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Annual Report 1995-96

Appendix 1

Summary of Outlays by program

318

Appendix 2

Financial Statements

319

Appendix 3

Staffing Overview

362

Appendix 4

Industrial Democracy

368

Appendix 5

Occupational Health and Safety

370

Appendix 6

Freedom of Information

372

Appendix 7

Advertising and Market Research

388

Appendix 8

Equal Employment Opportunity Data

392

Appendix 9

Reports by the Auditor-General

397

Appendix 10

Inquiries by Parliamentary Committees

400

Appendix 11

Abbreviations

404

Appendix 12

Corporate Plan 1994-1996

415

Appendix 13

Supplementary Material Available Upon Request

422

Appendix 14

Compliance Index

423

Summary of Outlays by Program

1994-95

1995-96

Expenditure

Expenditure

$'000

$'000

Program 1

 International relations, trade and business liaison

383,890

346,908

Program 2

 Passport and consular services

46,783

44,734

Program 3

 Services for other agencies

38,345

41,837

Program 4

Secure government communications and

  security services

51,483

45,439

Program 5

 Executive and DFAT corporate services

62,155

53,079

Program 6*

 Development cooperation

1,434,452

1,523,533

Program 7

 Austrade

400,657

371,677

Program 8

 Australian Secret Intelligence Service

33,568

36,085

* Program 6 includes AusAID and ACIAR

Reconciliation of Programs and Appropriation Elements for 1995-96 ($'000)

Program

Approp

Approp

Special

Annotated

Program

Adjustments(1)

Program

Number

Bills Nos

Bills Nos

Approps

Approps*

Approps

  

Outlays

 

1 & 3

2 & 4

          

1

413,865

4,984

0

35,603

454,452

31,564

422,888

2

48,342

0

0

1,110

49,452

2,277

47,175

3

24,916

0

0

11,270

36,186

11,525

24,661

4

37,939

6,130

0

1,355

45,424

1,370

44,054

5

49,895

3,700

0

2,173

55,768

2,291

53,477

6(a)

1,295,525

0

187,599

663

1,483,787

1,709

1,482,078

Total

1,870,482

14,814

187,599

52,174

2,125,069

50,736

2,074,333

(*) Annotated Appropriations are a form of special appropriations to allow a Department access to the money it earns.
(1) Adjustments to derive outlays, including receipt items classified as outlays, net movements in trust account balances, etc.
(a) Excludes 6.4 Australian Centre for Agricultural Research as a separate annual report is produced for sub-program.

The data for Appendix 2 is currently unavailable

Financial Statements

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade financial statements 1995-96

Contents of financial statements

Audit Certificate

320

Statement by the Department Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer

322

Operating statement

323

Statement of assets and liaibilities

324

Statement of program expenses and revenues

325

Statement of program assets and liaibilities

326

Statement of cash flows

327

Statement of transactions by fund

328

Notes

329

Staffing Overview

Employees by Classification and Gender - 30 June 1996

 

Male

Female

  

Australia

Overseas

Australia

Overseas

Total

GAA

14

0

19

0

33

ASO1

20

0

23

0

43

ASO2

75

23

174

43

315

ASO3

76

23

164

35

298

ASO4

87

36

124

50

297

ASO5

37

18

39

13

107

ASO6

145

75

87

36

343

SOGC

162

77

81

23

343

SOGB

135

79

27

18

259

SOGA

2

0

0

0

2

SES

67

75

15

6

163

Secretary A

0

4

0

0

4

Secretary B

1

0

0

0

1

Other classifications1

182

36

85

10

313

Total

1,003

446

838

234

2,521

Employees by Location and Gender - 30 June 1996

Male

Female

Total

ACT

915

646

1,561

State Offices

New South Wales

26

74

100

Northern Territory

2

3

5

Queensland

13

29

42

South Australia

7

13

20

Tasmania

2

6

8

Victoria

26

50

76

Western Australia

12

17

29

Overseas

446

234

680

Total

1,449

1,072

2,521

1. Includes Dir ASO, SESB1(Spec), Aboriginal Cadet, Technical, Research, Professional, Public Affairs, Information Technology, General Services, Medical Officer, Registered Nurse and Office Trainee classifications, and appropriate grades of these classifications.

Permanent and Temporary Employees (excluding locally engaged staff overseas), Full and Part-Time - 30 June 1996

 

Permanent Staff

 Temporary Staff

Total

Full-time

Part-time

Full-time

Part-time

  
Public Service Act

2,346

52

53

6

2,457

(excluding LES)
Executive Council

60

-

4

  

64

appointments
Total

2,406

52

57

6

2,521

Employees by Categories of Employment (as defined under Section 82AA of the Public Service Act) and gender - 30 June 1996

Category

Male

Female

Total

Continuing Employees

-

-

-

Short-term Employees

27

27

54

Fixed-term Employees

5

4

9

Overseas Employees

910.8

696.01

1,606.81

Total

942.8

727.01

1,669.81

Senior Executive Service by Level and Location - 30 June 1996

 

Australia1

Overseas

Total

Public Service Act Appointments

Senior Executive Band 1

59

(57)

19

78

Senior Executive Band 1 (Spec)

1

(1)

0

1

Senior Executive Band 2

18

(18)

4

22

Senior Executive Band 3

4

(4)

0

4

Secretary A

-

-

1

1

Executive Council Appointments

Dir ASO

1

(1)

0

1

Head of Mission (SE Band 1)

-

-

31

31

Head of Mission (SE Band 2)

-

-

22

22

Head of Mission (SE Band 3)

-

-

5

5

Secretary A

-

-

4

4

Secretary B

1

(1)

0

1

Totals

84

(82)

86

170

1 Figures in brackets indicate staff in Canberra

Senior Executive Service by Gender - 30 June 1996

Male

Female

Total

Public Service Act Appointments

Senior Executive Band 1

64

14

78

Senior Executive Band 1 (Spec)

1

0

1

Senior Executive Band 2

19

3

22

Senior Executive Band 3

3

1

4

Secretary A

1

  

1

Executive Council Appointments

Dir ASO

1

0

1

Head of Mission (SE Band 1)

28

3

31

Head of Mission (SE Band 2)

22

0

22

Head of Mission (SE Band 3)

5

0

5

Secretary A

4

0

4

Secretary B

1

0

1

Totals

149

21

170

SES Gains and Losses During the Year Ending 30 June 1996

Commencements:

3

Separations:

19

SES mobility

Band 1

Band 2

Band 3

To DFAT

-

-

2

From DFAT

3

1

-

Employees by Classification and Location

Central Office

State Offices

Overseas

TOTAL

GAA

18

18

ASO1

6

4

 10
ASO2

18

18

 36
ASO3

28

12

 40
ASO4

31

13

 44
ASO5

49

21

3

73

ASO6

120

11

19

150

SOG-C

92

7

25

124

SOG-B

37

3

10

50

SOG-A

1

 1
SES

14

1

15

Other Classifications *

16

18

 34
Total

429

108

58

595

* Includes Professional, Public Affairs, Information Technology and Academic officers, and National Training Wage Program staff.

AusAID*

Permanent Staff

Temporary Staff

Total

Full Time

Males

298

6

304

Females

255

11

266

Total

553

17

570

Part Time

Males

3

0

3

Females

0

22

  
Total

25

0

25

Total all Staff

578

17

595

* Does not include inoperative staff and aid experts.

