APPENDIX 1 Freedom of Information Act 1982: s.8 statement

APPENDIX 2 Department and Portfolio address list

APPENDIX 3 Industrial democracy

APPENDIX 4 Workplace diversity

APPENDIX 5 Occupational health and safety

APPENDIX 6 Consultants

APPENDIX 7 Advertising, direct mail and market research

APPENDIX 8 Inquiries by Parliamentary committees

APPENDIX 9 Discretionary grants

APPENDIX 10 Performance Appraisal and staffing overview

APPENDIX 11 Purchasing

APPENDIX 12 Competitive tendering and contracting

APPENDIX 13 Resources for outcomes

APPENDIX 14 Networking the Nation Board Annual Report

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) requires Commonwealth Government agencies to make available information about their organisation, functions and operations, and about rules and practices used in making decisions that affect members of the public.

Section 8 of the FOI Act requires each agency to publish detailed information about the way it is organised, its powers, the kinds of decisions made, arrangements for public involvement in work of the agency, documents held by the agency and how members of the public can access these documents.

The body of this Annual Report explains the major functions of the Department, the issues currently affecting members of the public and the role of the other agencies in the Portfolio. This statement supplements that general information to meet the requirements of s.8 of the FOI Act and is correct as at 30 June 2000.

In this statement, particulars of the organisation and functions of the Department are detailed under each outcome and output.

Anyone is entitled to apply for access to documents under the FOI Act. However, in many cases you may not need to use the FOI Act. First, try asking the Department or looking at the Department’s website (www.dcita.gov.au). The information you want may be readily available. An alternative is to approach the Manager of Media and Public Affairs, phone 02 6271 1255, who may be able to help you. If you do decide to make a formal request under the FOI Act, the Department’s FOI Coordinator (phone 02 6271 1746) can assist you.

The Secretary holds general power to grant or refuse access to any document held by the Department. The Secretary has authorised certain officers of the Department to grant and refuse access to documents. Generally access is provided in the form of copies of documents. However, the Department can provide a reading area for the inspection of documents made available under the FOI Act.

Correspondence on FOI matters should be addressed to:

Attention: Freedom of Information Coordinator

There are a number of agencies, which, although part of the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Portfolio, are not part of the Department. These include:

Australia Council
Australian Broadcasting Authority
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Communications Authority
Australian Film Commission
Australian Film Finance Corporation Ltd
Australian Film, Television and Radio School
Australia Business Arts Foundation
Australian National Maritime Museum
Australian Postal Corporation
Film Australia Ltd
National Australia Day Council Ltd
National Gallery of Australia
National Library of Australia
National Museum of Australia
Special Broadcasting Service
Telstra Corporation Limited
The Bundanon Trust

If you wish to obtain information or documents about these agencies, please approach them direct. Appendix 2 lists their addresses and phone numbers.

For the purposes of the FOI Act, records of the following are records of the Department:

National Archives of Australia
Artbank
ScreenSound Australia—National Screen and Sound Archive
Questacon—The National Science and Technology Centre

Requests for access to documents of Artbank should be directed to the Department’s FOI Coordinator.

Requests for access to documents of the National Archives of Australia should be addressed to:

Requests for access to documents of ScreenSound Australia should be addressed to:

Attention: Freedom of Information Coordinator

Requests for access to documents of the National Science and Technology Centre should be addressed to:

National Science and Technology Centre
PO Box E28
KINGSTON ACT 2604

Attention: Freedom of Information Coordinator

The Department maintains records in various physical forms including:

• Files—on a wide range of topics related to the Department’s functions. The Records Management Unit maintains details of the files used by the Department.
• Card indexes—which are generally used for minor record keeping and in particular for such purposes as indexing reference material.
• Computer databases—which are maintained for bulk record keeping.
• Audio and visual recordings—held as part of the Department’s cultural development activities.

Records are maintained by the Department in one or more physical forms on the following topics:

Cultural matters:

• performing, literary and visual arts;
• movable heritage;
• science and technology;
• online cultural and heritage services;
• cultural industry development;
• library and information services;
• arts and heritage collection agencies;
• cultural taxation incentives schemes;
• arts education;
• international cultural relations;
• public and educational lending rights;
• cultural access programs (Playing Australia, Contemporary Music Touring, Festivals Australia and Visions of Australia);
• taxation issues relating to the cultural sector;
• return of Indigenous cultural property;
• Cultural Ministers Council;
• national cultural organisations;
• use of new media in the cultural and heritage sectors;
• promotion of sponsorship and philanthropy for the arts;
• departmental support of the National Australia Day Council;
• National Portrait Gallery;
• Old Parliament House;
• Acton Peninsula project (construction of new facilities for the National Museum of Australia and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies);
• the Centenary of Federation in 2001;
• Federation Fund Major Projects;
• Federation Community Projects;
• Federation Cultural and Heritage Projects;
• film; and
• film agencies.

Telecommunications:

• telecommunications policy, legislation and regulation;
• radiocommunications policy, legislation and regulation;
• postal policy, legislation and regulation;
• international communications—bilateral and multilateral arrangements including INTELSAT, INMARSAT, UPU and APPU;
• national relay service;
• communications standards arrangements;
• regional telecommunications infrastructure fund;
• grants to consumer bodies and for research into telecommunications;
• Telstra and Australia Post—corporate accountability; and
• Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy Program.

Broadcasting:

• commercial and satellite broadcasting;
• community broadcasting;
• national broadcasting;
• broadcasting technology;
• television and radio, including digitisation, pay television, subscription and narrowcasting services; and
• online content policy and legislation.

Information and Communications Industries:

• IT&T industry development;
• IT&T investment and trade;
• commercialisation of IT&T research and development;
• business taxation environment;
• innovation and technology diffusion in the IT&T sector; and
• new information communications services and technologies.

Office for Government Online:

• Internet searching and discovery;
• e-commerce;
• electronic authentication and cryptography;
• electronic service delivery;
• Government domain names;
• privacy;
• shared Corporate Support Systems;
• whole-of-government telecommunications;
• Government Information Centre;
• Gatekeeper;
• information management;
• Trials of Innovative Government Electronic Regional Services (TIGERS);
• Commonwealth Government Intranet (Fedlink); and
• Y2K Commonwealth Government compliance; community awareness; business awareness; and contingency planning.

National Office for the Information Economy:

• cryptography;
• e-commerce;
• electronic authentication;
• privacy;
• convergence;
• online access;
• security;
• consumer protection;
• gambling;
• Online Council;
• Australian Information Economy Advisory Council (AIEAC);
• Ministerial Council for the Information Economy (MCIE); and
• international communications—bilateral and multilateral arrangements including ITU, APEC and APT.

Corporate and Coordination:

• intellectual property policy;
• financial management;
• personnel matters;
• advice on legal and other matters;
• contracts and information management; and
• other corporate support services.

National Science and Technology Centre:

• science and technology;
• education;
• corporate support.

ScreenSound Australia—National Screen and Sound Archive:

• management of the national collection of moving image and recorded sound materials;
• conservation and preservation; and
• corporate support.

National Archives of Australia:

• provision of record keeping advice and standards to Commonwealth agencies;
• delivery of services (reference services to the collection, publications, exhibitions) to the public; and
• collection review and corporate management.

