
|
Element |
Reporting arrangements |
|
Solicitor-General |
A |
|
Administrative Appeals Tribunal |
B |
|
Administrative Review Council |
B |
|
Australasian Centre for Policing Research |
C |
|
Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity |
B |
|
Australian Crime Commission |
B |
|
Australian Customs Service |
B |
|
Australian Federal Police |
B |
|
Australian Government Solicitor |
B |
|
Australian Institute of Criminology |
B |
|
Australian Institute of Police Management |
C |
|
Australian Law Reform Commission |
B |
|
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation |
B |
|
Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre |
B |
|
Classification Board |
B |
|
Classification Review Board |
B |
|
Copyright Tribunal |
D |
|
Criminology Research Council |
B |
|
CrimTrac |
B |
|
Defence Force Discipline Appeal Tribunal |
D |
|
Family Court of Australia |
B |
|
Family Law Council |
B |
|
Federal Court of Australia |
B |
|
Federal Magistrates Court of Australia |
B |
|
High Court of Australia |
B |
|
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission |
B |
|
Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia |
B & E |
|
National Crime Statistics Unit |
C |
|
National Institute of Forensic Science |
C |
|
National Native Title Tribunal |
B |
|
Office of Film and Literature Classification* |
B |
|
Office of Parliamentary Counsel |
B |
|
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions |
B |
|
Office of the Privacy Commissioner |
B |
Key
A Although resourced by the Attorney-General’s Department, the Solicitor-General is independent of the Department. The Solicitor-General does not report formally to Parliament.
B Separate reports from these bodies are tabled in Parliament.
C Reports on activities covered by the annual report on administration and activities of national common police services.
D Administrative support for these tribunals is provided by the various Federal Court registries. Information about these bodies can be found in the annual report of the Federal Court of Australia.
E The Attorney-General is required by sub-paragraph 12(1)(d) of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 to report to Parliament on the operation of the Act.
* Will report with the Classification Board and the Classification Review Board for 2006–07. It will report as part of the Attorney-General’s Department from 1 July 2007.
This functional statement is published to meet the requirements of section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).
The Department’s statement is set out below, followed by those of the Copyright Tribunal, Solicitor-General and Defence Force Discipline Appeal Tribunal (none of which publishes its own annual report). Agencies publishing their own annual reports are listed at Appendix 1. FOI statistics for the Department and all portfolio agencies are set out in the Attorney-General’s annual report to the Parliament on the operation of the FOI Act, which is accessible at <www.ag.gov.au/foi>.
The Department was one of the original departments established at Federation in 1901.
The organisation chart (Figure 1) shows the structure of the Department.
The broad functions of the Department are described in Chapter 3. Legislation administered by the Attorney-General is published in the Administrative Arrangements Order, which is available at <www.pmc.gov.au/docs/aao.cfm>.
A variety of bodies, through their association with the Department, facilitate participation by persons or bodies outside the Commonwealth administration, in the policy making functions of the Department or in its administration of various schemes and enactments. Examples of such bodies are:
Accessible Public Transport National Advisory Committee
Administrative Review Council
Admiralty Rules Committee
Anti-Money Laundering Assistance Team Strategic Priorities Reference Group
Anti-Money Laundering Council
Attorney-General’s Non-Government Organisation on Domestic Human Rights (25 peak human rights bodies)
Australasian Centre for Policing Research
Australia–New Zealand Crime Prevention Senior Officers’ Group
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
Australian Institute of Criminology Board of Management
Australian Institute of Family Studies
Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration
Australian National Council on Drugs
Banking and Finance Infrastructure Assurance Advisory Group
Biannual Ministerial Meeting with Financial Institutions
Board of the Australian Crime Commission
Building Access Policy Committee
Business–Government Advisory Group on National Security
Catholic Social Services Australia
CIP Futures Expert Advisory Group
Classification Board
Classification Review Board
Corrective Services Ministers Conference and its Senior Officers’ Group
Criminology Research Council
CrimTrac Board of Management
Critical Infrastructure Advisory Council
Emergency Management Infrastructure Assurance Advisory Group
Family Law Council
Family Services Australia
Firearms Policy Working Group
Interception Consultative Committee
Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs
Intergovernmental Committee on the Australian Crime Commission
International Legal Services Advisory Council
Law Council of Australia
Law Enforcement Advisory Committee
Mass Gatherings Infrastructure Assurance Advisory Group
Ministerial Advisory Committee on AIDS, Sexual Health and Hepatitis
Ministerial Advisory Group on Money Laundering
Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management (previously the Australasian Police Ministers’ Council)—and its Senior Officers Group
Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy
Model Criminal Law Officers Committee
National Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee
National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council
National Committee for Critical Infrastructure Protection
National Community Crime Prevention Advisory Group
National Community Crime Prevention Advisory Group for the Greater Western Sydney Region
National Corrective Services Statistics Unit Board and Advisory Group
National Crime Statistics Unit Board and Advisory Group
National Criminal Courts Statistics Unit Board and Advisory Group
National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund
National Identity Security Coordination Group
National Inhalant Abuse Taskforce
National Judicial College of Australia
National Legal Aid
National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council
National Pro Bono Resource Centre
National Working Group on the Prevention of the Diversion of Precursor Chemicals into Illicit Drug Manufacture
Native Title Consultative Forum
Personal Property Securities Review Consultative Group
Relationships Australia
Sporting Shooters and Firearms Advisory Council
Standing Committee of Attorneys-General
Water Services Infrastructure Assurance Advisory Group
The following categories of documents are held by the Department:
Many documents held by the Department are available free of charge upon request. Others are publicly available for purchase.
