MANAGEMENT OF THE OFFICE
Support From PM&C and DSD
454. As a very small agency, the office relies on the assistance of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) in handling staff and other administration issues and in providing general support. This support is provided on the basis that we are a portfolio agency and collocated with PM&C. The arrangement works well and I am grateful to PM&C for their continued support.
455. The other major provider of support is DSD which maintains the secure computer network system within the office. I would like to record my thanks for DSD’s continued assistance.
Outcomes and outputs
456. The office is committed to maintaining the outcome for the office which is to create an environment in which Australia’s intelligence agencies act legally, ethically and with propriety.
457. The agency outcomes and outputs are an integral part of the accrual budgetary structure and are outlined in detail in the current portfolio budget statements.
Staffing and resources
458. Staffing in the office was stable during the reporting period, as is reflected in the section, below, which deals with the composition of the office.
459. The staffing budget has remained static now for several years. I believe resources at this level are adequate to meet my responsibilities providing workload demands remain at normal levels.
Composition of the office
460. During the reporting year positions were filled as follows:
• Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security
- Mr Bill Blick PSM
• Assistant Inspector-General
- Vacant
• Principal Investigation Officer
- Mr Neville Bryan
• Senior Investigation Officer
- Ms Jane Trevor
• Personal Assistant to the Inspector-General
- Ms Sandy Thomas
• Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
- Ms Robyn Kelly
Performance pay
461. All staff have indicated that they do not wish to receive performance based pay. Accordingly, no staff members were allocated performance based pay during the reporting period.
Workplace agreements
462. The Workplace Relations Act 1996 established a framework in which agencies are required to directly negotiate agreements on pay and conditions matters with their staff.
463. All staff have entered into individual Australian Workplace Agreements.
Industrial democracy
464. The small size of the office lends itself to a collegiate approach to dealing with workplace issues. Whole of agency meetings are held frequently and all staff have direct access to me on a daily basis.
Social justice: access and equity
465. The Inspector-General oversees the activities of Australia’s intelligence community to ensure that each agency acts legally, with propriety, and with appropriate regard to human rights. Respect for these fundamental principles fosters an awareness and appreciation of social justice issues.
Workplace diversity
466. All agencies are responsible for developing a workplace diversity plan and reporting progress on workplace diversity issues to the Public Service Commissioner.
467. Given the small size of the office, we have adopted PM&C’s workplace diversity plan.
Occupational health and safety
468. The office is covered by the PM&C occupational health and safety plan. No incidents occurred that needed to be reported.
Disaster recovery/business continuity plan
469. The office developed its own disaster recovery/business continuity plan in May 1997 to ensure the continued operation of the office in the event of a disaster. This plan is reviewed periodically to ensure its currency.
Communications strategy
470. The office has an internet homepage, which is located at http://www.igis.gov.au.
471. The site features general information about the role and functions of the office, an archive of our annual reports, statements of public interest, links to relevant legislation, and links to other government sites of interest. The site is updated when necessary.
472. People may also communicate with us by electronic mail. The address is info@igis.gov.au.
Fraud control
473. The office has adopted the fraud control plan of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Training and development
474. Staff attend relevant courses and information sessions as necessary.
Internal and external scrutiny
475. The office continues to meet all requirements for internal and external scrutiny of its finances and administration.
476. The office has again received an unqualified audit report from the ANAO in relation to its financial statements.
477. I appeared before the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, which considered the office’s estimates; the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation; and its successor the Parliamentary Joint Committee on ASIO, ASIS and DSD.
Consultancy services
478. Della Vedova and Associates provided assistance with the preparation of the financial statements in this annual report, their modification from the previous format and necessary consultations with the Australian National Audit Office, at a cost of $15 950.
Advertising and market research
479. The office incurred no expenditure on general advertising or advertising campaigns during the reporting period.
Freedom of information
480. This office is an exempt agency for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 1982.