Achievments

As the Director-General for the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate (CMTEDD), I am pleased to present the 2018-19 CMTEDD Annual Report. The report highlights the many achievements of our directorate during the reporting period and provides an outlook on what we aim to achieve in 2019-20. CMTEDD’s achievements against our key priorities, as outlined in the 2018-19 ACT Budget, are reported in full in Section B2. Performance Analysis.

CMTEDD leads the ACT Public Service (ACTPS) providing high level strategic policy advice and secretariat support to the Chief Minister as the Head of the ACT Government and Chair of Cabinet. The directorate also supports the Chief Minister as member of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), the Council for the Australian Federation and the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors. During the reporting year the Chief Minister was chair of the Council for the Australian Federation and the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors and the directorate supported the Chief Minister in these additional roles. CMTEDD supports the Treasurer in his participation at the Council on Federal Financial Relations and the Board of Treasurers.

The directorate engages in regional collaboration with local, state/territory, and Australian governments to provide a coordinated plan to support the growth and prosperity of the national capital and the Canberra Region. This has included renewing the ACT’s commitment to the Canberra Region Joint Organisation (CRJO) and signing of the second ACT-CRJO Memorandum of Understanding. In partnership with the CRJO, CMTEDD developed the Prospectus for a Canberra Region Deal. The prospectusarticulates opportunities to work together on a wide range of issues and areas, including infrastructure planning, land use and development, education, catchment management, transport strategies and emergency services. CMTEDD reviewed and replaced six agreements for the provision of national capital functions on behalf of the Federal Government, with a single agreement that provides a streamlined framework to govern specific services, particularly for the city’s diplomatic community.

CMTEDD promoted the ACT’s interests in key reviews of the arrangements for the distribution of the GST between the States and Territories, including coordinating a whole of government (WoG) submission to the Commonwealth Grants Commission’s 2020 Methodology Review of GST Revenue Sharing Relativities and providing input into the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Horizontal Fiscal Equalisation.

The directorate takes a ‘one service’ approach to policy development, priorities and the implementation of key government decisions by working across government to coordinate and align the efforts of the ACTPS. CMTEDD supported the ACT Government to progress key policy reforms in areas including social inclusion, Reportable Conduct, LGBTIQ+ affairs and intergovernmental relations. CMTEDD working across government, through the Office for LGBTIQ+ Affairs and with the community, developed the first LGBTIQ+ Strategy for the ACT Government, Capital of Equality. The four-year Strategy was released in June 2019 and will be implemented through a series of action plans to be developed collaboratively across government and community. The Strategy seeks to ensure LGBTIQ+ people, their families and communities are visible, valued and respected, and that the ACT has LGBTIQ+ inclusive and competent government services.

CMTEDD coordinated the ACT Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Final Report and oversaw the implementation of the ACT Reportable Conduct Scheme to improve the safeguarding of children within our community. In December 2018, the directorate released the ACT Government’s first annual progress report detailing our implementation of recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The report highlights wide ranging legal reforms, the expansion of the Reportable Conduct Scheme to include religious institutions, establishment of the new Inspector of Correctional Services and developments in cross-jurisdictional collaboration to implement nationally consistent parameters for worker screening.

CMTEDD leads WoG initiatives to strengthen public sector capability and governance and guide cultural change across government in order to achieve greater collaboration and innovation in the delivery of the ACT Government’s services and priorities. In 2018-19, this included finalising negotiations for the common core of the 18 ACTPS enterprise agreements and working with the Justice and Community Safety Directorate on the policy for the Integrity Commission Act 2018. The directorate drives and supports organisational change across the ACTPS through the Workforce Transformation Group. CMTEDD published the Flexible Workplace and Designated Activity Based Work policies on the ACT Government Employment Portal, ahead of the completion of the Dickson and Civic Office Buildings in 2020.

In 2018-19, CMTEDD assumed responsibility for the management and underwriting of past and future workers’ compensation claims from ACT public servants. This has allowed additional investment in injury management services and support, and the improvement of work health and safety and return to work outcomes for injured employees, better assistance for staff to recover and work safely following injury.

CMTEDD supported the government to achieve the passage of the Motor Accident Injuries Scheme legislation which provides for wide-ranging reform to the ACT’s current compulsory third‑party insurance arrangements and improves outcomes for all Canberrans injured in motor vehicle accidents.

The directorate, through Shared Services, provides financial and ICT and human resource support across government. In 2018-19, CMTEDD focused on delivering quality outcomes with an emphasis on process improvement and customer service. Achievements have included: winning the category of Excellence in Process Improvement and Innovation at the 2019 Shared Services Outsourcing Network (SSON) Excellence Awards for the Shared Services Long Service Leave project; the procurement of a new Human Resources Information Management Solution (HRIMS) Program; and the digitising of a WoG online job application form in late May 2019 which received over 1,000 applications to June 2019.