Some of this material may be exempt from disclosure under the FOI Act.

In accordance with s.9 of the FOI Act, a list has been compiled of unpublished manuals and other documents used by Department officers as a guide to procedures and practices to be followed when dealing with the public. The list is correct as at 30 June 2000 and is available on request from the FOI Coordinator or any office of the National Archives of Australia.

Outcome 1 A cultural environment that enriches the lives of all Australians

Output 1.1: Support for Australian cultural activities

Output 1.2: Increase awareness, knowledge and understanding of the Centenary of Federation and encourage participation in events celebrating the Centenary

Output 1.3: Understanding and knowledge of Australian history, culture and portraiture through access to Old Parliament House and the National Portrait Gallery

Output 1.4: New facilities for the National Museum of Australia and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

Output 1.5 Science and technology exhibitions and programs

Output 1.6 A high quality, safe and accessible national audiovisual collection

Output 1.7 The national audiovisual collection is widely accessed by the public

Output 1.8 All agencies apply best practice in the creation, management (including control, preservation, custody and accessibility) and disposal of Commonwealth records

Output 1.9 The Australian community understands the role archives play in society, accepts the intrinsic value of the National Archives and its collection, and has satisfying access to it

Outcome 2 Competitive and diverse communications and information technology industries and services

Output 2.1: Policy and regulatory frameworks for communications services

Output 2.2: Government initiatives and programs which support the development of innovative information industries

Output 2.3: Programs which promote access to communications services

Output 2.4 Research, advice and information on communications and information technology issues

Outcome 3 Australians have electronic access to Government information and services.

Output 3.1 Government initiatives and programs which promote electronic commerce and online services

Output 3.2 Increased awareness of the potential impact of the Year 2000 problem and of necessary rectification measures

Outcome 4 Improved access and competitive advantage in the global information economy to enhance Australian social well-being

Output 4.1 Strategic advice, programs and policy and regulatory framework to advance Australia’s participation in the global information economy

Various Corporate and Coordination outputs.

The Department provides this output through a range of programs administered by the Arts Division’s Arts Branch and Cultural Development Branch and by the Film and Online Content Branch in the Broadcasting and Film Division. The role of these areas is to provide advice on the policy, regulatory and operational frameworks which underpin the Government’s strategies for enhancing Australian culture and related industry sectors—enabling the achievement of outcomes consistent with the Government’s broader economic and social policy objectives.

Major functions are to:

• provide the Ministers with advice on arts, heritage and cultural development issues;
• administer cultural and heritage programs (including public lending rights and cultural access programs) and tax incentives schemes;
• administer direct financial assistance to the national cultural organisations and national arts training institutions;
• provide secretariat services to committees within cultural and heritage programs;
• provide the Ministers with advice on new media developments in the cultural and heritage sectors and administer new media programs;
• provide the Ministers with policy advice on matters concerning the Federation Fund Major Projects, Federation Community Projects and Federation Cultural and Heritage Projects, and administer the funding of these projects;
• provide the Ministers with advice on film and film agencies, and administrative issues, including overseeing administration of the Australian Film Commission, Australian Film, Television and Radio School, ScreenSound Australia, the Australian Film Finance Corporation, and Film Australia Limited;
• administer the Commonwealth grant to the Australian Children’s Television Foundation;
• administer the scheme for certification of Australian films for tax concessions under Divisions 10B and 10BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936; and
• provide advice on and administer the certification scheme in respect of the entry of foreign actors to Australia under Schedule 2, Part 420 of the Migration Regulations.

The Department administers the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986 and the Public Lending Right Act 1985. Employees exercise delegated powers under those Acts. The Department advises the Minister on the administration of the National Library of Australia Act 1960, the National Gallery Act 1975, the Australia Council Act 1975 and the Australian National Maritime Museum Act 1990.

Department employees also exercise delegated decision-making powers under Schedule 2, Part 420 of the Migration Regulations and Divisions 10B and 10BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and advise the Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation in relation to the exercise of powers vested in him under the Australian Film, Television and Radio School Act 1973, the Film Licensed Investment Company Act 1998 and the Australian Film Commission Act 1975.

Employees also exercise delegated powers under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.

The Department provides the secretariat that supports the National Council for the Centenary of Federation.

The National Council has been charged with the responsibility for developing strategies to promote awareness and understanding of the Centenary across the community. It is also responsible for planning and coordinating a range of national events and celebrations to mark the Centenary. The Council administers a History and Education Program which supports activities encouraging Australians to gain a better understanding of the processes that led to Federation, to reflect on 100 years of Australian achievements, and to look to Australia’s future as a nation.

Employees in the secretariat exercise delegated powers under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.

The Department has a Branch within the Arts Division which is responsible for managing Old Parliament House and the National Portrait Gallery.

Major functions are to:

• provide the Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation with advice on the redevelopment and refurbishment of Old Parliament House;
• manage implementation of Government decisions concerning redevelopment and refurbishment of Old Parliament House;
• provide the Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation with advice on the National Portrait Gallery.

Employees exercise delegated powers under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.

The Acton Peninsula Project Taskforce is responsible for managing the construction of new facilities for the National Museum of Australia and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies at Acton Peninsula, Canberra. The Taskforce also advises the Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation on the administration of the National Museum of Australia Act 1980.

Employees exercise delegated powers under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.

The National Science and Technology Centre opened in 1988 as a joint Australia–Japan Bicentennial project. It operates essentially as an autonomous agency within the Department.

The centre has the following functions:

• to promote and enhance the quality of science and technology education and communication;
• to develop and operate programs that demonstrate the significance and relevance of, and Australia’s contribution to, science and technology;
• to provide public access to programs;
• to promote, whether in Australia or elsewhere, the dissemination of information and knowledge about science and technology;
• to exchange programs and conduct joint programs with other appropriate persons or bodies, whether in Australia or elsewhere;
• to engage in sponsorship, marketing and other commercial activities relating to the centre’s functions;
• to seek gifts for the purposes of any or all of its functions; and
• to provide advice to governments on the centre’s functions and on the public understanding of science and technology.

Employees of the centre exercise delegated powers under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.

ScreenSound Australia is the national institution responsible for collecting, preserving and making accessible Australia’s audiovisual heritage. Its headquarters are in Canberra, with offices in Melbourne, Sydney and representation in Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Perth. It operates as a semi-autonomous organisation within the Department.

ScreenSound Australia has the following functions:

• to acquire moving image and recorded sound materials, and associated documentation and equipment, of cultural significance which form part of Australia’s audiovisual heritage;
• to catalogue the collection to make it more accessible to the public;
• to preserve, and provide safe storage for, the national collection;
• to conserve, restore and copy audiovisual materials;
• to provide access to the collection and the wider audiovisual heritage;
• to increase knowledge, appreciation, use and enjoyment of Australia’s audiovisual heritage; and
• to contribute to the development of audiovisual archiving nationally and internationally.

Employees of ScreenSound Australia exercise delegated powers under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.

The National Archives of Australia has offices in Canberra, all States and the Northern Territory.