Subject to certain exceptions, the FOI Act also provides persons with a legally enforceable right of access to documents held by the Department.
Enquiries and requests to obtain access to any document held by the Department should be directed to:
The Director
Freedom of Information Section
Attorney-General’s Department
Robert Garran Offices
National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6250 5693
Fax: (02) 6250 5908
The Copyright Tribunal of Australia was established by the Copyright Act 1968.
Section 138 of the Copyright Act provides for a Copyright Tribunal consisting of a President and such number of Deputy Presidents and other members as are appointed.
The jurisdiction of the Tribunal can be summarised as follows:
The Tribunal maintains the following categories of documents:
Enquiries and requests to obtain access to documents held by the Tribunal should be forwarded to:
The Registrar
Copyright Tribunal
Level 16
Law Courts Building
Queens Square
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9230 8567
Fax: (02) 9230 8535
The office of Solicitor-General was established under the Law Officers Act 1964.
The Solicitor-General is the Second Law Officer of the Commonwealth (the Attorney-General is the First Law Officer).
The Solicitor-General is a holder of public office to whom administrative services are provided by the Attorney-General’s Department.
The Law Officers Act sets out the functions of the office, which include acting as counsel for the Commonwealth, giving opinions on questions of law to the Attorney-General, and carrying out such other functions, ordinarily performed by counsel, as the Attorney-General requests.
The Solicitor-General maintains the following categories of documents:
Enquiries and requests to obtain access to documents should be directed to:
Director
Freedom of Information Section
Attorney-General’s Department
Robert Garran Offices
National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6250 5693
Fax: (02) 6250 5908
The Defence Force Discipline Appeal Tribunal was established under the Defence Force Discipline Appeals Act 1955.
The Tribunal consists of a President, Deputy President and members. It has a Registrar and Deputy Registrars as required. The principal office of the Tribunal is located in Canberra.
The Tribunal is empowered to hear and determine appeals by persons who have been convicted of a service offence by a court martial or a Defence Force Magistrate under the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 or acquitted on the ground of unsoundness of mind. Subject to the reference of questions of law to the Federal Court of Australia, the Tribunal’s determination is final.
The Tribunal maintains the following categories of documents:
Enquiries and requests to obtain access to documents held by the Tribunal should be forwarded to:
Federal Court of Australia
Registry (ACT)
1st Floor
Commonwealth Law Courts Building
Childers Street
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6267 0566
Fax: (02) 6267 0625
The Attorney-General’s Department Service Charter and associated complaints handling policy have been in operation since June 1998. The Department’s charter is supplemented by charters covering International Child Abduction, Child Support and Civil Procedure (ICACSCP) and the Trade Measures Review Secretariat (TMRS).
Apart from the departmental areas covered by their own specific service charter, the Attorney-General’s Department has limited direct dealings with members of the public. The Department serves the Government, and through it, the people of Australia.
The departmental and ICACSCP charters can be viewed on the Department’s home page at <http://www.ag.gov.au>. The TMRS charter can be viewed at <http://www.ag.gov.au/tmro>. All charters of the Department are available to clients in hard copy.
The following table sets out the customer service standards contained in each charter and the extent to which they were met during 2006–07.
|
Charter |
Service standard |
Compliance with service standard |
|
Attorney-General’s Department |
A reply in plain English within 28 days of receipt of complaint, including the name and telephone number of the person dealing with the complaint. |
All complaints received a response within 28 days in compliance with the standard. |
|
Personal information used only in accordance with the law. |
* | |
|
Work will be undertaken with care, diligence and sensitivity to the needs of clients. |
* | |
|
Strong commitment to accountability and continuous improvement. |
* | |
|
Clients will be treated with courtesy, fairness and respect. |
* | |
|
Staff will act responsively to client needs. |
* | |
|
International Child Abduction, Child Support and Civil Procedure |
Reply within 28 days of receipt of complaint. |
One complaint in the relevant period. The complaint did not receive a response within the 28 days standard for response. There has been ongoing communication with the complainant through legal representatives. |
|
Personal information used only in accordance with the law. |
No misuse of personal information, resulting in a breach of the privacy legislation has been reported by the Privacy Commissioner for attention. | |
|
Correspondence to be a well-considered reply in plain English and to include the name and telephone number of the person dealing with the complaint. |
* | |
|
Subject to caseload priorities, staff will act promptly for clients. |
* | |
|
Clients will be treated with courtesy, fairness and respect. |
* | |
|
Clients will be referred to the appropriate body if staff cannot help. |
* | |
|
Trade Measures Review Secretariat |
Provision of professional and independent support to the Review Officer, ensuring that reviews are conducted in a timely, accurate and fair manner. |
No complaints were received against the Secretariat during the reporting period. However, one complaint was received against the Review Officer. The complaint has been investigated in accordance with the complaints-handling mechanism for the Department. |
|
Provision of as much access as possible to the review process, ensuring that all interested parties are given the opportunity to have their views considered. |
Public notices were published in the Australian Financial Review. | |
|
Personal information used only in accordance with the law. |
* | |
|
Provision of accurate, concise and well-considered responses in plain English to written correspondence. |
* | |
|
Generally, a written reply within 28 days of receiving the client’s letter will be provided. Alternatively, an interim response outlining the delay and when the client can expect a response will be provided. |
* | |
|
Correspondence will include the name and telephone number of the person dealing with the client’s letter. |
* | |
* Information relating to these performance standards (including complaints data, compliments, and feedback from staff/client focus groups and surveys) indicates that they are being maintained.