AusAID Staff by Location

Male

Female

Total

Canberra

223

206

429

State & Regional Offices

ACT

3

5

8

ACPAC

5

9

14

NSW

13

7

20

NT

1

 1

QLD

5

17

22

SA

3

7

10

TAS

2

2

  

VIC

13

9

22

WA

3

6

9

Overseas

38

20

58

Total

307

288

595

Senior Executive Service at 30 June 1996

Male

Female

Band 1

9

2

Band 2

2

1

Band 3

1

  
Total

12

3

Note: These figures do not include SES staff currently inoperative, and are based on actual occupancy of positions at 30 June 1996.

SES Gains and Losses During the Year Ending 30 June 1996

Commencements

2

Separations

1

Industrial Democracy

The Departmental Consultative Council (DCC) continued its important role as the Department's peak representative body for open consultation on issues of interest to staff. The Department facilitated the involvement of staff associations in a wide range of management issues both through the DCC and on an ad hoc basis. The DCC is chaired by the Secretary and includes representatives of relevant unions active in the Department;

The DCC is responsible for the monitoring, implementation and review of the Department's Industrial Democracy (ID) Plan. It is supported by the following functionally oriented consultative committees that report to the DCC and operate to increase the participation of staff in decisions affecting them at work:

The committees met regularly throughout the year.

The Department's ID Plan includes post management overseas and the state offices. All Heads of Mission are briefed on ID principles before proceeding on posting. Implementation takes a variety of forms, ranging from consultative committees to less formal arrangements, depending on the size and the operating environment of the different posts.

Industrial relations activities were particularly prominent this year. There were a number of joint management/union working groups which produced beneficial outcomes for staff and the Department. The most prominent were the Personnel Strategy Review, the Review of Administrative Processes, the Technical Services Review, Guard Services, overseas conditions of service and information technology. Not all issues were able to be jointly resolved in house. Management and the unions required the assistance of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on several occasions: in particular over proposals for the future management of public affairs in the Department.

Formal consultative processes in AusAID are guided by the 1991 Industrial Democracy Policy. Consultation occurs through the National AusAID Union Liaison Group, which met twelve times during 1995-96 and the AusAID Consultative Council, which met three times.

These meetings are attended by Senior Management and Union delegates representing staff. A record of these meetings is circulated to all staff.

Occupational Health and Safety

As required by the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991, an OH&S Agreement was formally agreed with the relevant unions in 1992. The Department has an OH&S committee which meets every three months and brings together management and union representatives to discuss OH&S issues. The Department has 23 designated work groups and 23 health and safety representatives. Each regional office has been identified as a designated work group with elected staff representatives.

The Department has established a designated OH&S position at the SOG C level to oversee the OH&S and Welfare Unit. A primary objective of the unit is to encourage officers to take responsibility for health issues within their control. It sponsors a variety of health promotion activities and maintains close cooperation with the Medical Unit, the Office Services Section, the Building Supervisor, Technical Services Section and divisional support units to monitor and promote a safer and healthier workplace. The OH&S unit remains closely involved in the planning for the new offices.

OH&S mechanisms were established at posts to promote the safety of overseas staff, and briefings are provided for all Heads of Mission, officers selected for overseas postings, and new recruits. Selection criteria for promotion to ASO 2 to SOG B classifications require a knowledge and understanding of OH&S issues.

The Department's OH&S Policy is contained in three documents:

(a) The Statement of Commitment;

(b) The Program of Implementation; and

(c) The signed Agreement on OH&S between DFAT and the Unions.

The Statement of Commitment is a short statement setting out the Department's commitment to the broad principles of OH&S legislation, i.e. it is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment for all its employees and visitors, both in Australia and at its overseas posts. The Statement also lists several devices by which it will accomplish this objective. The Program of Implementation document addresses the strategies and mechanisms which form the framework of the OH&S Policy, and sets out the means by which the objectives will be achieved. The roles of Designated Work Groups and Health and Safety Representatives are explained, and OH&S training and health promotion is also covered. A copy of the above two documents, as well as the Agreement on OH&S between DFAT and the Unions, is available on request from the OH&S/Welfare Unit of the Department (Telephone 261 1112 and fax 261 3879).

As part of its OH&S strategy, AusAID has a designated OH&S coordinator and volunteer Health and Safety representatives throughout the workplace. Under AusAID's OH&S Agreement, a program encompassing twenty activities was approved. Activities include:

Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 extends to the Australian community the right to obtain access to documents in the possession of the Government.

Access is limited only by exemptions necessary for the protection of essential public interests and the private and business affairs of persons in respect of whom information is collected and held by departments and statutory authorities.

This statement is provided in accordance with section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act.

Freedom of Information activities within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are managed through the services to the Parliament, the media and the public sub-program.

Members of the public are welcome to forward written requests to the Department for access to documents or to contact the Department directly.

The telephone numbers of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Sub-section in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra are (06) 261-2903 and (06) 261-1170. Written requests can be addressed to the Freedom of Information Sub-section, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra ACT 2600. The Department's main offices in State capitals are access points for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act.

When a request for access to a document is granted under the Freedom of Information Act, the decision is usually made by the branch head responsible for the relevant work area.

Documents not available under the Freedom of Information Act, especially documents more than 30 years old, may be obtainable under the Archives Act. The contact numbers, in this case in the Department's Historical Documents Branch, are (06) 261-2619 and (06) 261-2628.

A comprehensive range of the Department's public information is published daily on an Internet service through two servers - one in Canberra and one in Washington. The address for accessing the service in Canberra is: HTTP:\WWW.DPIE.GOV.AU.HTML

The Department exercises, or participates in the exercise of, the following powers:

The Department is open to the views of outside organisations, and provides opportunities for community representatives to contribute to the development of aspects of Australia's international relations.

Through joint representation on bodies such as the Australia Abroad Council, the Australia-China Council, the Australia-France Foundation, the Australia-India Council, the Australia-Indonesia Institute, the Australia-Japan Foundation, the Australia-Korea Foundation, the Australia-New Zealand Foundation, the National Consultative Committee on Peace and Disarmament, the NGO Consultative Forum on International Environmental Issues, and other bodies.

Through the regular exchange of views with organisations including Amnesty International and other human rights organisations, and the United Nations Association of Australia.

Through consultations with the Australian Industries Development Association, the Confederation of Australian Industries and the various business cooperation committees, which meet under the Confederation's aegis, and Australian industry and industry associations, to consider priorities for multilateral trade negotiations and other negotiations to alleviate problems caused by market access restrictions.

Through participation on Australian delegations to international meetings and/or conferences, e.g. to the Executive Committee meeting of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Formal arrangements for consultations with interested bodies on trade-related matters, including the Trade Policy Advisory Council (TPAC), the National Trade Strategy Consultative Process and the various geographic business councils.

The Department is represented, together with the engineering private sector, at meetings of the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation's Consultative Committee, which evaluates project proposals and coordinates the Corporation's program of work (notably on projects in regional countries).

The Department provides individual companies with briefings on developments relating to countries of concern to them and organises trade development missions.

It meets representatives of community groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and religious organisations, to enable them to inject community views on issues affecting Australia's region, and to provide them with information on aspects of international affairs, including advice on Australia's foreign and international trade policies.

It receives views from industry, environment and development groups on international environment issues through NGO consultative arrangements and provides a channel for communications with the States on these issues under Council of Australian Government (COAG) auspices.

It engages in exchanges of views on current political, international legal and international development issues with universities, colleges and academic circles and encourages its officers to meet and speak with community groups.