The National Archives of Australia is responsible for the broad management of all records generated by Commonwealth Governments from Federation to the present day. In carrying out this responsibility, the Archives:

• develops and provides policy advice on the management of Commonwealth records;
• promotes or ensures the preservation of Commonwealth records for as long as they are needed;
• determines what categories of records should be retained for use and what categories should be destroyed;
• provides storage services for records of enduring archival value;
• provides personal and corporate records services for people or organisations closely associated with the Government;
• assembles and makes available management and descriptive information about records and the agencies, current as well as past, responsible for them;
• gives effect to public rights of access and appeal relating to records more than 30 years old;
• provides reference and information services to agencies and to the public in respect of the records in custody; and
• facilitates the awareness and use of records by the public.

Under the provisions of s.6 of the Archives Act 1983, the powers of the National Archives of Australia, which can directly affect members of the public, are:

• the determination of custodial and storage arrangements for Commonwealth records which are of enduring value;
• the authorisation of the permanent retention or destruction (after a specified period) of records with the concurrence of the agency whose records are involved;
• the regulation of public access to records more than 30 years old, in accordance with the Archives Act and in consultation with the agencies concerned; and
• determination of the standards of reference and advisory services provided to the public, including reading room hours, levels of reference assistance and of documentation provided about the collection.

and

These outputs are provided by the Telecommunications Division, Broadcasting and Film Division and the Telecommunications Service Inquiry.

The relevant Divisions assist Government in developing and implementing policy, maintaining the regulatory framework and administering programs in accordance with the Government’s broader objectives. The Divisions develop policy and administer programs in consultation with the community and industry, and on the basis of relevant research and analysis into technical and statistical information, and an assessment of the broader social and economic implications.

Policy advice is directed at promoting access to a range of communications services for all Australians and providing appropriate consumer safeguards.

The Department’s program administration complements the broader policy objectives. It focuses on providing assistance for communities in regional, rural and remote areas to access services.

The Telecommunications Service Inquiry is an independent inquiry into the adequacy of telecommunications services across Australia. The Inquiry was established by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts on 19 March 2000 and has been asked to report by 30 September 2000.

The Telecommunications Division consists of the Enterprise and Radiocommunications Branch, the Telecommunications Competition and Consumer Branch, Networking the Nation (NTN) Branch, the Regional Communications Policy Branch and the Untimed Local Calls Tender Branch.

Major functions are to:

• manage the administration and coordination of Government Business Enterprise (Telstra and Australia Post) policy, including financial policy, and manage Australia’s interests in INTELSAT, INMARSAT, and the Universal Postal Union;
• provide policy advice in relation to the Telecommunications Act 1997 and associated and subordinate legislation, including price regulation, universal service, access to infrastructure and services, competition arrangements, and the Australian Communications Industry forum; consumer safeguards, social justice and technical standards;
• liaise with the ACA;
• provide policy advice in relation to the postal industry;
• provide policy advice in relation to the Radiocommunications Act 1992;
• develop guidelines and associated promotional material relating to the NTN program—the Commonwealth’s Regional Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund;
• receive, examine and advise on applications being developed and considered under the NTN program, as input to the NTN Board’s assessment and decision making process;
• service the NTN Board and manage other aspects of the program’s administration, financial management and accountability;
• monitor the implementation, progress and outcomes of projects approved by the NTN Board, in continuing cooperation with State and Territory Governments; and
• oversee the operation of the National Relay Service contract.

The Group advises the Minister on the exercise of his powers under the:

• Australian Communications Authority Act 1997;
• NRS Levy Imposition Act 1998;
• Radiocommunications Act 1992;
• Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992;
• Radiocommunications (Transmitter Licence Tax) Act 1983;
• Radiocommunications (Spectrum Licence Tax) Act 1997;
• Radiocommunications (Receiver Licence Tax) Act 1983;
• Radiocommunications Taxes Collection Act 1983;
• Telecommunications Act 1997;
• Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Act 1997;
• Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999;
• Telecommunications (Numbering Charges) Act 1997;
• Telecommunications (Universal Service Levy) Act 1997;
• Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989;
• Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1997;
• Telstra Corporation Act 1991; and
• Trade Practices Act 1974, Parts XIB and XIC

Divisional employees exercise delegated powers under the Telstra Corporation Act 1991 (in relation to social bonus programs), the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.

The parts of the Broadcasting and Film Division, which provide Outputs 2.1 and 2.3, are Licensed Broadcasting Branch, Public Broadcasting Branch and the Digital Television Branch.

Major functions are to:

• provide the Minister with advice on community broadcasting policy and administer community broadcasting grants;
• provide the Minister with advice on national broadcasting policy and responsibilities in relation to the ABC and the SBS;
• provide the Minister with advice on general broadcasting transmission matters, particularly those relating to the network formerly known as the national transmission network;
• administer programs that increase access to broadcasting services;
• provide the Minister with advice on commercial broadcasting policy, digital radio and television, new broadcasting and information network services and technologies and administrative issues;
• provide the Minister with advice on the Minister’s responsibilities in regard to the ABA;
• consult with industry, particularly on the development and application of the minimum regulation necessary to implement Government policies;
• monitor international broadcasting developments and provide advice to the Minister on relevant aspects;
• contribute to the Government’s strategic direction for the information economy by providing policy advice on online content;
• provide the Minister with advice on commercial and satellite content policy; and
• provide the Minister with advice on Australian content on free-to-air commercial television and pay TV policy.

Division employees exercise delegated powers under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and the Telstra Corporation Act 1991 (in relation to social bonus programs) and advise the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts in relation to the exercise of powers vested in him under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, the Radio Licence Fees Act 1964, the Television Licence Fees Act 1964, the Datacasting Charge Imposition Act 1998, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983, the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991, and the National Transmission Network Sale Act 1998.

Employees of the Division exercise delegated powers under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.

Secretariat support for the Inquiry has been drawn primarily from the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

The secretariat’s main functions are to:

• assist the Inquiry members to perform their task, by providing necessary information, research and analysis; and
• facilitate effective consultation with telecommunications consumers and other key stakeholders across Australia on service adequacy issues.

Employees of the Inquiry Secretariat exercise delegated powers under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.

This output is provided by the Information and Communications Industries Division. The role of the Division is to support the development of Australia’s information and communications industries.

Major functions are to:

• provide the Minister with strategic policy advice on the development of the Australian information industries and facilitate their entry to international markets;
• provide the Minister with advice on the development of the information technology and communications equipment industries in Australia, including Government procurement leverage schemes for industry development;
• provide the Minister with advice on the Minister’s responsibilities in the administration of telecommunications carrier industry development plans as required by the Telecommunications Act 1997;
• provide the Minister with advice on business taxation issues in relation to facilitating innovation and entrepreneurship in the IT&T industries;
• provide the Minister with advice on emerging technology and innovation issues and administer the Software Engineering Quality Centres program; and
• administer the Building on IT Strengths program.

The Division advises the Minister on the exercise of his powers under the Telecommunications Act 1997 in relation to carrier industry development plans. Group employees exercise delegated powers under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.

• 1999 Australian Information Industries Capability Directory (CD-ROM). The directory is also available online at http://itt.dcita.gov.au/
• Telecommunications Carrier Industry Development Plans Progress Reports 1997 – 1999
• Digital Broadcasting Industry Action Agenda-Australian industry: ‘Thinking outside the box’, January 1999

This output is provided by the Research, Statistics and Technology Branch of the Department.

