in physical violence referrals (22 per cent), primarily related to family violence.

Since commencing operation in 2007, the service has supported 3,114 children and young people. Seventy-four per cent of child witnesses have been between 13–18 years of age, with the remaining 26 per cent being 12 years or younger.

The service collects valuable information from child witnesses about their experience of the criminal justice system for judicial officers, legal practitioners and police.

Fine defaulters brought to bookSheriff’s officers have used ANPR as part of a series of operations.

Highpoint Shopping Centre was the scene of a recent successful operation to identify fine defaulters.

Officers checked more than 11,000 vehicles using ANPR technology and identified 598 outstanding warrants valued at more than $176, 000.

One particular defendant was found to have 90 outstanding warrants valued at over $24,000.

Some 38 vehicles were wheel clamped during the operation and 22 vehicles remained clamped at the completion of the operation as the defendants were unable to pay their fines.

Officers regularly undertake targeted enforcement activity, such as special operations, roadblocks and blitzes. These special operations provide another means for Sheriff’s officers to make contact with fine defaulters and encourage people to take steps to clear their outstanding warrants.

Sheriff’s Operations

Sheriff’s Operations is responsible for the execution of warrants, both civil and criminal, issued by Victorian and federal courts and enforcing sanctions against those who do not comply with court orders.

A highlight this year has been the use of Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). ANPR technology is used by Australian enforcement agencies to enhance operational effectiveness and accuracy in identifying vehicles of interest. In the case of Sheriff’s Operations, it means identifying vehicles registered to owners with outstanding warrants.

ANPR allows officers to check thousands of vehicles automatically rather than a few by hand.

The camera only registers number plate images; it does not record other images such as faces or buildings. Number plate images are sent to a computer and compared against data files that list registered vehicles with outstanding warrants. When a number plate image corresponds with a vehicle registration number on the outstanding warrants list, the ANPR software notifies the user of a successful ‘match’. It records the time, date, location and relevant number plate image for each successful match.

In the mobile application, the ANPR cameras are mounted to the exterior of a Sheriff’s vehicle. The vehicle then travels through carparks reading each number plate as it passes.

ANPR training for Sheriff’s officers began on 10 April 2012. Seventeen cars have been fitted out across the regions specifically for use with ANPR equipment.

Faces of JusticeA day in the life of justice officers Robyn Findlay and Helen Rohan, Barwon South West RegionFor Robyn and Helen, working as justice officers means being ready to deal with anything, anytime.

They work at the Geelong regional office and that means helping people who want to pay fines, apply for birth, death or marriage certificates, dealing with offenders reporting for community corrections orders as well as administration duties.

Robyn has been with the department for 29 years and began working at the former Barwon Attendance Centre, which was a pre-release program for prisoners in the old Geelong jail.

She has found administration has changed markedly in that time. “Keeping up keeps you young at heart,’’ she says.

By 8.30am on a typical morning they are usually dealing with offenders arriving to report for their community correction orders, or assemble for community work crews. On one morning recently there were 20 offenders arriving for first-aid training and six people taking part in a program to reduce their risk of re-offending.

From early morning the team is also dealing with people wanting birth, death and marriage certificates.

This regional service has been a great success: an estimated 3,000 people attend the office each year to apply for certificates. “On one occasion we assisted the Geelong Hospital chaplain, who required an urgent marriage certificate for one patient who only had days to live and wanted to marry.”

A critical role for the officers is supporting the work of the Sheriffs officers and helping people who want to pay a fine.

Faces of JusticeNitin Nazareth, Project Officer, People and CultureNitin Nazareth has an internal focus – he helps develop and foster the working lives of his 7,000 colleagues.

Nitin is a project officer in the People and Culture division, working on inducting new staff as

well as helping out on a range of programs to develop the careers of Department of Justice employees.

Nitin is also a recent staff member – having completed the Victorian Public Service graduate program in 2010.

This gave him work experience across a range of government departments, from Justice to Arts Victoria and Health.

After finishing the program he began his role with the department, an opportunity which draws on his passion for human resources.

“I completed a commerce degree and discovered a real interest in human resources, marketing and strategy,’’ Nitin says.

However he was to take a completely different path once he graduated, working initially in sales.

“I was selling gas and electricity and found that sort of role was a great way to build up my confidence. I felt that if I could learn to sell gas and electricity I could speak to anyone.’’

He has found working in public service offers a whole other layer to his career direction.

“Being involved in this sort of work is about a desire to contribute to something that is greater than yourself,’’ he says.

“The motivation is that you are making a difference and are doing something for the public good.’’

6 Balanced, responsible regulationHighlights:• creation of new, integrated, gambling and liquor regulator• some 28 con men have been prosecuted • new 12-year wagering and betting licence awarded.

Did You Know?

The Victorian racing industry generates more than $2 billion in economic activity each year and supports more than 70,000 jobs. About half of this economic activity and two-thirds of the employment is generated in country Victoria.

Integrated gambling and liquor regulation

The establishment of the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) on 6 February 2012 has integrated gambling and liquor regulation.

As such, the VCGLR assumed all regulatory functions, duties and powers of the former Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation, Director of Liquor Licensing and the Liquor Licensing Panel.

The VCGLR is an independent statutory authority. It undertakes licensing activities, and promotes compliance with and detects breaches of the relevant gambling and liquor legislation. The VCGLR also educates industry and the public about its regulatory practices and requirements.

In the short time the VCGLR has been operational, it has:

• introduced preliminary conferencing for contested liquor applications

• commenced a program of joint compliance inspections and developed training for gambling and liquor inspectors

• created an integrated contact centre as the first port of call for all liquor and gambling enquiries

• implemented the liquor licensing five-star and demerit points systems (described in more detail below)

• introduced the new Keno licence as the first element of the new arrangements for gaming in 2012.

Establishment of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, an independent statutory authority focused on the prevention and treatment of problem gambling, began operations on 1 July 2012.

The foundation’s mandate is to reduce the prevalence of problem gambling and gambling-related harm, and to foster responsible gambling. It will deliver a range of programs including research, treatment and counselling services and education.

The creation of the foundation – a new statutory entity – was an important milestone for the department in 2011-12.

When establishing the foundation, the department had two overarching priorities: to provide the necessary infrastructure and resources for it to perform its legislative functions, and to

ensure the continuity of problem gambling programs and services during the transition of staff, resources, and functions from the department to the foundation.