Under the umbrella of public diplomacy, the Department administers a program of public affairs and cultural relations overseas in support of Australian foreign policy and trade objectives. The program covers all aspects of Australian life, including science and technology, social and economic projects, the arts, Australian studies, a range of visits programs, and academic, media and sporting exchanges. The Department consults a wide range of institutions, agencies and individuals in arranging public diplomacy programs, including the Australian Council, Musica Viva, the Australian Film Commission, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Australian Vice-Chancellor's Committee, the International Development Program of Australian Universities and Colleges, the Fulbright Commission, the Australian Centre for American Studies, the Australian Institute of International Affairs, relevant State and Commonwealth departments and agencies, business and industry organisations, and the media.

The Portfolio Evaluation Plan (PEP) lists a schedule of evaluation activity over a 3-5 year period. As part of the PEP, the Department, AusAID and Austrade undertake a range of evaluations and reviews. In most cases, the aim of program evaluations is to assess the appropriateness of program objectives and to gauge the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department or agency in meeting those objectives. In making these assessments, the evaluation process usually entails extensive consultations with public and private sector groups in Australia, and sometimes overseas. The range of organisations canvassed might include representatives from Commonwealth and State government departments, the business community, non-government organisations, the academic fraternity and diplomatic missions in Australia. Reports from program evaluations are available to the public.

The Department has extensive documentary holdings (see categories below). Australia's diplomatic missions and consular posts overseas have documentary holdings of their own, which may parallel those of the Department held in Canberra and in State offices.

It should be noted that documents more than five years old may have been transferred into archival custody or destroyed in accordance with a disposal schedule. Documents more than 30 years old are available for public access under the Archives Act 1983 unless they fall into a category of exemption, including categories relating to foreign government information. The Department holds guidelines for the clearance of documents containing foreign and shared information and also procedures for referring documents to other agencies for clearance.

Documents held fall into the following categories.

One of the functions of the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs is to record such information, and individuals may seek extracts from the registers through that Department. However, in performing functions under the Australian Citizenship Act in connection with births abroad of children of Australian parents, consular officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at Australian diplomatic missions and consular posts maintain registers of such births.

Although data entered in these registers is regularly notified to the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, the registers themselves are held long term at the missions or posts concerned. Individuals may request and obtain extracts from them.

A wide range of documents is available for purchase from Commonwealth Government bookshops or the Department. All departmental publications stocked at the time of preparation of this report are listed under a separate Appendix.

Within AusAID, Freedom of Information (FoI) activities are managed through the International Policy and Ministerial Services (IPMS) Section.

The telephone number of the Freedom of Information Officer is (06) 276 461. Written requests can be addressed to the Freedom of Information Coordinator, International Policy and Ministerial Services Section, AusAID, GPO Box 887, CANBERRA, ACT 2601.

In carrying out the functions of the Agency, AusAID exercises the following powers:

AusAID encourages and facilitates outside participation in the development and implementation of development cooperation policies and activities, engaging in wide-ranging cooperation and consultation with community, business and academic organisations and the general public. This process of participation and consultation is primarily through four bodies:

Further information on these groups is available from AusAID upon request. There are a number of mechanisms for consultation with community groups. The annual AusAID/NGO consultation is held in September each year. It provides a forum for general discussion of policy issues and matters of mutual interest. The AusAID executive meets with the Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA) several times a year. AusAID officers also meet with NGO representatives on various ACFOA policy and geographic committees. The AusAID-NGO Gender and Development Consultations occur biannually between representatives from relevant areas of policy and operations within AusAID, and NGO's invited by ACFOA. The consultations are a forum for discussion of current issues affecting gender and development.

AusAID/NGO Consultations on Environment and Development are held three times a year. The main objective of the consultations is to provide an opportunity for dialogue between AusAID and environment and development NGOs on environment policy and program issues in the aid program. AusAID participates in DFAT's regular consultations with the Australian NGO community on human rights issues. These consultations are held three times a year and aim to inform the NGO community about actions the Government is taking to promote human rights internationally, as well as providing an opportunity for NGOs to raise particular issues.

During 1995-96 AusAID continued with a series of public seminars with the objective of providing information on current aid activities, priorities and opportunities to Australian suppliers, consultancy companies and the public. These were primarily organised through the AusAID state offices but also included talks by central office staff. These seminars were held in conjunction with DFAT, Austrade and various industry groupings. Presentations were given in all state capital cities and in regional centres, such as Shepparton, Albury-Wodonga, Bunbury and northern Queensland.

AusAID continued to participate in other major business-focussed events including:

The Business Cooperation Section (BCS) of AusAID continued to produce a range of publications with the purpose of informing the Australian business community and the public of private sector participation in the aid program. These included:

The Director of the Business Cooperation Section, can be contacted on telephone 06-206 4900 or facsimile 06-206 4875 regarding any publications or enquires on business related matters. A decision was taken in late 1995-96 on budget grounds to phase out the Business Liaison Officer function in the state offices of AusAID over the next year.

AusAID has a wide range of documents necessary for the administration of the aid program. Documents fall into the following categories.

AusAID produces a number of publications aimed at promoting awareness of the aid program in the public domain. Examples of such publications are:

Since December 1995, AusAID has had a presence on the Internet via the DFAT home Page. Listed on the site are press releases, information about the Agency and the Australian overseas aid program, selected speeches and various key publications.

A list of publications available for purchase can be obtained from the Director, Public Affairs Section, AusAID, GPO Box 887, CANBERRA ACT 2601.

Response by DFAT and AusAID to FoI Requests in 1995-96

 

Number

Requests from previous year

7

Formal requests received

34

Access granted in full

4

Access granted in part

13

Access refused

6

Requests withdrawn or lapsed

6

Transferred to another agency

3

Not finalised within year

9

Fees and Charges Collected in 1995-96

Fees

$650

Charges

$1092

Advertising And Market Research

Type of Organisation

Amount

Location/Unit

Advertising Agencies

Marcus Radcliffe

6,768

Washington

Sub-Total

6,768

  
 

Market Research & Polling Organisations

Media Control

4,626

Bonn

GPM Marketing

1,884

Bonn

Sample Institute

11,494

Bonn

Nippon Research Centre

9,052

Tokyo

Observer

2,545

Vienna

Frank Small & Associates

10,000

PAD*

Diagnostic & Creative Workshop

362,467

Marketing Australia

Sub-Total

402,068

  
 

Media Advertising Organisations

Freiha

8,585

Beirut

Volkan Reklam

5,670

Ankara

Deutsche Stadt Reklame

12,350

Bonn

General & Anzeiger

1,615

Bonn

Runze & Casper

10,692

Bonn

Bonner Rundschau Promotion Service

5,765

Bonn

IWS

4,602

Bonn

Austin Knight

4,733

London

Neville Jeffress Advertising

145,715

Various

Media Entertainment & Arts

1,035

AII**

K & D Publishing

7,875

ETD***

Executive Media

1,700

ETD***

National Business Directory

245

ETD***

AEEMA

18,000

PAD*

Radio East

16,666

PAD*

Easy Fm China

25,526

PAD*

Batey Kazoo

2,759,766

PAD*

Advertising Print Sales P/L

173,000

PAD*

Australia Television International

300,000

PAD*

Ideas And The Investor

13,700

PAD*

Quill Communications

16,966

PAD*

Katane Advertising P/L

336

PAD*

Sub-Total

3,534,542

  
 

Direct Mail Organisations

Koomarri Printers

3,189

Various

Act Mailing

28,024

PAD*

Sub-Total

31,213

  

Total

3,974,591

  