The major function of this Branch is to engage in a targeted program of research and statistics gathering to ensure that the economic and technical implications of policy options are properly examined and explained.

Employees exercise delegated powers under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.

This output is provided through OGO, which works with agencies to meet the Government’s commitment to deliver all appropriate services online by 2001. While each agency is responsible for the electronic service delivery, OGO provides common infrastructure and management arrangements to enable and support electronic services across government.

Major functions are to:

• deliver all appropriate Commonwealth Government services online by 2001;
• establish a single online point of access to Commonwealth, State and Territory Government services;
• move Commonwealth Government business, procurement and payments online and establish an online authentication framework;
• establish consistent methods for the description and indexing of all government information and services;
• address the Y2K problem to ensure the Commonwealth is able to delivery its key services seamlessly over 1 January 2000;
• promote awareness about Y2K among business groups and the wider community.

Employees exercise delegated powers under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.

This output is provided through NOIE. NOIE assists the Government to develop a regulatory framework for the information economy, which encourages industry self-regulation, accords with Australia’s national interests, increases the confidence of business and consumers in online transactions and protects the security and legality of transactions.

Major functions are to:

• ensure an integrated policy approach to enabling Australia’s participation in the information economy;
• develop, coordinate and overview broad policy relating to the regulatory, legal and physical infrastructure environment for online services, including facilitating electronic commerce;
• develop, coordinate and overview broad policy relating to ensuring consistency of Commonwealth position for international fora; and
• develop, coordinate and overview broad policy relating to overseeing policies for applying new technology to government administration and information and service provision.

Employees exercise delegated powers under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.

The Corporate and Coordination Division contributes to a range of the Department’s outputs. Corporate management functions are performed by the Legal and Parliamentary Branch, the Media and Public Affairs Unit, the Coordination Unit and other Corporate Services areas. The Intellectual Property Branch in this Division advises the Ministers on intellectual property matters.

The corporate and coordination functions are:

• providing financial policy and management advice, including the monitoring of financial performance across the Department;
• developing and implementing policies, procedures and systems relating to effective human resource management and development in the Department;
• providing support services in the areas of supply, accommodation and office services, property planning and management and information services and systems;
• providing advice and assistance in relation to legislative development and other legal issues;
• providing Parliamentary liaison and Ministerial support services;
• advising the Minister on intellectual property matters;
• coordinating Group matters and providing advice to the Minister and management in the Department; and
• providing public affairs services and advice to the Ministers, Parliamentary Secretary and Department.

Divisional employees exercise delegated powers under the Public Service Act 1999 and associated legislation, the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997, and the Archives Act 1983.

Departmental employees participate in a wide range of organisations reflecting the broad range of the Department’s functions. The Department has an ongoing involvement in the following organisations.

The Department organises briefing meetings for Government and industry representatives in connection with APEC Telecommunications Working Group (TEL) meetings.

The Australia Business Arts Foundation is a wholly-owned Commonwealth company limited by guarantee.

Established in 1994, the Foundation’s primary purpose is to encourage and facilitate creative partnerships between business and cultural bodies and to promote awareness of the benefits of supporting Australian arts and culture.

The Australian Information Economy Advisory Council is the principal forum in the Portfolio for community and industry participation in policy formation on information economy issues. It provides the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts with community and industry input on matters relevant to the information economy and related technologies. Members are appointed by the Minister for their industry knowledge and capacity to represent a variety of viewpoints on major issues.

This committee was established to oversee the operation of the Cultural Gifts Program, which offers tax incentives for donations of cultural heritage items to public museums, art galleries and libraries and the supplementary Cultural Bequests Program.

The committee’s principal role is to assess the veracity and acceptability of the value of gifts under the scheme, and to make recommendations on the appointment of valuers. The committee also advises the Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation on selection of bequests under the Cultural Bequests Program.

Committee members are appointed by the Minister on the basis of their expertise in cultural heritage matters, with a view to covering the full range of cultural heritage material and achieving representation from both the commercial and institutional sectors. The ATO provides a representative on the committee.

The Community Broadcasting Foundation is an independent body, established to distribute funds to the community broadcasting sector. The Board of the Foundation is appointed by members of the community broadcasting sector, and is structured to represent both community and special interest licensees, and aspirant groups. A senior officer of the Department is also on the Board.

The Cultural Ministers Council (CMC) was established in 1984–85 by agreement between the Prime Minister, the Premiers and the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory.

The CMC is the Ministerial forum for exchanging views on issues affecting cultural activities in Australia and New Zealand and the basis for cooperative effort to cultural benefit to citizens of Australian States and Territories and New Zealand.

The CMC consists of the Ministers responsible for cultural activities in the Commonwealth, the Australian States and Territories and New Zealand. The relevant ministers from Papua New Guinea and a representative from Local Government are invited to attend meetings with observer status. The Department is represented on the Standing Committee of the Cultural Ministers Council.

This committee was originally established as a Steering Committee for the development of the Australian Electronic Business Network. The restructuring of Commonwealth responsibilities in October 1998 provided the potential to deliver a more coordinated response to issues associated with the information economy. The committee now operates as an informal working group reporting principally to Online Council Senior Officials and interacting with other Councils dealing with e-commerce issues.

Membership includes representatives from each State and Territory Government, OGO and NOIE. Meetings are held once every three months.

The committee’s role is to develop coordinated e-commerce strategies for business and industry development and act as a consultative mechanism for Commonwealth and State and Territory e-commerce activities and programs. It also monitors major impacts of e-commerce.

Established in 1993, through the Cultural Ministers Council, the HCC is a joint Commonwealth, State and museum sector body responsible for the development of national approaches designed to increase the level of access to and care of Australia’s heritage collections.

Key initiatives include the development of the Australian Museums On Line (AMOL) Internet site, the development and promotion of a National policy and strategy for the conservation of collections, and the production of a National Conservation Training Package.

Government and industry representatives are invited to join Australian Preparatory Groups (APGs) to plan Australian strategy and proposals for major International Telecommunication Union (ITU) meetings. The Department has convened APG groups to prepare for Australia’s involvement in the World Telecommunications Policy forums and ITU Council and Plenipotentiary Conference meetings.

Under the Australian Telecommunications Standardisation’s Committee, managed by the ACA, the Department has chaired National Study Group 3 (NSG 3), which is concerned with international telecommunications tariffing and accounting issues. The NSG 3, comprising industry and government representatives, meets regularly to plan Australian participation in and contributions to ITU meetings on these issues.

The MACC is an informal body made up of representatives of public interest groups, trade unions and consumer organisations with an interest in broadcasting issues. It seeks to promote information flow to the public, and public participation in the decision-making processes affecting broadcasting. Present membership of the MACC includes the Communications Law Centre; the Media, Entertainment and the Arts Alliance; the Australian Caption Centre; the Community and Public Sector Union; the Australian Writers Guild; and the Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations. The Department meets with MACC twice a year.

The National Archives of Australia Advisory Council, which includes community representation, is a prescribed agency for the purpose of the FOI Act. For further details see the separate Advisory Council’s 1999–2000 annual report.

The National Australia Day Council (NADC) is a non-profit public interest company, limited by guarantee. It was incorporated in 1990 and is partly funded by the Commonwealth.

