enhanced-commonwealth-performance-framework-discussion-paper

4 Summary and conclusion
Improving the profile and quality of non-financial performance information in the
Commonwealth will take time. Given the history of partial successes and revised frameworks,
evolution through persistence and continuous improvement is likely to be more successful over
the longer run than quick, dramatic shifts in direction. The proposals in this paper are intended
to represent such an evolution, building on the new requirements of the PGPA Act, but making
adjustments to existing documents and processes that have standing and exposure in the
Commonwealth. The intention is not to disrupt current good practice or well-established
pockets of excellence, and where there is a risk that this may happen through the proposals
floated in this paper, we welcome your feedback.
The responses to this paper will shape the next stage in the development of the
Commonwealth’s performance framework. The paper has made a number of proposals, but we
recognise that there are other ideas and quite possibly better proposals that experienced
entities and practitioners have to offer in this space. The paper includes a number of key
questions that you may wish to address in providing your comments, although all comments
and suggestions are welcome.
Some of the elements of the proposed enhanced performance framework are fixed in the PGPA
Act or in well-established practice. However it is drawn together, the proposed enhanced
performance framework must meet the information needs of the Parliament. It must also help
Commonwealth entities meet their public policy and business goals and better manage their
resources and programmes. The framework must be practical for those who are responsible for
delivering programmes and ensuring activities have a positive outcome.
The suggested model attempts to achieve these objectives by building on the existing outcomes
and programmes framework. Specifically, it proposes that the new corporate plan becomes the
principal planning and operational document of Commonwealth entities, to be updated by the
end of August each year. Portfolio Budget Statements would remain the principal resource
management and accountability document by which resources are allocated and reported to the
Parliament. Improving the overall content and focus of Portfolio Budget Statements, possibly
introducing programme performance plans for each programme, and developing a systematic
approach for tracking the short-, medium- and long-term expected results for programmes and
major activities are further possible reforms that could be introduced over a longer period of
time if these proposals garner support.
The enhanced framework includes the annual performance statements that the PGPA Act
requires to be generated at the end of each financial year. Finance’s preferred approach is to
have these linked to programme performance information contained in Portfolio Budget
Statements.
The enhanced performance framework will need to be in place by early 2015 to allow
Commonwealth entities to implement the initial changes to the 2015-16 Portfolio Budget
Statements, and to allow for the development of corporate plans.
Comments on this paper should be submitted by Monday 29 September 2014. Please email
your comments to PMRAPerformanceFramework@finance.gov.au.
Finance will also be running a series of workshops with stakeholder groups and a consultation
schedule will be published on the Public Management Reform Agenda website
(www.pmra.finance.gov.au).
Enhanced Commonwealth Performance Framework—Discussion Paper | 34