Chief Information Officer Group
Governance
Broadly speaking, 'corporate governance' refers to the processes by which organisations are directed, controlled and held to account. It encompasses authority, accountability, stewardship, leadership, direction and control exercised in the organisation.
Accountability is the process whereby public sector organisations, and the individuals within them, are responsible for their decisions and actions… and submit themselves to appropriate external scrutiny. It is achieved by all parties having a clear understanding of those responsibilities, and having clearly defined roles through a robust structure. In effect, accountability is the obligation to answer for a responsibility conferred. This responsibility extends across a range of concerns, including probity and ethics as well as the effective and efficient implementation of programs and encompasses a range of processes.
Governance may be described as the people, policies and processes that provide the framework within which managers make decisions and take actions to optimise outcomes related to their spheres of responsibility.
The principles of good corporate governance are accountability, transparency, integrity, stewardship, leadership and efficiency.
Like all government organisations, Defence has governance arrangements in place to demonstrate to stakeholders that it is performing its duties responsibly and with accountability and the Chief Information Officer Group is no exception.
Stakeholders understand that not only does it have the expertise within the organisation but it has in place the administrative arrangements that will allow it to fulfil its objectives.
Within the Chief Information Officer Group, accountability for the provision of factual or policy information commences with Directorates and progresses through Branch Heads and Division Heads to the Chief Information Officer. The Chief Information Officer is accountable to the Chief of the Defence Force and Secretary of Defence, who in turn are accountable to the Minister, Government, and the Australian public.
Committees
There are committees to oversee various Defence operations and are key elements in Defence's governance framework including:
- Defence Committee is the pre-eminent committee in Defence. Its role is to make decisions that assist in achieving the results specified in the Ministerial Directive to the Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Force.
- The Defence Information Environment Committee advises the Chief Information Officer on the governance of the Defence Information Environment to meet Defence requirements.
- Defence Capability Committee considers and develops options for current and future capability.
- Defence Capability and Investment Committee strengthens independent review by seeking to ensure that resourcing, including capital investment and operating costs, is consistent with the strategic priorities and resourcing strategy of both Government and Defence.
- Defence Audit & Risk Committee (DARC) is a central element of governance in Defence. It provides robust independent advice on all aspects of governance within Defence to Secretary and Chief of Defence Force.
- Defence People Committee provides a strategic focus on, and to be an advocate for, the importance of people in supporting Defence capability.
- Defence Occupational Health and Safety Committee.
Policy
Key policies which Defence must adhere to include:
- Portfolio Budget Statements
- Defence Annual Report
- Defence Procurement Review 2003 (Kinnaird Review) (PDF 672 Kb)
- ANAO Audit Reports
The Chief Information Officer Group's performance is also regularly assessed by external organisations such as the Australian National Audit Office. The ANAO is a specialist public sector practice providing audit services to the Parliament and Commonwealth public sector agencies and statutory bodies.
Key legislation which Defence must comply with includes:
- Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997,
- Financial Management and Accountability Regulations 1997,
- Archives Act 1983,
- Freedom of Information Act 1982,
- Privacy Act 1988,
- Crimes Act 1914,
- Evidence Act 1995,
- Electronic Transactions Act 1999,
- Public Service Act 1999,
- Defence Act 1903,
- WHS Act 2011,
- Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines
For more information please have a look at the Foundations of Governance in the Australian Public Service website.