Its purpose is to coordinate national Australia Day activities and to contribute through national programs to the development of national pride. The State/Territory Australia Day councils/committees are autonomous bodies which liaise with the NADC to form a nationwide Australia Day network.

The Online Council was established in 1996–97 by agreement between the Prime Minister, the Premiers and the Chief Ministers of the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.

It is the peak Ministerial forum for cooperation and coordination across governments on key issues affecting the development of the information economy.

The Online Council is chaired by the Commonwealth Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and comprises senior Ministers responsible for online activities in the States and Territories. The President of the Australian Local Government Association represents Local Government.

38 Sydney Avenue
Forrest ACT 2603
GPO Box 2154
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6271 1000 Fax: 02 6271 1901

Email: dcita.mail@dcita.gov.au
Website: www.dcita.gov.au

OFFICE FOR GOVERNMENT ONLINE
Level 3 Centenary House
19 National Circuit
Barton ACT 2600
GPO Box 2154
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6271 1222
Fax: 02 6271 1659
Website: www.govonline.gov.au

Level 3, Blue Building, Benjamin Offices
Chan Street
Belconnen ACT 2617
PO Box 34
Belconnen ACT 2616
Phone: 02 6256 2800
Fax: 02 6253 3277

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION

A Workplace Relations Committee was established under the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Certified Agreement 1998 – 2000 and has been functioning since August 1998.

The committee met twice during the reporting period to discuss Department-wide workplace issues and to monitor operation of the Certified Agreement. Regular informal workplace meetings are conducted in each major functional area of the Department. These forums provide for the exchange of information and resolution of specific workplace issues raised by staff.

ScreenSound Australia staff participated actively in industrial democracy practices through a structure of consultative committees, and through a management policy that encourages staff input to workplace issues.

Subcommittees, comprising management and staff representatives, provide forums to address occupational health and safety, accommodation, human resource development and workplace diversity. These subcommittees report to the Management/Staff Consultative Group, the umbrella committee that includes representatives from senior management and staff.

A sustained effort was made to ensure that staff were aware of, and involved in, decisions and matters that directly affected them, through the Archives staff newsletter Grapevine and the use of ‘public folders’ on the Archives internal information network. The latter allowed staff to express views directly.

It is an important part of the corporate culture of the National Archives that managers at all levels meet often with staff to discuss matters of mutual interest and concern.

A key strategy for improving its performance in human resource management involved commitment by the Archives to the Investors in People (IiP) standard. Staff were involved in focus groups for both the IiP process and the Planned Investigation Program. The external facilitators of these groups reported positively on the feedback from those involved. Staff are also involved on matters that affect them through meetings of Health and Safety Representatives, and the Workplace Relations Committee.

The Certified Agreement 1998 – 2000 was fully implemented. A successor Agreement for 2000–01 was developed in cooperation with the Workplace Relations Committee and a vote on the proposed Agreement is to be conducted in August 2000.

With the successful implementation of Building an Even Better Questacon, of which a fundamental element was the move towards a team based approach, staff of all levels within the Centre have become extremely involved in many decision making processes including cross-functional project teams. A major outcome of this change has been the interaction between staff, working in various teams across the Centre, which has led to greater understanding, more effective work practices and happier staff.

The Centre’s Workplace Relations Committee is made up of nine staff members from across the Centre and deals with issues arising from the current certified agreement, developing policy and the development, and implementation of the next certified agreement through extensive consultation processes with all staff.

The Centre’s Workplace Diversity policy Managing our Diversity encourages all staff to recognise and respect and value staff diversity and to create an environment where all staff abilities and experiences can be used to their fullest without exploitation. The objectives of the Centre’s 2000–2001 Workplace Diversity Program covers a range of initiatives, which include fair treatment for all, balance of work and home and quality customer service to all visitors.

The Centre’s Workplace Harassment Policy aims to create a work environment where staff can participate, contribute and develop in the workplace to the best of their ability in an harassment-free environment. The Centre has trained several staff members as Workplace Harassment Contact Officers to aid in the implementation of the Policy and provide advice and support to staff.

APPENDIX 4 Workplace diversity

Table 1: Summary of EEO Data: Staff in EEO groups

Staff who volunteered EEO data

1. Permanent, actual staff, including inoperatives. Percentages of men and women relate to this total. Core Department figure includes Statutory Office Holder.
2. Total number of staff who volunteered EEO information. Percentages of EEO relate to this total.

NESB1 non-English speaking background first generation.

NESB2 non-English speaking background second generation.

ATSI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

PWD people with a disability.

1. Total number of permanent staff including inoperatives. Includes Statutory Office Holder.
2. Total number of staff who volunteered EEO information.

NESB1 non-English speaking background first generation.

NESB2 non-English speaking background second generation.

ATSI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

PWD people with a disability.

Staff who volunteered EEO data

1. Total number of permanent staff including inoperative.
2. Total number of staff who volunteered EEO information.

NESB1 non-English speaking background first generation.

NESB2 non-English speaking background second generation.

ATSI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

PWD people with a disability.

¹ Includes permanent and temporary, full-time and part-time but excludes inoperatives

APS Australian Public Servant

EXEC Executive Officer

PAO Public Affairs Officer

LEG Legal Officer

MISC Includes Graduate Administrative Assistants and Aboriginal Cadets

ITP Information Technology Professional

SES Senior Executive Service

STAT Statutory Office Holder

The Department recognises that the achievements of its corporate goals is through healthy and productive employees. As a result, the Department is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all staff, in accordance with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991.

To assist in meeting its objectives for occupational health and safety (OH&S), the Department, in consultation with employee organisations, supports an OH&S framework which includes the Health and Safety Committee, Designated Work Groups, Health and Safety representatives and OH&S staff.

The Health and Safety Committee met quarterly to discuss and make recommendations on reports concerning OH&S issues in the Department. An effective network of meetings and a system of distributing updated information is in place to assist health and safety representatives and first aid officers to perform their duties and provide staff with information and advice concerning OH&S issues. Due to movements and changes within the Department, new OH&S and First Aid officers have been appointed and are undergoing ongoing training.

The Department has outsourced the workstation assessment program which has been active during 1999–2000 due to accommodation changes and an increase in recruitment. Staff are instructed about correct work stations adjustment and manual handling techniques. The outsourced provider makes recommendations and appropriate ergonomic equipment is purchased for individuals on an ‘as needed’ basis.

The Department operates a Healthy Life and Work Program, which aims to raise awareness of health issues, promote better health and prevent health problems. Subsidised yoga classes are conducted weekly and copies of Health Your Self magazine are distributed monthly. A successful pilot program called Good Health—Great Future was run during 1999 with 15 participants. The program looked at overall health and lifestyle and was tailored to the individual.

As part of its ongoing commitment to provide support mechanisms for staff and their families, the Department continues to provide a professional confidential counselling service through its Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Regular reports are provided to ensure the Department can monitor and take steps to prevent long-term problems from developing. A new EAP contract was let in April 2000, which will have a more proactive focus. The EAP provider will run information sessions for staff on issues of interest and aim to remove the stigma previously attached to the use of EAP services.

During the year the Department reported no accidents or incidents to Comcare under s.68 and 69 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The Department has been active in working with managers at various levels to assist with staff who are off work or returning to work after injury or illness. This is resulting in better-managed return-to-work strategies for sick or injured employees.

