15–16

Industry and Territories Branch; the Manager,
Human Resources; and staff representatives
from each branch.
The committee advises on the office’s People
Plan. The Committee meets as required with the
key focus this year being the development of an
action plan and addressing issues arising from
the 2015 APS Employee Census.
Work Health and Safety Committee
The Work Health and Safety Committee is
made up of elected staff representatives from
each of the state and Canberra offices, and is
chaired by the Senior Assistant Ombudsman,
Immigration, Industry and Territories Branch.
The committee meets quarterly. It reviews work
health and safety matters and procedures to
ensure the office complies with the terms of the
Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
Workplace Relations Committee
The Chief Operating Officer chairs the
Workplace Relations Committee. It comprises
employee, management and union
representatives, and is the principal forum
for change and workplace issues.
Business Improvement Steering Committee
This Committee was established to facilitate
business improvements within the office, to
ensure our business is conducted as effectively
and efficiently as possible, and in a manner that
furthers the office’s strategic objectives and
maintains its viability and reputation. It is chaired
by the Deputy Ombudsman.
Information Management Committee
This is chaired by the Deputy Ombudsman
and provides strategic oversight and guidance
in information management policy, processes
and systems, and examining information
management issues.
Risk and Security Governance Committee
This Committee was established to provide
guidance and advice on operational risk and
security governance matters for the office. It is
chaired by the Chief Operating Officer, has
representatives from the branches and subject
matter experts and meets at least quarterly.
Inclusion Committee
This was established in May 2016 with the
aim of providing guidance and advice on
inclusion matters, especially concerning the
Reconciliation Action Plan, the Multicultural
Plan, the Workplace Diversity Program and
others. It is chaired by the Deputy Ombudsman
and includes staff members from throughout
the organisation at various levels.
Corporate Governance
Practices
Risk management
Our risk management framework includes
a formal policy and protocol, a strategic risk
plan and register, and quarterly monitoring
and reporting.
The Senior Leadership Group regularly
reviews strategic and operational risks.
The office also participates in the annual
Comcover Risk Management Benchmarking
Survey, which independently assesses our
risk management maturity.
Additional oversight of risk-management is
provided by the Audit Committee and the
Risk and Security Governance Committee.
Fraud Prevention and Control
The office engaged Ernst & Young to conduct
an independent review of the office’s Fraud
Control Plan and to undertake an entity-wide
fraud risk assessment.
The review concluded that the office had
a medium overall fraud risk profile and
made three recommendations, all of which
were implemented.
PART 5—MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
2015–16 | COMMONWEALTH OMBUDSMAN ANNUAL REPORT | 99