* Public Affairs Division
** Australia Indonesia Institute
*** Economic Trade Development Division

Provider

Purpose

Amount (A$)

Neville Jeffress Advertising

Advertisement of research grants

4,400

Neville Jeffress Advertising

Advertisement of project tenders

100,001

Neville Jeffress Advertising

Advertisement of ASEAN-Australian Economic Cooperation Program (AAECP) Linkages Stream

11,976

Neville Jeffress Advertising

Advertisement of AusAID project in Colombo

4,557

Neville Jeffress Advertising

Advertisement of positions vacant

70,693

Australian Government Publishing Service

Advertisement of positions vacant

4,764

Royal Australasian Institute of Public Administration

Sponsorship of Annual Conference

23,000

Public Service & Merit Protection Commission

Participation in Public Service Best Practice Exhibition

5,000

Commonwealth of Australia Purchasing & Disposals Gazette

Notification of contracts arranged

2,838

RL Polk & Company Pty Ltd

Prepare for postage AusAID publication on women in development

233

Duffy Data & Design

Prepare labels for mail out of AusAID publication on women in development

50

Supermail

Mailout of AusAID brochures for International Business Week

76

Supermail

Mailout of AusAID information to AusAID-sponsored students

45

Supermail

Mailout of 'Focus' to AusAID-sponsored students

92

Kompas, The Jakarta Post, Bisnis Indonesia Gatra

Advertisement of AAECP Linkages Stream

11,525

Business World Publishing Corporation, Manila

Advertisement of AAECP Linkages Stream

1,632

The Manila Bulletin

Advertisement of AAECP Linkages Stream

1,627

The Nation, Bangkok

Advertisement of AAECP Linkages Stream

4 048

Bangkok Post

Advertisement of AAECP Linkages Stream

5,513

Borneo Bulletin

Advertisement of AAECP Linkages Stream

1 159

Borneo Bulletin

Advertisement of position vacant

1,174

New Straits Times & Business Times, Kuala Lumpur

Advertisement of AAECP Linkages Stream

3,518

Vietnam News

Advertisement of AAECP Linkages Stream

3,094

The Straits Times, Singapore

Advertisement of AAECP Linkages Stream

3,110

Cambodia Daily

Advertisement of positions vacant

539

Phnom Penh Post

Advertisement of positions vacant

1,212

Fiji Times Ltd

Advertisement of position vacant

536

Fiji Times Ltd

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

3,429

Fiji Times Ltd

Advertisement for public launching of the Economic Report

309

Daily Post, Fiji

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

2,239

Daily Post, Fiji

Advertisement for public launching of the Economic Report

398

The Island, Sri Lanka

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

357

Daily News, Sri Lanka

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

614

Divaina, Sri Lanka

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

566

Dinamina, Sri Lanka

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

480

Thinakaran, Sri Lanka

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

344

Virakesari, Sri Lanka

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

487

Haveeru, Maldives

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

330

Aaafathis

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

352

TV Maldives

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

2

Voice of Maldives

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

19

Manila Bulletin

Advertisement of position vacant

1,065

MA Theresa M Jazmines

Development of public relations strategy for AusAID Manila

3,797

Mindanoa Express, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

245

DXUM, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

883

ABS-CBN, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

471

Mindanao Publishers, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

196

Mindanao Gazette, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

98

DC Publications, Inc, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

196

Mindanao Daily Mirror, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

589

People's Daily Forum, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

687

Radio Phils Network, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

206

Prenza Zamboanga, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

157

Sun Star Morning Times, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

196

Daily Zamboanga Times, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

330

The Morning Times, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

196

Mindanao Business Reporter, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

294

Ang Peryodiko Dabaw, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

530

Mindanao Trend, Philippines

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

176

Le Journal de Geneve, Switzerland

Advertisement of vacant position

726

La Tribune de Geneve, Switzerland

Advertisement of vacant position

709

Valcol Employment Bureau, Harare

Advertisement of vacant positions

6,559

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Advertisement of vacant position

1,020

Bangkok Post and The Nation

Advertisements of vacant positions

5 685

Creative Communications, Bangladesh

Advertisement for Bangladesh Australia Alumni Association

1,277

Creation, Bangladesh

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

7,350

IDP Education Australia

Advertisement of 1997 ADCOS intake

7,000

Total  

301,999

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY DATA

30 June 1996

Male

Female

Total

M% Total

F% Total

ASO1

19

22

41

46.3

53.7

ACPOSTUDY

4

2

6

66.7

33.3

GSO2

0

3

3

0.0

100.0

GSO3

0

1

1

0.0

100.0

Total

23

28

51

45.1

54.9

 
ASO2

96

207

303

31.7

68.3

GAA

14

19

33

42.4

57.6

GSO5

1

0

1

100.0

0.0

Total

111

226

337

32.9

67.1

 
ASO3

99

197

296

33.4

66.6

 
ASO4

123

174

297

41.4

58.6

GSO8

4

0

4

100.0

0.0

ITO1

8

4

12

66.7

33.3

TO2

3

0

3

100.0

0.0

Total

138

178

316

43.7

56.3

 
ASO5

55

52

107

51.4

48.6

PAO1

4

2

6

66.7

33.3

TO3

5

1

6

83.3

16.7

PO1

0

2

2

0.0

100.0

SRO1

0

2

2

0.0

100.0

Total

64

59

123

52.0

48.0

 
ASO6

220

123

343

64.1

35.9

ITO2

9

9

18

50.0

50.0

RO2

21

26

47

44.7

55.3

TO4

55

0

55

100.0

0.0

PO2

0

2

2

0.0

100.0

SRO2

2

2

4

50.0

50.0

Total

307

162

469

65.5

34.5

 
SOGC

238

102

340

70.0

30.0

SITOC

18

1

19

94.7

5.3

PAO2

4

2

6

66.7

33.3

SOCTECH

9

0

9

100.0

0.0

PRO

0

2

2

0.0

100.0

SPOC

2

1

3

66.7

33.3

Total

271

108

379

71.5

28.5

 
SOGB

212

45

257

82.5

17.5

SITOB

8

0

8

100.0

0.0

PAO3

18

8

26

69.2

30.8

SPAO1

12

5

17

70.6

29.4

SOBTECH

3

0

3

100.0

0.0

SPOB

1

0

1

100.0

0.0

Total

254

58

312

81.4

18.6

 
SOGA

1

0

1

100.0

0.0

SITOA

2

2

4

50.0

50.0

MED2

0

1

1

0.0

100.0

Total

3

3

6

50.0

50.0

 
SES1

92

17

109

84.4

15.6

SES2

41

3

44

93.2

6.8

SES3

8

1

9

88.9

11.1

SPAO2

2

0

2

100.0

0.0

DIR ASO

1

0

1

100.0

0.0

SEC A

1

0

1

100.0

0.0

SES SPEC 1

1

0

1

100.0

0.0

MED3

2

0

2

100.0

0.0

Total

148

21

169

87.6

12.4

 
Total

1,418

1,040

2,458

57.7

42.3

Salary Ranges

Total

Male

Female

NESB1

NESB2

ATSI

PWD

Total EEO

Staff

Records

Identified

Below $26137

51

23

28

2

8

8

0

46

(includes ASO1 and equivalent)

(45.1%)

(54.9%)

(3.9%)

(15.7%)

(15.7%)

(0.0%)

(89.6%)

$26138-$29453

337

111

226

40

60

4

9

296

(includes ASO2 and equivalent)

(32.9%)

(67.1%)

(11.9%)

(17.8%)