ScreenSound Australia’s Health and Safety Committee continued to meet monthly throughout the year to assist management in meeting its responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 (OH&S Act).

Each of the eight committee members leads a network of trained staff charged with specific OH&S responsibilities.

ScreenSound Australia has been engaged in a comprehensive analysis of its rehabilitation policy, practices and experiences over the past year, the results of which will feed into the organisation’s proposed health program for the coming year.

A timetable of OH&S courses has been agreed and will be undertaken by the organisation during 2000–01. This program provides for regular OH&S training to ensure awareness of OH&S issues remains high, and to regularly refresh staff expertise in this area.

During the year, ScreenSound Australia reported one accident/incident to Comcare Australia under s. 68 and 19 of the OH&S Act (a decrease of 50 per cent over 1999–2000). No provisional improvement notices were issued during the year.

ScreenSound Australia’s OH&S Agreement with staff associations was updated and a revised agreement adopted.

The provision of a nominated OH&S Coordinator position continued to make a positive contribution to the management of OH&S services for ScreenSound Australia staff, particularly in relation to rehabilitation case management and control of compensation claim processing.

The Archives has OH&S committees in each State which meet regularly throughout the year. Health and Safety committees and representatives were active in promoting OH&S issues, including training and alerting staff to the availability of information on the Internet. Issues, which received particular attention, included a code of practice for first aid and an ergonomic review of adjustable workstations and chairs.

The Archives continues to provide staff with information about issues such as Occupational Overuse syndrome and manual handling.

Rehabilitation, OH&S services and compensation case management are mostly outsourced.

As part of its Planned Investigation Program, Comcare assessed the Archives’ occupational health and safety management systems and audited a number of the Archives’ workplaces. The results will be used for any necessary review of strategies and changes to plans.

Questacon’s OH&S Committee is comprised of representatives from designated work groups and unions. The committee is chaired by Questacon’s Business Manager and meets quarterly to review progress and address new issues. Staff are currently undergoing intensive training in their OH&S Responsibilities, Risk Management and Hazard Identification along with ongoing training in emergency procedures with the majority of staff trained to fire warden level. A large number of staff are currently trained as first aid officers, with Questacon’s Certified Agreement providing a commitment to provide first aid training to all staff. Office ergonomics training was provided in 1999 and two Health Check Programs were held in 1999 and 2000.

During 1999–2000, no directions were given under s.45 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1991 and no notices were given under s.30, 46, 47 or 68. Staff reported 16 minor accidents with six resulting in compensation claims. Questacon has strict reporting requirements in relation to accidents, which ensure quick investigations and resolutions.

In 1999–2000, the Department let a total of 288 consultancy services contracts. The total expenditure on consultancy services during the financial year was $13 960 421. Details of these consultancies are available on the Department’s website at www.dcita.gov.au.

Advertising—media placements 47 408

The response expands on the measures announced by the Government on 19 March 1999 in response to the High Court’s decision:

• limiting the scope of s.160(d) to the CER Services Protocol with New Zealand (NZ); and
• ensuring that the local drama content rules for pay TV give equal treatment to New Zealand programming, consistent with the approach adopted in the free-to-air standard.

The response shows how the ABA’s revised Australian Content Standard meets Australia’s obligations to New Zealand while continuing to promote its cultural object by including measures to protect the most vulnerable categories of Australian programming.

The report was concerned with the impact of user charges in museums, art galleries and national parks (and to a minor extent libraries and archives), and with how the costs of access and ongoing maintenance should be apportioned between government and contributions of direct users.

The committee concluded that user charges in museums, art galleries and national parks might in some circumstances be objectionable on symbolic, economic or equity grounds. However, in other situations, charges may be acceptable providing they are managed so as to maintain general accessibility of heritage and to minimise the risk of distracting managers from their core mission of conserving heritage for public enjoyment and for future generations.

The committee made five recommendations, suggesting that the then Department of Communications and the Arts, in consultation with State/Territory authorities, Local Government and relevant peak bodies, should sponsor research into the:

• effect of user charges on access and equity in libraries and archives;
• influence of ‘user pays’ on access and equity in the regional, local and volunteer-operated museum and gallery sector;
• relationship between user charges and visitation in cultural institutions;
• trend of user charges and similar revenues versus budget funding among cultural institutions; and
• relationship between user-pays policies and management emphases in cultural institutions.

The committee also made recommendations to be addressed by Environment Australia, in consultation with State and Territory authorities and relevant peak bodies.

The Government’s response is that it broadly agrees in principle with the recommendations of the Inquiry and concurs that that there is insufficient data on the incidence and impact of user charges as it affects accessibility to heritage. Similarly, it is not clear how charges on users and related actions may affect the aims, processes, and management of heritage institutions.

Implementing the recommendations would require much specialised research and involvement of State and Territory Governments. Consequently, there would need to be a coordinated approach involving the various governments. However, the Commonwealth Government is mindful of the potential cost for such a program which would necessarily involve resource commitments by all governments.

The Government believes the first step towards implementing the recommendations is to consult the various levels of government, the affected industry sectors, and other relevant bodies such as the Statistics Working Group of the Cultural Ministers Council. Consultation will aim to develop options for how best to implement the recommendations.

The committee’s report, Netbets—A Review of Online Gambling in Australia, contained five recommendations aimed at ensuring that the regulation of online gambling in Australia strikes an appropriate balance between positive and negative impacts.

The committee recommended that Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments work together with the online gambling industry to improve the regulatory environment for online gambling, including:

• developing national regulations that address player protection and harm minimisation concerns;
• improving information available to gamblers including providing contact details of counselling services as well as information about the odds and rules of the betting products on offer;
• funding a national education campaign on the potential dangers of regular gambling as well as groups helping problem gamblers;
• developing a national code of conduct for online gambling advertising including limits on advertising and warnings about problem gambling; and
• reassessing the recommended policy changes in light of their effectiveness and the implications of new interactive technology such as digital television.

The Commonwealth Government is concerned about the potential for new interactive gambling to exacerbate problem gambling in Australia. The Department, through NOIE, is investigating the feasibility and consequences of banning interactive gambling. The Commonwealth also announced a 12-month moratorium on the introduction of new interactive gambling services in Australia, effective from 19 May 2000.

The Inquiry, established following negotiations between the ABC and Telstra, is examining existing and proposed commercial arrangements of the ABC relating to online content, related issues of editorial independence, and legislative changes to enable the ABC to provide a comprehensive, innovative and independent online service. The final committee report is due by 30 October 2000.

The recommendations in the interim report all relate to internal ABC issues over which the Government has no power of direction; most relate to the then-proposed contractual arrangements between the ABC and Telstra. Negotiations between the ABC and Telstra were terminated in May 2000 and the agreement will not proceed.

The report questions the efficiency and effectiveness of self-regulation and co-regulation in the communication and information industries, and in particular, the adequacy of the complaints regime.

The committee made five recommendations suggesting that an independent statutory authority, the Media Complaints Commission (MCC), be established to oversee the various existing bodies and processes that currently regulate television, radio, press news and the Internet. The proposed MCC would:

• provide more effective enforcement of self-regulatory codes;
• protect an individual’s right to privacy;
• increase awareness of the complaints process; and
• function as the final adjudicatory body for complaints allowing it to impose sanctions in addition to those that currently exist.

