Outcomes and planned performance

2.1 Outcomes and performance information

Government outcomes are the intended results, impacts or consequences of actions by the Government on the Australian community. Agencies deliver programs which are the Government actions taken to deliver the stated outcomes. Agencies are required to identify the programs which contribute to Government outcomes over the Budget and forward years.

RIRDC’s outcome is described below together with its related program, specifying the performance indicators and targets used to assess and monitor the performance of RIRDC in achieving government outcomes.

Outcome 1: Increased knowledge that fosters sustainable, productive and profitable new and existing rural industries and furthers understanding of national rural issues through research and development in government‑industry partnership.

Outcome 1 Strategy

RIRDC’s Outcome 1 strategy is to respond to key drivers which have been identified by our government and industry stakeholders. RIRDC plans to achieve this by investing in R&D as follows:

• (i) for new rural industries:
  • where significant export or domestic market opportunities exist
  • where Australian industry has a competitive advantage, for example in production, seasonality, or market access
  • that will be attractive to producers to enter and expand the industry
    
    
• (ii) in RIRDC’s established rural industries:
  • in areas identified by government and industry as a high priority
  • that promote development and uptake of innovative technologies and solutions
    
    
• (iii) in R&D to support:
• • rural policy priorities of government
  • the priorities of rural industries and communities
  • topics that are cross-sectoral, or diffuse for one industry but large in aggregate
  • where partners support co-investment.

Outcome 1 Budgeted Expenses and Resources

Table 2.1 provides an overview of the total expenses for Outcome 1 by program.

Table 2.1: Budgeted Expenses and Resources for Outcome 1

Contributions to Outcome 1

Program 1.1: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation

Program objective

• Increase knowledge that fosters sustainable, productive and profitable new and existing rural industries and furthers understanding of national rural issues through research and development in government-industry partnership.
• This program has a collective focus operating through a cash or service mechanism. The program undertakes advising/informing activities through direct service or third party service delivery.

Program expenses

RIRDC’s base funding from government will be reduced by $3 million per annum from 2009–10.

Program 1.1 Deliverables

RIRDC delivers its knowledge outcomes through three research and development portfolios:

• New Rural Industries program:
• • investigate new industries for climate change, including drought tolerant grains, oilseeds, dates, native grasses, native foods and fruits
  • continue management of Bioenergy Australia
  • investigate new feedstocks for biofuels and bioenergy
  • develop a five-year R&D Plan for the olive industry and provide information to the industry to assist examination of an R&D levy
  • lead the development and implementation of the PIMC National R&D Strategies for New and Emerging Industries and Biofuels and Bioenergy
  • implement a new five-year R&D plan for the Rare Natural Animal Fibres Program
  • review the New Rural Industries Portfolio to ensure that its objectives, strategies and operations maximise the impact of our investments.
    
    
• Established Rural Industries program:
• • manage the drought-affected rice and fodder R&D programs through prudent application of reserves policy and in consultation with industry to deliver on core priorities
  • trial a new cold tolerant rice variety for possible commercialisation
  • provide information to the fodder industry to assist examination of an R&D levy in 2010–11
  • consider expansion of the Pasture Seeds R&D Program with newly identified and evaluated varieties of pasture seed species
  • implement new five-year R&D Plans for the Chicken Meat and Fodder Crops programs
  • introduce a new Pollination Australia Five-Year R&D Plan
  • lead the development of the PIMC National Poultry R&D Strategy with AECL.
    
    
• National Rural Issues program:
• • develop five-year R&D plans for investment that target R&D under the themes Global Challenges and Community Resilience
  • inform climate change policy through R&D within the CCRSPI framework
  • develop co-investment arrangements for Rural Leadership and Learning
  • commission R&D identified at the Indigenous Rural Development Workshop in December 2008
  • increase co-investment in the Farming and Fishing Health and Safety Collaborative Partnership (current investment partners with RIRDC are the Department of Health and Ageing, GRDC, FRDC, SRDC and CRDC).

Program 1.1 Key Performance Information

RIRDC evaluates its key performance indicators for the three research and development portfolios against the following:

• Sector five year R&D plans are meeting their objectives to provide the knowledge:
• • for diversification in Australia’s rural industries
  • increasing the profitability, resilience and sustainability of RIRDC’s established industries
  • to address national rural issues and to meet the needs of industry, community and Government.
    
    
• Demonstrating high level of support from Industry, Government stakeholders and partners through regular stakeholder surveys and continuing investment and co-investment.
  
  
• Implementation of a revised strategy of implementation of RIRDC’s knowledge investments:
• • leading to adoption of new technologies and industries
  • adoption of knowledge to increase the profitability
  • resilience and sustainability of RIRDC’s established industries
  • adoption of knowledge to address national rural issues is demonstrated by client surveys and program evaluations.

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