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On track with Defence Priorities

Six months down the track, and despite a number of changes in personnel, some key areas of focus remain on the agenda for Defence's senior leadership.

These key priorities were summarised in the Defence Priorities 2005 document released to the Senior Leadership Group by the Chief of the Defence Force and the Secretary earlier this year. The fact that the Priorities document did not replace or overtake other more complex planning and strategic guidance processes in Defence was emphasised.

Described as a "concise and plain English" document and as a "very practical application of achieving alignment with Government", the Defence Priorities 2005 was released at the SLG Summit in February. They were also showcased in the February edition of the Defence magazine.

The recent Recall Day for Defence's senior leaders provided an opportunity to reaffirm, but also to highlight that substantial progress has been made against, the priorities announced earlier in the year.

In particular, the three overarching themes of the Defence Priorities 2005 were again reinforced. Those themes are extending our military excellence, excellence in management and enhancing Defence's policy standing.

It was noted by many speakers that the new Defence leadership team could expect many challenges, but also opportunities, in continuing to build on the momentum that was starting to mount under these key themes. It was also noted that the accountable officers listed for each of the Defence Priorities had contributed to a consolidated progress report for distribution to senior leaders.

Progress against each of these key themes has included:

Extend our military excellence

  • Operational commitments continue to build on the Australian Defence Force's (ADF's) impressive international reputation. Notable recent examples include the preparation and deployment of the Al Muthanna Task Group, and the final activities of our peacekeeping troops in East Timor after a sustained commitment.
  • Joint Offshore Protection Command (JOPC) has been established and is working effectively under the joint ADF and Customs command arrangements. The JOPC Headquarters was officially opened by the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, and the Minister for Defence, Senator Robert Hill, on 30 March 2005.
  • Work on the improvement of stocktaking and other elements of Defence logistics systems continues. This is critical work in support of the broader financial reform agenda across Defence.
  • Significant milestones have been achieved in a range of major new capability projects.
  • The inaugural Defence Capability Development Manual was released in February to provide clear guidance to Defence staff in the development of capability proposals for Government consideration and approval.
  • Concept development work is on schedule for considering a range of options for the establishment of a Joint Combined Training Centre
  • Defence Science and Technology Organisation is contributing to whole-of-Government counter-terrorism efforts, including significant research commitments and support and consultancy services for Commonwealth and State agencies.

Develop Excellence in Management

  • The Defence Workforce Plan provides guidance on distribution of the Defence workforce and identifies the most significant workforce pressures and risks to achieving Defence workforce strength and competency requirements. The Defence People Plan sets the priorities for the work of the Defence People Committee in the coming year by focussing its attention on addressing the identified risks.
  • The launch on 29 June of the Defence Financial Controls Framework project by the Secretary and the CDF signalled a firm commitment to transforming the financial management environment in Defence over the next five years. This project, under the Chief Finance Officer's leadership, will be a key enabler of the vision for Defence to be recognised by Government as highly competent, professional and business-like financial managers within the next five years. It encompasses the standardisation of financial processes, reporting and data requirements, a financial staff certification strategy and a change management program. A Financial Training Branch, to drive and implement a financial training strategy in conjunction with the Defence Personnel Executive, has also been established.
  • The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) was prescribed under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 Act on 1 July 2005.
  • DMO is implementing a Program Managers Certification Framework, centrally establishing and managing a pool of project managers and standardising processes based on best practice through the use of a corporate Quality Management System.
  • The Corporate Services and Infrastructure Group (CSIG) Business Improvement Project has identified a number of opportunities for improving the quality of services delivered by CSIG whilst also contributing to the Program of Administrative Savings. Notable project milestones to date include the launch of the 1800 Defence contact line, CSIG On-line and Customer Service Centres, introduction of the Defence Travel Card and the implementation of an Invoice Scanning & Imaging System.
  • The Chief Information Officer Group has implemented changed organisational arrangements and other recommendations arising from a Boston Consulting Group study. A detailed governance model is expected to be in place by September 2005.

Enhance our Policy Standing

  • A new strategic review (Defence Strategic Update 2005) is expected to be considered by Government in October. Defence is also revising Australia's Military Strategy.
  • A range of significant initiatives are underway to enhance the United States (US) Alliance relationship and ensure a consistent and mutually reinforcing policy. These initiatives include identifying key issues for discussion at the next Australia-US Ministerial Meeting, the Defence International Engagement Plan exchange with the PACOM Theatre Security Cooperation Plan and work on joint training initiatives.
  • A number of reviews are being undertaken by Strategy Group, relating to Defence Cooperation, with the first of the reviews to be finalised soon.
  • Progress on strengthening Defence export controls includes enhancements to key capabilities, supporting information systems and resources, and initiating an internal review of export control legislation.
  • In the intelligence arena, implementation of the Flood Report recommendations continues with all recommendations to be implemented by December 2005.
  • Work has commenced to provide greater recognition and management of strategic policy development as a component of the Defence workforce.

Compiled by Harry Baxter

View the Defence Priorities 2005 [PDF document, will open in a new window]

Syndicate activities at the Senior Leadership Group Recall Day

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