(1.2%)

(2.7%)

(87.9%)

$29454-$32651

296

99

197

24

38

4

6

280

(includes ASO3 and equivalent)

(33.4%)

(66.6%)

(8.1%)

(12.8%)

(1.4%)

(2.0%)

(94.6%)

$32652-$36609

316

138

178

18

49

10

9

297

(includes ASO4 and equivalent)

(43.7%)

(56.3%)

(5.7%)

(15.5%)

(3.2%)

(2.9%)

(94.1%)

$36610-$39877

123

64

59

10

15

0

2

113

(includes ASO5 and equivalent)

(52.0%)

(48.0%)

(8.1%)

(12.2%)

(0.0%)

(1.6%)

(91.8%)

$39878-$46658

469

307

162

33

49

1

16

440

(includes ASO6 and equivalent)

(65.5%)

(34.5%)

(7.0%)

(10.5%)

(0.2%)

(3.4%)

(93.8%)

$46659-$54088

379

271

108

43

52

4

13

356

(includes SO C and equivalent)

(71.5%)

(28.5%)

(11.4%)

(13.7%)

(1.1%)

(3.4%)

(93.8%)

$54089-$64877

312

254

58

29

47

0

5

305

(includes SO B and equivalent)

(81.4%)

(18.6%)

(9.3%)

(15.1%)

(0.0%)

(1.6%)

(97.8%)

$64878-$67154

6

3

3

0

0

0

0

3

(includes SO A and equivalent)

(50.0%)

(50.0%)

(0.0%)

(0.0%)

(0.0%)

(0.0%)

(50.0%)

Above $67155

169

148

21

4

37

0

5

158

(includes SES and equivalent)

(87.6%)

(12.4%)

(2.4%)

(21.9%)

(0.0%)

(2.9%)

(93.5%)

Total

2,458

1,418

1,040

203

355

31

65

2,297

(100%)

(57.7%)

(42.3%)

(8.3%)

(14.4%)

(1.3%)

(2.6%)

(93.5%)

The EEO Program is an integral part of AusAID's management practices. AusAID's current EEO plan runs from 1993 to 1996.

Key achievements resulting from this plan in 1995-96 were:

AusAID: Representation of EEO Groups Within Salary Levels

Salary Levels

NESB-1

NESB-2

ATSI

PWD

Women

Total Staff

$17685 - $25938

4

1

  

3

10

12

ASO1 & Equiv

0.67%

0.17%

  

0.50%

1.68%

2.02%

$26560 - $29453

3

3

8

2

30

54

ASO2 & Equiv

0.50%

0.50%

1.34%

0.34%

5.04%

9.08%

$30252 - $32651

4

5

  

2

34

40

ASO3 & Equiv.

0.67%

0.85%

  

0.34%

5.72%

6.72%

$33717 - $36609

5

4

1

3

26

44

ASO4 & Equiv.

0.85%

0.67%

0.17%

0.50%

24.37%

7.39%

$37607 - $39877

8

3

  

1

45

74

ASO5 & Equiv.

1.34%

0.50%

  

0.17%

7.56%

12.44%

$40618 - $48077

14

7

1

7

79

167

ASO6 & Equiv.

2.35%

1.18%

0.17%

1.18%

13.28%

28.06%

$49932 - $54088

12

8

  

6

45

134

SOC & Equiv.

2.02%

1.34%

  

1.01%

7.56%

22.52%

$56846 - $64877

3

1

  

3

16

54

SOB & Equiv.

0.50%

0.17%

  

0.50%

2.69%

9.08%

$67154

1

        

1

SOA & Equiv.

0.17%

        

0.17%

$80510 - $119741        

3

5

SES & Equiv.        

0.50%

12.52%

Total

54

32

10

27

288

595

 

9.08%

5.38%

1.68%

4.54%

48.40%

100.00%

Note: Percentage for women are based on total staff number. Percentages for other groups are based on staff who volunteered EEO data.

Reports by the Auditor-General

The following reports of the Auditor-General, tabled in Parliament during the year, refer to the operation of the Department.

Audit Report No. 13 (1995-96) Financial Statements Audit - Results of the 1994-95 Financial Statements Audits of Commonwealth Entities.

With the exception of the Australian Security Intelligence Service, all financial statements within the Portfolio were unqualified. The audit report of the Australian Security Intelligence Service was qualified as a result of a declaration issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs under subsection 70D(1) of the Audit Act 1901 which provided that particular parts of the accounts were to be treated as exempt accounts. These were not able to be subject to audit by the Auditor-General.

The ANAO found that the Department and AusAID had appropriate risk assessments and management structures in place, and that overall the control structures were sound.

Matters raised with the Department in respect of accounting controls included:

In addressing these matters the Department has:

The ANAO was satisfied that AusAID had appropriately evaluated the risk exposures specific to aid expenditure, although further improvements could be made in relation to the adequacy of resources allocated to the spotcheck program, the utilisation of contract audit provisions and the extent of reliance on the integrity of the external organisations. AusAID implemented an expanded spotcheck program in 1995-96 which has assisted officers in gaining assurance that claims submitted to AusAID are supported by appropriate systems and documentation. Compliance with contract provisions has been one of the issues highlighted in the spotcheck program.

Audit Report No. 19 (1995-96) Performance Audit - The Management of Small and Medium-sized Overseas Posts.

The ANAO found evidence of good practice, but established that changes could be made that would lead to improved management and accountability of overseas posts, and at the same time assist in creating a more cooperative, team-focussed approach to Australian Government representation at these posts. The ANAO recommended, in particular, that the Department:

In addressing these matters the Department:

The following report of the Auditor-General, which encompassed a number of agencies including DFAT but was reported in generic terms, was tabled in Parliament during the year.

Audit Report No. 27 (1995-96) Financial Control and Administration Audit - Asset Management.

The overall audit conclusion was that the principles of asset management dealing with strategic planning, acquisition, operation and disposal are not being applied in most agencies and can be significantly improved where they are; and that in relation to management control and monitoring of assets, entities have generally developed basic asset policies and procedures and implemented adequate asset accounting systems.

The ANAO found however that assets were well managed in the Department, and that problems found in prior years were being addressed.

Nil.

INQUIRIES BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES

As the major source of government advice on foreign and trade policy issues, the Department is often called on to provide assistance to Parliament. This appendix contains details of the major parliamentary committee inquiries that focused on portfolio issues during 1995-96.

A. JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE

B. SENATE FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

C. SENATE FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE REFERENCES COMMITTEE

D. SENATE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENCES COMMITTEE

E. JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON MIGRATION

F. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STANDING COMMITTEE ON BANKING, FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE: HUMAN RIGHTS SUB-COMMITTEE

SENATE FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE REFERENCES COMMITTEE

SENATE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

In November 1995 AusAID appeared before the Senate Legislation Committee to answer questions on the Additional Estimates sought for the aid program. All questions taken on notice at the hearing have been answered.

