Summary of performance

Summary of performance

The department’s 2008–09 Portfolio Budget Statements listed five outputs of our single outcome, with key performance indicators (listed below) for each.

As many of our divisions contribute to more than one output, our achievements under each output reflect a whole-of-department effort.
In 2008–09 we met or substantially met these performance indicators for each output. Detailed information on our activities and achievements is in the output performance reports starting on page 9.

In 2009–10 our reporting structure will change in response to the reforms of Operation Sunlight, which includes tightening the outcomes and outputs framework as part of the overall agenda of increasing budget transparency.

Our outcome, outputs and key performance indicators

Outcome

Australian agricultural, fisheries, food and forestry industries that are based on sustainable management of and access to natural resources, are more competitive, self-reliant and innovative, have increased access to markets, are protected from disease and are underpinned by scientific advice and economic research.

Output 1.1—Sustainable management of resources

Promotion of resource management practices that strengthen national capacity for the sustainable use of Australia’s natural assets in a changing climate

Key performance indicators for Output 1.1 were:

• Intergovernmental and industry policy processes achieve consensus on forest policy direction—target substantially met
• The efficiency of departmental programs to enhance the capacity for, and implementation of, sustainable forest management activities in the Asia–Pacific region—target partly met
• Commonwealth fisheries are managed in sustainable ways—results from 2008–09 not yet known
• Departmental policies and programs are deterring illegal foreign fishing activity in Australian waters—targets met
• Sustainable management of shared fisheries, including high-seas resources and highly migratory and straddling stocks to ensure continued security of access for Australian fishing interests—targets met
• The department promotes improvement in the condition of the natural resource base for public benefit and to deliver ecosystem services to the wider community—targets substantially met
• The department promotes improvement in the management of invasive plant species by land owners and managers—targets substantially met
  Contribution to the improved capacity of farmers to adapt and adjust to impacts of climate change—targets met.

Output 1.2—Productive, innovative and competitive portfolio industries

Development and implementation of policies and programs to encourage productive, innovative and competitive portfolio industries

Key performance indicators for Output 1.2 were:

• The number of farmers that changed industries, farming and business practices to be or remain viable in the long term as determined by surveys and program input and output data—targets substantially met
• The extent that farm families, businesses and communities in target groups receive government support and manage through and recover from severe climatic events as determined by surveys and program input and output data—target met
• Contribution to the rural sector having improved access to agricultural and veterinary chemicals—target met
• Contribution to improved animal welfare outcomes through the production, export and marketing chain—target substantially met
• Improved targeting and performance of rural R&D investment, particularly through establishing the Rural R&D Council and facilitating its development of a rural R&D investment plan and performance measure framework—targets substantially met
• Improved targeting and performance of rural R&D investment through ongoing improvement in the planning, reporting and evaluation process of rural R&D corporations and companies (RDCs)—target met
• Improved efficiency of rural R&D through an increased level of co-investment and collaboration by RDCs in major projects in national priority areas—target met
• Support the horticulture industry to meet the challenges of competition and transparency of trade—target substantially met
• Increased awareness by industry and the community of current and potential benefits from biotechnology and confidence in the management of associated risks, as indicated by surveys and qualitative assessments—target substantially met
• Successful transition to and operation of new wheat marketing arrangements—target met
  Successful transition to a self-reliant dairy industry—targets met
• Encourage regional food processing and seafood industries to develop new technologies and adopt innovative production and processing methods through implementation of the Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program—target substantially met
• Encourage productive and competitive irrigation industries that are equipped to manage reduced water availability—targets met
• Develop agreed Australian Government positions on domestic food regulatory issues contributing to an Australian food regulatory environment that enables a competitive and innovative food industry—target substantially met
• Enhanced capability of Australian producers to promote premium Australian produce, including fruit and vegetables, pork and seafood, through implementation of the Promoting Australian Produce program—target substantially met
• Policies and programs assist wild fisheries and aquaculture industries to add value, become more productive and sustainable and support recreational fishing—targets substantially met
• Policies and programs assist the fisheries sector to adjust to international and domestic market pressures and other pressures—targets substantially met
• Departmental industry development programs assist forest industries to add value and increase exports—target partly met
• Efficiency of departmental programs to complete the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement (TCFA) programs and commence implementation of Forest Industries Development Fund—targets substantially met (TCFA finished on 30 June 2009)

Output 1.3—Access to markets

Assistance to Australia’s agricultural, food, fisheries and forestry industries to be more sustainable, competitive and profitable by maintaining and improving international market access opportunities. This work will remove distortions to international trade, facilitate technical assistance and agricultural cooperation in support of portfolio interests, mitigate external risks to our plant and animal health status and assist in the development of international standards for trade in portfolio products.

