Chapter 4 Corporate governance

Highlights

• The AIATSIS Corporate Plan 2010–11 • The Institute’s payroll system was to 2012–13 was published after being upgraded to Aurion 10. endorsed by the Council in 2010. • Action was taken to continue to • The Institute’s policies and procedures improve the Institute’s governance, were consolidated into a single following the establishment of the document, Principal’s Instructions, and Audit and Risk Committee. will be available to staff on 1 July 2010. • The Institute’s communications network was upgraded to improve the system’s security and integrity particularly for users and stakeholders.

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Overview Table 4: Elected and appointed Council members and terms Enabling legislation Elected members Term of AIATSIS operates under the Australian appointment Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Professor Michael 14 Aug 2008 – Islander Studies Act 1989 (the Act). Dodson, AM 15 May 2011 Professor John 14 Aug 2008 – Responsible minister Maynard 15 May 2011 The responsible minister is Senator, the Emeritus 16 May 2008 – Hon. Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Professor Robert 15 May 2011 Industry, Science and Research. Tonkinson Under section 43(1) of the Act, the Mr Michael 16 May 2008 – minister may ask the Council of the Williams 15 May 2011 Institute to provide advice on aspects Appointed members of the culture, history and society of Mr Eric Bedford 20 Sep 2007– Aboriginal people and Torres Strait 19 Sep 2010 Islanders. Dr Payi-Linda Ford 5 Nov 2008 – 4 Nov 2011 Council Ms Terri Janke 20 Sep 2007 – 19 Sep 2010 In accordance with section 12 of the Act Mr Dana Ober 5 Feb 2007 – the Council consists of: 4 Feb 2009 • four persons elected by the members Dr Mark Wenitong 20 Sep 2007 – of the Institute in accordance with the 19 Sep 2010 Institute rules, being persons who are themselves members of the Institute Professor Dodson and Professor Maynard • one person appointed by the minister, were appointed Chairperson and Deputy being a person who is a Torres Strait Chairperson, respectively, from 14 Islander August 2008 until 15 May 2011. • four other persons appointed by the In 2009–10, the Council held four minister, being persons who are meetings: Aboriginal persons or Torres Strait • 20–21 August 2009 (Thursday Islanders. Island) All councillors are non-executive • 3–4 December 2009 (Canberra) members and hold office on a part-time • 4–5 March 2010 (Canberra) basis. • 9–11 June 2010 (Canberra) Membership of the Council during Table 5 sets out the Council meetings 2009–10 and the term of each held during 2009–10 and the number of appointment are set out in Table 4. meetings attended by each councillor.

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Table 5: Attendance at Council meetings, the Research Advisory Committee, which 2009–10 makes recommendations to the Council. Membership is awarded for five years Name Meetings Meetings and is renewable. During the financial eligible attended year, twelve new members of the to attend Institute were appointed, bringing total Professor M 4 4 membership of the Institute to 517 at 30 Dodson, AM June 2010. Professor J 4 2 Maynard Corporate governance Mr E Bedford 4 4 Under the Act (s. 13) it is the Dr L Ford 4 2 responsibility of the Council to ensure Ms T Janke 4 3 ‘the proper and efficient performance of the functions of the Institute and to Mr D Ober 4 4 determine the policy of the Institute with Emeritus 4 3 respect to any matter’. The Principal is Professor responsible for day-to-day administration R Tonkinson of the Institute. Dr M Wenitong 4 2 The Council is supported by a Finance Mr M Williams 4 4 Committee and an Audit and Risk Committee. Council members are provided with an indemnity for claims against them while The Finance Committee consists of performing their duties as councillors. two Council members; the Principal; The indemnity is in the form of a standard the Deputy Principal; and the Director insurance policy with Comcover, the of Corporate Services. During the year, Australian Government’s self-insurance Council representatives on the Finance agency. The value of the indemnity is Committee were Mr Michael Williams $100 million per claim. The premium in and Professor John Maynard. 2009–10 was $2,824. The composition of the Audit and Risk Brief biographies of the Council Committee comprised two independent members at 30 June 2010 are provided members and one representative on pp. xix–xxi. from the AIATSIS Council. Mr Williams was the Council member and Chair AIATSIS members of the Audit and Risk Committee for 2009–10. Advisory capacities are held Applicants for membership in AIATSIS by representatives from internal audit must demonstrate an interest in and the Australian National Audit Office. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consistent with the requirements of studies. Applications are considered by the Commonwealth Authorities and

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In Memoriam

During the reporting period, the AIATSIS reflected his remarkable commitment Council and staff mourned the loss to the Aboriginal Rights Movement of three long-term members who — from working in the 1960s with the were icons for the Aboriginal Rights Federal Council for the Advancement of movement. Aborigines and , In January, former Chairperson of the where he contributed to the groundwork Institute, Nyoongar leader and elder for the 1967 referendum — to being both Ken Colbung, passed away aged 78. an instigator and an organiser of the 1972 Mr Colbung had an illustrious career . lobbying for Aboriginal land rights, He was a foundation member of the conservation, education, and the Aboriginal Arts Board in 1973 (later preservation of Indigenous cultures. He becoming its Chairman) and was the first rose from humble beginnings on WA’s Aboriginal person to be appointed as a Moore River Native Settlement to become Councillor on the Australia Council. one of Aboriginal Australia’s most respected political leaders. In the early 1970s, he helped establish the Aboriginal Medical Service and He was a member of the Institute Aboriginal Legal Services in Sydney. In from1974 and was the first Indigenous 1972 he led an Aboriginal delegation Chairperson of AIATSIS from 1984–90. to the Peoples Republic of China in a In 1988, he delivered the prestigious mission to highlight Aboriginal issues Wentworth Lecture, ‘Not land rights, but internationally. He was the first recipient land rites’ and deposited historical and of Aboriginal Overseas Study Award in personal materials to our collections. 1975. Mr Colbung’s passion for Aboriginal rights and equality over last five decades In September 2002, Uncle Chicka saw him hold prominent positions with donated more than 400 images to the the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs, AIATSIS audiovisual collection to form the Aboriginal Advancement Council a permanent record to be used for of Western Australia, the Aboriginal the education of future generations of Rights League, the West Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, the Aboriginal Arts Board peoples and for all Australians. The of the Australia Council, the Nyoongar collection spans approximately 70 years Community College, the Aboriginal Lands of his life. Trust and the West Australian Aboriginal The whole collection was meticulously Advisory Council. documented by Uncle Chicka, which In March, Charles ‘Chicka’ Dixon was in turn captured on audio and video passed away aged 81. Known simply recordings. His forthright and humorous as ‘Uncle Chicka’, his achievements recollections and anecdotes make it a

68 rich resource for future research and As a noted author, Jack penned two education. significant books —Vote for Ferguson for Aboriginal freedom (a biography of In June, Aboriginal rights campaigner Aboriginal champion and activist Bill Jack Horner passed away aged 88. Ferguson) and Seeking racial justice (an Jack Horner and his wife Jean were insider’s memoir of the movement for pioneers in the 1960s political movement Aboriginal advancement 1938–78), which to pursue constitutional change to was published by Aboriginal Studies empower the Australian Government in Press. Aboriginal Affairs. He made an enormous contribution to From 1958 to 1966, Jack was the AIATSIS, not only as a supporter and hardworking Honorary Secretary of the member of the Institute since 1980, Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship, during but also as a writer and reviewer for which time he came to understand Aboriginal Studies Press and an active conditions of life for New South Wales participant in many of the Institute’s Aboriginal people and campaigned seminars, exhibitions, workshops and for the repeal of the New South Wales conferences over the past 40 years. Aborigines Protection Act 1935. AIATSIS holds Jack Horner’s research Jack’s skill and determination came to notes for his book Vote Ferguson for the fore when he served as the Executive Aboriginal freedom in its collections as Member of the National Federal Council well as his book collection, which he for the Advancement of Aborigines donated to the Library. The Audiovisual and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI) Archive contains much sought-after 1966–73; General Secretary of FCAATSI photos from the 1938 Day of Mourning 1969–70; and Secretary to the General which Jack collected as part of his Secretary FCAATSI 1972–73. research.

