Download Annual Report 2011-2012 - Governor-General of the ...

Chapter ThreeLegal services expenditureIn accordance with the requirements of the LegalServices Directions 2005, the Office reports thattotal expenditure on external legal services in2011–12 was $142,150 (including GST). Allexpenditure incurred was for solicitors’ fees. Asignificant expense related to an appeal lodged inthe Administrative Appeals Tribunal by an applicantwhose FOI request was refused on the basis thatthe documents did not relate to matters of anadministrative nature (s6A, FOI Act 1982).Competitive tenderingand contractingDuring the reporting year, the Office did notcontract to another organisation the delivery ofany program activities it had previously performed.Australian National AuditOffice access clausesThe Office did not enter into any contract of$100,000 or more (including GST) during 2011–12that did not provide for the Auditor-General to haveaccess to the contractor’s premises.Exempt contractsThe Official Secretary did not exempt any contractor standing offer in excess of $10,000 from beingpublished in AusTender on the basis that it woulddisclose exempt matters under the Freedom ofInformation Act 1982.Advertising and market researchThe Office did not undertake any advertisingcampaigns or market research during 2011–12.Discretionary grantsThe Office neither made nor administered anydiscretionary grants during the financial year.Information technologyThe Office continued to improve the security,reliability and functionality of its ICT through a rangeof initiatives in 2011–12:• after a thorough vulnerability assessment, stepswere taken to implement recommendations toenhance the security of the Office’s systems• database systems were upgraded to streamlinedata import and use by two critical businessgroups (the Honours and Awards Branch and theInvitations Unit)• BlackBerry tablets were introduced for selectedstaff to enhance functionality and networkavailability away from the office• the Information Publication Scheme (IPS) portalon the Office’s website was developed• the Office participated in the whole-ofgovernmentconsolidated gateway initiative withthe assistance of the Department of the PrimeMinister and Cabinet• a regular replacement and upgrade program of ICTequipment including desktop computers, laptops,printers and multifunction print devices continued• ICT support was provided to several visitingdignitaries and delegations.As an FMA Act agency, the Office participatedin and benefited from a range of the FederalGovernment’s whole-of-government initiatives,including co-ordinated telecommunications services,software and hardware procurement.Changes to disabilityreporting inannual reportsSince 1994, Commonwealth departments and agencieshave reported on their performance as policy adviser,purchaser, employer, regulator and provider underthe Commonwealth Disability Strategy. In 2007–08,reporting on the employer role was transferred tothe Australian Public Service Commission’s State ofthe Service Report and the APS Statistical Bulletin.These reports are available at www.apsc.gov.au. From2010–11, departments and agencies have no longerbeen required to report on these functions.The Commonwealth Disability Strategy has beenovertaken by a new National Disability Strategy whichsets out a ten year national policy framework forimproving life for Australians with disability, their familiesand carers. A high level report to track progressfor people with disability at a national level will beproduced by the Standing Council on Community,Housing and Disability Services to the Council ofAustralian Governments and will be available atwww.fahcsia.gov.au. The Social Inclusion Measurementand Reporting Strategy agreed by the Governmentin December 2009 will also include some reportingon disability matters in its regular How Australia isFaring report and, if appropriate, in strategic changeindicators in agency annual reports. More details onsocial inclusion matters can be found atwww.socialinclusion.gov.au.56 OFFICE OF THE OFFICIAL SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL