pARt 6 MAnAGeMent AnD AccountABilitY - Family Court of Australia

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structure through a more integrated approach and clarify reporting relationships within registries. Thishas resulted in a reduction in staff numbers without affecting service delivery to clients or the judiciary.The resulting reduction in management positions in the registries will produce significant recurrentemployee expenses savings.A number of productivity gains also formed part of the Enterprise Agreement negotiations mentionedearlier in this part.Commonwealth Disability StrategyIn accordance with the Commonwealth Disability Strategy, the Court undertook a number of activitiesduring 2009–10, including the following:• Through its senior management group and other committees, the Court continued to focus onmeeting the needs of staff and clients, including those with disabilities and other special needs.• The Court, through its National Occupational Health and Safety Committee, ensures that thephysical needs of staff and clients are being met. For example, the use of the checklist ensures thatpassageways are kept clear and fire drills take into account the physical needs of staff and visitors.• The Court’s staff induction programs address access and equity in client services, raising theawareness of staff about the need to be flexible and understanding in meeting the needs of allCourt users.• The Court continued to implement initiatives from its Workplace Diversity Plan, the aim of whichis to accommodate, as far as possible, the personal circumstances of all staff, including staff withdisabilities.The Court is committed to ensuring that its facilities are accessible to all members of the community,including people with disabilities. It has noted the Government response to the House of RepresentativesStanding Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs’ report Access All Areas. Building andconstruction works on existing and proposed buildings for which the Court has responsibility will takeinto account the needs of people with disabilities.PART 6 MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITYChief Justice Bryant unveils the memorial plaque at the 20th anniversary memorial of the Family Court bombings at Parramatta.Family Court of Australia — Annual Report 2009–2010127
The Court reports on its performance against the core performance role of provider (see Table 8.16 inAppendix 8). In addition, the Court reports on its role as an employer through the State of the ServiceReport survey conducted by the Australian Public Service Commission.Financial managementThe Family Court of Australia is a prescribed agency under the Financial Management and AccountabilityAct 1997.The Court’s 2009–10 Budget, as published in the Portfolio Additional Estimates, was $158.1 million. Thecourt has reported a surplus of $1.0 million for the 2009–10 financial year, compared to a breakevenforecast in the Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements 2009–10. This surplus represents only 0.6 percent of the Family Court’s 2009–10 budget.Figure 6.2 provides a further breakdown of actual costs for 2009–10 which shows that the Family Courthas a significant component of fixed costs (57 per cent) relating to property, judicial officers and theirsupport, and depreciation.The Family Court provides resources free of charge to the Federal Magistrates Court in accordance withsections 90, 92 and 99 of the Federal Magistrates Act 1999. Resources provided free of charge include:PART 6MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY• court staff, who perform work on behalf of the Federal Magistrates Court, and• accommodation, including access to courtrooms.It is estimated that the cost of resources provided free of charge by the Family Court to the FederalMagistrates Court during 2009–10 was $30.162m.The Family Court also provides resources free of charge to the Federal Court. It is estimated that thecost of these resources in 2009–10 was $0.616m. The resources provided free of charge includeaccommodation and other property costs for Sydney Commonwealth Law Courts.Figure 6.2 Family Court’s expenditure, 2009–10Corporate Support 4%Corporate Overheads 5%VariableFixedInformation TechnologyServices 6%Client Services 16%Judges & Support 20%Judges Registrars & Support 1%Depreciation 4%Property 32%Family Consultants 5%Registrars 4%Case Coordinators 1%Court Officers 2%128 Family Court of Australia — Annual Report 2009–2010
Page 7 and 8: The Honourable Justice Nahum Mushin
Page 9 and 10: Executive Director Information, Com
Page 11 and 12: • National Case Management Commi
Page 13 and 14: • Improving Responses to Family
Page 15 and 16: • Acting Executive Director, Cli
Page 17 and 18: • Chief Executive Instructions
Page 19 and 20: No instances or allegations of frau
Page 21 and 22: Family law services reviewOn 24 May
Page 23 and 24: Family consultantsIn October 2009,
Page 25 and 26: The review showed that the program
Page 28 and 29: Staffing profileAt 30 June 2010, th
Page 30 and 31: Chief Executive Officer. SES salari
Page 34 and 35: Judges and support: All employee an
Page 36: • four new consultancy contracts

pARt 6 MAnAGeMent AnD AccountABilitY - Family Court of Australia

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