28th annual report of the Australian Institute of Criminology, 2000
ISSN 0311-449X
Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2000
Administrative services
Objective
To provide the highest quality administrative services to the AIC, executive management and staff. Core activities cover office, human- and financial-resource management and infrastructure services, and cost-effective information technology network and desktop services.
Description
The administrative services group covers a wide range of corporate and support services: office services, personnel and human resource management, accounts payable and receivable, financial management and reporting, asset management, fleet and stores management, freedom of information, occupational health and safety, information technology, reception and the switchboard.
General Services
General services include building services, security, cleaning, records management, assets management, motor vehicles and stores management, freedom of information and other corporate services.
Operational practice has been progressively reformed over the financial year to provide leaner and more efficient arrangements that have a higher degree of risk management and less reliance on control. A further review of general services is planned for 2000-01 to seek out additional opportunities to streamline operational practices and procedures.
A program of refurbishment of the AIC's premises was commenced in 1998-99 and is planned to continue in 2000-01.
Information Technology Services
These services comprise the local and wide-area networks, desktop PCs and office automation services such as telephone and security monitoring systems, electronic mail, intranet and access to Internet services.
The operations of IT have undergone considerable upgrade and expansion during 1999-2000. Further development of the network is expected during 2000-01.
Opportunities for outsourcing IT services were actively investigated during 1998-99 and in 1999-2000. A contract for provision of IT services and maintenance was let to Allied Networks Pty Ltd, a Canberra-based SME, in March 2000 for a period of up to three years.
Preparation for and transition into the year 2000 activities proved seamless and transparent to staff and clients alike. The AIC participated in monitoring activities in accordance with Government policy directives.
Human Resources
Human resources incorporates personnel liaison services, staff development, recruitment, industrial relations, occupational health and safety and equal employment opportunity. Personnel and payroll functions are outsourced to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Operational practice has maintained a high level of activity ensuring quality services to staff of the AIC throughout the year.
The AIC participates in the Commonwealth Corporate Managers' (COMNET) forum and in training and development programs offered by the major Public Service agencies.
Two staff accepted voluntary redundancy during 1999-2000, occasioned by operational changes in IT and reception activities.
Staffing Summary
Summary information setting out aggregate staffing statistics for the financial year can be found in Table 1.
| Catagory | Salary less than $40,000 | Salary $40,000 and under $60,000 | Salary $60,000 and above | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Equiv. FT Staff Years | No. | Equiv. FT Staff Years | No. | Equiv. FT Staff Years | No. | Equiv. FT Staff Years | |
| Female | ||||||||
| Full Time | 15 | 15.00 | 12 | 12.00 | 1 | 1.00 | 28 | 28.00 |
| Part Time | 2 | .88 | 2 | .88 | ||||
| LWOP/Other | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 17 | 15.88 | 12 | 12.00 | 1 | 1.00 | 30 | 28.88 |
| Male | ||||||||
| Full Time | 3 | 3.00 | 7 | 7.00 | 10 | 10.00 | ||
| Part Time | 2 | 1.09 | 2 | 1.09 | ||||
| Total | 5 | 4.09 | 7 | 7.00 | 12 | 11.09 | ||
| Total staff | 22 | 19.97 | 12 | 12.00 | 8 | 8.00 | 42 | 38.97 |
Workplace Consultation/Occupational Health and Safety
Staff and management of the AIC consulted on a wide range of day-to-day issues. Meetings were conducted as necessary and covered research activities and administration of the AIC.
An occupational health and safety review of work stations, staff seating and posture practices was conducted by Margaret Head and Associates during the first half of the year. Following the review, plans were set in place to rectify all work stations with unsatisfactory or unsafe features. Ten work points were upgraded to provide compliant furniture and acceptable levels of safe equipment. Work was completed in June 2000. Postural and seating advice was provided to all staff during and after the review. Further plans are in development to extend rectification work to less-critical areas of concern with a view to undertaking necessary work during 2000-2001.
Consultancy Services
| Name of Consultant | Purpose of Engagement |
|---|---|
| Allied Networks Pty Ltd | IT services |
| Interiors Australia Pty Ltd | Construction design and management services |
| BE Williamson Consulting | Administration consultancy services |
| Informed Sources Pty Ltd | Services for cataloguing |
| By George | Media services |
| Lapis Media | Media Services |
| Littletrees Editorial Pty | Editorial services |
| Roy Morgan Research Pty Ltd | Services in relation to data collection |
| Social and Economic Research | Services in relation to data collection and analysis of drug projects |
| Norman Swann Medical | Services for planning and facilitating workshops |
| Rachel Mann | Services in relation to data collection |
| Pacific Laboratories | Urinalysis services |
| Forsythe Consultants | Drugs project data collection services |
| National Centre for Research into the Prevention of Drug Abuse, Curtin University of Technology | Drugs project data collection services |
| Hauritz and Associates Pty Ltd | Drugs project data collection services |
| Marcus Felson | Research consultancy services |
| Taringa Waters Pty Ltd | Survey distribution services |
Freedom of Information
There was one request under Freedom of Information during 1999-2000.
Financial Operations
The AIC operates it own network-based financial-management information system, which includes general ledger, debtors and creditors, asset management and purchasing. In addition, a number of services are outsourced.
The AIC is participating in accrual budgeting and related financial-management initiatives that are taking place in the wider Commonwealth context.
The AIC participated in lead-up activities under Government initiatives for taxation changes under the GST legislative requirements. Changes to the new arrangements from 1 July 2000 proved to be seamless and transparent to staff and clients.
Advertising
The AIC's expenditure on advertising during 1999-2000 was $16,924. This included conference advertising of $10,298 and recruitment advertising of $6,626.
Financial Performance
Operating revenue increased by 21.7 per cent compared with 1998-99. _Other revenue increased by 56.7 per cent. _In budget terms, revenues exceeded budget by some $434,000. Forecast revenue for 2000-01 shows a reduction to $950,000, due principally to budgetary constraints in major contracting agencies.
Operating expenditures increased by 21.7 per cent. These increases relate directly to the increased revenues from contract research, including the costs of staff and contractors engaged for the conduct of projects.
Overall operating results demonstrate an operating deficit of $257,000 compared with an operating loss of $208,000 in the pervious year.
Members of the Board
Details of the members of the AIC Board of Management are provided at note 15 of the notes attached to the Financial Statements. There were three board meetings held during the year.
Members of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee comprised all members of the Board of Management, and meetings were coordinated with board meetings.
Indemnity and Insurance premiums for Officers
The AIC, through ComCover, provides indemnity insurance for the Director and the members of the Board of Management. The insurance premium is approximately $6,300 per annum.