Clients of the Department and those of the ICACSCP and TMRS can make a complaint or provide feedback in writing, via email, by telephone or in person. Staff of the Department, whenever possible, are encouraged to resolve complaints immediately. In those instances where a resolution cannot be reached at the time of the complaint, the complaint systems for all three charters require the recording of the following information for investigation and appropriate action:
Contracting for a consultancy service is a prominent activity no different in principle from the procurement of other goods and services. The requirements of the Commonwealth procurement guidelines and the Chief Executive’s Instructions are relevant. Additionally, the Departmental policy requires that the agreement of the Secretary is required for all services of $20,000 or more.
Consultancy services are a particular type of service delivered under a contract for services. They are distinguished from other contracts for services by the nature of the work performed. A consultant, whether an individual, a partnership or a corporation, is engaged to provide professional independent and expert advice or services. Typically, the term consultancy services is used to describe the application of expert professional skills to express an original concept; investigate or diagnose a defined issue or problem; carry out defined research, reviews or evaluations; or provide independent advice, information or creative solutions to assist the agency in management decision making.
The Department’s consultancies have been identified using the Department of Finance and Administration’s document titled Guidance on identifying consultancies for annual report purposes.
Details of contractors—for example those engaged through employment agencies for short-term relief or other purposes—are not included in this report.
In accordance with the Requirements for annual reports for departments, executive agencies and FMA Act bodies, detailed information relating to new consultancy contracts to the value of $10,000 or more (inclusive of GST) is provided in Table 11.
During 2006–07, 41 new consultancy contracts were entered into, involving total actual expenditure of $1,901,005 In addition, 13 ongoing consultancy contracts were active during the year, involving total actual expenditure of $838,267.
|
Consultant name |
Description |
Contract price ($) |
Selection process1 |
Justification2 |
|
Acumen Alliance (ACT) Pty Ltd |
Review of SAP business processes, a threat risk assessment and the preparation of a system security plan |
36,382 |
Direct sourcing |
C |
|
Aequitas Pty Ltd |
Facilitation of compulsory dispute resolution sessions |
27,390 |
Direct sourcing |
A |
|
Allen Consulting Group Pty Ltd |
To evaluate the adequacy of controls on precursor chemicals, in particular pseudoephedrine |
129,534 |
Open tender |
B |
|
Australian Catholic University |
Refine the screening and assessment framework, and practice guidelines for Family Relationship Centres and Family Relationship Advice Line |
88,165 |
Select tender |
B |
|
Booz Allen Hamilton (Australia) Ltd |
Investigation of new & emerging telecommunications technologies for application to Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 |
225,875 |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
Cathco Pty Ltd |
Provision of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing consultancy |
60,000 |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
Centre for International Economics |
Prepare a regulatory impact statement on harmonising State & Territory security industry regulations |
173,925 |
Direct sourcing |
C |
|
Change Corporation Pty Ltd |
Undertake extensive analysis and confirmation of the AusCheck system business requirements. |
230,423# |
Open tender |
B |
|
Claire Grose |
Develop corporate and financial aspects of Administrative Review Council report on complex and specific business arrangements |
20,000 |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
CPT Global Ltd |
Conduct the AusCheck gateway review |
35,159 |
Select tender |
B |
|
Deloitte (Australia) Pty Ltd |
Capacity building to build the financial management capabilities of identified grant recipients for FVPLS–Carnarvon |
80,000 |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
Deloitte (Australia) Pty Ltd |
Auditing test case grant funds for the Indigenous Legal Aid program |
12,972 |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
Deloitte (Australia) Pty Ltd |
Capacity building to build the financial management capabilities of identified grant recipients for FVPLS–Kalgoorlie |
35,000 |
Open tender |
B |
|
Deloitte (Australia) Pty Ltd |
Development of AGD risk management plan |
15,026 |
Select tender |
B |
|
Elliott Shanahan Research* |
Research for stage 2 family law campaign |
165,000 |
Select tender |
C |
|
Gavin Jones Communications Pty Ltd |
Provision of Indigenous profiles for family law campaign |
49,500 |
Select tender |
B |
|
GHD Services Pty Ltd |
Training needs analysis for the CIP community |
72,110 |
Open tender |
A |
|
Grahame Michael Hilton Delaney |
Advice and assistance in development of legislation to support Federal Court’s exercise of new indictable criminal jurisdiction |
25,000 |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
Grahame Michael Hilton Delaney |
Professional advice and assistance on the Department’s management of applications for exercise of the royal prerogative of mercy |
80,000 |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
Insight SRC Pty Ltd |
To perform consultancy services in relation to the AGD 2006 staff survey |
67,680 |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
Insight SRC Pty Ltd |
Briefing division, branch and individual leaders about the results of the AGD 2006 survey and assisting to develop strategies that address outcomes |
33,000 |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
Intelligent Risks Pty Ltd |
Development of the security concept of operations for APEC Leaders’ Week |
55,000 |
Direct sourcing |
A |
|
Emergency Preparedness Capacity Builders |
Review of the ‘Working Together to Manage Emergencies’ initiative and report on program’s achievement of its desired outcome |
29,300 |
Select tender |
C |
|
Kidsons Pty Ltd |
Capacity building to build the financial management capabilities of identified grant recipients for FVPLS–Cairns |