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Companies Act 1997 (CAC Act), the Audit deals with workplace relations issues. and Risk Committee is established by The Occupational Health and Safety the Council to provide a deliberative Committee deals with health and safety forum for developing the internal control issues for all employees. Minutes for framework, risk management policies these committees are also published on and fraud prevention review. the Institute’s intranet. During 2009–10 the Copyright and Intellectual Property During 2009–10 the Audit and Risk Committee was formed. This committee Committee met four times. Table 6 sets advises the Principal via the board on out the committee members and their policy and training and will monitor attendance in 2009–10. copyright and intellectual property use. By assessing management outcomes The AIATSIS Corporate Plan 2010–11 and actions examined by internal and to 2012–13, which sets the strategic external audit, the Audit and Risk direction for the Institute, was published Committee supports the AIATSIS following Council endorsement in 2010. executive discharging its governance Copies of the corporate plan are available responsibilities. In so doing, the from the Communications Manager and committee facilitates the ongoing online at www.aiatsis.gov.au/about_us/ development and strengthening of corporate_publications. the management and accountability framework. The new plan commits AIATSIS to developing a strategic management plan The Principal is supported by the to cover key stakeholder relationships, Executive Board of Management, which including that of AIATSIS membership. comprises the senior managers and other officers. The board meets monthly At its June meeting, Council endorsed to discuss matters affecting the Institute. a comprehensive, integrated and Meeting minutes are published on the coordinated approach to promoting Institute’s intranet. and raising awareness of membership, engaging current membership, and The Information Communications increasing Indigenous representation Technology Advisory Committee (specifically female membership). provides advice to the Executive Board of Management on information technology In 2010–11, a strategic management plan and information management matters. will be implemented in stages to include: The Consultative Committee is a joint • auditing the current AIATSIS management and staff forum that membership database

Table 6: Audit and Risk Committee members and attendance, 2009–10

Member’s name Position held Special Member’s responsibilities attendance Mr Michael Williams Council member Council 3 representative Ms Jenny Morison Independent member Member 4 Mr Neal O’Callaghan Independent member Member 4

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• establishing online access and a the launch, staff were briefed on the section tailored to members relevance of this document to their work. • developing an active membership Corporate Services provides finance, program human resources, information technology • raising awareness of our membership and building management support to program all AIATSIS programs. This includes • developing initiatives and activities to assistance with regulatory compliance engage members. and accountability requirements, In June 2010, the Council endorsed a planning for sustainability, and risk business plan for 2010–11. management. During the year the charters of all Staffing committees were reviewed and updated. A breakdown of staff employed at 30 The Institute’s policies and procedures June 2010 is shown in Table 7. At end were consolidated into a single document of the year, 82 non-ongoing staff were and will be officially launched on employed together with 3 casuals and 43 the AIATSIS intranet on 1 July 2010 ongoing staff. The total number of staff as Principal’s Instructions. Prior to employed as at 30 June 2010 was 128.

Table 7: Staffing levels and numbers at 30 June 2010 Level Males Females Total Ongoing N on ongoing Casuals Indigenous N on- Indigenous PWD NE S B PEO 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 SES 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 EL2 4 3 7 5 2 0 0 7 0 0 EL1 14 14 28 12 16 0 8 20 1 1 APS6 7 19 26 9 17 0 7 19 3 0 APS5 10 10 20 7 11 2 4 16 1 1 APS4 4 21 25 4 21 0 7 18 2 1 APS3 1 8 9 3 5 1 2 7 0 1 APS2 3 5 8 2 6 0 5 3 1 0 APS1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trainee/ 2 1 3 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 cadet Totals 47 81 128 43 82 3 37 91 8 4 Abbreviations: APS (Australian Public Service); EL (Executive Level); EL (Executive Level); PEO (Principal Executive Officer); PWD (People with a disability; NESB (non-English-speaking background; SES (Senior Executive Service)

