ADMINISTRATIVE OVERVIEW

Establishment

The Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII) was established on 27 April 1989 under an Order-in-Council. It reports to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Membership

Article 2(1) of the Order-in-Council establishing the Institute provides for a membership of a Chair, and not less than four and not more than 12 other members. On 30 June 1999, the Institute consisted of a Chair and nine other members. Members are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister.

Remuneration

Members receive a sitting fee in line with the rate set by the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, as amended, for part-time members of non-statutory bodies. Members are also entitled to reimbursement for travel and accommodation expenses incurred while on business as a member of the Board.

Meetings

The Board of the Australia-Indonesia Institute met on ten occasions during the reporting period:

24th meeting: 5 February 1996, Canberra

25th meeting: 23-24 May 1996, Jakarta

26th meeting: 7 November 1996, Canberra

27th meeting: 4-5 March 1997, Perth

28th meeting: 1-4 July 1997, Jakarta

29th meeting: 8 December 1997, Canberra

30th meeting: 7 April 1998, Sydney

31st meeting: 5 August 1998, Jakarta

32nd meeting: 4 December 1998, Canberra

33rd meeting: 25-26 March 1999, Brisbane

Reports

The Order-in-Council establishing the Institute does not require the Institute to prepare an annual report. The first Chair of the Council submitted an annual report to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and this practice continued to 1994-95. This report covers the period 1995-96 to 1998-99.

Auditor's report

The Australian National Audit Office as part of its examination of the accounts of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade examines the financial affairs of the Institute.

Staffing

For the first part of the reporting period the Australia-Indonesia Institute Secretariat was located in the International Cultural Relations Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was staffed by up to three departmental officers.

In late July 1997 the Secretariat was transferred to the Maritime South East Asia Branch and was located in the Indonesia Bilateral Section.

Staff who served with the Secretariat during the reporting period are listed below:

Mr Bob Luton, Director (February 1994 - February 1998)

Ms Paula Ganly, Project Officer (October 1997 - February 1998); Director (February - June 1998)

Ms Marisa Gomes, Project Officer (May - June 1998); A/Director (June - December 1998)

Ms Lorraine Barker, Director (January - December 1999)

Mr John Murphy, Project Officer (June 1994 - October 1997)

Ms Diana Nelson, Part-time Project Officer (June - November 1998)

The Secretariat liaises closely with the Counsellor (Cultural) at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta (during the reporting period this was Mr Gregson Edwards). Institute activities in Indonesia receive assistance from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.

Trust fund

The Institute operates a trust fund under s.62A of the Audit Act 1901. The trust account allocation for 1995-96 was $1 000 000 and for each of 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99 was $900 000. Trust fund carry-over figures are detailed at the end of each annual financial statement.

Industrial democracy and workplace diversity

Secretariat staff are covered under the industrial democracy and workplace diversity provisions of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as the Department's Certified Agreement 1998-2000.

Freedom of information

In the reporting period the Institute did not receive any applications under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

AUSTRALIA

Australia-Indonesia Institute
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The RG Casey Building
BARTON ACT

(Postal address)
PO Box E 8
KINGSTON ACT 2604

Telephone: +61 2 6261 3821
+61 2 6261 3827
Facsimile: +61 2 6261 1743
Email: ausindonesia.institute@dfat.gov.au
Internet: www.dfat.gov.au/aii/

INDONESIA

The Cultural Office
Australian Embassy
Jalan H R Rasuna Said Kav C 15-16
Jakarta Selatan 12940
JAKARTA

Telephone: +62 21 2550 5260
Facsimile: +62 21 522 7104