37,400 |
Open tender |
B |
|
Kidsons Pty Ltd |
Capacity building to build the financial management capabilities of identified grant recipients for FVPLS–Rockhampton |
64,220 |
Open tender |
B |
|
Knowledge Pond Pty Ltd |
Undertake a review of the Criminology Research Act 1971 |
55,000 |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
KPMG Cairns |
Conduct an effectiveness evaluation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Legal Services (Townsville–N.Q.) Ltd for the Indigenous Legal Aid program |
60,830 |
Select tender |
B |
|
Mark Terence Trowell |
Review of provisions of National Crime Authority Act 1984 and Australian Crime Commission Establishment Bill 2002 |
168,014# |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
Market Attitude Research Services Pty Ltd |
Conduct a range of surveys and consultations to assess community awareness and views in relation to tsunami awareness |
21,450 |
Select tender |
C |
|
Monash University |
Production of Administrative Review Council best-practice publications |
35,000 |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
Noetic Solutions Pty Ltd |
Provide a benefits management framework |
18,163 |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
Peter Ford Consultancy Pty Ltd |
Conduct an examination of current practices for information sharing between law enforcement agencies |
50,000 |
Direct sourcing |
C |
|
Peter Ford Consultancy Pty Ltd |
Selection of Legal Opinions provided to the Commonwealth between 1923–45, suitable for publication as containing continuing legal and/or historical interest. |
14,850 |
Direct Sourcing |
B |
|
PSI Consulting Pty Ltd |
Professional review of multi-jurisdictional exercise final report |
18,810 |
Select tender |
B |
|
Roy Morgan Research |
Client satisfaction survey of government’s Critical Infrastructure Protection program |
50,000 |
Select tender |
B |
|
Salinger Consulting Pty Ltd |
Privacy impact statement review for AusCheck |
40,326 |
Open tender |
B |
|
SBR (ACT) Pty Ltd |
Capacity building to build the financial management capabilities of identified grant recipients for FVPLS–Many Rivers |
40,095 |
Select tender |
B |
|
Sue Sheridan |
Developing guidelines for Family Relationship Advice Line |
11,096# |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
Tanner James Management Consultants Pty Ltd |
Provide expert advice on the implementation of an overarching program management methodology. Provide project management coaching to implementation teams at critical stages of project implementation. |
81,675# |
Direct sourcing |
B |
|
Taskdynamics Pty Ltd |
Provide Board with governance training and develop internal policy documentation for FVPLS–Ceduna |
18,682 |
Open tender |
B |
|
Wallis Consulting Group Pty Ltd* |
Market research for bushfire awareness campaign |
44,495 |
Direct sourcing |
C |
# Indicates actual expenditure as no fixed contract price or payment exceeded agreed contract price.
Change Corporation
Mark Terence Trowell
Sue Sheridan
Additional travel costs were not included in these contracts.
Tanner James Management Consultants Pty Ltd
An internal delay resulted in an additional day being required to fulfil this consultancy.
* Indicates consultancy reported in the division/office ‘Advertising and market research’ return.
1 Explanation of selection process terms:
Open tender: A request for tender is published widely and all submissions received before the deadline are accepted from any potential suppliers who satisfy the conditions for participation.
Select tender: An invitation to tender is issued to potential suppliers from a short list.
Direct sourcing: A form of restricted tendering in which an agency may invite a potential supplier or suppliers of its choice to make a submission because of their expertise and/or their special ability to supply the goods and/or services sought.
Panel: An invitation to tender is issued to a panel of potential suppliers (who have pre-qualified) established by the agency to supply to the government.
2 Justification for decision to use consultancy:
A—skills currently unavailable within agency
B—need for specialised or professional skills
C—need for independent research or assessment
Under section 311A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 the Department is required to disclose payments of $10,300 or more (inclusive of GST) to specific types of organisations. These organisations are advertising agencies, market research organisations, polling organisations, media advertising organisations, and direct mail organisations. There were no payments during 2006–07 to direct mail organisations or polling organisations. Details of payments to the other categories of organisations are set out below.
|
Name of organisation |
Payment ($) |
Purpose |
Key |
|
Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
21,382 |
Media for bushfire awareness campaign |
c |
|
Brown Melhuish Fishlock Pty Ltd |
43,615 |
Advertising campaign for bushfire awareness |
a |
|
Career FAQS |
29,700 |
Non-campaign government advertising (graduates) |
c |
|
Colmar Brunton Social Research |
43,976 |
Developmental research for broadcast of emergency warnings project |
b |
|
Colmar Brunton Social Research |
171,733 |
Developmental research for counter-terrorism awareness strategy |
b |
|
Dimarzio Research Pty Ltd |
199,558 |
Market research for national security campaign |
b |
|
Elliott & Shanahan Research* |
182,952 |
Market research for community education campaign of family law reforms |
b |
|
Gatecrasher Advertising Pty Ltd |
425,511 |
Advertising for community education campaign of family law reforms |
a |
|
HMA Blaze |
1,025,250 |
Non-campaign government advertising |
c |
|
Open Mind Research Group |
158,849 |
Market research for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism campaign development |
b |
|
Universal McCann |
4,615,437 |
Media buy for national security campaign |
c |
|
Universal McCann |
1,911,255 |
Media for bushfire awareness campaign |
c |
|
Universal McCann |
2,742,281 |
Media advertising for community education campaign of family law reforms |
c |
|
Wallis Consulting Group Pty Ltd* |
44,495 |
Market research for bushfire awareness campaign |
b |
|
Worthington Di Marzio |
89,599 |
Market research for national security campaign |
b |
* Indicates Advertising and Market Research entry reported in the Division/Office return on Consultants.
Key
a Paid to a creative advertising agency to develop advertising campaign.
b Paid to a market research organisation.
c Paid to a media advertising organisation for placing government advertising (both campaign and non-campaign) in the media.
All departments and agencies are required, under paragraph 11.1(ba) of the Legal Services Directions 2005, to report on their legal services expenditure each financial year. A breakdown of the Department’s expenditure for 2006–07 is set out below, along with the previous year’s data for comparison.
All expenditure figures include GST.
|
2005–06 |
2006–07 | |
|
Total legal services expenditure |
$7,198,710.00 |
$8,240,261.60 |
|
Total external legal services expenditure1 |
$6,112,137.00 |
$7,048,837.65 |
|
$5,523,449.00 |
$5,672,721.03 |
|
$588,688.00 |
$1,376,116.62 |
|
22 |
26 |
|
$280,316.00 |
$ 894,252.80 |
|
11 |
12 |
|
$308,371.00 |
$ 481,863.82 |
|
Internal legal services expenditure2 |
$1,086,573.00 |
$1,191,423.95 |
1 These figures exclude amounts of legal services expenditure relating to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the United Nations Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance and international obligations under various bilateral maintenance arrangements. These are recorded separately because they do not constitute the purchase of legal services by the Department for itself. Rather, they arise because the Department pays for legal services that benefit other parties as a result of obligations under international agreements.
2 The Department does not have a separate internal legal services branch. Within the Department, there are units that provide both internal and external services, principally the Office of International Law, the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, and the Counsel assisting the Solicitor-General. Legal services are provided at no cost to the areas of the Department receiving the services. There is no billing arrangement for internal legal services, and separate records are not kept about this expenditure. These expenses are treated as part of the aggregate of staffing costs for the Department.
An estimate of the cost of internal legal services has been derived from an assessment of the number of staff involved in providing internal legal services and the proportion of their time involved in providing those services. The staff of the Office of International Law devoted to providing internal legal services are the full-time equivalent of 0.5 of an APS Level 3, 0.5 Legal Officer (1.0 in 2005–06), 1.0 Senior Legal Officer, 0.5 Principal Legal Officer (1.0 in 2005–06) and 0.5 of an SES Officer (0.75 in 2005–06). The staff of the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing devoted to providing internal legal services are the full-time equivalent of 0.2 of a Legal Officer, 1.0 Senior Legal Officer, 0.4 (0.5 in 2005–06) of a Principal Legal Officer and 0.1 of an SES Officer. 0.5 full-time equivalent of the Counsel assisting the Solicitor-General (a Principal Legal Officer) is devoted to providing legal services to the Department. Internal legal services that may be provided from time to time by other areas of the Department are not sufficiently material to enable separate costing.
The cost of internal legal services was then estimated based on salary levels for these positions and increased by a factor reflecting typical staffing and other overheads within the Department.
By this method, it is estimated that the Department’s internal legal services expenditure was approximately $1.191 million in 2006–07 and $1.04 million in 2005–06. In addition, in 2005–06 internal legal services in relation to commercial law issues were provided by an officer seconded from the Australian Government Solicitor at a cost of $46,573.
The costs of the Solicitor-General (including salary) are also met by the Department.
The tables on the following pages show staffing details for the Department at 30 June 2006 and at 30 June 2007 by each classification level.
Table 14 provides a breakdown of staff in full-time equivalent terms at 30 June 2006 by location (region), classification category and gender. It includes all staff employed by the Department under the Public Service Act 1999—that is, ongoing, non-ongoing, full-time and part-time. Part-time staff are shown as full-time equivalents (FTE). Table 16 gives information similar to that shown in Table 14, for each classification level, at 30 June 2007.
Table 15 shows staff numbers at 30 June 2006 by classification category, gender, and employment category and status. It shows head count numbers—that is, part-time staff are shown as the number of people employed, not full-time equivalents. Table 17 gives information similar to that shown in Table 15, for each classification level, at 30 June 2007.
For the purposes of these tables, part-time staff are defined as staff members who work less than the standard hours per week (standard hours being 37 hours 30 minutes).
Only those staff whose salaries were paid by the Department are counted for the purposes of these tables. Staff on leave without pay and contractors are not counted.
