Guide to the report

This is the Secretary’s report to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Trade and Investment on the performance of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade during the financial year 2013–14.

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 29 May 2014. It follows the program structure outlined in the Portfolio Budget Statements 2013–14, Additional Estimates Statements 2013–14 and Supplementary Additional Estimates Statements 2013–14 for the foreign affairs and trade portfolio.

The report includes a review of the department’s performance in 2013–14 in relation to the deliverables and key performance indicators (KPIs) of its programs and its effectiveness in achieving planned outcomes.

Following machinery of government changes in late 2013, the department assumed responsibility for Australia’s overseas aid program, international climate change negotiations and some international tourism functions. The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) was integrated into the department from 1 November 2013. A guide to the program structure, outlining where the additional programs fit within the department’s performance reporting framework, and a geographic and functional guide to the report follow.

Full-year reporting has been provided for all programs. Where performance information has changed during the course of the reporting year, this report addresses both the former and revised performance information. A tabular presentation of performance against deliverables and KPIs has this year been introduced at the beginning of each program; this will enhance the department’s ability to report performance trend data in future years.

An aid overview and outlook has been introduced. Unless otherwise indicated, reporting on official development assistance (ODA) is based on the department’s ODA expenditure; whole-of-government ODA figures (estimates) are included at Appendix 4 and will be addressed in subsequent publications, including the Performance of Australian Aid and Australia’s International Development Assistance Statistical Summary.

Information and statistics cover the financial year 2013–14 or relate to the situation as at 30 June 2014, unless otherwise indicated. Trade, investment and country statistics do not form part of the department’s performance reporting but are included as background information; they relate to calendar year 2013. All dollars are Australian unless otherwise specified.

For the purposes of the financial statements, the finances of the department and former AusAID have been consolidated from 1 July 2013. Certain additional disclosures required by the Department of Finance separating the department and former AusAID prior to integration are also included. A report on financial performance has been introduced into the performance reporting.

Section 1 contains the Secretary’s review and the departmental overview, including the organisational structure and portfolio outcome structure.

Section 2 reports on the department’s performance and addresses deliverables and KPIs. It includes the aid program overview and outlook and the report on financial performance.

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

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

Section 5 contains the audited financial statements for 2013–14.

Section 6 contains reference material, including the list of requirements and index.

Figure 1: Guide to the integrated program structure

2012–13

DFAT

Program 1.1 Foreign affairs and trade operations
Program 1.2 Payments to international organisations
Program 1.3 Public information services
Program 2.1 Consular services
Program 2.2 Passport services
Program 3.1 Security and ICT
Program 3.2 Overseas property

DICCSRTE

Program 4.3 Helping shape a global climate change solution

DRET

Program 3 Tourism-related initiatives and management (some activities)

AusAID

Program 1.1 PNG and Pacific
Program 1.2 East Asia
Program 1.3 Africa, South & Central Asia, Middle East
Program 1.4 Emergency, humanitarian and refugee
Program 1.5 Multilateral replenishments
Program 1.6 UN, Commonwealth and international organisations
Program 1.7 NGO, volunteer and community programs
Departmental support Outcome 1
Program 2.1 ODA East Asia – AIPRD

2013–14

DFAT

Program 1.1 Foreign affairs and trade operations
Program 1.2 Payments to international organisations
Program 1.3 Public information services
Program 1.4 International climate change engagement
Program 1.5 New Colombo Plan
Program 1.6 ODA PNG and Pacific
Program 1.7 ODA East Asia
Program 1.8 ODA East Asia – AIPRD
Program 1.9 ODA Africa, South and Central Asia, Middle East and other
Program 1.10 ODA emergency, humanitarian and refugee
Program 1.11 ODA multilateral replenishments
Program 1.12 ODA UN, Commonwealth, and international organisations
Program 1.13 ODA NGO, volunteer and community
Program 1.14 Programs to promote Australia’s tourism interests
Departmental program support Outcome 1(ODA)
Program 2.1 Consular services
Program 2.2 Passport services
Program 3.1 Security and ICT
Program 3.2 Overseas property

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