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Workplace diversity developed. The Caucus is represented at the Consultative Committee, the During the year the Institute continued its forum that brings staff and management efforts in relation to workplace diversity together to discuss employment issues. as set out in the AIATSIS Workplace Diversity Program. Indigenous staff members are also eligible to join the Indigenous APS Indigenous staff Employees Network (IAPSEN), which supports and advocates Aboriginal and The Institute’s Agency Agreement Torres Strait Islander interests, values 2007–11 includes a number of specific and perspectives in the Australian Public provisions for employing and retaining Service. Staff members are encouraged Indigenous staff within the organisation. to join the network and participate in AIATSIS attracts Indigenous people to discussion groups. New Indigenous staff vacant positions through advertising in are informed about the network when Indigenous newspapers and networks they join AIATSIS. The Institute is also as well as in the mainstream press. It involved in IAPSEN with the Principal offers Indigenous cadetships and training serving as a member of the steering positions to provide paid work experience committee for the network. with the aim of improving future The position of Indigenous Coordinator, employment opportunities for Indigenous created in 2008–09 was maintained people. The Institute employed three during 2009–10. The position’s priorities Indigenous cadets who will complete were to support the Indigenous their cadetships during 2010–11. Researchers’ Fund, coordinate the At 30 June 2010, the Institute employed Indigenous Caucus, coordinate the a total of 128 staff, 29 per cent of whom Institute’s Reconciliation Action Plan as identified as Indigenous (Figure 8). well as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy. The Indigenous Caucus is an internal working group supported by The Institute’s Reconciliation Action Plan management, which provides Indigenous 2010 was approved by Reconciliation staff with a forum to discuss various Australia. With the support of the AIATSIS issues affecting them. The Caucus has Council, a Reconciliation Action Plan assisted management in reviewing Working Group was established to report matters such as work level standards, on and review the current action plan. and is consulted when employment A review of the Aboriginal and Torres policies are reviewed or training courses Strait Islander Recruitment and Career Development Plan is near completion. 29% Staff remuneration

As at 30 June 2010 all staff except those covered by Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) were covered by the 71% AIATSIS Agency Agreement 2007–11 (see Figure 8: Staff identifying as Indigenous the agreement’s salary range in Table 8).

72 The contribution of AIATSIS female staff were recognised at a reception held at AIATSIS to celebrate International Women’s Day. Photography by Kerstin Styche. aiatsis honours women’s contribution

AIATSIS had good reason to celebrate commitment is priceless,’ Professor International Women’s Day 2010. Dodson said. Not only are 64 per cent of its 118 staff He said today’s female AIATSIS staff had female, but a number of past and present ‘inherited and continue a breathtaking female staff have worked at the Institute passion and commitment of the many for decades. women who have worked in the Institute over the last five decades’. AIATSIS celebrated their contribution and the international day with a reception on As well as acknowledging the 10 March. contributions of women to AIATSIS, the reception also showcased the Institute’s Chairperson Professor Mick Dodson AM research, collecting and publishing and Councillor Ms Terri Janke spoke at work to 140 reception guests who the reception. included delegates of Oxfam Australia’s Professor Dodson paid tribute to the past Straight Talk 2010 Summit as well as and present service of female staff such senior Indigenous women working in as Jacquie Lambert (37 years), Grace government departments and local Koch (35 years), Cathy Jones (29 years), community agencies. Alana Harris (26 years), Di Hosking The Straight Talk 2010 summit brought (24 years), Pat Brady (24 years), Jennifer together more than 80 Indigenous Wood (22 years) and Alana Garwood- women from around the country to give Houng (21 years). them the opportunity to develop their ‘They, like so many others have made understanding of the Australian political AIATSIS part of their life, and we are all system and to build relationships with truly grateful — their contributions and women in Federal Parliament.

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Table 8: Salary ranges under Agency of staff to improve their skills and job Agreement, 2009–10 satisfaction. The Institute spent $88,771 on staff development activities during Level Minimum Maximum 2009–10. ($) ($) Executive 2 90,544 102,675 The AIATSIS Agency Agreement requires Executive 1 78,538 84,815 that the Institute’s Performance APS 6 61,349 70,473 Feedback Scheme be linked to APS 5 56,802 60,230 remuneration increments. The scheme APS 4 50,926 55,295 outlines the arrangement for discussing an individual’s performance, sets forth APS 3 45,693 49,316 the basis for providing training and APS 2 40,116 44,486 development opportunities, and assists APS 1 35,446 39,177 with workforce planning. Cadet/ 13,760 19,071 trainee During 2009–10 AIATSIS renewed the memorandum of understanding with the AIATSIS provides a range of non-salary Australian Public Service Commission benefits, details of which are set out in to assist with the Institute’s training and the agreement, available online at: www. development needs. aiatsis.gov.au/about_us/corporate_ publications. Cooperative workplace As at 30 June 2010, five AIATSIS staff relations were covered by AWAs — one Senior The Institute is committed to promoting Executive Service (SES) staff member a cooperative workplace and to ensuring and four non-SES staff. Except for that staff participate as appropriate remuneration, the employment in decision-making processes. Both conditions in these AWAs are similar staff and management recognise that to those in the Agency Agreement and maintaining cooperative workplace reflect AIATSIS employment policies. relations provides all staff with an One employee received a performance opportunity to participate in decisions bonus in 2009–10, and nine employees that impact directly on them. received Excellence Awards. There were Health and safety, human resource four individual awards and two group development, workplace diversity and awards. These totalled $9,000. access and equity issues were also addressed through the Institute’s Staff training and career consultative mechanisms, ensuring that development the Institute’s obligations were met while maintaining a cooperative workplace. AIATSIS is committed to continually developing its staff by providing Occupational health and training and opportunities for career safety advancement. This reflects the Institute’s need to retain and develop high-quality The 2008–09 AIATSIS Health and Safety staff in a tight job market, and the needs Management Agreement was reviewed

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and reissued. This agreement, along with on the use of drugs in the workplace, other policies and guidelines, assists in and provides for access to Employee providing and maintaining the highest Assistance Program counselling services degree of health and safety for all for staff and their families. employees. The policy aims to: During 2009–10 two accidents were • prevent all accidents and ill health reported that required notification under caused by working conditions section 68 of the Occupational Health • protect all employees from any health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) hazard that may arise out of their work Act 1991. No notices were received by or the conditions in which it is carried AIATSIS during the year under sections out 30, 46 or 47 of that Act, nor were any • place and maintain employees in an directions given under section 45. occupational environment designed to satisfy their needs for health, safety and welfare at work. Strategic alliances to support corporate To demonstrate the Institute’s commitment, the Principal signed an activities employer’s ‘statement of commitment’ As a small agency, AIATSIS has limited with Comcare for 2002–12. The statement resources available to handle the covers the following four targets: many accountability, management and • reducing the incidence of workplace reporting policies required to support injuries and diseases good corporate governance. The Institute • eliminating all fatalities due to works to improve its effectiveness by workplace injury joining with other agencies with similar • reducing the average lost-time rate corporate directions to share policy • reducing the average time taken for ideas. During 2009–10, the Institute rehabilitation intervention. maintained membership of the Cultural Measures taken during the year to Managers’ Forum — a group comprising protect the health, safety and welfare of the Canberra-based cultural agencies — employees at work included: to discuss common issues in information • testing emergency evacuation technology. procedures Staff in Corporate Services maintained • training staff in workplace practices, and built on the Institute’s strategic including the responsibilities of fire alliance with the Indigenous Employment wardens Strategy team at the Australian Public • providing equipment needed by staff Service Commission. to deal with occupational health and safety concerns Financial management • holding a health week, including influenza vaccinations and individual The financial result for the year produced health checks for staff wishing to a surplus of $736,000. This exceeds the participate. forecasted breakeven situation. There The Agency Agreement now includes a are a number of reasons for this result. formal statement of the Institute’s policy Revenue increased as the result of new

