Defence

Cover Story

Extend–Develop–Focus–Enhance
Defence Priorities 2006–07

Defence Priorities for 2006–07 were launched at the recent Senior Leadership Group (SLG) Recall Day on 4 August 2006. Katharina Chase explains.

Reinforcing transparency and accountability

Our 2006–07 priorities focus on four overarching themes of continued improvement that provide context and
visibility to our key Defence activities. The priorities reflect the most significant expectations of the Secretary
and Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) and are aligned to those of the Minister and the Government.

The shift this year to developing our priorities on a financial-year basis provides better alignment with the Defence planning process and imperatives.

Accountability and transparency will be strengthened by reforms currently under way to tightly link the Priorities
with key performance indicators in each Group’s Organisation Performance Arrangements (OPA). Groups will be required to report regularly to the Defence Committee on their progress against the Defence Priorities and other issues identified within their OPAs.

A new theme

In 2005 we had three themes:

• to extend the Australian Defence Force’s military excellence, and to continue to deliver on our agreed
  operational commitments here and around the world;
• to strive for excellence in management and administration, beyond its present standards to a new level of corporate excellence
• to raise our profile and effectiveness and enhance our policy standing, in an increasingly complex and
  contestable decision-making environment.

This year a fourth theme, focus on our people, has been added to reflect the importance of people, strong leadership, values-based behaviours, recruitment and retention, and cultural reform.

The Secretary sees looking after our people as the most important aspect of running the organisation, as he says
in his article in this issue of Defence magazine.

‘Defence individuals, both military and civilian, are the most important factors in the success of our department.’

CDF has also highlighted the importance of looking after our people and focusing on values during his speech at the SLG Recall Day.

‘In terms of my priorities, values will continue to be right up there. I want to see values-based leadership right across the organisation,’ he said.

‘You all know people are my number one priority, and again I would submit that the reason we’re doing as well as we are doing is because of the high quality of our people.’

Applying the priorities

Each theme has listed below it a number of initiatives providing more specific goals for 2006–07. They include a mix of enduring objectives that shape a range of activities across Defence as a whole, and some specific projects requiring more immediate attention.

The various groups and services responsible for implementing specific initiatives for 2006–07 are already hard at work in these areas. This month’s edition of Defence magazine provides a glimpse of just some of the ways in which Defence is working towards achieving the priorities in the Defence Support Group, Personnel Executive, and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation.

ENHANCE OUR POLICY STANDING

Work effectively within Defence and across government to deliver high quality, coordinated advice to Government.

SPECIFIC INITIATIVES IN 2006–7

Deliver strategic guidance and direction through the strategy planning framework

Accountable Officer: DEPSEC S

Better integrate Defence and whole-of-government national security policy development and implementation

Accountable Officer: DEPSEC S

Enhance the US alliance, improve access to US technology, develop cooperative initiatives and influence US activities in our region

Accountable Officers: DEPSEC S, CCDG

Strengthen regional Defence cooperation

Accountable Officer: DEPSEC S

Strengthen Defence Industry Policy

Accountable Officer: CEO DMO

Enhance DSTO’s leading role in technology development for national security

Accountable Officer: CDS

EXTEND OUR MILITARY EXCELLENCE

Provide a balanced, networked, deployable force staffed by dedicated and professional people that excels at joint, interagency and coalition operations.

SPECIFIC INITIATIVES IN 2006–7

Succeed in joint, combined operations as directed by Government

Accountable Officer: VCDF/CJOPS

Deliver prepared forces

Accountable Officers: CN, CA, CAF

Deliver against a balanced, affordable Defence Capability Plan

Accountable Officers: CCDG, CEO DMO

Implement new C2 arrangements

Accountable Officer: VCDF/CJOPS

Ensure compatible and reliable information infrastructure to support military operations

Accountable Officer: CIO

Implement government agreed initiatives to enhance the Army

Accountable Officer: CA

Maximise DSTO’s effectiveness in the delivery of projects.

Accountable Officer: CDS

Ensure intelligence processes provide effective support for Defence Capabilities, Planning and Operations

Accountable Officer: DEPSEC I&S

FOCUS ON OUR PEOPLE

Lead our people and empower them to achieve results. Demonstrate behaviours in line with our values. Build a caring and positive organisational culture for our people.

SPECIFIC INITIATIVES IN 2006–7

Implement agreed Military Justice reforms

Accountable Officer: HMJIT

Implement our comprehensive strategy for recruitment and retention

Accountable Officer: HDPE

Align performance management processes with Defence objectives and values

Accountable Officer: HDPE

Develop common education and training standards

Accountable Officer: HDPE

Implement agreed training culture reforms

Accountable Officer: HDPE

DEVELOP EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENT

Manage our resources to deliver efficient and effective support for the ADF. Enhance personal responsibility and transparency in decisions and actions.

SPECIFIC INITIATIVES IN 2006–7

Achieve milestones for financial reforms (controls framework) implementation

Accountable Officer: CFO

Manage the 2006-07 Budget to optimise ADF capability and Develop the 2007–08 Budget and 2007–17 DMFP

Accountable Officer: CFO

Maximise efficiency and effectiveness of Defence support in conjunction with the Defence Business Improvement
Board

Accountable Officer: DEPSEC DS

Deliver the agreed Force Disposition outcomes

Accountable Officer: DEPSEC DS

Improve asset management and reporting in the joint logistic system

Accountable Officer: CJLOG

More information and a PDF version of the Defence Priorities 2006–07 is available on the Intranet at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/cpa/manual/cgr/intcomm/priorities.htm.

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