The directorate continues to facilitate digital transformation across government in line with the Digital Strategy. This has been achieved through the more effective use of data to support policies and enable and deliver better services. Through the continued work of the ACT Data Analytics Centre (formerly known as the Centre of Data Excellence), the directorate has continued to build integrated digital service experiences for citizens, releasing Rental Bond Help and Transfer My Infringement as part of the ACT Digital suite of services.

CMTEDD, through Access Canberra, continued to improve business and community connections to government through public service innovation by making doing business in the ACT easier. Initiatives included the launch of the ‘Business Support Enquiry’ online form, which offers customers a pathway solution through the provision of advice and guidance on common approval requirements; establishing a single, WoG identity management and digital services platform (iConnect); and increasing the number of online services to over 380 services.

The directorate coordinates the delivery of initiatives to deliver the ACT Government’s regulatory reform agenda, including red tape reduction and regulatory simplification through the redevelopment of accessible online public registers including: plumbing ties; motor vehicle dealers; and presentation of licence details for a range of licensed trades. Compliance activities included inspections and investigation in respect of the Working with Vulnerable People Scheme; building compliance; liquor venues; and workplaces. In addition, CMTEDD supports statutory officer holders including the Commissioner for Fair Trading; the Construction Occupations Registrar; the Environment Protection Authority; and the Work Safety Commissioner.

In 2018-19, CMTEDD commenced a community engagement reform project to help drive change across the ACTPS, supporting the ACT Government’s ‘one government’ to better meet the needs of the community in terms of when, how and on what they are engaged. The YourSay Community Panel makes it easier for Canberrans to engage with government online, giving anyone the opportunity to share their views and ideas on government initiatives and projects. In addition, the Whole of Government Communications and Engagement Plan provides the community and stakeholders with a clear forecast of the government’s priority public information campaigns and engagement projects. The Our Canberra Newsletter (online and print) is distributed to 187,000 households eleven months of the year, and more than 51,000 subscribers have subscribed to the electronic Our Canberra newsletter to receive ACT Government news and information.

CMTEDD has continued to enhance the Territory’s budget management, including through an amendment to the Financial Management Act 1996 which provides a Capital Delivery Reserve to improve the accuracy of budget estimates and performance of the Territory’s capital works program; preparation of the Territory’s Consolidated 2017-18 Annual Financial Statements; the 2018‑19 Budget Review; and the 2019‑20 Budget, consistent with legislative requirements and timeframes.

The directorate, through Infrastructure Finance and Capital Works (IFCW), worked across government to provide legislative, policy and governance advice for infrastructure finance and capital works delivery (within the Capital Framework), and led innovative practice in the procurement, planning, financing and delivery of infrastructure for the Territory. Supports included; Investment Logic Workshops, Risk Workshops, Delivery Model Workshops and Business Cases. The team also managed the assessment of unsolicited proposals within the government’s guidelines. Assistance was also provided to assist line agencies in transitioning into operational service the Territory’s first two Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), the ACT Law Courts project and Light Rail Stage 1 City to Gungahlin, and in advising on the development of Light Rail City to Woden.

CMTEDD, through Procurement ACT, developed and commenced implementing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Procurement Policy. The new policy makes ACT Government work more accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises. It encourages cultural change within Territory entities undertaking procurement and it reduces barriers to securing government contracts under $200,000. The policy is an action under the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-28 and supports the ACT Government’s commitment to providing equal access to employment and growth for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the ACT. The directorate is continuing to improve the maturity of ACTPS procurement and capital works delivery through the implementation of a project management and reporting system for use across the government’s capital works program.

The directorate, through VisitCanberra, continued to raise awareness of Canberra building on the 2018 Lonely Planet accolade, to promote Canberra as a vibrant tourism destination and drive overnight visitation from key domestic and international markets, and continued progress towards reaching the Tourism 2020 goal of $2.5 billion in overnight expenditure.

The directorate achieved a direct economic benefit to Canberra of $134.4 million, through a $1 million investment in major Canberra events, via the Major Event Fund. Five completed funded events delivered a combined attendance of 727,990 people. Other achievements included:

CMTEDD in 2018-19 continued its strong focus on innovation to promote Canberra as a place to invest and facilitate growth opportunities for business. The directorate, through Innovation, Industry and Investment, continued the implementation of Confident and Business Ready: Building on Our Strengths, focusing on investment facilitation and attraction, innovation and entrepreneurship, international engagement, and the ACT’s key sector capability areas and Priority Investment Programs including: Space and Spatial Technology; Cyber Security; ICT and e-Government; Sport Technology; Health Innovation; Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, with the overarching goal of supporting the government commitment to grow and diversify the ACT economy.

The directorate, through strategic partnerships with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) increased the ability of the ACT Government to support businesses in the Canberra region seeking to export their goods and services through an embedded Business Development Manager co-located in the Australian Austrade office in Singapore.

CMTEDD promoted Canberra as a location for undertaking trials of new technologies, for example the CANdrive trial involving driver awareness monitoring in automated vehicles in a collaboration with Seeing Machines, the University of Canberra and the University of Newcastle, which has resulted in consideration of driver awareness monitoring by new car assessment authorities.