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grant money, and the write back of an electronic orientation program for new Unearned Income. Offsetting this was staff. an increase in expenditure. Under the During 2009–10 the human resources Agency Agreement the Institute funded a area provided ongoing recruitment 4 per cent wage increase, effective 24th support, resulting in 39 staff movements July 2009 (expires 2011). Our Comcare premium doubled as the result of two into the Institute. cases. Delays in recruitment action along with delays in scheduled minor works. Information communication technology Detailed information is provided in the CFO Report and fincial statements. Significant work was undertaken to improve the information communication As part of the Institute’s risk technology (ICT) service to the Institute’s management framework, all business continuity, disaster recovery and critical users and stakeholders including process recovery plans were updated. upgrading the network to improve the All plans comply with international system’s security and integrity. A number and Australian Risk Management of server enhancement projects were Standards. This year a consultant carried out during the year. Systems carried out a desktop exercise to test the were deployed to improve user support effectiveness of the Institute’s current functions. These included implementing risk management plans. Testing was System Centre Essential to monitor completed successfully with no major individual PCs for updates and viruses, findings or adjustments required. and helpdesk management systems, which now provide the Institute with The Institute again participated in the valuable information relating to helpdesk Comcover review of the risk management enquiries. An email and Internet strategy, which resulted in a decrease in monitoring system was introduced to the cost of the premium. manage the effective use of Internet Human resources technologies, allowing management to monitor Internet access at a high level. The Institute’s Continuous Improvement Plan provides for a review of all human The Information and Communication resources policies, procedures and Technology Strategic Plan was updated systems, as well as outlining an overall to align with the AIATSIS business plan training and development plan. As required and to reflect relevant ICT trends and by the plan, policies, procedures and directions. systems were reviewed during the year. Staff introduced an online registration Improvements made in 2009–10 include facility for AIATSIS conferences, live an update of the payroll system to Aurion webcasting for seminars and provided 10. The electronic timesheet system that an improved communication facility for interfaces to the payroll system was also AIATSIS users particularly in remote updated. Work continues on developing areas.

76 (Left) Adam Shipp (aka Battleshipp) entertaining the crowd at NAIDOC on the Peninsula; (Right) Children enjoying one of the free kid’s activities at NAIDOC. Photography by Kerstin Styche.

NAIDOC on the Peninsula 2009

More than 3,000 Indigenous and non- A notable line-up of local Indigenous Indigenous people, young and old, performers entertained the crowd. celebrated NAIDOC on the Peninsula Performers included Phil Brown and the 2009 at AIATSIS on 11 July. Black Cockatoo Band, Johnny Huckle, Adam Shipp Hip Hop, Wiradjuri Echoes Visitors milled around the forecourt and dance troupe, Lexine Solomon, and Dale amphitheatre of the Institute’s building Huddleston and the Riverbank Band. on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffen to celebrate the history, This fifth annual celebration was the culture and achievements of Indigenous most successful to date. It was organised Australians. by the AIATSIS communications team and was hosted in partnership with the To mark the national NAIDOC theme National Museum of Australia. of Honouring our elders, nurturing our youth, festivities included a market with Feedback from visitors listed the more than 30 stalls, a free concert, friendly, community and family-oriented a photographic exhibition, didjeridoo atmosphere as the greatest strength of competition, storytelling, dancing, crafts, the day. an elders’ tent and dozens of activities for children.