ABBREVIATIONS

AAC

Australia Abroad Council

AAECP

ASEAN-Australia Economic Cooperation Program

AII

Australia-Indonesia Institute

AAIL

Australia and Asia Institutional Linkages

AAOEP

Australia in Asia Officials Exchange Program

ABARE

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics

ACC

Australia-China Council

ACFOA

Australian Council for Overseas Aid (NGOs)

ACIAR

Australian Center for International Agricultural Research

ACIO

Australian Commerce and Industry Office (Taipei Taiwan)

ACPAC

AusAID Center for Pacific Development and Training Sydney

ACRS

Arms Control and Regional Security

ACS

Australian Construction Services

ACTI

Australian Conservation Training Initiative

ADB

Asian Development Bank

ADCNET

Australian Diplomatic Communications Network

ADCOS

Australian Development Cooperation Scholarship Scheme (formerly John Crawford Scholarship Scheme)

ADF

Australian Defence Forces

AEM

Australian Estate Management

AFF

Australia-France Foundation

AFMEU

Automotive Food Metals and Engineering Union

AFP

Australian Federal Police

AFTA

ASEAN Free Trade Area

AG

Australian Group - a body seeking to prevent the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons

AGH

Advisory Group on Health (AusAID)

AIC

Australia-India Council

AIJA

Australian Institute of Jewish Affairs

AJF

Australia-Japan Foundation

AJMC

Australia-Japan Ministerial Committee

AKF

Australia-Korea Foundation

AMAC

Accountancy Market Access Committee

AMC

Australasian Manufacturing Council

AMCHAM

American Chamber of Commerce in Australia

AMSA

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

ANAO

Australian National Audit Office

ANC

African National Congress

ANCP

AusAID-NGO Cooperation Program

ANSTO

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation

ANZCERTA

Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Agreement (also CER)

ANZF

Australia-New Zealand Foundation

AONM

Australian Obligated Nuclear Material

APCD

Australian Parliamentary Consultative Delegation

APEC

Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation

APHEDA

Australian People for Health Education and Development Abroad

APS

Australian Public Service

APTEA

Australian Program of Training for Eurasia

ARF

ASEAN Regional Forum (regional security discussions)

ASAP

Australian Safeguards Assistance Program

ASAP

Australian Safeguards Assistance Program

ASC

Australian Sports Commission

ASEAN

Association of South-East Asian Nations

ASIS

Australian Secret Intelligence Service

ASO

Administrative Service Officer (public service category graded in ascending seniority 1-6)

ASO

Australian Safeguards Office

ASTAS

Australian Sponsored Training Assistance Scholarship (formerly Australian Special Training Program)

ATI 94

Australia Today Indonesia 1994 (Public affairs and cultural promotion)

ATIP

Australian Trade and Investment Package (trade expansion initiative)

ATS

Australian Technical Security Service

AusAID

Australian Agency for International Development

AUS-CSCAP

Australian Chapter of the Committee for Security and Cooperation in the Asia Pacific

AUSMIN

Australia-United States Ministerial Talks

BAU

Business Affairs Unit (DFAT)

BWC

Biological Weapons Convention

CAB

Commercial Advisory Board (AusAID)

CAP

Commercial Accounting Package IDFAT)

CAP

Common Agricultural Policy (EU)

CASE

Center for the Applications of Solar Energy Perth

CBTA

Competency-Based Training and Assessment Program

CCAMLR

Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

CD

Committee on Disarmament (UN)

CDC

Committee for Development Cooperation (AusAID)

CEDA

Council for the Economic Development of Australia

CEPA

Commonwealth Environment Protection Agency

CER

Closer Economic Relations Australia-New Zealand)

CESCR

Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (UN)

CFTC

Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation

CHOGM

Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting

CHR

Commission on Human Rights (UN)

CIP

Continuous Improvement Program (DFAT staffing scheme)

CIS

Commonwealth of Independent States (Russia and former States of the Soviet Union not including the Baltic republics)

CITES

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

CITSP

Corporate Information Technology Strategic Plan (AusAID)

CMECAS

Center for Middle East and Central Asia studies

COCOM

Coordinating Committee for Strategic Export Controls

COGSA

Commonwealth Observer Group to South Africa COL Commonwealth of Learning

COMCARE

Commission for the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation of Commonwealth employees

COMCIAM

Climate Impact Assessment and Management Program for Commonwealth

COP

Conference of the Parties

COP-1

Conference of the Parties countries

CP

Contracting Party (in GATT context)

CPP

Cambodian Peoples Party (led by Hun Sen)

CPSU

Community and Public Sector Union

CSD

Commission on Sustainable Development (UN}

CSFP

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Program

CSIRO

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

CSW

Commission on the Status of Women (UN)

CSWCO

Chemical Weapons Convention Office

CTBT

Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

CTF

Australian Consultants Trust Fund (AusAID)

CTI

Committee on Trade and Investment (APEC)

CWC

Chemicals Weapons Convention

CWCO

Chemical Weapons Convention Office

CYP

Commonwealth Youth Program

DAS

Department of Administrative Services

DB

Database

DCC

Departmental Consultative Council (DFAT peak body for consultation with unions)

DCP

Defence Cooperation Program (Australian Defence Force)

DCTAP

Developing Country Trade Assistance Program

DEET

Department of Employment Education and Training

DEST

Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories

DER

Divisional Evaluation Review

DFAT

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

DIEA

Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs

DIFF

Development Import Finance Facility (AusAID grant element in mixed credit)

DIR

Department of Industrial Relations

DOF

Department of Finance

DPIE

Department of Primary Industries and Energy

DPRK

Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea)

DTA

Double Tax Agreement

DTG

Development Training Group (AusAID)

EAAU

East Asia Analytical Unit

EAEC

East Asia Economic Caucus

EBRD

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

ECAP

Environmental Coperation with Asia Program

ECOSOC

Economic and Social Council (UN)

EEO

Equal Employment Opportunity

EEP

US Export Enhancement Program

EFIC

Export Finance and Insurance Corporation

EFTA

European Free Trade Area

EPAC

Pacific Operations Centre of ESCEP (see below)

EPG

Eminent Persons Group (currently in APEC context)

ESCAP

Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN)

EU

European Union (formerly EC or EEC European Community)

EXB

Executive Branch (DFAT)

FAO

Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN)

FCCC

Framework Convention of Climate Change

FBT

Fringe Benefits Tax

FDI

Foreign Direct Investment

FFA

Forum Fisheries Agency

FIC

Forum Island country

FOI

Freedom of Information

FRG

Federal Republic of Germany

FTA

Free Trade Area

FUNCINPEC

The United National Front for an Independent Neutral Peaceful and Cooperative Cambodia (the royalist party in Cambodia)

FYROM

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

G 77

UN Group of 77 umbrella term for developing country grouping

G-3

Group of Three (US Japan EU-or in the Latin American context Mexico Colombia and Venezuela)

G-7

Group of Seven (Major industrialised powers-US Japan FRG France UK Canada Italy with association of EU and Russia)

GAA

Graduate Administrative Assistant (APS recruit level for university graduates)

GATS

General Agreement on Trade in Services

GATT

General Agreement an Trade and Tariffs

GCSDSIDS

Global Conference for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States

GDP

Gross Domestic Product

GEF

Global Environment Facility (UN)

GNU

Government of National Unity (ANC-National Party coalition government in SouthAfrica)

GSO

General Service Officer

HIV/AIDS

Human Immuno-deficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

HOM

Head of mission

IAEA

International Atomic Energy Agency

IBRD

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank)

ICORC

International Committee for the Reconstruction of Cambodia

ICRC

International Committee for the Red Cross

ICRI

International Coral Reef Initiative

ID

Industrial democracy

IDA

International Development Association (soft lending arm of the World Bank)

IDNDR

International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction

IFAD

International Fund for Agricultural Development

IFIOR

International Forum on the Indian Ocean Region

IFls

International Financial Institutions

ILO

International Labour Organisation

IMC

International Media Centre

IMF

International Monetary Fund

INCD

International Convention on Desertification

IOCBN

Indian Ocean Consultative Business Network

IORN

Indian Ocean Research Network

IPA

Investment protection or promotion agreement

IPB

International Public Affairs Branch (DAFT)