Major project milestones achieved in 2011-12 include:

• development and passage of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Act 2011

• establishment of the Responsible Gambling Fund, with an initial commitment of $150 million over four years, to be administered by the foundation

• transfer of existing functions, positions and people from the department to the foundation

• creation of governance and operating systems for the foundation to ensure the proper and efficient functioning of the new organisation.

Services for problem gamblers

Until the establishment of the foundation on 1 July 2012, the department continued to manage the delivery of programs to reduce the harm caused by problem gambling. Major areas of activity included the Gambler’s Help services.

In 2011-12:

• Gambler’s Help Line received 13,364 calls

• Gambler’s Help Online recorded over 250,000 visits, with over 60 per cent of visits originating from Victoria

• Gambler’s Help Services delivered over 66,200 service hours to over 6,000 clients.

A new campaign highlighting the dangers of excessive online gambling was launched in September 2011. Aimed at male gamblers aged 25-34 at risk of developing a gambling problem, the campaign focused on sports betting and online gambling, and promoting the help services available through Gambling Help Online and the Gambler’s Help telephone line.

The campaign was extremely successful, with a 1,213 per cent increase in visits to Gambling Help online, including a 1,502 per cent increase in new visitors to the site. The Gambler’s Help Line also received a 23 per cent increase in calls.

Subsequent campaigns have been directed at male problem gamblers aged 25-34 (January 2012) and family and friends of problem gamblers (March 2012).

The latest campaign, Gamble Aware, began in May 2012 and highlights the unlikely odds of winning a major prize on poker machines while at the same time promoting a responsible approach to gambling.

Pre-commitment for gaming machines

Pre-commitment allows players to set limits on their expenditure or playing time and will be required to be available on all machines in Victoria by 2015-16.

A discussion paper to seek the community’s views on issues and options associated with a voluntary pre-commitment scheme in Victoria was released by the department in November. Local councils, community groups, industry peak bodies, manufacturers, suppliers and venue operators all made submissions.

Transition to new gambling industry structure

The gambling industry is undergoing a major transformation during 2012, with the commencement of the new Keno Licence in April and the arrangements for gaming machines, the Wagering and Betting Licence and the Monitoring Licence to commence in mid-August 2012.

The 10-year Keno Licence – awarded to Tabcorp Investments No. 5 Pty Ltd in March 2011 – commenced on 15 April 2012. A $60 million premium payment was received for the licence. Keno was launched in approximately 89 venues, with the number of participating venues to exceed 600 during 2012.

On 19 July 2011, the Minister for Gaming announced his decision to award the new 12-year Wagering and Betting Licence to Tabcorp Wagering (Vic) Pty Ltd. The licence will commence on 16 August 2012. A premium payment of $410 million was received for the licence.

On 14 November 2011, the Minister for Gaming issued the new 15-year Monitoring Licence to Intralot Gaming Services Pty Ltd. The licence will commence on 16 August 2012. The monitoring licence was the final licence to be awarded as part of the restructure of Victoria’s gambling industry.

As part of the new gaming arrangements, approved hotels and clubs with gaming machine entitlements will be authorised to own and operate gaming machines in their venues from 16 August 2012. Venue operators will assume responsibility from the current gaming operators for the ownership and operation of gaming machines and must hold a gaming machine entitlement for each machine in operation. These arrangements will allow venue operators to have more control over the way they run their gaming businesses.

Liquor licensing reforms

Major reforms to liquor licensing aim to strengthen the system and improve public safety.

Amendments to the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 and the Liquor Control Reform Regulations 2009 delivered:

• the introduction of a five-star rating system that rewards licensees behaving responsibly with discounts on their annual licence fees. Licensees are allocated a star rating based on their ongoing compliance with the most serious offences under the Act, and are rewarded with a five or 10 per cent discount on their annual liquor licensing fees if they have met their obligations.

• a demerit points system that penalises licensees that fail to meet important liquor law obligations. Under this system, demerit points are accrued when licensees commit a serious offence, such as supplying alcohol to a minor or intoxicated person, or allowing minors or drunks to remain on the premises. Should a licensee reach one of three separate demerit point thresholds, their liquor licence will be automatically suspended for a set period.

• the introduction of a new Wine and Beer Producer’s Licence to create business flexibility for modern wineries and breweries

• ensuring all licensees that exclusively supply packaged liquor obtain a packaged liquor licence. This will improve the consistency and equity of licensing arrangements across these types of businesses.

• ensuring that live music is an ongoing consideration in liquor licensing decisions made by the VCGLR.

These initiatives began on 20 February 2012, and build on other reforms that were implemented during 2011, including:

• giving parents greater control over their children’s access to alcohol, through stronger secondary supply laws (i.e. the supply of alcohol to minors), which commenced in November 2011

• increasing penalties for antisocial behaviour (commenced in August 2011)

• introducing new powers for licensees, responsible persons and members of the police force to bar troublesome patrons from licensed premises (commenced in August 2011).

The racing industryThe department delivers the government’s racing program, including the provision of regulatory and funding support for Victoria’s important racing industry. In 2011-12, this work has included finalisation of a new Wagering and Betting Licence for Victoria, the establishment and delivery of the Victorian Racing Industry Fund, the development of important legislation and representing the interests of the state and its racing industry in a number of related court matters.

Transition to new wagering licence arrangements

The previous Victorian wagering licence expires in August 2012, along with the associated joint venture arrangements between the licence holder (Tabcorp) and the Victorian racing industry.

Establishment of the Victorian Racing Industry Fund

Victorian racing and training venues have received a significant boost with the establishment of the Victorian Racing Industry Fund (VRIF). The $79.5 million fund has been established by the government in order to return unclaimed wagering dividends and on-course totalisator wagering taxes to the racing industry over four years.

The department has worked with racing authorities to deliver on government funding commitments, including improvements at racing and training venues and for selected programs to further stimulate racing industry growth and development.

In 2011-12, across all racing funding programs, the department managed commitments worth almost $27.4 million, including:

• $10 million for Victoria’s breeding and sales industries

• $4 million for drug research

• $2 million for animal welfare programs

• more than $8.4 million for infrastructure projects at 75 racing and training venues throughout Victoria.

Thoroughbred racing

Victoria’s racing venues continue to deliver high quality racing events.

The department has worked closely with Racing Victoria, Country Racing Victoria and racing clubs to deliver on government commitments to thoroughbred racing. This has included a joint project with the racing industry worth $2.6 million to return thoroughbred racing to Yarra Valley following the cessation of thoroughbred racing in 2010 due to damage caused by regular flooding. This project will include reconstruction of the course proper and significant improvements to patron facilities and racing is expected to return to Yarra Valley in early 2013.