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AIATSIS website Subsequent to ongoing business continuity planning exercises, various The redeveloped AIATSIS website went measures to improve the Institute’s live in August 2009. In the next phase, readiness for disaster and recovery were the site will be further augmented by identified and implemented. implementing Web 2.0 technologies, RSS feeds, advanced search functionality and Freedom of information assimilating other AIATSIS websites. Two requests for information were Building management received under the Freedom of and environmental Information Act 1982 during the year. performance Judicial decisions and AIATSIS experienced no major problems external reviews with building operations during 2009–10 and no new major works were carried In 2009–10 AIATSIS was not subject to out. any judicial decisions, parliamentary committees, or other external reviews. The Institute continued its rolling preventive maintenance program, taking Government policies a proactive approach to identifying notified by the Minister potential problems before they occur. and Ministerial directions AIATSIS occupies a relatively new building with modern controls for In 2009-10 there were none issued. managing energy use that are designed to minimise environmental impacts. Advertising and market Energy use is monitored to ensure the research lowest use consistent with archival and The Institute spent $43,426 during office requirements. Most heating uses the year on recruitment advertising. natural gas. Water use is minimised, In addition, $119,287 was spent on for example, through the use of dual- marketing and promoting AIATSIS. flush toilets and by not irrigating lawns No funds were spent on advertising around the building. Used office paper campaigns (i.e. market research; and cardboard is recycled where possible outdoor, television, radio or cinema and toner cartridges are collected for advertising; or direct mail advertising). recycling. Building security was enhanced through Service Charter a systems upgrade, installing additional The Institute’s Service Charter operated access control and improving the ability throughout the reporting period. The to detect intruders. charter sets out the standards of service A business case to support a request that clients can expect, and encourages to government for extensions and/or client feedback. Client dissatisfaction upgrades to the current building has is investigated and, where possible, been provided in draft form. Further resolved. The Service Charter is available cost/benefit analysis is being undertaken online at www.aiatsis.gov.au/about_us/ to support the Institute’s case for funding. corporate_publications. 78 4. corporate governance

Consultants and contracts through seminars; and by answering over $10,000 requests for information. The Institute let five consultancies during The AIATSIS collections are open to the year with a total estimated value all for reference and research. Some of $169,414. In addition, 21 contracts, material is restricted because it is totalling $1,201,237 were let. The largest culturally sensitive or because donors or of these contracts was for venue hire stakeholders have requested that access and catering for the 2010 Native Title be limited. Conference held in Canberra. For details of consultancies and major contracts, see Commonwealth Disability Appendix 5. Strategy AIATSIS is committed to supporting staff Competitive tendering and with disabilities and ensures that all contracting programs and services are accessible All contracts had provisions allowing to people with disabilities. AIATSIS access by the Auditor-General. continued to improve access for both staff and visitors with disabilities. All new Exempt contracts AIATSIS facilities and major refurbishment projects addressed requirements under No contracts were exempt from the relevant building codes. publication in the Purchasing and Disposal Gazette. AIATSIS is committed to ensuring that recruitment processes encourage people Social justice and equity with disabilities to apply for AIATSIS positions, that workplace strategies AIATSIS is committed to social justice and support the employment of people equity. It has constituted committees and with disabilities, and that staff training has a policy to maximise the involvement and development programs include of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander relevant information about the needs people in the Institute’s membership, of people with disabilities, as members governance, staff and functions. Provision of the community, as residents and as is made in the Institute’s Act for the staff. The Institute is also committed to Council to have a majority (five out of nine) incorporating the requirements of the of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Disability Discrimination Act 1992 into its members. Since 2002 there have been policies and guidelines. eight Council members in this category. AIATSIS has conducted a self-audit using At 30 June 2010, 37 of the Institute’s staff the performance-reporting template identified as Aboriginal people or Torres as recommended in CAC Orders 2009. Strait Islanders. It consults and liaises with staff, staff One of the greatest contributions that representatives and relevant external the Institute makes to social justice agencies, including Comcare, the in general is its wide dissemination of Australian Public Service Commission information on , and the Department of Education, which has emerged from research. It Employment and Workplace Relations. does this through publishing; through its All relevant performance requirements journal, Australian Aboriginal Studies; have been met. 79