Annual Report 2014-15

ANNUAL REPORT 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT 2014-15 Contact for this report General enquiries about this report should be directed to: Justice and Community Safety GPO Box 158 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6207 7173 Email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a>General contact details Post © Copyright Australian Capital Territory, Canberra 2015 Written request for information can be sent to: This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced without written permission from the Territory Records Office, Treasury Directorate, Shared Services, ACT Government, CPO Box, Canberra City ACT 2601. JACS Media GPO Box 158 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone Information pertaining to JACS can be obtained by calling JACS Media on: 02 6207 7173 Enquiries about this publication should be directed to: Internet Justice and Community Safety Directorate Information about JACS can be found at the Justice and Community Safety website: <a href="/goto?url=http://www.justice.act.gov.au" target="_blank">www.justice.act.gov.au </a> Telephone: 02 62074813 Information about the JACS Directorate and an electronic version of this annual report can be found on the JACS website, <a href="/goto?url=http://www.justice.act.gov.au" target="_blank">http://www.justice.act.gov.au </a> An electronic version of this 2014-15 Annual Report and previous annual reports can also be found on the JACS website. <a href="/goto?url=http://www.act.gov.au" target="_blank">http://www.act.gov.au </a>Freedom of information requests can be made by emailing: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a> Telephone: Access Canberra 13 22 81 Cover photos by Peter Williams IBSN 978-0-9925863-1-7 CONTENTS <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Contents </li><li style="flex:1">3</li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">From the Director‑General </li><li style="flex:1">5</li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Section A Transmittal Certificates </li><li style="flex:1">7</li></ul>Section B Organisation Overview and Performance B.1 Organisational overview 11 12 <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">B.2 Performance Analysis </li><li style="flex:1">30 </li></ul>Output 1.1 – Policy Advice and Justice Programs Output 1.2 – Legal Services to Government Output 1.3 – Parliamentary Counsel’s office Output 2.1 – Corrective Services Output 3.1 – Courts and Tribunal Output 4.1 – Emergency Services Strategic Indicators and Objectives B.3 Scrutiny 30 54 62 67 91 95 116 121 129 130 132 134 137 151 B.4 Risk Management B.5 Internal Audit B.6 Fraud Prevention B.7 Work Health and Safety B.8 Human Resource Management B.9 Ecologically Sustainable Development SECTION C Financial Management Reporting C.1 Financial Management Analysis C.2 Financial Statements 155 156 165 274 278 281 290 C.3 Capital Works C.4 Asset Management C.5 Government Contracting C.6 Statement of Performance Justice and Community Safety Directorate Annual Report 2014-15 3Section D Notices of Non Compliance D.1 Dangerous Substances 309 310 310 310 D.2 Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods D.3 Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Section K Victims of Crime </li><li style="flex:1">311 </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">K. Victims of Crime </li><li style="flex:1">312 </li></ul>Section N Justice and Community Safety N.1 Bushfire Risk Management N.2 Freedom of Information N.3 Human Rights 323 324 340 348 <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">359 </li><li style="flex:1">N.4 Legal Services Directions </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Annexure A Sentence Administration Board </li><li style="flex:1">367 </li></ul>Sentence Administration Board of the Australian Capital Territory <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Annual Report 2014-15 </li><li style="flex:1">369 </li></ul>Attachments Compliance Statement Acronyms 375 376 377 <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">380 </li><li style="flex:1">Index </li></ul>4Justice and Community Safety Directorate Annual Report 2014-15 FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL I am pleased to present the Annual Report of the Justice and Community Safety (JACS) Directorate for 2014–15. As a result of reviewing the governance framework within which staff operate, the JACS Directorate will commence a revised framework in the 2015–16 financial year to provide a greater level of transparency and accountability at all levels. The JACS Directorate has continued to deliver high-quality service to the ACT Government and ACT community throughout the <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">financial year. </li><li style="flex:1">As a Directorate, together with our volunteers </li></ul>and our stakeholders, we supported the Government in achieving significant results during the reporting period including: In December 2014, Chief Minister Andrew Barr was elected as Chief Minister and established a new set of priorities for the Government. Under the new Administrative Arrangements, the