The department managed funding commitments in excess of $1 million in total to country racing clubs to repair drainage and irrigation systems following flooding. The funding covered 14 projects at 11 country racing venues, including:

• Benalla ($100,000)

• Bendigo ($40,000)

• Echuca ($50,000)

• Hanging Rock ($100,000)

• Kilmore ($450,000)

• Mornington ($115,000)

• Towong ($25,000)

• Wangaratta ($99,537)

• Warracknabeal ($5,000)

• Warrnambool ($25,000)

• Wodonga ($30,000).

Harness racing

The department has worked with Harness Racing Victoria and harness racing clubs to deliver on a government funding commitment of $678,000 to enable the resumption of harness racing at Boort, Gunbower, Ouyen, St Arnaud, Wangaratta and Wedderburn, following the closure of those venues in 2005.

The Shepparton Harness Racing Club and the local community have also benefited from funding for an outdoor viewing deck at Shepparton.

Greyhound racing

The department has worked with Greyhound Racing Victoria and the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club on a $3.2 million redevelopment of its track. The government’s commitment of $1.35 million will see substantial upgrades to racing infrastructure and improvements to public facilities.

The department has worked with the Geelong and Shepparton greyhound racing venues in delivering upgrades that have proven to be popular attractions for racing patrons and the local community.

Racing integrity

The department has worked with Racing Analytical Services Limited to increase its research and testing capabilities in respect of the use of drugs in racing and has also supported the work of the Racing Integrity Commissioner.

Animal welfare initiatives

Funding for the Greyhound Adoption Program and Living Legends has delivered on government commitments to animal welfare programs aimed at caring for racing animals after their track careers have ended.

Raceday Attraction Program

The establishment of a Raceday Attraction Program (RAP) as part of the VRIF has seen $734,663 delivered to the industry in support of 23 innovative projects at 47 racecourses,

primarily at country racing venues. RAP projects such as the Sporting Club Series at Sandown, the Girls Night Out at Melton and the Tradies Day at Ballarat have been successful in promoting racing and getting people back to the track.

Legislation and litigation

Work has been undertaken on the government’s legislative program including the preparation of draft proposals to ensure a competitive regulatory environment for Victorian bookmakers and a fair return to Victorian racing from the betting activities of interstate wagering operators.

The department has been involved in several federal court matters in relation to interstate wagering service providers who are challenging the validity of Victorian legislation. Their challenges relate to Victoria’s single wagering licence framework and state legislation requiring bookmakers to make a reasonable contribution to the Victorian racing industry for the use of its racing product.

The High Court of Australia has recently determined similar legislation in New South Wales to be valid and thus confirmed the right of racing controlling bodies to charge product fees.

The government’s racing policy includes strong advocacy for a nationally consistent approach to the regulatory environment for racing product fees.

The department, through its work as part of the Council of Australian Governments Select Council on Gambling Reform, has continued to push for Commonwealth legislation to underpin the existing state-based race fields regulatory environment, including the establishment of specific offence provisions to prevent off shore wagering operators from operating on Victorian racing without proper authority. This would also serve to prevent existing Australian wagering operators from avoiding their obligations to Victorian and Australian racing by moving off shore.

Consumer protection In 2011-12, Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) – the state’s consumer affairs regulator – increased its focus on web-based communications, small business and improving information for retirement villages.

Web-based access

Consumer Affairs Victoria continued to find new and innovative ways to reach consumers and businesses. It expanded its use of Twitter and YouTube, and launched a Facebook account in July. CAV has tweeted 2,944 times since launching its Twitter account in May 2010, and has more than 2,000 Twitter followers (at 30 June 2012) – more than any other state-based fair trading agency. It launched an improved website in January, which for the first time includes a dedicated section for business. Its mobile website launched in September and has been visited almost 20,000 times (at 30 June 2012).

In March, CAV launched Stevie’s Scam School, a series of six online videos that educate small businesses about how to identify and avoid scams. The videos have been viewed more than 200,000 times (at 30 June 2012). The MyShopRights app, to help shoppers know their rights, has been downloaded more than 16,200 times (at 30 June 2012) since it was launched in December 2010.

Retirement villages

Consumer Affairs Victoria focused this year on improving retirement village practices. It collaborated with industry and resident groups to develop seven protocols that encourage consistent and good-practice handling of contentious issues, such as maintenance charges and changes to services. A discussion paper was also released that considered options to improve information disclosure and standardise the structure of village contracts.

Small business

Consumer Affairs Victoria increased its focus on small business this year, launching new web tools and a dedicated web space, an e-newsletter and a small business hotline and dispute resolution service. The hotline helps small businesses who have queries about their obligations under the Australian Consumer Law. It has taken 3,634 calls since it launched in July. Almost 1,100 small business disputes have been resolved through the dispute resolution service. In May, legislative changes increased CAV’s powers to resolve small business disputes.

Travelling con men

Some 28 con men have been prosecuted following a national campaign to tackle travelling con men. Consumer protection agencies worked together to address the problem, including launching a national hotline in October for people to ‘dob in’ suspicious activity. The 28 prosecutions resulted in fines and cost penalties of $296,235. About 40 con men have been deported or left the country. CAV has issued more than 160 warnings to Victorians about con men via Twitter, Facebook and media announcements. This was in addition to numerous alerts of travelling con men activity posted on its website.

Court actions

Consumer Affairs Victoria completed five significant court actions in Victoria’s superior courts this year. In May, the Victorian Court of Appeal found parties collectively operating as the ‘Hope Clinic’ had no rational grounds for claiming its treatments could slow, stop or reverse the progress of cancer, and they had therefore engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct.

In March, the Supreme Court found against Peter Mericka and his two companies – Lawyers Real Estate Pty Ltd and SLOD Pty Ltd. Mr Mericka argued that Lawyers Real Estate was an incorporated legal practice and therefore legally exempt from needing an estate agent’s licence. The court rejected Mr Mericka’s arguments, pointing out that the operation of a real estate business was not within the ordinary function of a lawyer and that the exemption, when applied, only exempted Australian legal practitioners, not companies.

The Supreme Court declared that Parking Patrols (Vic) Pty Ltd, Ace Parking Pty Ltd and the companies’ directors Kevin and James English had engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct, and made false and misleading representations to consumers by issuing potentially misleading ‘fines’ to consumers who did not display a ticket or overstayed a free parking period.

