2004-05 Annual Report - Australia Post

Australia Post Annual Report 2004/05 Financial and Statutory Reports
Statutory reporting requirements
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STATUTORY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2005
During the year:
° 922 incidents were notified/reported to Comcare
in accordance with s68 of the OH&S Act 1991.
° 37 Provisional Improvement Notices were given.
° 2 Improvement Notices (s47) were given.
° 17 investigations were conducted relating to:
- plant, machinery and building safety (7)
- workplace arrangements (3)
- motorcycle safety (2)
- harassment (2)
- manual handling (1)
- OH&S compliance (1)
- non-work related fatality (1).
° One s44 action was taken.
° One s45 direction was issued.
° One s46 notice was issued.
° 308 Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
and Deputy HSRs were trained.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REPORT
In the year to 30 June 2005, Post received 64
applications under the Freedom of Information Act
1982 (Cth).
These were handled as follows:
Granted in full 33
Granted in part 10
Access refused 12
Withdrawn 6
On hand at 30 June 2005 3
Total 64
There were two applications for internal review during the
year, each of which resulted in the decision of the Freedom
of Information Officer being substantially confirmed.
The two applications that were lodged with the
Administrative Appeals Tribunal in the previous financial
year were determined during the period. Post was
substantially successful in both. One application that
was lodged with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in
2004–05 financial year is yet to be listed for hearing.
The estimated cost of handling Freedom of Information
requests and related responsibilities in 2004–05 was
$62,494. Application fees and charges of $913 were
collected.
Freedom of Information Act, Section 8
The following information is presented in accordance
with s8 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
Organisation and functions
Australia Post has a Melbourne-based Headquarters,
five state-based profit centres, and four joint ventures.
Headquarters is responsible for strategic planning,
policy and support activities. State-based profit centres
direct day-to-day business activities within the states.
Consultative arrangements
Australia Post consults directly with major mail
users, customers and various bodies to respond to
customers needs.
A joint Mailing Industry Advisory Committee operates
with the Major Mail Users of Australia for the purpose
of enhancing relationships between Australia Post and
its major customers.
The Postal Services Consultative Council provides
a further external forum for discussing Australia
Post’s services and performance. Post also consults
extensively with private mail users through local
managers and customer contact services.
Market research is undertaken regularly to monitor
how well Australia Post is satisfying customer needs
and how the public regards the postal system.
Australia Post’s letter delivery performance is
independently audited by KPMG. Formal reports are
published on a quarterly basis.
Access to documents
Access to documents under the Freedom of
Information Act can be obtained by forwarding a
written request together with the prescribed fee to:
National Freedom of Information Officer
Legal Services Group
Australia Post Headquarters
GPO Box 1777
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Alternatively, access to documents can be obtained
by writing to the Freedom of Information Officer in the
relevant state administrations. The addresses of Post’s
state administrations are provided on the back cover.
Access to personal information
Under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) individuals have,
subject to certain exceptions permitted by law, a right
to request access to their personal information that is
held by Commonwealth agencies and private-sector
organisations.
Individuals may apply for access to their personal
information held by Australia Post by writing to:
Chief Privacy Officer
Legal Services Group
Australia Post Headquarters
GPO Box 1777
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
FRAUD CONTROL
To deter and detect any instances of fraud, Australia
Post applies measures consistent with sound
commercial practices. This is further supported through
the maintenance of a National Fraud Control Policy and
Code of Ethics.
The Corporate Audit Services Group applies a risk-based
methodology to review business operations and related
systems, including policies and procedures, which
make up the control environment. This is undertaken
on a programmed basis to ensure that the corporation’s
assets are safeguarded and business risks minimised.
The Corporate Security Group is a specialised unit
charged with the responsibility of ensuring the integrity
of the mail and the safety of Post’s personnel and other
assets. The group works closely with law enforcement
agencies both within Australia and internationally.