2011 Annual Report - National Transport Commission

Risk management
and fraud control
The NTC’s risk management plan
and business continuity plan assist
the NTC in mitigating a broad range
of risks to the organisation, both
internal and external.
The risk management plan reflects
the NTC’s commitment to managing
risk in accordance with best practice.
The objectives of the plan are to:
• ensure that significant risks faced by
the Commission are understood and
managed
• ensure that staff are familiar with risk
management practices and assume
responsibility for managing the risk
in their areas of control
• ensure that risk is taken into account
when making every decision
• provide appropriate protection of
employees, assets, information and
business operations
• protect the Commission’s image and
public reputation.
The business continuity plan focuses
on operational issues that might arise
should an emergency or other event
disrupt the organisation. The objectives
of the plan are to:
• ensure that appropriate service
levels are re-established and
maintained
• enable that the NTC can recover
from a disruption as quickly as
possible
• minimise the likelihood and
impact of disruption
• ensure that staff are trained in risk
management practices and assume
responsibility for managing risk in
their areas
• assist staff when disruptions occur.
48 NTC Annual Report 2010–11
Both the risk management plan and
business continuity plan are readily
available to all staff and are discussed
with new staff during the organisation’s
induction process.
The plans are reviewed regularly by
the organisation at least once every
calendar quarter, with changes reported
to the Audit and Risk Committee and
Board of Commissioners.
Fraud control is currently covered by the
risk management plan. During 2011–12,
the NTC will develop a separate fraud
control plan, in accordance with
the Commonwealth Fraud Control
Guidelines. No instances of fraud were
recorded in the workplace during the
2010–11 financial year.
Business planning
In accordance with the National
Transport Commission Act 2003 and
Inter-governmental Agreement, the NTC,
jointly with government and industry,
must develop a strategic plan. This
plan outlines, for the following three
years, the NTC’s proposed rolling
work program relating to regulatory
and operational reform in rail, road and
intermodal transport. The planned-for
objectives and milestones are based
on recommendations and advice
from the ATC, COAG and associated
working groups.
The strategic plan must be endorsed
by the ATC before being implemented
by the NTC.
Indemnities and insurance
For the reporting period ending June
2011, no indemnity claims were made
against the NTC or any of its officers.
The organisation ensures adequate
insurance cover is obtained each year
to cover all areas of the organisation,
including professional indemnity,
directors and officers, general business,
travel and workers compensation.
External scrutiny
There were no reports by the Auditor
General (other than the report
on financial statements) or the
Commonwealth Ombudsman that
referred to the NTC.
The Australian Senate Rural Affairs
and Transport Legislation Committee
examined and reported on the
NTC’s annual report in March 2011.
There were no other reports by
parliamentary committees during
the 2010–11 financial year.
No judicial decision was made in
2010–11 that had, or may have, an
impact on the organisation’s operation,
the National Transport Commission
Act 2003 or the Inter-governmental
Agreement.