Product safety

Consumer Affairs Victoria is leading or contributing to a number of national efforts to get unsafe products off the market. It is leading a national campaign to educate discount variety retailers about product safety laws. This has included developing an illustrated guide to unsafe products, in three languages, so retailers can identify dangerous items. Other public safety campaigns this year have included:

• an education campaign on the strangulation risk of curtain and blind cords with distribution of 1,700 free safety kits

• about 75,000 teachers, sports club members and council employees educated on safety risks from moveable soccer goals, and traders informed about mandatory standards

• more than 1,450 compliance activities completed, including 11,164 unsafe products seized.

The CAV Annual Report 2011-12 is available at consumer.vic.gov.au/annualreport.

Faces of JusticeCharles Charalambous, Senior Compliance and Enforcement Officer, Consumer Affairs VictoriaWhen Charles Charalambous received information about a container approaching Australia full of potentially dangerous toys and toy guns, he took action.

After receiving the information, Charles, who is a product safety and enforcement officer with Consumer Affairs Victoria, worked with Customs to try and identify where the container was coming from and where it might land.

That cooperation meant the problem container was eventually located and officers then watched to see where it would go once it left the docks.

Once Charles followed its journey to a Clayton warehouse that same morning, court orders were quickly applied for and Charles found himself involved in a raid resulting in seizure of 4,500 dangerous toys.

“That included toy guns capable of shooting four-inch nails with potentially deadly force,” Charles says.

Charles’ first role at Consumer Affairs Victoria lasted nine years. before he decided to give the private sector a try.

But the attraction of combining law enforcement with product safety drew him back and he has since clocked up 10 years on the job.

“It is not just about smacking traders who flout regulations but it is equally about working with all levels of suppliers and informing and educating them,’’ he says.

He conducts inspections at every point in the supply chain and works with individual retailers as well as big chains. One day might find him at market stalls, and another in a large warehouse distribution centre.

Five-year financial summary and review of financial conditions

2012 (b)$’000

2011 (b)$’000

2010$’000

2009$’000

2008 (a)$’000

Revenue from Government 4,091,615 3,970,828 3,636,194 3,396,002 3,109,725

Total income from transactions 4,231,040 4,127,710 3,765,789 3,528,943 3,278,923

Total expenses from transactions (4,190,515) (4,124,315) (3,791,343) (3,518,194) (3,201,379)

Net result from transactions 40,525 3,395 (25,554) 10,749 77,544

Net result for the period 37,564 3,552 (26,668) 1,136 65,571

Net cash flow from operating activities 119,618 103,982 45,363 79,919 103,793

Total assets 3,449,929 3,357,529 2,494,743 2,446,126 2,284,234

Total liabilities 1,053,115 1,070,160 1,060,810 1,065,516 970,442(a)

a. In reviewing the reporting responsibilities for the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA), it has been established that there was no requirement for OPA to produce and table an annual report under the provisions of the Financial Management Act 1994 (FMA). Given this, OPA’s financial information has been included in the department’s annual financial statements.

b. The 2011-12 financial year and the 2010-11 comparative figures have been adjusted to reflect the reclassification of the appropriation that was previously recognised as a grant paid to the Victorian Law Reform Commission.

Revenue from Government and total income from transactions increased in 2011-12 due to:

• the funding of new initiatives which commenced during the year, as well as incremental impacts of initiatives in previous financial years which are now fully operational

• additional indexation on base funding for increased salary and operating costs of ongoing services and programs for the department and its agencies.

Total expenses from transactions increased in 2011-12 due to:

• continued investment in Justice system infrastructure including prisons, courts and additional frontline Victoria Police members and Protective Services Officers

• an increase in capital investment costs following the funding of new initiatives

• an increase in accommodation and facility management costs including rent and utilities.

The increase in the net result for the period in 2011-12 was mainly due to:

• an improvement in the performance of the department’s trust funds, in particular the Victorian Property Fund and the Domestic Builders Fund.

Net cash flow from operating activities increased in 2011-12 due to:

• increased trust revenue and an increase in trade creditors relating to operating activities.

Total assets increased in 2011-12 due to:

• the continued redevelopment of the State Coronial Services Centre at Southbank

• works across both the male and female prison system to build additional accommodation capacity including Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, Dhurringle, Port Phillip and Langi Kal Kal prisons.

Detailed financial information about the performance of each of the department’s output activities is contained in note 2 to the financial statements.

In general, delivery of services by the output activities of the department were within defined budgetary objectives. A comparison of budget and actual financial statements is contained under Budget Portfolio Outcomes.

Report on outputsThe report on outputs compares the output costs and targets specified for the Department of Justice in the State Budget with actual performance against those targets.

For budget purposes, outputs are defined as those goods and services provided to government by the department, its agencies and statutory bodies. The budget papers present the outputs in groups according to the similarity of their purposes.

Output performance in 2011-12The following pages outline the nature and purpose of each of the output groups and their contribution to justice policy objectives. The tables report actual performance against the budget estimates and targets for each output and key performance indicator.

Corresponding data for the two previous years is included, where available, for the purpose of comparison. The symbol ‘nm’ is used to indicate where a new measure has been introduced for which performance has not previously been reported. Where appropriate, commentary is provided on the factors influencing performance over the past three years.

A specific explanation is provided for significant variations between the 2011-12 targets and actuals, particularly where performance was 10 per cent more or less than the target.

Public safety and crime reductionThese outputs contribute towards enabling individuals and families to undertake their lawful pursuits confidently, safely and without fear of crime. Victoria Police significantly contributes to this outcome by striving to reduce violence and crime through law enforcement, judicial support, community assistance, guidance and leadership. The Office of Police Integrity ensures Victoria Police maintains the highest ethical and professional standards at all times. This output group will contribute to the department’s objective to lead whole-of-government crime prevention.

Policing services

Victoria Police delivers a range of services including:

• detection and investigation of offences and bringing to justice those responsible for committing them

• supporting the judicial process to achieve efficient and effective court case management, providing safe custody for alleged offenders and ensuring fair and equitable treatment of both victims and alleged offenders

• responding to calls for assistance in matters of personal and public safety, including emergencies, serious incidents and routine response calls

• providing community safety and crime prevention programs such as the authorised release of criminal history information in the interests of public safety

• promoting safer road user behaviour and enforcing road safety laws.