Irregular or intermittent (casual) staff, numbering 46 at 30 June 2006, and 34 at 30 June 2007, are not recorded in these tables.
|
ACT |
NSW |
Vic |
Qld |
SA |
WA |
NT |
Total | ||
|
APS Level 1–2 |
Female |
11.56 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11.56 |
|
Male |
10.40 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11.40 | |
|
Graduate |
Female |
30.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
30.00 |
|
Male |
9.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9.00 | |
|
APS Level 3 |
Female |
57.73 |
0 |
6.80 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
64.53 |
|
Male |
11.00 |
0 |
2.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
13.00 | |
|
APS Level 3–4 |
Female |
5.00 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6.00 |
|
Male |
3.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.00 | |
|
APS Level 4 |
Female |
56.32 |
0 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
57.32 |
|
Male |
18.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
18.00 | |
|
APS Level 4–5 |
Female |
8.00 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9.00 |
|
Male |
14.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14.00 | |
|
APS Level 5 |
Female |
65.30 |
0 |
5.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
70.30 |
|
Male |
29.00 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
30.00 | |
|
APS Level 5–6 |
Female |
7.60 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7.60 |
|
Male |
12.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12.00 | |
|
APS Level 6 |
Female |
71.17 |
0 |
7.43 |
1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
79.60 |
|
Male |
38.00 |
2.00 |
3.00 |
3.00 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
47.00 | |
|
Legal Officer |
Female |
51.12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
51.12 |
|
Male |
24.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24.00 | |
|
Executive Level 1 |
Female |
84.42 |
1.00 |
6.00 |
1.00 |
0 |
0 |
2.00 |
94.42 |
|
Male |
91.60 |
0 |
7.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
0 |
101.60 | |
|
Senior Legal Officer |
Female |
58.68 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
58.68 |
|
Male |
25.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
25.00 | |
|
Executive Level 2 |
Female |
37.60 |
0 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
39.60 |
|
Male |
49.00 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
50.00 | |
|
Principal Legal Officer |
Female |
38.79 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
38.79 |
|
Male |
29.80 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
29.80 | |
|
SES Band 1 |
Female |
16.60 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16.60 |
|
Male |
30.90 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
30.90 | |
|
SES Band 2 |
Female |
6.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6.00 |
|
Male |
12.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12.00 | |
|
SES Band 3 |
Female |
1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.00 |
|
Male |
2.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2.00 | |
|
Total |
Female |
606.89 |
1.00 |
28.23 |
4.00 |
0 |
0 |
2.00 |
642.12 |
|
Male |
408.70 |
2.00 |
15.00 |
4.00 |
1.00 |
2.00 |
0 |
432.70 | |
|
|
|
Ongoing |
Non-ongoing |
Total | |||
|
Full-time |
Part-time |
Full-time |
Part-time | ||||
|
APS Level 1–2 |
Female |
4 |
3 |
5 |
1 |
13 | |
|
Male |
6 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
12 | ||
|
Graduate |
Female |
30 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
30 | |
|
Male |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 | ||
|
APS Level 3 |
Female |
40 |
3 |
21 |
3 |
67 | |
|
Male |
9 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
13 | ||
|
APS Level 3–4 |
Female |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 | |
|
Male |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 | ||
|
APS Level 4 |
Female |
44 |
3 |
11 |
1 |
59 | |
|
Male |
13 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
18 | ||
|
APS Level 4–5 |
Female |
7 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
9 | |
|
Male |
12 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
14 | ||
|
APS Level 5 |
Female |
57 |
6 |
9 |
1 |
73 | |
|
Male |
26 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
30 | ||
|
APS Level 5–6 |
Female |
8 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
9 | |
|
Male |
11 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
12 | ||
|
APS Level 6 |
Female |
74 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
82 | |
|
Male |
41 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
47 | ||
|
Legal Officer |
Female |
38 |
0 |
12 |
2 |
52 | |
|
Male |
17 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
24 | ||
|
Executive Level 1 |
Female |
87 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
98 | |
|
Male |
94 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
102 | ||
|
Senior Legal Officer |
Female |
55 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
63 | |
|
Male |
22 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
25 | ||
|
Executive Level 2 |
Female |
35 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
40 | |
|
Male |
50 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
50 | ||
|
Principal Legal Officer |
Female |
38 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
41 | |
|
Male |
26 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
30 | ||
|
SES Band 1 |
Female |
15 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
17 | |
|
Male |
29 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
31 | ||
|
SES Band 2 |
Female |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
6 | |
|
Male |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12 | ||
|
SES Band 3 |
Female |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 | |
|
Male |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 | ||
|
Total |
Female |
544 |
41 |
70 |
11 |
666 | |
|
Male |
382 |
3 |
49 |
0 |
434 | ||
|
ACT |
NSW |
Vic |
Qld |
SA |
WA |
NT |
Total | ||
|
APS Level 1–2 |
Female |
12.05 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12.05 |
|
Male |
11.32 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2.00 |
0 |
13.32 | |
|
Graduate |
Female |
24.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24.00 |
|
Male |
10.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10.00 | |
|
APS Level 3 |
Female |
68.78 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6.00 |
0 |
74.78 |
|
Male |
14.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
15.00 | |
|
APS Level 3–4 |