IPU

Inter-Parliamentary Union

ISSS

International Seminars Support Scheme (AusAID)

IT

Information technology

IUCN

International Union for the Conservation of Nature

IWC

Inhumane Weapons Convention

IWC

International Whaling Commission

JSCFADT

Parliamentary Joint Standing committee on Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade

JAC

Joint (Australia-Papua New Guinea) Advisory Council on the Torres Strait Treaty

JCPA

Parliamentary Joint Committee on Public Accounts

JMC

Joint Ministerial Commission

JUSCANZ

Japan, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand. Norway, Iceland, Mexico, Turkey

KEDO

Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organaisation

KR

Khmer Rouge

LES

Locally-engaged staff

LOS

Law of the Sea

MEAA

Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance

MERCOSUR

The Southern Cone Common Market comprising Argentine, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay

MFA

Multi-fibre Arrangement

MFO

Multinational Force and Observer group in the Sinai

MIF

Multinational Interception Force in the Gulf (Iraq-Kuwait)

MINURSO

UN Mission for the Referendum in the Western Sahara

MMP

Mixed Member Proportional System (new NZ electoral system)

MOU

Memorandum of understanding

MPRA

Merit Protection and Review Agency

MTIA

Metal Trades Industry Association

MTCR

Missile Technology Control Regime

MW

Megawatt

NAFTA

North American Free Trade Area

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

NCPA

National Capital Planning Authority

NESB

Non-English-speaking background (EEO group)

NFF

National Farmers Federation

NGO

Non-government organisation

NIS

New independent states-of the former USSR

NMEs

Newly maturing economies (formerly NlEs newly industrialising economies)

NPT

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

NPTREC

Regional and Extension Confereence of the NPT

NTIOC

National Trade and Investment Outlook Conference

NTSCP

National Trade Strategy Consultative Process

NZ

New Zealand

ODA

Official development assistance

OECD

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

OH&S

Occupational Health and Safety

OMA

Office of Multicultural Affairs

ONUMOZ

United Nations Operation in Mozambique

OPCW

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

OPG

Overseas Property Group

ORD

Onshore Refugee Determination (formerly DORS-Determination of Refugee Status)

OSB

Overseas Service Bureau

PAO

Public Affairs Officer (APS designation)

PAP

Philippines Assistance Program (AusAID)

PATCRA

Papua New Guinea-Australia Trade and Commercial Relations Agreement

PBEC

Pacific Basin Economic Council

PECC

Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference

PEP

Portfolio Evaluation Plan

PER

Post evaluation review

PICS

Passport issue and control system

PLO

Palestine Liberation Organisation

PLV

Post liaison visit

PMC

Post-Ministerial Conference (ASEAN forum for dialogue at foreign minister level with external partners after ASEAN main meeting)

PNG

Papua New Guinea

POP's

Persistent organic pollutants

PRT

Pacific Regional Team (AusAID)

PSC

Public Service Commission

PSLP

Private Sector Linkages Program (AusAID)

RCAF

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces

ROK

Republic of Korea (South Korea)

RPF

Rwandan Patriotic Front

RRT

Refugee Review Tribunal

SAGSI

Standing Advisory Group on Safeguards Implementation

SBS

Special Broadcasting Service

SDSC

Strategic and Defence Studies Centre

SCFADT

Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade

SES

Senior Executive Service (APS category)

SIDS

Small island developing states

SIPRI

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

SLORC

State Law and Order Restoration Council (Myanmar/Burma)

SOG

Senior Officer Grade (APS category at A B and C levels below SES level)

SOPAC

South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission

SPARTECA

South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement

SPC

South Pacific Commission

SPREP

South Pacific Regional Environment Programme

T&E

Trade and environment (GATT/WTO context)

TCF

Textiles Clothing and Footwear

TEWG

Transitional Environmental Working Group (Antarctic Treaty)

TIFA

Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement

TIPP

Trade and Investment Promotion Program (ASEAN-Australia)

TIPS

Trade and Investment Promotion Service (DFAT-AusAID trade assistance to developing countries)

TPAC

Trade Policy Advisory Council (formerly Trade Development Council)

TPRM

Trade Policy Review Mechanism (GATT)

TRAID

Trade and Investment Development (DFAT strategy paper)

TRIMS

Trade-Related Investment Measures

UN

United Nations

UNAA

UN Association of Australia

UNGA

UN General Assembly

UNAIDS

UN Joint and Co-sponsored Program on HIV/AIDS

UNAMIR

UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda

UNCED

UN Conference on Environment and Development

UNCITRAL

UN Commission on International Trade Law

UNCTAD

UN Conference on Trade and Development

UNDCP

UN Drug Control Programme

UNDP

UN Development Program

UNEP

UN Environment Programme

UNESCO

UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation

UNFPA

UN Fund for Population Activities

UNGA

UN General Assembly

UNHCR

UN High Commissioner for Refugees

UNICEF

UN Children's Fund

UNIDO

UN Industrial Development Organisation

UNIFEM

UN Development Fund for Women

UNITAF

UN Unified Task Force (US-led Somalia relief)

UNOMOZ

United Nations Operations in Mozambique

UNOMSA

UN Observer Mission to South Africa

UNOSAL

UN Operations in El Salvador

UNOSOM

UN Operation in Somalia

UNSG

UN Secretary-General

UNTAC

UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia

UNTSO

UN Truce Supervision Organisation (in the Middle East)

US$

United States dollar

USSR

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

USTR

United States Trade Representative

WAN

Wide Area Network-information technology term

WEOG

Western European and Others (voting group in the UN)

WFP

World Food Program

WGIP

Working Group on Indigenous Populations (UN)

WHO

World Health Organisation

WID

Women in Development

WTO

World Trade Organisation (successor to GATT)

CORPORATE PLAN 1994-96

The aim of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is to win a future for Australia in the world. Australia's future, though enormously promising, is by no means assured. As a nation, we must make our way in a highly competitive and increasingly uncertain global environment.

In the mid-1980s, the Australian Government made historic decisions to internationalise the economy by deregulating financial markets and scaling back protection. As a result of these and other changes, Australia is now more exposed to international financial, trade, environmental and other decisions and has to do more itself to shape and take advantage of such developments.

At about the same time, old global strategic verities began to crumble as changes became apparent in the Soviet Union that would lead to the ultimate demise of the USSR. Australia now faces a less predictable and less structured post-Cold War security environment. Strategically, the threat of nuclear war has receded but predictability in security matters has declined and relationships between nations have become more complex and more fluid. Trade and economic objectives are of greater relative importance as we seek to consolidate and strengthen our trading position, thus creating jobs and improving our standard of living.

Looking ahead, Asia's rapid economic advances and the end of the Cold War will continue to bring vast areas of the world into the global market economy. They will bring with them huge labour resources, rich natural resources, and new markets, which in turn will bring more and bigger competition, but also opportunities for growth, including for Australia. The APEC process, strongly supported by Australia, remains a focus for regional integration and points to a growing sense of community in the region.

The global balance of power will continue to change. We can expect the long-term shift of power and influence from the Atlantic to the Asia Pacific to continue and this will be to Australia's advantage. Australia has a wide spread of important regional and global interests, ranging from the South Pacific to Europe and from desertification to disarmament. Australia's future, however, will continue, as in the recent past, to be shaped mainly in and with the Asia Pacific region. Australia will have to anticipate and adjust intelligently to regional strategic developments. We need to help shape the regional security environment by participating in building a new architecture of regional economic and security cooperation.