This range of law enforcement services aims to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute crime, and promote safer road user behaviour. These services reflect the government’s focus on reducing the overall incidence and fear of crime and enhancing the safety of individuals and families.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual

Notes

actual

Quantity

Crime prevention and community safety checks conducted number 470,000 557,401 493,200 434,171 1

Events responded to number 750,000 811,930 776,840 753,417

Reductions in crime against the person per cent 2.0 -11.8 -5.7 -2.9 2

Reduction in property crime per cent 3.0 -4.7 3.4 7.0

Quality

Proportion of drivers tested who comply with alcohol limits per cent 99.5 99.8 99.7 99.7

Proportion of drivers tested who comply with posted speed limits per cent 99.5 99.8 99.8 99.7

Proportion of drivers tested who return clear result for prohibited drugs

per cent 98.0 96.0 97.9 98.9

Proportion of the community who have confidence in police (an integrity indicator)

per cent 82.0 85.1 84.1 81.9

Proportion of community satisfied with policing services (general satisfaction)

per cent 68.0 75.9 73.0 66.1

Proportion of successful prosecution outcomes per cent 92.0 93.0 91.6 93.6

Timeliness

Proportion of crimes against the person resolved within 30 days per cent 54.0 55.0 53.1 52.4

Proportion of property crime resolved within 30 days per cent 21.0 18.8 19.7 20.4

Cost

Total output cost $ million 2,061.9 2,092.9 1,959.7 1,857.1

Commentary on performance1. The 2011-12 actual varies from the 2011-12 target due to legislative changes for safety check requirements in the private

security industry. The changes have resulted in higher than anticipated safety checks conducted.2. The 2011-12 actual varies from the 2011-12 target due to a significant increase in recorded offences. Total Assaults

increased by 14.1 per cent, mainly due to a 43.1 per cent increase in assaults recorded in the context of police attendance at Family Violence incidents. Results should be viewed in the context of continued improvements in the police response to support victims of family violence. This is leading to an increase in willingness on the part of victims to seek assistance from police.

Police integrity

The Office of Police Integrity is an independent police anti-corruption and oversight body established to:

• ensure Victoria Police maintains the highest ethical and professional standards

• detect, investigate and prevent police corruption and serious misconduct

• educate Victoria Police and the general community regarding police corruption and serious misconduct, including their effects

• make sure Victoria Police members have regard to human rights

• build a corruption-resistant culture within Victoria Police and advance the delivery of ethical and professional policing services to the Victorian community.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Corruption prevention initiatives number 50 57 60 94 1

Parliamentary reports published number 6 6 6 4

Quality

OPI investigations resulting in significant outcomes per cent 75 64 67 74 2

Timeliness

Compliance with complaint handling requirements prescribed in legislation within set timeframes

per cent 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Cost

Total output cost $ million 26.8 25.4 25.8 24.2

Commentary on performance1. The 2011-12 actual is higher than the 2011-12 target due to the Office of Police Integrity (OPI) undertaking more crime

prevention presentations than originally estimated.2. During 2011-12 OPI conducted 25 investigations. At the end of the 3rd quarter, OPI was above target at 79 per cent.

During the 4th quarter, 11 investigations were conducted including the finalisation of a number of long-term investigations. Only five of the 11 investigations resulted in a significant outcome.

Legal support to government and protecting the rights of VictoriansThese outputs include a range of activities delivered by the department including:

• legal policy advice to government, law reform and implementation of new or amended legislation and the provision of legal advice to other departments and agencies

• provision of services relating to rights and equal opportunity, identity protection, and advocacy and guardianship for Victorians with a disability or mental illness

• legal aid to support access to justice, supporting victims of crime, and delivery of independent, expert and credible forensic medical services to the justice system

• privacy protection

• the administration of the Victorian electoral system.

This output group will contribute to the department’s objective of managing the justice service portfolio.

Legal policy, advice and law reform

This output encompasses the provision of legal policy advice to government, law reform and management of Native Title legislation and Native Title claims.

Legal policy advice is delivered jointly through the department and the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office (VGSO). The Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC) reports and recommends both on issues referred to it by the Attorney-General and on minor changes to the law without a reference.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Community education and consultation sessions conducted (VLRC) number 50 50 50 50

Law reform projects conducted (VLRC) number 4 2 4 4 1

Native Title claims for which evidence has been assessed (NTU) number 3 3 3 3

Quality

Client satisfaction with quality of legal advice provided (VGSO) per cent 80.0 86.0 88.0 77.0

Stakeholder satisfaction with consultation/education processes (VLRC) per cent 85.0 85.0 85.0 85.0

Stakeholder satisfaction with law/reform projects, briefings and consultations (Legal Policy)

per cent 80.0 82.0 80.0 80.0

Timeliness

Client satisfaction with timeliness of legal advice provided (VGSO) per cent 80.0 86.0 88.0 83.0

Cost

Total output cost $ million 64.6 61.5 69.3 60.3

Commentary on performance1. The 2011-12 actual is lower than the 2011-12 target due to the VLRC having only one ongoing reference after the Sex

Offender Registration report was completed in December 2011.

Protecting community rights

This output promotes non-discrimination and protects community rights through:

• the work of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) in relation to human rights and discrimination through education, engagement, capacity building and actively assisting parties to quickly and effectively resolve disputes

• the promotion of the rights, interests and dignity of Victorians with a disability or mental illness through the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA)

• the promotion of the registration of significant life events (i.e. births, deaths, marriages, adoptions, relationships, donor register), protecting personal identity information held on

public records and providing access and issuing information from these records in appropriate circumstances.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12

target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Community education/training programs, services and events delivered (VEOHRC) number 80-100 99 89 517

Enquiries made by the community for information and advice (VEOHRC) number 6,000-

6,500 7,940 nm nm 1

Protective interventions for people with a disability (Public Advocate) number 2,510 2,737 2,755 2,486

Quality

Registration transaction error rate (Births, Deaths and Marriages) per cent <1.0 0.2 0.3 0.4

Customer satisfaction rating: Community education/training programs, services and events delivered (VEOHRC)

per cent 85.0 86.0 86.0 90.0

Timeliness

Timely provision of certificates (Births, Deaths and Marriages) per cent 90.0 94.3 94.0 94.0

Complaints finalised within agreed timeframe (VEOHRC) per cent 85.0 85.0 89.8 90.0

Cost

Total output cost $ million 36.6 36.9 34.5 32.6

Commentary on performance1. The 2011-12 actual is higher than the 2011-12 target due to an increase in media campaigns and information sessions

across metropolitan and regional areas regarding the law and services provided by the Commission.