Female |
4.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
5.00 |
|
Male |
4.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4.00 | |
|
APS Level 4 |
Female |
76.69 |
1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
77.69 |
|
Male |
30.68 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
30.68 | |
|
APS Level 4–5 |
Female |
6.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
7.00 |
|
Male |
8.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8.00 | |
|
APS Level 5 |
Female |
89.22 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.00 |
3.6 |
0 |
93.82 |
|
Male |
21.90 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.00 |
2.00 |
0 |
24.90 | |
|
APS Level 5–6 |
Female |
12.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12.00 |
|
Male |
11.50 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11.50 | |
|
APS Level 6 |
Female |
92.60 |
2.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7.03 |
0 |
101.63 |
|
Male |
52.00 |
1.00 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
3.0 |
1.00 |
58.00 | |
|
Legal Officer |
Female |
76.64 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
76.64 |
|
Male |
27.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
27.00 | |
|
Executive Level 1 |
Female |
108.92 |
3.00 |
2.00 |
1.00 |
0 |
7.00 |
0 |
121.92 |
|
Male |
108.75 |
3.00 |
0 |
1.00 |
2.00 |
6.00 |
1.00 |
121.75 | |
|
Senior Legal Officer |
Female |
63.38 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
63.38 |
|
Male |
24.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24.00 | |
|
Executive Level 2 |
Female |
38.89 |
1.00 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
41.89 |
|
Male |
54.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.00 |
0 |
55.00 | |
|
Principal Legal Officer |
Female |
44.76 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
44.76 |
|
Male |
28.50 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
28.50 | |
|
SES Band 1 |
Female |
22.44 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
22.44 |
|
Male |
31.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
31.00 | |
|
SES Band 2 |
Female |
11.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11.00 |
|
Male |
10.00 |
1.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11.00 | |
|
SES Band 3 |
Female |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Male |
4.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4.00 | |
|
Total |
Female |
751.37 |
7.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
1.00 |
26.63 |
0.00 |
790.00 |
|
Male |
450.65 |
5.00 |
0.00 |
2.00 |
3.00 |
15.00 |
2.00 |
477.65 | |
|
|
|
Ongoing |
|
Non-ongoing |
Total | ||
|
Full-time |
Part-time |
Full-time |
Part-time | ||||
|
APS Level 1–2 |
Female |
7 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
14 | |
|
Male |
12 |
1 |
1 |
14 | |||
|
Graduate |
Female |
24 |
24 | ||||
|
Male |
10 |
10 | |||||
|
APS Level 3 |
Female |
45 |
4 |
26 |
1 |
76 | |
|
Male |
10 |
5 |
15 | ||||
|
APS Level 3–4 |
Female |
3 |
2 |
5 | |||
|
Male |
2 |
2 |
4 | ||||
|
APS Level 4 |
Female |
53 |
3 |
21 |
2 |
79 | |
|
Male |
17 |
2 |
12 |
31 | |||
|
APS Level 4–5 |
Female |
7 |
7 | ||||
|
Male |
8 |
8 | |||||
|
APS Level 5 |
Female |
74 |
9 |
13 |
2 |
98 | |
|
Male |
20 |
4 |
1 |
25 | |||
|
APS Level 5–6 |
Female |
12 |
12 | ||||
|
Male |
9 |
1 |
2 |
12 | |||
|
APS Level 6 |
Female |
88 |
6 |
10 |
104 | ||
|
Male |
51 |
7 |
58 | ||||
|
Legal Officer |
Female |
64 |
11 |
3 |
78 | ||
|
Male |
25 |
2 |
27 | ||||
|
Executive Level 1 |
Female |
102 |
15 |
8 |
1 |
126 | |
|
Male |
114 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
122 | ||
|
Senior Legal Officer |
Female |
56 |
9 |
2 |
67 | ||
|
Male |
24 |
24 | |||||
|
Executive Level 2 |
Female |
37 |
4 |
2 |
43 | ||
|
Male |
53 |
2 |
55 | ||||
|
Principal Legal Officer |
Female |
38 |
9 |
1 |
48 | ||
|
Male |
23 |
3 |
3 |
29 | |||
|
SES Band 1 |
Female |
21 |
1 |
1 |
23 | ||
|
Male |
30 |
1 |
31 | ||||
|
SES Band 2 |
Female |
10 |
1 |
11 | |||
|
Male |
11 |
11 | |||||
|
SES Band 3 |
Female |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 | |
|
Male |
4 |
4 | |||||
|
Total |
Female |
641 |
63 |
|
100 |
11 |
815 |
|
Male |
423 |
8 |
|
47 |
2 |
480 | |
The Department values and fosters a work environment rich in achievement, and recognises individuals and teams who have demonstrated excellence in achieving outcomes above and beyond expectations. To acknowledge and show appreciation for the outstanding contributions of staff, the Department has in place both formal awards and informal management mechanisms that distinguish and support good performance.
Both individuals and staff teams were recognised for their outstanding professional contribution in 2006. The Secretary reflected on the commitment and professionalism of not only the recipients but also the Department as a whole and noted the wide range of skills and expertise available among AGD staff.
The departmental awards are:
Individual divisions and offices administer less formal recognition awards within the Department. A number of these awards were presented during this reporting period.
Recipients of awards for 2006–07 and noteworthy achievements follow:
Helen Daniels, Assistant Secretary of the Copyright Law Branch, was awarded the Public Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours announced on 11 June 2007. The award was for outstanding public service in implementing the Australian Government’s copyright reform agenda.
Alison Playford, Assistant Secretary of the Administrative Law and Civil Procedure Branch, received the Secretary’s Award 2006 in recognition of her outstanding role and leadership in the development of the major family law reforms: the Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006.
Karen Horsfall and Kirsten Kobus—for the high level of dedication and professionalism, over and above that required to achieve the business goals of the Department, that was demonstrated in delivering on the Council of Australian Government legislative counter-terrorism response to the London bombings of July 2005.
Cathy Rainsford—in recognition of her outstanding role in the implementation of the new family law system, in particular in overall project management and planning and in managing the development of a call management system for the new Family Relationship Advice Line.
Natalie Marsh—in recognition of her outstanding role and leadership in managing the Department’s Graduate Program over many years.
Rachel Antone, Freedom of Information Unit—for professionalism and dedication in achieving exceptional outcomes for the Department.