The report addressed the impact of the decision by ABC radio to discontinue its radio racing service. It considered the extent of ABC coverage and the current extent of other radio racing coverage and, leading from that, gaps in coverage and future options for providing broadcasting services of racing in regional Australia. The report also addressed the impact of the discontinuation of the ABC service on the community and the racing industry.

The committee concluded that the ABC’s regional racing service was highly valued by racing enthusiasts across Australia. However, the committee recognised that as the ABC has the power to make programming decisions on behalf of the people of Australia, the committee was not in a position to recommend the restoration of the ABC regional racing service. The committee felt that improvements in the existing broadcasting licensing and regulatory arrangements could be made, but also called on the TABs and racing broadcasters to accept their responsibility to ensure that their consumers in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia have affordable access to their racing services.

The committee made nine recommendations, relating to:

• changes in the ABC’s consultation processes;
• changes to spectrum and licensing provisions in the current broadcasting and radiocommunications regulatory frameworks, particularly for high power and low power open narrowcasting licences; and
• a request that the Auditor-General conduct a performance audit of the ABA planning process.

List of Discretionary Grant Programs:

AccessAbility

Advanced Networks Program

Building Additional Rural Networks (BARN)

Building on Information Technology Strengths (BITS)

Community Broadcasting

Contemporary Music Development Program

Cultural Development Program

Expanded Mobile Phone Coverage

Federal Cultural and Heritage Projects

Federation Community Projects

Festivals of Australia

Local Government Fund

Major Federation Fund

Networking the Nation

Playing Australia

Rural Internet Access

Tasmanian Schools Online

Television Fund

Untimed Local Calls

Visions of Australia

More information on these programs is available on the webiste at www.dcita.gov.au.

*Results of AWAs with performance cycles ending within the period.

National Archives of Australia

*Results of AWAs with performance cycles ending within the period.

National Archives of Australia

*Results of AWAs with performance cycles ending within the period.

National Archives of Australia

The purchasing policies and principles are:

• value for money;
• open and effective competition;
• ethics and fair dealing;
• promoting national competitiveness and developing industry;
• supporting other Commonwealth policies; and
• accountability and reporting.

The Department performed well against these policies and principles during the 1999–2000 financial year.

The Department maintains a centralised contracts unit which ensures:

• staff have access to a single contact point when seeking advice on contract management;
• timely and helpful advice and support is provided in relation to arranging and administering contracts, while ensuring that accountability requirements are met;
• consistent policies and practices are disseminated; and
• better practice is drawn together and continuous improvement is encouraged across the organisation.

Staff are provided with risk guidelines and advice on how to identify whether a contract will be high or low risk. Projects with a high risk profile receive more input from the contracts unit. The inclusion of a risk matrix in the procurement guidelines encourages adequate consideration of risk in contract management and provides a consistent framework for assessment of risk factors.

A consultancy checklist has been developed which requires the project officer to answer a series of questions and forward the responses to the contracts unit. The checklist assists in ensuring key issues are addressed during the preparation of the specification, selection of the consultant and assessment of performance. The checklist encourages effective contract management by focusing attention on matters of importance to the Department, providing a formal reporting discipline for project officers and their managers and ensuring consistent provision of information to the contracts unit for monitoring purposes.

Improved guidance material has been issued including performance measures and a code of conduct. Contract documentation has been reviewed and improved, a number of new standard clauses have been added including clauses covering dispute resolution, GST and access by the Australian National Audit Office.

Training courses covering procurement policies and principles and project management have been conducted, and more than 150 staff have attended.

The Department advertises public tenders in the press and Purchasing and Disposals Gazette and publishes forward procurement plans to assist entry for new suppliers and small to medium business enterprises. It has in place a memorandum of understanding with the ANZ Industrial Supplies Office Network to promote the ANZ Supplies Policy and ensures its procedures give full and fair opportunities for ANZ industry, especially small to medium enterprises.

From 1 July 1999, the Department outsourced its information technology requirements to Advantra, as part of the ‘Group 5’ contract. This contract is for a five year period and covers the provision of information and telecommunications services to the Department and its Ministerial offices.

INSERT STAFFING TABLE HERE FROM p.164 of print version)

Senator the Hon Richard Alston

Minister for Communications,

Information Technology and the Arts

Parliament House

CANBERRA ACT 2600

Dear Minister

In accordance with the terms of appointment of the members of the Board for the Networking the Nation (NTN) program, I submit the annual report of the Board for the 1999–2000 financial year.

A total of $90.5 million was committed through the NTN program in the period under review. A financial statement detailing this is included in the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts 1999–2000 annual report and has been audited by the Australian National Audit Office.

The Board has been very satisfied with the process, progress and outcomes of the program to date and we look forward to continuing positive outcomes from the funded projects.

Yours sincerely

The Rt Hon JD Anthony

Chair

NTN Board

24 August 2000

Networking the Nation (NTN) is the grants program being delivered from the Regional Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (RTIF). The initial $250 million allocation to the RTIF was announced in December 1996 and is being funded from the first partial sale of Telstra. In 1999 the Government announced an increase of $171 million in NTN funding from the Social Bonus resulting from the sale of a further 16 per cent of Telstra.

The objective of the program is to assist the economic and social development of rural Australia by funding projects which:

• enhance telecommunications infrastructure and services;
• increase access to, and promote use of, services available through telecommunications networks; and
• reduce disparities in access to such services and facilities.

The program’s initial funding is being rolled out over five years. The $250 million has been allocated so that the share each State receives is in direct relation to the share of that State’s population that resides outside the State’s capital city.

Total allocation Funds (excluding administrative component) available for projects

NSW $37.4 million $35.963 million

VIC $28.5 million $27.405 million

QLD $53.1 million $51.060 million

WA $26.5 million $25.482 million

SA $26.5 million $25.482 million

TAS $58 million $55.771 million

NT $16 million $15.385 million

ACT $4 million $3.846 million

A small administrative component has been included in the allocations, which is used for the support of the NTN Secretariat, based at the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts in Canberra. The allocations are as follows:

The new $171 million NTN funding initiatives were:

• $70 million for the Building Additional Rural Networks initiative to promote ongoing, sustainable improvements in regional telecommunications services;
• $45 million for the Local Government Fund which will assist local government authorities in regional Australia provide online access to information and services including the Internet;
• $36 million to stimulate Internet service delivery in regional and rural Australia; and
• $20 million to improve telecommunications access for remote islands communities.

The NTN Board considered the first applications under the new Social Bonus initiatives in 2000.

Seven major funding rounds have been conducted to the end of 1999–2000. To date the Board has approved 409 projects worth $198 million.

While most of the funded projects impact on just one State or Territory, 29 multistate projects have also been approved. Multistate projects offer economies of scale and other benefits among States and Territories, but these projects must also be able to demonstrate clear impacts in each State and Territory targeted.

In the third financial year of the program’s operation, the Board approved $90.5 million in funding for 174 projects across Australia. A list of projects approved in 1997–98 and 1998–99 and payments made to these projects is provided at Annex A; a list of projects approved during 1999–2000 and payments made during 1999–2000 is provided at Annex B; and a table summarising approvals and payments for each Fund administered under the NTN program is provided at Annex C. A table providing information on NTN applications and Board approvals during 1999–2000, by State and Territory, is at Annex D and a table providing information on applications, approvals and payments over the life of the program to the end of 1999–2000 is at Annex E.

