Annual Report 2000-2001

Output G Advice to Government

Provision of high quality, timely and relevant professional advice to Government.

Milestone G1

Ministers and other key stakeholders satisfied with policy advice, analysis and briefings.

Activities

ASNO provided advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on a range of issues, as well as contributing extensively to the development of advice provided by other Divisions in DFAT, different agencies including the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, the Department of Defence and the Office of National Assessments.

Significant issues affecting nuclear safeguards, the CWC, the BWC and the CTBT were kept under review, and close liaison was maintained with DFAT on these and any matters of common interest.

ASNO attended several Parliamentary hearings as an expert witness, notably the Inquiry in the Replacement Research Reactor at Lucas Heights and the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties.

Performance Assessment

During the reporting period ASNO submitted 41 Ministerial briefs, Ministerial correspondence, Parliamentary Question briefs and press releases. It contributed to all other DFAT items on nuclear, CWC, BWC and CTBT related issues. ASNO has contributed to assessments made by the Australian intelligence community. Ministers, Departments and Agencies have indicated appreciation of the high quality, timely and relevant advice provided by ASNO.