enhanced-commonwealth-performance-framework-discussion-paper

Timeframe for updates
It is proposed that corporate plans be required to be provided to the responsible Minister and
the Finance Minister and be published by 31 August each year (starting from 2015). These
would be updated as needed. While entities would determine the appropriate timeframe for
updating their corporate plans, it is expected that any update would reflect significant
amendments to an entity’s strategic focus, including through machinery-of-government
changes, government decisions, or significant developments in any of its core corporate, human
resources or financial management functions.
Key questions
• Would a four-year plan support medium- to long-term strategic planning
• Should corporate plans be a living document and be updated as needed
• Should the proposed corporate planning rule set some of the requirements for updating
corporate plans
• Should entities report progress against the corporate plan under Part 3 (management and
accountability) of their annual reports
2.3 Annual reports and annual performance statements
In this section, the annual performance statement is introduced. A copy of the annual
performance statement will be included in entities’ annual reports and it will report on the
performance of entities’ programmes and activities. We would like you to consider what
information should be included in the performance statement and how annual reports could
be adapted to accommodate the performance statement.
Annual reports remain a key document under the proposed enhanced Commonwealth
performance framework. Section 39 of the PGPA Act requires Commonwealth entities, at the
end of each reporting period, to provide a copy of an annual report to the entity’s responsible
Minister, for presentation to the Parliament, on the entity’s activities during the reporting
period. 6 This is consistent with existing annual reporting requirements. However, the PGPA Act
now also requires all entities to include a copy of their annual performance statements in their
annual reports.
The annual performance statements are an important element of the proposed enhanced
performance framework. They are intended to ‘book-end’ performance information for all
programmes and all major activities of the entity (currently proposed to be included in Portfolio
Budget Statements).
Under the proposed enhanced framework, the annual performance statement is where
Commonwealth entities will report on what they actually achieved. The statement will
summarise the performance of the programmes and activities for which the entity is
responsible at the end of each reporting period. For example, entities will be expected to report
on the results of planned evaluations if those planned evaluations are due in that reporting
period. The level of reporting detail would be influenced by the size, nature and complexity of
the programme in question.
6 Sections 63(2) and 70(2) of the Public Service Act 1999 and other enabling legislation also require
certain entities to produce annual reports.
Enhanced Commonwealth Performance Framework—Discussion Paper | 20