Directorate became answerable to three Ministers: Minister Simon Corbell continued as the Attorney-General, Minister Joy Burch commenced as the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, and Minister Shane Rattenbury commenced as the Minister for Justice, which includes both Corrective Services and regulatory policy particularly in relation to transport regulation. • supporting vulnerable Canberrans seeking access to justice, including those experiencing domestic and family violence; • progressing the tender process for the Territory’s first Public Private Partnership in delivery of the ACT Law Courts redevelopment project; • developing the Justice Reform Strategy and Justice Reinvestment Strategy through extensive consultation and research in relation to a new community-based sentencing option for the Territory and consideration of options for ways to reinvest funds in the justice system; JACS Directorate staff members were also heavily involved in the transition of the former Office of Regulatory Services to the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate to become part of Access Canberra. We have continued to work closely with our colleagues, given our responsibilities for much of regulatory policy. • continuing to provide high quality and timely legislative draﬅing and publishing services; • implementing key road safety initiatives including the motorcycle lane filtering trial; David Pryce commenced as Deputy Director‑General, Community Safety in February 2015 and Vicki Parker joined the JACS Directorate in April 2015 as Deputy Director‑General, Justice. Both have brought valuable strategic and leadership skills to our senior executive team. In May 2015, Ms Parker was also appointed as the Coordinator‑General for Domestic and Family Violence to ensure all Government reform programs and initiatives are implemented in a coordinated and integrated manner. • designing a new case management system to create process improvements and efficiencies for information management in the ACT Law Courts and Tribunal; • organising four whole-of-government security and emergency exercises aimed at practising how territory agencies respond to and coordinate an incident at a place of mass gathering; Justice and Community Safety Directorate Annual Report 2014-15 5• improving the front-line capability of the ACT Emergency Services Agency and ACT Corrective Services; • upgrading security systems at the Alexander Maconochie Centre to ensure the continued safety and management of staff and detainees; • progressing construction projects to provide two new accommodation units for detainees at Alexander Maconochie Centre; • opening of the new South Tuggeranong ACT Fire & Rescue station, delivered on time and under budget; and • launching a new community education campaign, CBR Bushfire Ready, to help inform the Canberra community about bushfire prone areas and how best to prepare for a bushfire. I am proud of what the staff, volunteers and statutory office holders of the JACS Directorate have achieved this financial year. Alison Playford Director-General 6Justice and Community Safety Directorate Annual Report 2014-15 8<ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Justice and Community Safety Directorate Annual Report 2014-15 </li><li style="flex:1">Justice and Community Safety Directorate Annual Report 2014-15 </li></ul>910 Justice and Community Safety Directorate Annual Report 2014-15 B.1 ORGANISATIONAL OVERVIEW Innovation Mission • we look for ways to continuously improve our services and skills; and Our mission is to maintain a fair, safe and peaceful community in the ACT where people’s rights and interests are protected. • we are open to change and new ideas from all sources. Values Our Role We pride ourselves on being a Directorate whose attitudes and actions are consistent with the ACT Public Service (ACTPS) values and behaviours. These values and behaviours are embraced in the JACS Strategic Plan 2012–17 and underpin all of our service delivery to the community. The JACS Directorate seeks to maintain a fair, safe and peaceful community in the ACT where people’s rights and interests are respected and protected. This is achieved through the objectives of: • maintaining the rule of law and the Westminster style of democratic Government; Respect • we take pride in our work; • promoting the protection of human rights in the Territory; • we value the contribution of others; and • providing effective offender management and opportunities in relation to rehabilitation; • we relate to colleagues and clients in a fair, decent and professional manner. Integrity • protecting and preserving life, property and <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">the environment; </li><li style="flex:1">• we do what we say we’ll do and respond </li></ul>appropriately when the unexpected occurs; • providing for effective and cohesive emergency response and management; and • we take responsibility and are accountable for our decisions and actions; and • we engage genuinely with the community, managing resources entrusted to us honestly and responsibly. • developing and amending legislation covering regulatory functions of Government. To support the achievement of its objectives, the Directorate aims to improve service delivery to Government and the community and to ensure it continues to meet community needs into the future. Collaboration • we work openly and share information to reach shared goals; and • we take on board other views when solving problems and welcome feedback on how we can do things better. 12 Justice and Community Safety Directorate Annual Report 2014-15 Output 1.4 Public Prosecutions (independently reported) Our Functions and Services In line with the 2014–15 ACT Budget Papers, our performance is measured against the following strategic objectives: The prosecution of summary and indictable matters, at first instance and on appeal, the provision of assistance to the coroner and the provision of witness services. • accessible justice system; • safe community; Output 1.5 Protection of Rights (independently reported) • safe community – emergency services; and • promotion and protection of rights and interests. The provision of advocacy, complaint handling, advice, community awareness raising and other services in connection with the promotion and protection of rights, especially for vulnerable members of society, by the ACT Human Rights Commission (HRC), the Public Advocate of the ACT and Victims Support ACT (VSACT). This also includes services provided by the Privacy Commissioner. Our functions and services are described in the budget papers as follows: Output 1.1 Policy Advice and Justice Programs The provision of high-quality policy, legislation, ministerial support and advice to portfolio Ministers, Cabinet and other agencies on justice and community safety matters. The administration of security coordination and emergency management policy, and innovative justice and crime prevention programs (including the Restorative Justice program) across Government and the community. Output 2.1 Corrective Services The provision of safe and secure custody for detainees with a strong focus on the delivery of rehabilitative, educational and vocational programs, the effective management of un‑sentenced offenders and community based corrections programs, and the provision of advice and services to the ACT justice system. Output 1.2 Legal Services to government The provision of high-quality timely legal advice and representation for the Attorney-General and Government. Output 3.1 Courts and Tribunal The provision of high-quality support to judicial officers and tribunal members in the Courts and the Tribunal and high-quality services to the public using the Courts and Tribunal. Output 1.3 Legislative Drafting and Publishing Services The provision of high-quality and timely legislative draﬅing and publishing services for ACT legislation and the maintenance of the ACT Legislation Register. Justice and Community Safety Directorate Annual Report 2014-15 13 policing, courts, corrections, justice, legal, emergency and regulatory services across Canberra, and for the protection of human rights in the community. Output 4.1 Emergency Services The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) is responsible for supporting the ACT community in regard to emergency management including: Our clients and stakeholders include: • the ACT Chief Minister; Prevention and Mitigation: Measures taken in advance of an emergency aimed at decreasing or eliminating its impact on the community and the environment. • the ACT Attorney-General; • the ACT Minister for Police and Emergency Services; • the ACT Minister for Justice; • the ACT Legislative Assembly; Preparedness: Measures to ensure that, should an emergency occur, communities, resources and services are capable of responding to and coping with the effects. • Commonwealth and other Australian State and Territory Government agencies <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">and councils; </li><li style="flex:1">Response: Strategies and services to control, </li></ul>limit or modify an emergency to reduce its consequences. • the judiciary and the ACT legal profession; • statutory office holders and bodies; • community service providers; Recovery: Strategies and services to return the ACT ESA to a state of preparedness aﬅer emergency situations and to assist with community recovery. • consumers, licensees, jurors, victims of crime, offenders and witnesses; • statutory and non-statutory committees; • media; Our Clients and Stakeholders • suppliers and contractors; and • other Directorates and agencies. We work with a number of Government and non‑Government entities to deliver effective Denis Kingler of Guises Creek receives a medal from Minister for Police and Emergency Joy Burch. 