There will be a great need to give new direction to international processes and institutions in the light of existing and emerging economic and security problems. On the economic front, protectionist pressures and challenges to international trade rules are of particular concern to Australia. High on the international security agenda are the disturbing resurgence of ethno-nationalism; the proliferation of arms supplies, both conventional and nuclear, in our region particularly; the economic and social implications of refugee and other population flows; and global health and environment issues. We must also maintain our commitment to universal human rights norms through an emphasis on dialogue and the promotion of practical measures for strengthening institutions at the national level.

Australians can be expected to demand more of the Department. A more informed community will demand participation in policy development, consultation in implementation and accountability for outcomes. Australians are travelling overseas in increasing numbers and will continue to insist on the delivery of efficient and effective consular and passport services by the Department.

International developments are unpredictable. The implementation of our foreign and trade policy must be flexible and adaptable enough to deal with unforeseen contingencies that might demand considerable time and resources from the Department.

In all this, Australia will have to rely on its power to persuade and mount effective campaigns to influence the course of events. Not even a superpower can aspire to realise all its goals unaided. Australia, however, without the power and leverage that derives from economic and military dominance, is dependent upon diplomacy to make itself heard and to shape the course of events in Australia's interests.

So it is vital to sustain and strengthen our global network of access to and influence on decision-makers in countries and organisations of importance to Australia. This global network makes the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade unique in Australia. The Department provides the Australian government and community with global understanding, access and influence. It has a breadth of global and domestic interests and a network to serve those interests matched by no other institution in Australia.

The Department's values and culture derive necessarily from those of the Australian community at large, and those of the Australian Public Service of which it is part.

DFAT, pre-eminently, represents Australia abroad and presents Australia to the world. The Department corporately, and its officers, individually, must be knowledgable about and sensitive to the many distinct cultural environments in which we are required to operate. At the same time, DFAT officers must project clearly and confidently their Australian identity and Australian values. DFAT and its officers present Australia as an entity that sees itself as both undeniably unique but also as a relevant and important component of the cultural mosaic of the region as a whole.

DFAT is responsive to government. The Department is organised and focussed above all else on advancing Australia's global interests through achieving the government's foreign and trade policy objectives. DFAT is results oriented and committed to the reliable delivery of relevant, high-quality services to the government, the business sector and to the Australian public.

The Department aspires, through the adoption of best practice standards and a commitment to excellence across all areas of its operations, to be and to remain a foreign affairs and trade organisation recognised as first-class. It demands at all times the highest standards of conduct from all its officers and embraces a strong commitment to accountability.

The special characteristics of a foreign service pervade the Department's corporate culture. To a far greater extent than any other Department, DFAT requires of its officers and their families a capacity to cope with unending change. The operation of a foreign service that is an integral part of the Department as a whole means that relatively frequent and large-scale movements of officers are a central and inescapable aspect of departmental life. These movements take place both between Canberra and overseas posts and within the department in Canberra. Furthermore, DFAT does not (and cannot) control its agenda to the same extent as other Departments. Dealing continuously with the unpredictable adds significantly to the milieu of change and movement. The demands on officers (and their families) in terms of versatility, flexibility, determination and professionalism are thus quite extraordinary.

The Department recognises that giving priority to the personal and professional needs of its staff is vital to the achievement of its goals and objectives. It strives to operate an open and transparent system. DFAT uses and promotes merit as a basis for advancement and rewards. Decisions on placements both overseas and in Canberra strive for the optimum balance between departmental requirements and officer preferences. Training is seen as critical to the ability of officers to continue to meet the Department's requirements for versatility and adaptability. The Department is determined that appropriately diverse opportunities for training and development be available to all its officers.

To win a future for Australia in the world.

To increase Australia's economic prosperity through trade and investment flows.

To ensure a favourable security environment for Australia.

To advance Australia's standing as a good international citizen.

To promote global cooperation based on fair rules.

To help Australians overseas.

To improve Australia's understanding of and increase its influence on international developments of importance to our global foreign and trade policy interests, with a particular focus on the Asia Pacific.

To advance Australia's economic interests through:

To advance Australia's strategic interests through:

To deepen and strengthen Australia's links with, and its constructive commitment to, its South Pacific neighbours.

To use effectively Australian overseas development assistance to meet humanitarian, foreign and trade policy goals.

To promote solutions to international environmental issues consistent with Australia's economic and environmental interests.

To encourage wider international adherence to human rights standards and democratic principles.

To project an image of Australia that supports key foreign and trade policy objectives.

To provide efficient passport and consular services to Australians.

To achieve all the above the Department's activities will be global with a focus on the Asia Pacific. It will:

Objective:

To increase Australia's economic prosperity through trade and investment flows;

To ensure a favourable security environment for Australia;

To advance Australia's standing as a good international citizen; and

To promote global co-operation based on fair rules.

Objective:

To provide Australian citizens with secure travel identification and to assist and protect the interests of Australians overseas.

Objective:

To provide efficient and reliable services for Government and Parliamentary activities overseas and foreign representatives in Australia.

Objective:

To provide secure, efficient and reliable communications and security services in support of the Government's activities overseas

Objective:

To provide policy direction and administrative support for the Department's operations

Information not included in this annual report, but available on request*

Details of Portfolio legislation, Statutory Authorities and non-statutory bodies.

Supplementary Staffing information including Performance Pay and Training details.

Further details on Financial Matters such as Consultancy Services, Purchasing Arrangements and Payment of Accounts.

External Scrutiny details involving Courts, Tribunals and the Ombudsman.

Business Regulations.

Treaty Action.

Diplomatic representation in Australia.

Consular representation in Australia.

* Inquiries about the material listed above should be directed to the Assistant Secretary, Parliamentary and Media Branch, Public Affairs Division on 06 261 3412.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
R G Casey Building
Barton ACT 2600

Telephone: 06 261 9111

Fax: 06 261 3111

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Parliamentary and Media Branch

Telephone: 06 261 9111

COMPLIANCE INDEX

SUBJECT

WHERE FOUND

Advertising and market research

Appendix 7

Aids to Access

Table of contents and appendices; portfolio and corporate overview; subject index; compliance index; Appendix

Capital works management, including

Sub-programs 5.2 and 4.2

R G Casey building

  

Changes in business regulation

Available upon request

Environment/energy usage

Sub-program 5.2

Financial statements

Appendices 1 and 2; financial and staffing resource summaries in Portfolio and Corporate Overview; resources summaries in programs 1-6

Fraud control

Sub-program 5.2

Freedom of information

Appendix 6

Industrial democracy

Sub-program 5.2

Inquiries by parliamentary committees

Appendix 10

Internal and external scrutiny

Portfolio and Corporate Overview; sub-programs 5.1 and 5.2, Appendix 9

Number of employees by classification,

Appendix 3

category and location

  

Occupational health and safety

Sub-program 5.2

Performance pay

Sub-program 5.2

Performance reporting

Program and sub-program items

Reports by Auditor-General

Appendix 9

Senior Executive Service

Sub-program 5.2 and Appendix 3

Social justice and equity, including EEO

Portfolio and corporate overview, sub-

and status of women

program 5.2, staffing overview in Appendix 3, access and equity summary in sub-program 1.9

Staff training

Sub-programs 5.2 and 6.3

Staffing policy

Sub-programs 5.2 and 6.3

Statutory and non-statutory bodies

Available upon request