Legislative Assembly, Department of the (2012-2013)
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DEPARTMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ANNUAL REPORT 2012–2013 CLERK’S STATEMENT In an election year the work of the Department of the Legislative Assembly changes considerably. Committee work tends to decline towards the end of the parliamentary term while other aspects of work expand, such as preparation for the arrival of new Members and the departure of retiring Members. The first set-date election under the new electoral arrangements was held on 9 March 2013. Knowing the date well in advance assisted the Department with planning for the transition between parliamentary terms, particularly for matters such as induction arrangements for new Members as well as significant administrative aspects such as staff development and training. The Department continued to assist Members, the House and its Committees by providing high quality and timely advice as well as detailed research and writing. There are few times when this is as important as at the commencement of a new Parliament with many new Members. Education for the public about the processes of Parliament is important and the Department delivered this service on behalf of both Houses. While most of the service delivered by the Parliamentary Education Office is to school students, the Assembly also provides more focused education to people who interact with the House and its Committees, providing them with information about ways in which they can be involved with the Parliament’s processes. Again I note with appreciation the excellent work done by the Legislative Assembly staff. Their professional approach and dedication to the tasks involved is acknowledged by Members and other staff alike. PETER J. McHUGH CLERK OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 24 September 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT ......................................................... 1 1.1 OUR MISSION ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 OUR PURPOSE ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 OUR VALUES ......................................................................................................................... 2 1.4 OUR PEOPLE .......................................................................................................................... 2 1.5 OUR MEMBERS ..................................................................................................................... 2 1.6 LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................. 2 1.7 DEPARTMENTAL STRUCTURE .......................................................................................... 3 The Speaker ........................................................................................................................ 3 The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly .............................................................................. 4 Management ....................................................................................................................... 4 Chamber Support ................................................................................................................ 4 Committee Support ............................................................................................................. 4 Parliamentary Education Office .......................................................................................... 4 CHAPTER 2 SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR .......................................... 7 2.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 THE YEAR AT A GLANCE ................................................................................................... 7 2.3 CHAMBER-RELATED SERVICES ....................................................................................... 8 Chamber Documents ........................................................................................................... 8 Databases ............................................................................................................................ 8 External Users of Facilities ................................................................................................. 8 2.4 THE ABORIGINAL ART COLLECTION.............................................................................. 9 2.5 THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SYSTEM ................................................ 9 Public Accounts Committee ............................................................................................... 9 Community Development and Justice Standing Committee ............................................ 10 Economics and Industry Standing Committee .................................................................. 10 Education and Health Standing Committee ...................................................................... 10 Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission............................. 11 Joint Standing Committee on the Commissioner for Children and Young People ........... 11 Procedure and Privileges Committee ................................................................................ 11 Parliamentary Services Committee ................................................................................... 11 2.6 PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ............................................. 12 2.7 PARLIAMENTARY EDUCATION OFFICE ....................................................................... 12 Joint Civics Education Outreach Program ........................................................................ 13 Remote Education Programs ............................................................................................ 13 2.8 PARLIAMENTARY EXTERNAL RELATIONS ................................................................. 14 2.9 ORGANISATIONS ADMINISTRATIVELY ASSISTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ........................................................................................................................... 14 Australasian Study of Parliament Group .......................................................................... 14 Australia and New Zealand Association of Clerks-at-the-Table ...................................... 14 2.10 PARLIAMENTARY VISITS ................................................................................................. 15 2.11 ADVERTISING ..................................................................................................................... 15 2.12 RECORD-KEEPING PLAN .................................................................................................. 15 2.13 CAPITAL WORKS AND MAINTENANCE ........................................................................ 16 2.14 PLANS FOR THE COMING YEAR ..................................................................................... 16 CHAPTER 3 DEPARTMENTAL STAFFING .................................................................... 17 3.1 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................... 17 3.2 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ...................................................................... 17 3.3 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND FACILITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ........ 17 3.4 PROFILE OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY STAFF ............................................................ 18 CHAPTER 4 ASSESSMENT OF DEPARTMENTAL PERFORMANCE ....................... 21 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ANNUAL REPORT 2012–2013 4.1 BACKGROUND.....................................................................................................................21 4.2 MEMBERS’ SURVEY 2012–2013 ........................................................................................21 Analysis of Results ............................................................................................................21 APPENDIX ONE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS .........................................................................23 APPENDIX TWO PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ..................................................................65 APPENDIX THREE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ....................................71 CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT 1.1 Our Mission The Department of the Legislative Assembly’s mission is to provide effective, efficient and professional support to the Legislative Assembly, its Committees and individual Members and to inform the wider community about Parliament. 1.2 Our Purpose The Legislative Assembly of Western Australia is one of the two Houses of the State Parliament. It consists of 59 Members who exercise five principal responsibilities in the Parliament: . determining which group or groups of Members will form the Government; . considering and providing appropriations for Government to function; . providing a legislative framework for the State; . scrutinising the actions of Executive Government; and . providing representation and a forum for discussion of issues of public concern. Supporting the Members, the House and its Committees in the exercise of these functions is the Department of the Legislative Assembly (the Department). Procedural and administrative services provided by the Department include: . advisory services on the procedure and practice of the House and its Committees and on Parliaments more broadly, coupled