14 Justice and Community Safety Directorate Annual Report 2014-15 Organisational Chart Figure 1 – Organisation Chart Justice and Community Safety Directorate Annual Report 2014-15 15 Our people are fundamental to the implementation of our strategic plan and together we are working on the following areas of focus to assist in the delivery of the Government’s priorities: Our Volunteers Many ACT residents donate their time and efforts as volunteers for our Directorate, providing an invaluable service to the community. • improve the way we connect with our community and make informed decisions; We are extremely grateful for the generosity and community spirit shown by all of our volunteers who selflessly help those in the ACT community who are in need or experiencing disadvantage. • be flexible enough to focus on changing priorities; • ensure our clients have good access to services that meet their needs; • look for better ways to get the job done; and Volunteers contribute through the ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTRFS), ACT State Emergency Service (ACTSES) and ACT Fire & Rescue (ACTF&R) Community Fire Units (CFUs) as well as assisting the Public Advocate as community guardians for the elderly and as Interview Friends to help young people. • realise the potential of our people. Through leadership and transparent decision making we will continue to build trust within the Directorate to bring about positive changes in line with the Respect Equity and Diversity (RED) Framework. Building on the positive experiences of volunteers during the year, the JACS Directorate will continue to encourage other Canberrans to volunteer during the year ahead. JACS Performance During 2014–15 There have been many achievements for the Directorate during 2014–15. Priorities as identified in the 2014–15 budget were our key focus and covered as part of output class contribution to the annual report: Planning Framework The JACS Strategic Plan 2012–17 sets out the steps we will take to deliver better services to our Government to meet the needs of the community and to deliver better service to our community on behalf of Government. • developing and progressing a Justice Reform Strategy to enhance the framework for sentencing offenders, reducing recidivism and identifying options for Justice Reinvestment; Our strategy recognises the need to provide leadership, support and development for JACS Directorate staff as we strive to improve the services we provide to our Ministers, citizens and each other. • developing a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Partnership; • progressing reforms to introduce an unexplained wealth law, facilitate major events, and develop a judicial complaints regime, a new Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme, and enhancements to the Liquor Act 2010; The Strategic Plan incorporates our commitment to the public sector values and behaviours: • respect • integrity • advancing procurement of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) consortium to deliver new ACT Court facilities; • collaboration • innovation. 16 Justice and Community Safety Directorate Annual Report 2014-15 • starting construction of a new 30 cell special care centre and a new 56 cell flexible accommodation block at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC); • progressing implementation of the Courts and Tribunal Case Management system; • progressing the development of a new ACT Legislation Register; and progressing of documentation for an enhanced ACTCS Information Management solution; • progressing the ESA Station Upgrade Relocation Program (SURP) with completion of a new fire station in South Tuggeranong, the commencement of construction of a co-located ambulance and fire station in Aranda and review of SURP Stage 2; • developing a road safety camera strategy to reduce speed-related road trauma; • progressing options for the provision of protection of human rights in the ACT; and • continuing the delivery of • modifying the ESA Headquarters to support a more effective Communications Centre and incident management capability; environmentally-sustainable development initiatives to reduce the Directorate’s carbon footprint and provide efficiencies. • continuing the Extended Care Paramedic program pending the finalisation of an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program; JACS Outlook and Future Priorities 2015–16 • replacing critical elements of the ESA’s Territory Radio Network (TRN) and upgrading the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD); The JACS Directorate is focusing on a range of strategic and operational priorities during 2015–16, which are aligned with the Government’s election commitments, the Parliamentary Agreement and budget initiatives. Key priorities are as follows: • finalising the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan (SBMP) version three; • developing and implementing a ‘Women in Emergency Services Strategy’ (WIESS), in particular with a view to increase the number of female firefighters; • providing oversight of ACT Government reforms and programs through the Coordinator‑General for Domestic and Family Violence role to help improve outcomes for Canberrans experiencing violence; • progressing a feasibility study into the future of the Gungahlin Joint Emergency Services Centre, in particular to explore options for expanded facilities for police to support a growing population; • supporting vulnerable Canberrans through initiatives to better address family violence, extending the high-density housing • continuing to deliver the Extended

Annual Report 2014-15

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