Supporting the judicial process

This output supports the judicial process and access to justice by:

• providing appropriate, proportionate and directed legal aid services to individuals and families in genuine need

• tailoring legal aid services, processes and pathways that are inclusive, accessible and equitable

• providing independent, expert and credible forensic medical and scientific services

• providing medico-legal support to the justice system by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM)

• providing referral to appropriate support agencies for victims of crime, administering a Victims Counselling Scheme and funding community programs to establish victim support networks.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Clinical forensic medical services (VIFM) number 2,100-

2,500 2,212 nm nm

Duty lawyer services (VLA) number 80,000 75,170 78,174 70,830

Grants of assistance (VLA) number 45,000 44,641 42,157 36,963

Legal advice to clients (VLA) number 135,000 119,242 124,345 95,858 1

Medico-legal death investigations (VIFM) number 4,300-

4,600 4,484 4,530 4,550

Number of victims receiving a service (VSA) number 8,500 9,291 9,497 9,662

Provision of expert forensic medical and scientific evidence in court (VIFM)

number >200 257 nm nm 2

Quality

Quality Audit (VIFM) per cent 95.0 94.0 94.0 96.0

Timeliness

Applications for legal aid processed within 15 days (VLA) per cent 95.0 91.0 97.5 96.0

Medical and scientific investigations on the body of the deceased completed within two days (VIFM)

per cent 75.0-85.0 81.0 81.2 76.0

Medico legal death investigation reports issued within agreed period (VIFM)

per cent 65.0-70.0 59.0 60.6 54.0

Cost

Total output cost $ million 172.2 171.0 162.3 145.7

Commentary on performance1. The 2011-12 actual is lower than the 2011-12 target due to increasingly complex cases requiring prolonged sessions, and

sessions involving more than one service. Consequently, the number of advice sessions given over a set time has decreased. This is reflected in the lower than expected year to date actual.

2. The 2011-12 actual is higher than the 2011-12 target due to an increased demand for the provision of Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) expert evidence in court, particularly relating to clinical forensic medicine.

Privacy regulation

The Information Privacy Act 2000 regulates the collection and handling of personal information by the Victorian public sector and local government. The Office of the Victorian Privacy Commissioner receives and deals with complaints of alleged breaches of privacy and promotes privacy protection through advocacy, education and training, audit and investigation of breaches of the Act.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Compliance activities conducted number 2,700 2,860 2,835 2,756

Privacy awareness activities conducted number 253 279 280 205 1

Quality

Client satisfaction with services provided level high high high high

Timeliness

Statutory or agreed timelines met per cent 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0

Cost

Total output cost $ million 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.3

Commentary on performance1. The 2011-12 actual is higher than the 2011-12 target due to an increase in the Office of the Victorian Privacy

Commissioner’s (OVPC) general public awareness activities.

State electoral roll and elections

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) maintains a high-quality electoral system that supports democracy in Victoria by:

• maintaining an accurate and secure electoral roll

• encouraging greater participation by education, awareness, and ease of access

• providing electoral services to ensure fair and equitable representation

• conducting fair and impartial elections.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

State elections, municipal and statutory elections, by-elections and polls number 48 19 131 nm 1

Quality

Challenges to VEC conduct upheld in court number 0 0 0 0

Timeliness

Elector enrolment changes and new enrolments processed within set timeframes

per cent 98.0 99.5 100.0 100.0

Cost

Total output cost $ million 35.4 23.7 55.7 20.9 2Commentary on performance1. The 2011-12 actual is lower than the 2011-12 target due to less demand for Liquor Licensing Polls, fewer council by-

elections and countbacks. Estimates based on past years proved to be inaccurate for 2011-12.2. The variance is due to lower than anticipated demand for Liquor Licensing Polls, fewer council by-elections and count

backs.

Dispensing justiceThese outputs support the state’s judiciary in its adjudication of criminal and civil justice, maintain the administrative operations of the system of courts and statutory tribunals, and provide appropriate civil dispute resolution mechanisms. These outputs also conduct criminal prosecutions on behalf of the state.

Through these outputs, the department aims to:

• reduce crime

• support a flexible and efficient justice system

• support appropriate resolution of disputes.

This output group will contribute to the department’s objective of managing the justice service portfolio.

Court matters and dispute resolution

This includes services provided by the Supreme Court, County Court, Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, Children’s Court of Victoria, Coroner’s Court, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Criminal and non criminal matters disposed number 384,000 385,984 394,223 395,892 1

Quality

Quality of court registry services per cent 85.0 95.0 85.0 98.4 1,2

Timeliness

Criminal and non criminal matters disposed within agreed timeframes

per cent 80.0 80.2 80.0 76 1

Cost

Total output cost $ million 417.9 449.7 419.9 378.8 3

Commentary on performance1. The 2011-12 actual excludes the Supreme Court as this data was not yet available.2. The 2011-12 actual is higher than the 2011-12 target due to Courts performing tasks such as counter, telephone and email

inquiries well within timeframes and to the satisfaction of clients. 3. The variance is underpinned by a higher than anticipated carry over into 2011-12 which was not reflected in the 2011-12

published budget.

Public prosecutions

The Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) strives to provide a high quality, independent prosecution service on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the High Court, Supreme Court, County Court and Magistrates’ Court. The DPP and the OPP have a responsibility to conduct prosecutions in an effective, economic and efficient manner.

Matters prosecuted involve: serious crimes, including homicides; major sex offence cases; major drug cases; or matters that are of significance to the fair and effective operation of the Victorian criminal justice system, such as corruption cases involving police or lawyers. Matters are prosecuted in Melbourne and regional courts.

The OPP also provides professional support to prosecution witnesses and victims of crime involved in its cases, to ensure that appropriate consideration is given to the concerns of witnesses and victims of crime.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Judicial Officer sitting days requiring prosecutors number 9,500-

10,500 9,686 10,181 9,960

Number of briefs prepared and hearings attended number 68,500-

73,500 70,783 70,837 69,465

Number of victim and witness consultations number 5,750-

6,500 6,900 6,389 6,166

Quality

Guilty outcomes (guilty pleas and trial convictions) as a percentage of case completions

per cent 85.0 88.4 88.3 85.3

Timeliness

Proportion of trials listed which did not proceed to adjournment on application of the Crown

per cent 99.0 99.0 99.3 98.4

Cost

Total output cost $ million 67.8 66.0 60.3 55.3

Community operationsThese outputs include: the fair and effective enforcement of judicial fines; court orders and warrants; processing of traffic infringement notices; and the implementation of crime prevention strategies to reduce the propensity to offend (such as the Working With Children Check Scheme and the Aboriginal Justice Agreement).

This output group will contribute to the department’s objective to provide excellence in service delivery.