While a number of projects are still to be fully implemented, the program is already demonstrating that collaborative projects focusing on meeting the needs identified by regional people can produce very significant benefits for rural communities.

Many project proposals are multi-faceted and contain a number of integrated components and activities designed to maximise benefits to the target communities. Examples of the types of projects which have been approved for funding so far include:

• the provision of infrastructure to regions unlikely to attract a commercial provider in the medium term;
• improvements to the quality of existing telecommunications infrastructure;
• trials or pilots of innovative technology, or innovative uses of existing technology including satellite delivery and video-conferencing;
• projects to facilitate increased use of electronic commerce in regional areas;
• reduction of the high costs faced by many Australians in rural and remote areas in order to gain access to the Internet;
• provision of assistance with the development of telecommunications solutions to the delivery of services such as education, justice or health, to Australians in regional, rural and remote areas;
• the delivery of training and general awareness raising activities to residents of regional, rural and remote areas; and
• the provision of public access points to ensure widespread availability of services such as the Internet and videoconferencing.

The Remote Area Broadcasting Services (RABS) project relates to the conversion from analogue to digital transmission. The Board approved the provision of $8 million in NTN funds and the Commonwealth Government agreed to provide an additional $3.2 million from general revenue to assist with the conversions. Approximately $8 million (including the one off funding provided by the Government) has been distributed to date for RABS subsidies. It is expected that there will be little further expenditure under this project in future years.

The NTN Board

NTN funding decisions are made by an independent Board appointed by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. The Board is responsible for determining the activities and projects to be funded, and that the level of funding accords with the program guidelines and the overall State and Territory funding limits. The Minister is not involved in decisions on individual projects.

Board Members are: the Rt Hon Doug Anthony (Chair); Professor Gerry Anderson, University of Ballarat; Mrs Lindsay MacDonald, a Queensland wool farmer and telecommunications activist; Ms Johanna Plante, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Communications Industry Forum Limited; and Ms Eleanor Scholz, manager of a regional South Australian telecentre.

The Board’s first two year term expired on 12 March 1999. The Chair and Board members were reappointed for a further term; the Chair for a further year and the other Board members for three years. In March 2000, the Chair was reappointed again to 30 June 2001.

The Terms of Reference for the Board are at Annex F.

The NTN program operates under guidelines approved by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. In addition to the guidelines, which remain the primary document for bodies wishing to seek funding, the NTN Board has issued fact sheets describing its funding priorities, determined after the Board’s consideration of the program guidelines and based on its experience to date with the program. The program guidelines were revised in 1999–2000 to take account of the new Social Bonus initiatives. The draft guidelines and draft fact sheets providing details of the new initiatives were released for public comment in early December 1999 and the Minister launched the amended guidelines and fact sheets in mid December 1999. Applicants are able to access full information about the program online, including program guidelines and fact sheets.

In December 1999, NTN Online, the program’s new grants application and project management facility, commenced operation. This system replaces the previous largely paper based system of administration. Applicants firstly complete a registration form at www.dcita.gov.au/ntn. When this form has been completed and submitted and eligibility has been confirmed by the Secretariat, applicants are provided with a unique identifier and password and have access to the application form online. If applicants do not have Internet access, the Secretariat can provide application forms and other material on floppy disk by request. Applicants without access to a computer are provided with a hard copy application form and hard copies of other material. Enquiries about the program and application process can be directed to the NTN Secretariat on the toll-free telephone number, 1800 674 058 or emailed to rtif.mail@dcita.gov.au.

A secretariat within the Commonwealth Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts provides advice and support services to the Board.

Secretariat staff assist the Board by assessing applications, with the Board making its decisions based on its own consideration and collective discussion of proposals.

Secretariat staff also act as case managers, being available to provide information and guidance specific to the needs of each applicant. They provide advice and guidance in the application development stage, administer the deeds of agreement, monitor the progress of funded projects and provide guidance to project managers as appropriate. Secretariat staff also promote the program and discuss with interested people the aims and potential benefits of the program to their communities.

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the NTN Secretariat before applying for funding.

Each State and Territory has established an Advisory Group to assist the Board in its deliberations. These groups meet before each Board meeting and provide information and advice on applications in relation to State policies and priorities for telecommunications and information technology. The State Advisory Groups provide valuable advice to the Board, although final decision making rests with the Board.

In April 2000 each State and Territory Government provided the Board with a presentation on their strategic directions for telecommunications and information technology.

In addition to the State Advisory Groups, each State/Territory has a NTN Coordinator to provide a point of contact for applicants and prospective applicants within that State/Territory. All prospective applicants are urged to contact their respective State/Territory Coordinator to establish whether their project is consistent with the State Government telecommunications and information technology objectives and priorities. The Coordinator can also provide information regarding similar projects or place applicants in contact with other projects within a specific region.

In 1999–2000, the Board held two major funding meetings. The Board also convened two out of session teleconferences and one out of session meeting during the year.

The dates of Board meetings or teleconferences convened during 1999–2000 to discuss applications and/or strategic issues concerning the program, were as follows:

• 3 August 1999 (out of session teleconference);
• 17–18 November 1999;
• 21 March 2000 (out of session teleconference);
• 27–28 April 2000 (State and Territory Government presentations to the NTN Board and out of session meeting); and
• 17–18 May 2000.

During the year the NTN Board members visited South Australia and attended a number of project launches, regional conferences and other events including:

• Launch of Videoconferencing project

• South Australia Board visit

• Visit to Global Star Gateway

• Regional Australia Summit

• Regional Communications Forum

• ‘Networks for You’ meeting

During the year NTN was promoted through a range of events and activities including field visits by Board and Secretariat members, presentations to key conferences, media interviews, meetings with stakeholders. The first issue of the NTN Newsletter was circulated in April 2000. In addition, information kits containing fact sheets about the various aspects of the program were updated and distributed, the website (www.dcita.gov.au/ntn) was updated, funding decisions were announced, and the toll free 1800 number was available for people interested in the program.

The NTN Board and Secretariat staff are also actively involved in promoting the program during their visits to regional, rural and remote communities.

A formal, comprehensive evaluation of the NTN program has been commissioned and will consider how effectively and efficiently the objectives of the program have been achieved.

Consultants have been employed to conduct the evaluation, both in order to maximise the expertise available to the program as well as to ensure that a degree of research independence is applied to the analytical processes.

A series of evaluation questionnaires have been developed to obtain detailed information on every project funded by the NTN program. Each project will provide regular progress reports, articulating information about project activities and outcomes. Such information will be used for both ongoing project management and evaluative purposes. A selection of funded projects will be the subject of detailed case studies. The first evaluation questionnaire was distributed to NTN grantees in March 2000 via the NTN online system.

The consultants will provide regular interim and annual reports on program outcomes. A final report will be produced in 2003.

Over the year, a number of consultancies have been commissioned, to assist with various aspects of the program. Details of consultancies are outlined in Annex G.

Other Commonwealth Government departments and agencies are regularly consulted by the Secretariat. They provide a source of advice on the merits of project applications and identify other sources of Commonwealth funding and expertise.