DMO Accountability

Defence acquisitions projects are by their nature challenging. They are technically complex and involve long lead times.

The DMO manages nationally significant projects that are un-paralleled in their size, cost, timescale, risk profile and level of technological complexity. DMO’s core business is to deliver cutting edge capabilities to the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The DMO is committed to ongoing reform as a means of delivering equipment and sustainment to the ADF on time, on budget and to the required capability, safety and quality.

Detailed information is available to the Parliament and the public through the Defence Capability Plan, the Department’s annual Portfolio Budget Statement - listing major projects expected to be approved in the coming financial year - and the Defence Annual Report.

The DMO now has a separate annual reporting requirement and from the Financial Year 2005-2006 the DMO report is a separate (second) volume to the Defence Annual Report.

DMO performance is also regularly assessed by external organisations such as the Australian National Audit Office.

Below are several useful links:

Accountability Links

Release of DMO Business-Like Culture Plan - 13 November ^pdf
Defence Capability Plan 2009: Public Version
The Defence Capability Plan 2009: Public Version provides an account of Major Capital Equipment proposals that are currently planned for Government consideration (either first or second pass approval) in the period 2009-2013.
The Public DCP 2009 builds on the Government’s commitment to keep industry abreast of Defence’s acquisition planning so that it can effectively perform its role as a crucial component of our national Defence capability.
Mortimer Review report 'Going to the Next Level' (Sept 2008) ^ext
A review of the Defence Materiel Organisation and the effectiveness of Australia's defence procurement systems conducted by Mr David Mortimer AO.
Government Response to the Mortimer Review (May 2009) ^ext
Implementing Mortimer Reforms in DMO - Fact Sheet (May 2009) ^pdf
Portfolio Budget Statements 2009-10 ^ext
Saturday, 9 May 2009
The purpose of the Portfolio Budget Statements 2009-10 is to inform Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to government outcomes, by agencies, within the portfolio.
Defence and DMO Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements 2008-09 ^ext
Friday, 5 December 2008
The purpose of the Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements is to outline additional funding requirements being sought by Defence and explain the variation between the Budget and Additional Estimates.
DMO 2007-08 Major Projects Report (MPR) ^pdf
(4.09 mb)
Friday, 31 October 2008
A key DMO accountability document, the DMO 2007-08 Major Projects Report (MPR) provides additional transparency on the status of nine major capital acquisition projects selected to form the MPR 'pilot' program, and demonstrates their progress against cost, schedule and capability performance as at 30 June 2008. The ANAO Report No.9 - Defence Materiel Organisation Major Projects Report 2007-08 contains the independent Auditor General review covering the DMO MPR, and can be accessed here.
Portfolio Budget Statements 2008-09 ^ext
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
The purpose of the Portfolio Budget Statements 2008-09 is to inform Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to government outcomes, by agencies, within the portfolio.
Defence Annual Reports ^ext
Annual reports and portfolio budget and additional estimates statements are the principal formal accountability mechanisms between government, departments and the Parliament.
Defence Procurement Review 2003 (Kinnaird Review) ^pdf
(5.61 mb)
Thursday, 18 September 2003
Senate Inquiry Into Materiel Acquisition and Management in Defence ^ext
Thursday, 27 March 2003
ANAO Audit Reports ^ext
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) is a specialist public sector practice providing audit services to the Parliament and Commonwealth public sector agencies and statutory bodies. This link provides access to audit reports for the Department of Defence by agency.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute ^ext
ASPI's aim is to promote Australia's security by contributing fresh ideas to strategic decision-making, and by helping to inform public discussion of strategic and Defence issues. ASPI was established in August 2001 and is partially funded by the Australian Government as an independent, non-partisan policy institute.
Pre DMO Formation Accountability Links
Click on the above link to access links to documents published prior to the formation of the Defence Materiel Organisation.