Infringement and orders management

This output involves the enforcement and management of infringements and orders by:

• administering the processing of traffic infringement notices, penalty payments and referral for enforcement action where required

• coordinating confiscations, and the management or conversion of assets obtained through criminal activity

• supporting enforcement action by the Office of the Sheriff to ensure judicial fines, court orders and warrants are discharged, and delivering fines enforcement services to other state and local government agencies.

These activities serve as an administrative method for dealing with minor criminal offences, where a person has the option of paying a fixed penalty (intended to serve as a deterrent) rather than going to court.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Infringement notices processed

number (million) 2.80-3.0 2.85 2.94 2.72

Warrants actioned number 800,000 871,134 1,021,235 780,770

Quality

Prosecutable images per cent 88.0 95.3 97.0 92.0

Timeliness

Assets converted within 90-day conversion cycle per cent 85.0 86.6 92.0 92.0

Clearance of infringements within 180 days per cent 75.0 77.3 77.0 79.0

Cost

Total output cost $ million 230.1 177.5 180.5 171.1 1

Commentary on performance1. The variance is mainly due to changes in contractual terms relating to the outsourcing of traffic camera services and

infringement processing, resulting in lower than anticipated expenditure.

Community safety and crime prevention

This output ensures community safety and crime prevention by:

• administering of the Working With Children Act 2005• contributing to the implementation of crime prevention initiatives, with a particular focus

on addressing the over-representation of the Koori population in the criminal justice system.

The Working With Children Checks are intended to reduce the incidence of sexual and physical offences against children by preventing people assessed as not suitable (due to prescribed offences or findings) from working with children, thereby enhancing community safety.

By addressing the underlying issues of disadvantage, the intention is to reduce the over-representation of the Koori population in the criminal justice system.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Crime prevention initiatives established to support the Koori community number 35 35 35 38

Number of Working With Children Checks applications processed

number (‘000) 120-170 180.9 137 152

Quality

Issuing of Working With Children Check assessments in accordance with the Working With Children Act 2005

per cent 100 100 100 100

Cost

Total output cost $ million 46.0 37.5 33.9 30.8 1

Commentary on performance1. The underspend is mainly due to the re-scoping of projects within the Community Crime Prevention Program in response to

additional funding, and the timing of grant announcements within the Graffiti Prevention and Removal Program.

Supporting the state’s fire and emergency servicesThis output supports emergency prevention and response services provided by the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board, Country Fire Authority and Victoria State Emergency Service, to reduce death and injury rates and to improve emergency response times. Key strategic priorities involve emergency services working together in a coordinated manner, developing common arrangements that apply to a range of hazards facing the community, focusing on prevention and minimising the risk of emergencies, and ensuring emergency services work in active partnership with the community.

This output will contribute to the department’s objective of leading whole-of-government emergency management.

Emergency management capability

This output delivers emergency management by:

• providing fire suppression, emergency prevention and response services in the metropolitan fire district and in rural and regional Victoria including outer metropolitan Melbourne

• managing major natural disasters, providing road crash rescue and supporting local government and communities in disaster prevention and mitigation

• monitoring performance standards for fire and emergency services and providing high-level emergency management advice.

Key components of this output reduce the level of risk of emergencies occurring and the adverse effects of emergency events, such as death and injury rates.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Number of emergency service delivery points number 1,400 1,423 1,420 1,400

Quality

Advice meets internal benchmarks per cent 95.0 96.0 96.0 95.0

Municipal customer satisfaction per cent 85.0 94.0 94.0 96.0

Structural fire contained to room or object of origin per cent 70.0 81.0 82.0 73.0 1

Timeliness

Emergency response times meeting benchmarks per cent 90.0 92.0 91.0 89.0

Cost

Total output cost $ million 273.9 236.0 264.8 214.5 2

Commentary on performance1. The 2011-12 actual is above the 2011-12 target due to targets differing between various Emergency Services

Organisations. Relevant to this result is the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) who set their target at 90 per cent. This performance measure has been discontinued for 2012-13.

2. The variance is mainly due to lower than anticipated expenditure in relation to the National Emergency Warning System project, Neighbourhood Safer Places program, and the National Disaster Resilience Program.

Enforcing correctional ordersThese outputs ensure that orders of the courts and the Adult Parole Board are implemented through the management of Victorian correctional facilities and programs for the containment and rehabilitation of prisoners as well as the community-based supervision of offenders.

These outputs reflect the government’s focus on reducing the overall incidence and fear of crime and enhancing the safety of individuals and families.

This output group will contribute to the department’s objective to manage capacity and demand for correctional services.

Prisoner supervision and support

A key component of this output is to ensure prisoners are safely and securely contained, and to rehabilitate offenders by addressing the underlying causes of offending behaviour. Positive behavioural change contributes to the government’s focus on reducing the overall incidence of crime and enhances the safety of all Victorians.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Average daily prison utilisation rate of total prison capacity per cent 90-95 94.8 92.4 92.3

Total annual daily average numbers of prisoners number 4,550-

4,750 4,831 4,586 4,492

Quality

Proportion of benchmark measures in prison services agreement achieved per cent 90.0 87.1 87.8 91.3 1

Rate of prisoner participation in education per cent >35.0 37.2 nm nm

Rate of return to prison within two years per cent <37.0 35.1 nm nm 2

Cost

Total output cost $ million 593.0 594.1 534.0 492.6

Commentary on performance1. The 2011-12 actual is provisional only. Data is being finalised and therefore the final results may vary.2. The 2011-12 actual is being finalised.

Community based offender supervision

The output provides for community supervision of offenders on court orders. Court orders focus on rehabilitation while ensuring offenders make suitable reparation to the community. This is intended to help break the cycle of re-offending, and contributes to the government’s focus on reducing the overall incidence of crime and enhancing the safety of all Victorians.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Average daily offenders under community based supervision number 6,700 6,821 6,709 6,363

Community work hours performed number (‘000) 750-850 713.1 795.6 807.2

Quality

Offenders with a supervised order that has been successfully completed per cent 68.0 67.8 nm nm

Offenders with an unsupervised order that has been successfully completed per cent 61.0 51.7 nm nm

Rate of return to corrective services within two years of discharge from a community corrections order

per cent <27.0 21.3 nm nm 1

Timeliness

Offenders with a treatment or personal development program condition who have been appropriately referred to a program within set timelines

per cent 92.0 93.4 94.5 94.0

Cost

Total output cost $ million 121.8 95.5 85.0 74.1 2

Commentary on performance1. The 2011-12 actual is indicative only. Data is being finalised and therefore the final result may vary.2. The variance is mainly caused by delays in the implementation of some programs and services under the Sentencing

Reform Project, lower than expected legal services costs, and lower than anticipated costs for supervision orders under the Serious Sex Offender Strategy.

