Output Group 1 Support for executive decision-making The objective of Output Group 1 is to provide services to assist the Premier and Cabinet to make informed decisions and progress high-priority whole-of-government initiatives. This Output Group is delivered through the Policy Division, the Tasmanian Climate Change Office and the Social Inclusion Unit. This group’s Outputs are: - 1.1 Strategic policy and advice - 1.2 Climate change - 1.3 Social inclusion Department of Premier and Cabinet - Annual Report 2013-14 15 Output 1.1 Strategic policy and advice Overview This Output assists the Government to achieve its vision for Tasmania by providing high-quality policy services to the Premier and Cabinet. DPAC’s Policy Division leads and supports the development and implementation of whole-of-government processes and policies. It also manages and co-ordinates intergovernmental relations, including Tasmania's response to: the agendas of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and the Council for the Australian Federation; Australian Government Parliamentary Committee inquiries; and international treaties. Key activities The key activities that are delivered under Output 1.1 include: providing high-quality policy services and support to the Premier and Cabinet; leading and supporting the development and implementation of whole-of-government processes and policies; managing and coordinating intergovernmental relations; managing and resolving urgent and immediate priority issues for the Premier; working collaboratively with agencies to understand, deliver, monitor and report on the Premier’s and the Government’s priorities; providing a strategically focussed, inclusive and productive working environment; and supporting Departmental priorities. Summary of the year’s performance During 2013-14, the Policy Division led on, or contributed to streams of work across a broad spectrum of policy areas, including coordinating initiatives to support Tasmania’s engagement with Asia; forestry; coastal protection and planning; education and skills; health and human services; deregulation; collaboration and collaborative service delivery; infrastructure and the partnership between the University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government. The Division played a significant role in supporting the transition to the 48th Government by coordinating whole-of-government briefings for the incoming Premier and working with agencies to implement The first 100 days of the majority Liberal Government Plan. The Division also led on intergovernmental policy issues and completed its departmental priorities within specified timeframes. 16 Department of Premier and Cabinet - Annual Report 2013-14 Major achievements Policy advice During 2013-14 the Policy Division provided advice on 71 Cabinet Minutes and Draft Cabinet Minutes. Transition to the 48th Tasmanian Government The Policy Division supported the transition to the 48th Government by coordinating whole-of-government briefings on critical issues and election commitments for the incoming Government and supporting the incoming Premier. This included preparing strategic government issues briefings for the Premier, working with agencies to implement The first 100 days of the majority Liberal Government Plan, and monitoring progress of the implementation. Tasmania in the Asian Century The Policy Division developed and coordinated a number of initiatives to support Tasmania’s engagement with Asia, including establishing the Asia Institute Tasmania in collaboration with the University of Tasmania. Coastal protection and planning The Policy Division progressed the Coastal Protection and Planning Framework, including completion of the Tasmanian Coastal Policy Statement and drafting a high level Action Plan. The Action Plan identifies initiatives required to give effect to the Policy Statement and address identified policy gaps, for example coastal hazards risk management. Forestry The Policy Division worked with the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) and the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER) to support implementation of the Tasmanian Forestry Agreement and develop the Forestry (Rebuilding the Forest Industry) Bill 2014. University of Tasmania and Tasmanian Government Partnership Agreement The Policy Division supported the Partnership Management Group and associated working groups under the University of Tasmania and Tasmanian Government Partnership Agreement. A key output of this work was developing a pilot project to increase educational attainment and retention in the Huon Valley. This project, entitled ‘Bigger Things,’ is a collaborative effort involving the University and the Department of Education (DOE) and will run for five years. Intergovernmental relations The Policy Division coordinated Tasmania’s position and provided briefings for the Premier and Secretary of DPAC for two COAG meetings, three Council for the Australian Federation meetings, and nine Senior Officials Meetings and associated Deputy Senior Officials Meetings. The Division led and coordinated performance reporting to the COAG Reform Council on National Agreements and National Partnerships arising from the Intergovernmental Agreement for Federal Financial Relations and the COAG Reform Agenda. It also coordinated Tasmania’s input into the Productivity Commission’s annual Report on Government Services. Department of Premier and Cabinet - Annual Report 2013-14 17 The Division represented Tasmania in a range of national forums that met to discuss matters of national importance, including deregulation, infrastructure, environmental approvals, federalism and tax reform. The Division considered 128 requests for input into inquiries of the Tasmanian and Australian Parliaments and coordinated a number of whole-of-government submissions. The Division also considered 77 requests for advice on Australia’s international agreements and treaties, 33 of which required substantive responses. Collaboration across Government The Policy Division continued to lead promotion, implementation and evaluation of the Tasmanian Government approach to collaboration across agencies and to embed the principles of collaboration into service delivery arrangements. DPAC Strategic Plan 2013-16 PRIORITY 1.1 Transitioning from the 47th to the 48th Government Prepare briefing papers for incoming Government By Feb 2014 Coordinate whole-of-government briefings for incoming Premier By May 2014 PRIORITY 1.2 Implementing the Asian Century White Paper and establishing the Asia Institute Tasmania Establish the Asia Institute Tasmania By Jun 2014 Progress report to Cabinet By Dec 2013 Monitor and report on the implementation of White Paper pathways By Jun 2014 across Government PRIORITY 1.3 Developing a Tasmanian coastal policy and planning framework Prepare and finalise Framework By Dec 2013 Key Completed On track within timeframe Behind schedule – minor issues Behind schedule – major issues Measuring performance Unit of 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Measure Performance Measure Actual Actual Actual Target Number of Cabinet advisories that are submitted to the Cabinet Office on time % 92 85 88 90 Selected policy outputs must meet the minimum benchmark as measured against agreed quality % 87 83 92 93 standards Satisfaction of key clients with delivery of policy % N/A N/A 87 88 18 Department of Premier and Cabinet - Annual Report 2013-14 Unit of 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Measure Performance Measure Actual Actual Actual Target services as measured by survey1 Note: 1. New performance measure for 2013-14. Department of Premier and Cabinet - Annual Report 2013-14 19 Output 1.2 Climate change Overview This Output facilitates the activities of the Tasmanian Climate Change Office (TCCO), including the Climate Change Adaptation Unit. TCCO coordinates the development and implementation of government policy and initiatives relating to the reduction of Tasmania's greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to the impacts of climate change. This Output includes provision of support for the Tasmanian Climate Action Council. Key activities The key activities that are delivered under Output 1.2 include: providing strategic leadership on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change using an evidence-based approach to policy making; acting to reduce the Tasmanian Government’s greenhouse gas emissions; building relationships across government to provide a coordinated approach to emissions reduction and adaptation efforts in priority sectors; and assisting the Tasmanian community to make a successful transition to a low carbon future. Summary of the year’s performance TCCO has continued work across government, business and the community to set strategic priorities on climate change. A strong evidence base has supported TCCO’s policy development process. As in previous years, TCCO monitored and reported on greenhouse gas emissions for the State and for the Tasmanian public sector. This year TCCO also commissioned modelling to assess the effectiveness of a range of proposed climate change actions. TCCO has consulted extensively with stakeholders to identify actions that reduce Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions and assist our communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change. This policy development work culminated in the release of Climate Smart Tasmania: A 2020 Climate Change Strategy on 26 November 2013. The strategy reflects the previous government’s commitment to climate change.