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1. Overviews | 2. Performance | 3. Corporate | 4. Appendixes | 5. Financials | 6. Glossaries and Compliance Index

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Guide to the report

This is the Secretary’s report to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Trade on the performance of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Volume 1) and AusAID (Volume 2) during the financial year 2008–09. The report is prepared in accordance with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Requirements for Annual Reports, as approved on behalf of the Parliament by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit on 17 June 2009.

Information and statistics, unless otherwise indicated, cover the financial year 2008–09, or relate to the situation as at 30 June 2009. All dollars are Australian unless otherwise specified.

Guide to Volume 1 (see also glossary of terms)

The report of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Volume 1) uses the same outcome–output structure as outlined in the Portfolio Budget Statements 2008–09 for the foreign affairs and trade portfolio. This structure contains a number of changes from that used in 2007–08. In particular the department’s performance in 2008–09 is measured against key performance indicators and corresponding targets for each output (replacing both effectiveness indicators and quality and quantity measures).

For clarity, the new performance information has been grouped against outputs rather than outcomes. Readers will find the relevant key performance indicators and corresponding targets listed at the beginning of each output.

Quantity measures have been included in reporting against outputs where the information is available and usefully contributes to the overall reporting of the department’s performance in achieving the Government’s outcomes.

We have included trade statistics covering services as well as goods. The latest goods and services trade statistics relate to calendar year 2008. They are not part of the department’s performance reporting but are included as background information for the benefit of readers.

Section 1 contains:

• the Secretary’s review for 2008–09

• the departmental overview, including:
  • role and functions

  • organisational structure

  • senior executive structure

  • portfolio structure

  • outcomes and outputs framework.

Section 2 contains the department’s outcome–output performance information reporting. In line with the Portfolio Budget Statements 2008–09:

• performance is reported by outcome and output

• reporting addresses all key performance indicators and targets.

Section 3 reports on enabling services that do not appear under the outcome structure. It includes reporting on corporate governance, external scrutiny and management of human and financial resources.

Section 4 includes appendixes providing reports required under specific legislation and useful additional information.

Section 5 contains the audited financial statements for 2008–09.

Section 6 contains glossaries and indexes.

Further information

Publications

Portfolio Budget Statements 2008–09 and 2009–10
Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements 2008–09

Website www.dfat.gov.au

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