Protecting consumersThis output promotes informed, confident and protected consumers through appropriate regulation and education that promote awareness and compliance with consumer laws, specifically focusing on the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers, providing flexible dispute resolution and fostering business and industry growth.

This output involves developing and administering consumer protection legislation, including legislation relating to misleading and deceptive conduct, unconscionable conduct and unfair contract terms. It informs people of their rights and responsibilities in the marketplace, promotes more informed and educated buying decisions, provides assistance to those seeking redress, promotes compliance by business with the law and ensures that laws are appropriately enforced. Business registers and licences are maintained to ensure minimum standards of transparency and competence and, where necessary, to influence and regulate trading behaviour.

This output will contribute to the department’s objective of providing excellence in service delivery, and of ensuring responsible regulation.

Promoting and protecting consumer interests

This output provides information and education to consumers and traders, dispute resolution services, and monitors and takes action to promote and enforce compliance with the law. Increased awareness of consumer and business rights and obligations fosters a marketplace where consumers are more likely to make decisions that promote their interests.

The management of registers or licences for certain occupations or industries, business names, and community organisations is also reported in this output. Product safety services directly contribute to promoting and protecting consumer interests. Licensing for certain occupations and industries contributes to protecting particularly the vulnerable and disadvantaged consumer by identifying suitably qualified providers in the marketplace.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Information and advice provided to consumers and traders delivered by Responsible Alcohol Victoria (RAV)

number 68,000 86,917 nm nm 1

Information and advice provided to consumers and traders delivered by Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV)

number 606,350 590,449 nm nm

Inspections, compliance monitoring and enforcement activities delivered by RAV number 16,000 16,772 nm nm

Inspections, compliance monitoring and enforcement activities delivered by CAV number 9,075 9,417 nm nm

Registration and licensing transactions delivered by RAV number 69,000 80,150 nm nm 2

Registration and licensing transactions delivered by CAV number 600,000 650,002 nm nm

Quality

Customer satisfaction with services provided per cent 90.0 95.0 90.0 91.0

Timeliness

Services provided within agreed timeframes per cent 90.0 87.7 95.0 95.0

Cost

Total output cost $ million 114.2 117.9 167.7 159.9

Commentary on performance1. The 2011-12 actual is higher than the 2011-12 target due to the change in liquor licence categories (Vigneron’s to Wine

and Beer Producers’ licence) and enquiries in relation to the new five star and demerit point systems.2. The 2011-12 actual is higher than the 2011-12 target due to legislative change in response to key recommendations made

by the Liquor Control Advisory Council. As a result, more training programs were delivered than had been anticipated when the target was set.

Gambling regulation and racing industry developmentThe Victorian community expects a responsible, sustainable and transparent gambling and racing industry. This output provides: strategic policy advice to the Minister for Gaming; leadership on the ongoing enhancement of gambling industry regulation; compliance and responsible management of problem gambling, particularly for the vulnerable and disadvantaged.

The output provides funding support to the racing industry for identified priorities, including racing infrastructure and greater community participation. It also provides strategic advice to the Minister for Racing on issues of significance to the racing and wagering industries, industry regulation and compliance.

This output will contribute to the department’s objective of ensuring responsible regulation.

Gambling regulation and racing industry development

This output provides for monitoring and regulation of gambling activities in Victoria, and leadership and strategic policy advice to the Minister for Gaming and the Minister for Racing on the regulation of the gambling industry, responsible management of problem gambling issues and development support to the racing industry.

Performance measures Unit of measure

2011-12 target

2011-12 actual

2010-11 actual

2009-10 actual Notes

Quantity

Office of Gaming and Racing briefings processed number 900 876 946 971

Racing industry development initiatives delivered number 7 7 nm nm

Racing matters processed (including licences, permits, appeals, registrations

number 225 297 226 183 1

and grant applications)

Regulatory services including licensing and compliance activities number 29,000 27,616 28,304 26,892

Quality

Accuracy of regulatory compliance activities per cent 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Timeliness

Gambler’s Help Service clients who receive a service within five days of referral

per cent 90.0 97.0 87.0 96.7

Racing and gaming applications and initiatives completed within elapsed time benchmark

per cent 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Regulatory compliance and licensing activities progressed within set timeframes

per cent 85.0 83.0 90.0 89.0

Cost

Total output cost $ million 165.6 98.2 111.4 114.8 2

Commentary on performance1. The 2011-12 actual is higher than the 2011-12 target due to significantly higher than anticipated activity in racing matters.

The increase reflects an increase in racing related funding programs and applications for Mixed Sports Gathering betting permits.

2. The variance includes the original budget being overstated by $31 million due to an administrative error in the preparation of the 2011-12 budget.

Disclosure of grants and transfer payments (other than contributions by owner)The department has provided assistance to certain companies and organisations. Financial assistance provided in 2011-12 was as follows:

Organisation Payment ($’000)

Public safety and crime reduction

Victoria Police 2,041,299

Office of Police Integrity 21,375

Sub total 2,062,674Legal support to government and protecting the rights of Victorians

Office of the Victorian Privacy Commissioner 2,273

Victoria Legal Aid 115,867

Victorian Electoral Commission 21,685

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission 8,712

Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine 26,354

Community Support Groups 10,083

Other 724

Sub total 185,698Dispensing justice

Judicial College of Victoria 2,156

Office of Public Prosecutions 58,747

Sentencing Advisory Council 2,162

Victoria Legal Aid 205

Department of Health 1,473

Community Support Groups 1,428

Other 397

Sub total 66,568Community operations

Community Support Groups 3,392

Other 139

Sub total 3,531Supporting the State’s fire and emergency services

Ambulance Victoria 9,864

Country Fire Authority 84,838

Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority 14,916

Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board 37,477

Victoria State Emergency Services Authority 39,662

Life Saving Victoria 5,816

Local Councils 4,050

Community Support Groups 1,024

Other 642

Sub total 198,289Enforcing correctional orders

Department of Health 2,153

Community Support Groups 3,536

Other 1,130

Sub total 6,819Protecting consumers

Office of Housing 15,970

Community Support Groups 4,744

Other 223

Sub total 20,937Gambling regulation and racing industry development

Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation 15,781

Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation 16,174

Racing Victoria Ltd 8,805

Racing Clubs 1,332

Community Support Groups 17,483

Other 425

Sub total 60,000

Total 2,604,516