Outlook

Strategic and operational priorities for CMTEDD in 2017-18 include to:

  • establish the ACTPS as an employer of choice by implementing whole of government initiatives to strengthen public service capability and governance processes and enhance the employment framework, guide cultural change across the public service in order to achieve greater collaboration and innovation in the delivery of the ACT Government’s priorities;
  • lead whole of government community engagement reform to help drive change across the ACT public service and better meet the needs of the community in terms of when, how and on what they are engaged including through consultation:
    • to develop a workers' compensation self-insurance proposal for Government consideration and undertake design activities;
    • on a feasibility study regarding a new ice sport facility and further investigate feasible options for providing indoor sporting spaces in Woden, Gungahlin and Belconnen;
    • on funding arrangements for the ANU School of Music advanced music performance program, a Canberra Arts Biennial, Kulture Break, pop up arts activity in Woden and Gungahlin, and the Art, Not Apart Festival; and
    • on the current performing arts capacity in the Territory, including the Canberra Theatre, to help identify what infrastructure may be required into the future;
  • coordinate and prepare the 2017-18 Budget Review, the 2018-19 Budget, and the Territory’s Consolidated 2016-17 Annual Financial Statements;
  • continue to support the knowledge economy and grow Canberra’s higher education sector by working with the University of New South Wales around their proposal for a major new university campus in an expanded city east education precinct;
  • finalise a Smart City Strategy for Government consideration, building on the Chief Minister’s Statement of Ambition and ACT Digital Strategy;
  • support the introduction of the new Reportable Conduct Scheme which will improve the oversight of how organisations, including ACT Government, respond to allegations of child abuse by employees and volunteers;
  • support the Chief Minister in 2018 as Chair of the Council of the Australian Federation and Council of Capital City Lord Mayors;
  • coordinate the Territory's contribution to the Safe Work Australia review of the template national work health and safety laws;
  • release key ACT Government policy, including:
    • an ACT Events Policy to maximise economic, social and cultural benefits for the Canberra region;
    • the Arts Funding Plan; and
    • the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Engagement Strategy;
  • deliver a strategic framework and action plan to improve access and equity and ensure ACT Government-subsidised VET programs effectively contribute to improved post-school education and employment outcomes for people experiencing disengagement or disadvantage;
  • develop a cycle tourism strategy;
  • facilitate legislation to establish new arrangements regarding safety and compliance for the conduct of combat sports in the ACT;
  • further developing the platform, framework and governance for a whole of government data management practice;
  • release the ACT Government Digital Account to directorates, via iConnect, to support delivery of digital services;
  • refine the capital database that was launched as part of the 2017-18 Budget, and prepare the 2017-18 Infrastructure Plan Update;
  • finalise design and commence construction of:
    • the $15 million Belconnen Arts Centre Stage Two ($1.3 million 2017-18); and
    • a Cricket media and broadcast centre at Manuka Oval, which will also support the AFL and community use;
  • complete facility upgrades ($0.9 million) to five arts centres (Ainslie Arts Centre, Gorman House Arts Centre, Strathnairn, Tuggeranong Arts Centre and Watson Arts Centre) and work on fire system improvements ($0.2 million) at the Street Theatre;
  • launch Release 1 of the new revenue collection management IT platform and the implementation of the Barrier Free Conveyance Duty Model;
  • continue to build and develop the business intelligence team to enhance the capability to detect and recover undeclared taxation across all tax lines, and formulate new data-led strategies in relation to the recovery of outstanding revenue;
  • finalise implementation of the Government Budget Management System; and
  • continue process review and improvement, working with stakeholders to manage the suite of ICT resources and systems, including:
    • ongoing implementation of the Cloud program by migrating more systems to Cloud based software and hardware suppliers;
    • progressing the HRIMS Project with the view to approaching the market to identify a possible solution for the ACT Government;
    • implementing the accounts payable invoice automation solution for the ACT Government which will speed up payment of invoices, reduce the use of paper and printing and provide greater tracking of invoices; and
    • launching the new Shared Services Website to all of the ACT Government, providing quicker and easier access to corporate information, services and products and significantly reducing the need for printing and paper forms.

I would like to thank all CMTEDD staff for their dedication and hard work during the past financial year and look forward to continuing to work with the directorate’s staff over the next year.

Kathy Leigh
Director-General