Key performance indicators for Output 1.3 were:

• Market access opportunities in bilateral, regional and multilateral trade negotiations are maximised—targets substantially met
• Provide agricultural cooperation (including international visits) and technical assistance to support market access objectives with targeted trading partners—targets met
• Portfolio interests are reflected in international standards related to Australia’s animal, plant, food and environmental health and sustainability—target substantially met
• Maintenance of the integrity of Australia’s export, inspection, auditing and certification system—targets met

Output 1.4—Managing pest and disease risk

Management of the risk of entry of exotic pests and diseases to give effect to Australia’s appropriate level of protection through appropriate quarantine controls at Australia’s border and managing the impact of major pest and disease incursions on Australia’s agricultural, food, fisheries and forestry industries through effective post-border control arrangements

Key performance indicators for Output 1.4 were:

• Key processes contributing to, and increasing, national animal and plant health arrangements are progressed—targets substantially met
• Biosecurity programs contribute to national preparedness for pest, disease and contaminant emergency incidents—targets substantially met
• Implementation of a rapid response to pest, disease and contaminant emergencies—targets substantially met
• Enhancement of regional networks providing early warning of new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) threats to Australia with increased capacity to mitigate threats off shore—targets met
• Australian quarantine border interventions reduce the risk of entry of exotic pests and diseases—targets met

Output 1.5—Portfolio research support

The provision of research and analysis and tools that improve the quality of decision-making by government and industry

Key performance indicators for Output 1.5 were:

• Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis (ACERA) objectives are met—target met
• ABARE research, briefings, forecasts and data meet the needs of government, industry decision-makers and other stakeholders—target met
• The extent that production of scientific analyses, assessments, advice and tools by BRS is relevant, of appropriate quality and influences client decision-making—target met

Policy advice

All the department’s divisions and agencies contributed policy advice to the minister.

The minister has expressed satisfaction with continued improvements in the quality of our policy advice during 2008–09.

The department’s total ministerial workflow remained relatively unchanged from the 2007–08 level. However, the number of departmental responses increased (up 129%) and the number of responses from the minister decreased (down 47%).

For 2008–09 (as in 2007–08) we set an ambitious target of less than 5% for the amount of ministerial correspondence returned to us for redrafting.

We prepared a total of 5573 items of ministerial correspondence in 2008–09, including 1749 for the minister’s signature and 3824 for departmental signature. Of the items for the minister’s signature, 527 (30%) were returned to the department for redraft. Approximately 14% of those were to be changed from ministerial to departmental responses. The other main reasons for redrafting were to update content and to meet the minister’s requirements for quality and content. In 2009–10 we will again aim to reduce the number of returns on the basis of quality to below 5%.

The department aims to have no overdue ministerials outstanding at the close of business each Thursday. In 2008–09, 87 (5%) of responses sent to the minister were reported as overdue. Providing effective, timely and high-quality written material will be a priority again in 2009–10.

The number of questions on notice substantially increased in 2008–09. We submitted 887 responses, including 60 to questions from the Senate and the House of Representatives. The increase came mainly from written questions arising from Budget, Supplementary and Additional Budget Estimates hearings of the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee. Despite the increased volume, all question on notice responses were returned within the set timeframes.

Figure 5 shows five-year trends in ministerial workflow.

To maintain coordinated portfolio communications, we continued to hold regular meetings with our departmental liaison officers in the minister’s office.

The minister’s staff provided regular formal and informal feedback on policy advice from the department, including via a feedback sheet attached to all ministerial documents, and in portfolio business meetings with the departmental executive. To help the department continuously improve and meet the standards and expectations of the minister and the executive, feedback on quality and timeliness was provided to drafters and, where appropriate, incorporated into departmental guidelines, training sessions and intranet resources.

The department provides individual plain English training and plain English tips through our eBulletin; and regular in‑house training in writing ministerial correspondence, speeches and media releases, and use of the workflow system. This training has been well received by staff. Our ministerial and departmental style guides are regularly updated and are available to all staff on the intranet.

We began upgrading the electronic ministerial workflow system in 2008–09. The new system, MinCor4, will include enhanced records management and performance reporting features. It will be implemented in 2009–10.

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