During the reporting period, the directorate delivered the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business Development and Entrepreneurship Program that provided targeted mentoring, business, product and finance workshops and specialist business advice sessions to 14 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.

CMTEDD launched the $5 million CBR Screen Fund which is a multi-purpose, strategic fund that supports the local ACT screen industry to become more commercially oriented and develop Canberra stories and content for mainstream markets, as well as attracting productions and film industry activity to Canberra.

In 2018-19 CMTEDD, through EventsACT continued to deliver a broad range of economic, social and community outcomes for the ACT through event delivery, event development and event marketing. The directorate successfully delivered Floriade and Floriade NightFest 2018, with 480,540 visitors across the event, 46,126 more than in 2017 and generating $38.6 million in economic impact, an increase of $1.2 million on 2017.

The Enlighten Festival was successfully delivered in 2019 by EventsACT, working in collaboration with 12 national attractions to drive visitation, and with new precinct partners and Enlighten umbrella events generating $5.4 million in economic impact, an increase of $600,000 on 2018.

CMTEDD also delivered a suite of key community events for the ACT, including; the Canberra Nara Candle Festival, New Year’s Eve, Australia Day celebrations, Symphony in the Park, Canberra Day celebrations, Reconciliation in the Park, the Canberra Balloon Spectacular and the Lights! Canberra! Action! film festival.

The ACT Event Fund 2019 provided $457,943 to support 22 event organisers with program development, strategic planning and event promotion. A survey completed by successful applicants under the ACT Event Fund 2019 indicated a satisfaction level of 87% with the standard of service and assistance received throughout the grant’s management process.

In 2018-19 the directorate, through Venues Canberra, attracted 667,374 visitors at the National Arboretum Canberra including over 25,000 school students local and interstate school children attending educational programs in 2018-19. The directorate celebrated its 3.5 millionth visitor through the National Arboretums doors in April 2019.

CMTEDD continued to provide positive experiences to patrons attending its four major sporting and entertainment venues. The delivery of the Groovin the Moo music festival attracted around 25,000 attendees to Exhibition Park in Canberra. GIO stadium hosted the Keith Urban outdoor concert in January 2019, attracting around 12,000 attendees. In February 2019 Venues Canberra hosted the Territory’s inaugural Cricket Test Match at Manuka Oval, with over 30,000 patrons attending over the four days. The mountain bike trail network at Stromlo Forest Park continued to be enhanced with three new trails constructed in 2018-19.

In 2018-19 CMTEDD, through artsACT, supported artists and arts organisations through more flexible and accessible funding and capacity building programs, contributing to the liveability of our city. The directorate continued to produce outcomes under the ACT Arts Policy by showcasing great art and great artists in Canberra locally and nationally through investment in people and infrastructure. The directorate delivered:

CMTEDD, through Study Canberra, has continued to position the ACT tertiary education and research sector as a major driver for Canberra as a knowledge economy and as a competitive advantage for addressing workforce and skill needs of key sectors. The directorate has undertaken destination marketing to attract students, including a number for publications for regional and international markets, and social media campaigns, and supported the Chief Minister’s international delegations.

The directorate, through Skills Canberra, supports initiatives to address the low proportion of females in male dominated, traditional trades, and to assist mature workers to up-skill and re-skill. The directorate delivered round one of the Women in Trades Grants Program, to support 57 women to undertake pre-apprenticeships in traditionally male-dominated trades. A second round of the Women in Trades Grants Program was also launched, to engage with women employed in, or interested in being employed in, male-dominated trades. CMTEDD in 2018-19, also launched the Mature Workers Grants Program, to establish the CIT Mature Workers Support Service, and deliver employer workshops to support mature workers to upskill or reskill to get a new or better job.

In 2018-19, CMTEDD through Sport and Recreation, finalised new legislation and commenced development of associated regulatory practices for the conduct of combat sports in the ACT, including an ACT specific registration scheme and inspectorate function. The directorate also completed a feasibility study on a new ice sports facility in the Territory and finalised the Future Indoor Sports Facility Provision Feasibility Study and considered the recommendations. CMTEDD also delivered, through the Participation Innovation Fund, $230,000 to seven initiatives that specifically target Canberrans under-represented in physical activity.

The directorate, through the ACT Property Group continued implementation of the 2017-18 Budget initiative on Smarter government spending, working towards greater centralisation in the delivery of property services for ACT Government directorates and agencies centralising non-specialised property services via the Single Service Model (SSM).

During the reporting period, the development of partnership agreements identified work programs to assist agencies in delivering their business outcomes. ACT Property Group also achieved its strategic objective of extending the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) to all its operations, with scope extension being awarded in February 2019. Previously only the Maintenance Services section were certified. This certification demonstrates ACT Property Group’s commitment to continual improvement and sustainable performance.

ACT Property Group also facilitated the construction of Stromlo Leisure Centre, valued at $36.6 million, comprising a 50-metre lap pool, 20 metre warm water program pool, leisure pool, toddler pool, splash park, gym and seating for 500. The facility is scheduled to open in the first half of 2020.