Alex Boland-Bondarenko, Emergency Management Australia—for outstanding service as the NEMCC Preparedness Officer, particularly in response to emergencies in 2006, including the Yogyakarta earthquake, Tropical Cyclone Larry, civil unrest in Timor-Leste and the bushfires in Victoria.
Sharyn Crozier, Civil Justice Division—for responsibility and commitment in managing the high volume of family law ministerials in the first half of 2006.
Tony D’Amico, Information and Communications Technology—for leadership and project management skills for the provision of IT support and services for the Centenary House Inquiry and Oil-for-Food Inquiry.
Kirsti Haipola, Information Law and Human Rights—for demonstrated high levels of professionalism and commitment to the implementation of copyright treaty obligations.
Anita Mackay, Civil Justice Division—for organising the 2006 Civil Justice and Legal Services Group Summer Clerks program including the selection process, induction program and placements.
Kathy Mildren, Emergency Management Australia—for professionalism and dedication to duty in the successful administration of the ‘Working Together to Manage Emergencies’ initiative.
Jeff Murphy, Criminal Justice Division—for exemplary dedication and contribution to developing the Government’s response to the Cole Commission of Inquiry Report.
Megan Rowe, Property Team—in recognition of professionalism and dedication in achieving exceptional outcomes for the Department.
George Sanderson, Ministerial and Parliamentary Services—in recognition of professionalism and dedication in achieving exceptional outcomes for the Department.
Geoff Skillen, Office of International Law—for outstanding work and dedication in the provision of advice and guidance to the Government on international law.
Leith Watson, Criminal Justice Division—for exemplary project management skills in the development of the National Clandestine Laboratory Database.
Maia Ablett, Julia Galluccio, Tamsyn Harvey, Kirsten Law, Legislation, Scrutiny and International Team—for professionalism, dedication and teamwork in the development of reforms to the native title system.
Jacqueline Aumann, Anna Chisholm, Daniel Gleeson, Chantel Myers, Caroline Rebaque, Ruth Treyde, Family Law Reforms Community Education Team—for outstanding work on the development and implementation of Phase One of the Family Law Reform community education campaign.
Serena Beresford-Wylie, Jing-Ting Chan, Jeanette Daniel, Simon Hine, Glenda Kelly, Fermin Lopez, Cathy Rainsford, Angela Tsongas, Family Relationship Advice Line and Online Team—for outstanding work and dedication to the development of the Family Relationship Advice Line and Family Relationships Online.
Danny Bondarenko, Mark Goldsby, Support Services Maintenance and Removals Team—for always providing prompt moving and fixing assistance—with good will and good humour.
Melanie Brocklehurst, Matt Hall, Preparation of New Policy Proposals for 2007–08 Team—for outstanding services to the Civil Justice and Legal Services Group in the preparation of new policy proposals for the 2007–08 Budget cycle.
Maryann Brooke, Sonya Davidson, Maria Messner, Pascal Michaux, Kate Wilson, Veronica Zelenika, Wanlin Zhang, Legal Aid Program Section—for contributing to the development and implementation of the Legal Aid Reporting Initiative.
Sonia Burton, Mark Canning, Myfanwy Edwards, Julia Felton, Niluka Jayasinghe, Sonya Kim, Michael Piotrowicz, Felicity Richmond, Kerry Veness, Indigenous Legal Aid Section—for the timely and efficient management of the national Indigenous legal aid tender.
Mark Canning, Anthony Heiser, Michael King, Geoffrey McDougall, David O’Brien, Heather Prostimo, Legal Services Tender Evaluation Team—for exceptional service in contributing to the intensive evaluation of legal services tenders with a long-term, whole-of-department focus while also continuing to perform their usual duties.
Diana Ferry, Siw Wittkopf, Carolyn Wolfenden, Commonwealth Games Team—for professionalism and dedication in coordinating security arrangements to achieve a safe and secure Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Lani Gibbins, Lisa O’Connell, Jessica Robinson, Kate Tubridy, Andrew Walter, Extradition and Mutual Assistance Review Team—for excellent work developing policy reforms for the Extradition and Mutual Assistance Reviews.
Maka Kama, Helen Knight, Judi McNaughton, Paul Seymour, Kathy Voudouris, Internet Redevelopment Project Team—in recognition of the Internet Redevelopment Project Team’s dedication, professionalism and the successful redevelopment and deployment of the Department’s Internet site.
Trevor Clement, Emergency Management Australia—was presented with a special Award Certificate from the Prime Minister, The Hon John Howard, MP, and The Hon Peter Beattie, MP, Premier of Queensland, for outstanding leadership during the response to Tropical Cyclone Larry.
Malcolm Purcell, Emergency Management Australia—received a commendation from Mr Tony Pearce, Director General of EMA, for outstanding contribution to the success of the Australian Government response to the Dili Harbour hazardous materials emergency.
Peter Arnold, Joelene Azzopardi, Alex Bondarenko, Lauren Cappello, Peter Channells, Elizabeth Cotsell, Kim Fitzgerald, James Gustus, David Imhoff, Trevor Jenner, Janelle Keyes, Stephanie King, Tina Liakatos, Paul McAlonan, Sally McKay, Scott Milne, Malcolm Purcell, Justine Rixon, Matthew Smith, Caroline Thompson, Peter Willett, Diana Williams, Alastair Wilson, Emergency Management Australia—were acknowledged for their involvement in the response to Tropical Cyclone Larry. At a