Annual Report 2008-09 Performance Reports - Outcome 3

Chapter 8 Outcome 3

Assisting regions to manage their own futures

Overview

The Department contributes to the achievement of Outcome 3 by providing advice and assistance to Territories in managing their own futures. This includes the self-governing Territories—the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Norfolk Island; the non–self governing Territories—Indian Ocean Territories (Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands) and Jervis Bay Territory; and the uninhabited Territories—Ashmore–Cartier Islands and the Coral Sea Islands. The programs and policy development are designed to promote good governance and community wellbeing in Australia’s Territories.

In addition, through its relief and mitigation programs, the Department assists communities in recovering from the cost and social impact of natural disasters.

During 2008–09, we made significant and substantial progress towards achieving Outcome 3, by providing relief and recovery assistance relating to multiple natural disaster events across different jurisdictions including the Queensland monsoonal floods from January to February 2009; the New South Wales mid-north coast floods in March–April, and May 2009; and Victorian bushfires of February 2009. Other developments include the start of construction of the Freight and Passenger Facility at Rumah Baru on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, reforms to improve the accountability and transparency of decision making by the Norfolk Island Government and its Administration, and celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Christmas Island being an Australian Territory.

Performance reports for each output contributing to Outcome 3 are presented in this chapter.

Resource summary

Table 20: Resource summary, Outcome 3—Assisting regions to manage their own futures

	Budget* 2008–09 $’000 (a)	Actual expenses 2008–09 $’000 (b)	Variation $’000 (a)–(b)
Output Group 3.1: Services to Territories
Administered items
Territories grants—Indian Ocean Territories	80,198	75,523	4,675
Norfolk Island—Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area	563	564	–1
Jervis Bay Territory—depreciation	519	462	57
Christmas Island administration—depreciation	155	160	–5
Office of the Administrator, Norfolk Island	609	594	15
Services to Jervis Bay Territory	7,093	5,501	1,592
Indian Ocean Territories—depreciation	16,091	15,130	961
ACT Government—National Capital influences	24,435	24,434	1
ACT Government—National Capital function	1,398	1,369	29
ACT Government—water and sewerage	9,827	9,827	–
Norfolk Island administration—depreciation	582	578	4
Office of the Administrator, Northern Territory	250	189	61
IOT infrastructure	30,526	6,213	24,313
Loss on revaluation of ACT Nolan Collection	–	305	–305
Departmental Outputs	7,650	7,724	–74
Revenues from other sources (s 31)	7	87	–80
Subtotal for Output 3.1	179,903	148,660	31,243
Output Group 3.2: Natural disaster relief and mitigation
Administered items
Natural disaster mitigation	15,160	8,801	6,359
National aerial fire fighting	14,220	14,220	–
Bushfire mitigation	1,565	1,403	162
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements	58,675	58,546	129
Disaster Appeals Fund	3,000	3,000	0
Departmental Outputs	6,622	10,520	–3,898
Revenues from other sources (s 31)	–	130	–130
Subtotal for Output 3.2	99,242	96,620	2,622
Total for Outcome 3	279,145	245,280	33,865
Departmental	14,279	18,461	–4,182
Administered	264,866	226,819	38,047

Average staffing level (number)		65

Notes:

* Full-year budget, including any subsequent adjustment made to the 2008–09 Budget

** Special Account receipts and payments are shown in Note 25 to the Financial Statements