annual report 2012 – 13 - Australian Government Solicitor

A key focus of WHS this year has beenon training for employees and managerson bullying and harassment, resilienceand depression. Overall complianceobligations remained an ongoing task withimprovements realised in areas such asreporting, committee management andinformation on the intranet.Key achievements in 2012–13AGS developed a new WHS framework, whichresulted in the following:— AGS’s Comcare premium for 2013–14has been reduced by $300,000 due to areduction in the number and cost of claims— automated external defibrillators weredeployed in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne,Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth offices— a national program of influenzavaccination and heart health checkswas delivered— a targeted WHS training program wasdeveloped and delivered— workshops were provided formanagement on bullying and harassment,managing mental health issues, conflictmanagement and resilience— workshops were provided for all staffon understanding depression and stressmanagement.Our businessSTRATEGIC FOCUS FOR 2012–15— make doing business with AGS easier— create greater business efficiencies— ensure our technology is appropriate toour business.KEY OUTCOMESIn 2012–13 AGS:— brought the Canberra accommodationproject to fruition— updated key business processes andimproved IT services.IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSESAND EFFICIENCIESBuilding on the progress made during thelegal practice restructure in 2011–12 and thereview of its implementation this year, wecontinued to implement cost savings andbusiness process changes in the corporatesupport function areas.Key aims included developing a consistentnational approach to invoicing andimplementing a simpler, more streamlinedreporting regime for clients. We found thatachieving consistency was difficult becauseof the need to meet varying clientrequirements.We also concentrated some invoicing andbilling processes in a single national location,consolidated our banking to one provider andstandardised processes for payment.We reviewed and updated our NationalFinance Standards concerning managementof client and third party funds, managementof assets, and our financial frameworkgenerally. The CEO approved amendmentsto these standards in April 2013.Canberra accommodationThe long-running project to improve AGS’sCanberra accommodation came to fruitionwith the signing of a long-term lease for thetop 2 floors of 4 National Circuit in Barton.AGS Annual report 2012–13 29