I am delighted to introduce my first annual report as Secretary of the Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS). The FaCS of today is a very different department since its inception in 1998. There are significant challenges ahead as the department adjusts to the fundamental changes to its structure and functions following the last election. FaCS is the largest spending Australian Government department, and one that affects the lives of many Australians, including some of the most disadvantaged. We have a responsibility to provide quality policy advice to government so that we can continue to improve the lives of all Australians.
The machinery of government changes following the October 2004 Federal Election gave FaCS new roles and responsibilities. In addition, a new focus on a whole-of-government approach to welfare, Indigenous issues and support for families means we must build strong and effective relationships with departments such as the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, the new Department of Human Services, the Department of Education, Science and Training and the Attorney-General’s Department, as well as maintaining close links with other agencies. We must also review and re-define our policy priorities and themes in line with ministerial and government priorities.
FaCS is a strong and vital organisation. I am most impressed with how smoothly and professionally FaCS staff have managed the changes and the challenges to our functions.
Advising the government and implementing its priorities
The government has given me as secretary, and FaCS as a whole, the significant challenge of re-building our organisation. My key priority is to demonstrate that we understand the government’s agenda. Our key responsibility is to provide clear, concise and well-researched advice to the minister against the backdrop of the government’s priorities and philosophy.
During my early period as secretary, I have given much attention to re-structuring and re-defining FaCS so we are able to best meet our role of providing advice to the minister and implementing the government’s policies. This has been enhanced by intensive ongoing dialogue and developing a strong relationship with the minister, the parliamentary secretary and their offices.
Government initiatives to meet the challenges of an ageing population and to build strong families and communities are integral to the new FaCS. This is evident in welfare reforms designed to increase workforce participation. The new Welfare to Work package gives FaCS the important responsibility of working with agencies and stakeholders to provide families with real choices to balance their working arrangements and child care allowing parents to re-enter the workforce.
The year in review
The past year has seen FaCS continue to work hard to ensure that its social policy advice remains relevant to the present circumstances of Australian families, communities and individuals.
The 2004–05 year was a significant one for the department. As well as major changes to the structure and function of FaCS, there was important work undertaken, particularly in the areas of Family Tax Benefit, child care, early childhood programmes and family relationships, including the much awaited Child Support Review. The Asian tsunami in December 2004 saw FaCS take a lead agency role in the domestic response to the disaster. And with the abolition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and the new whole-of-government arrangements for Indigenous programmes, FaCS took on a range of responsibilities to deliver Indigenous services.
Some highlights of these important activities, policies and programmes are outlined in the Achievements—performance insights section of this report.
Key challenges
During the coming year we have many challenges. These include:
- making sure we are an effective player with other portfolios within an administrative framework designed to achieve a whole-of-government approach to a range of issues, particularly in relation to welfare to work and the Indigenous area
- implementing Welfare to Work reforms. We will ensure we implement our responsibilities, particularly in child care, and contribute to the whole-of-government implementation
- helping the government respond to the Child Support Review recommendations outlined in the report In the Best interests of children—reforming the Child Support Scheme. FaCS played an important role in providing secretariat services for the development of the ministerial taskforce report. Our role will continue as we help the government consider the report and develop its response
- helping Indigenous people. The Australian Government’s whole-of-government approach to Indigenous communities gives FaCS responsibility for community housing and infrastructure as well as programmes dealing with family violence. As part of our new responsibilities we have welcomed and integrated new staff working in Indigenous Coordination Centres. We must work effectively with other agencies in the implementation of shared responsibility agreements
- developing our research and analytical expertise to provide robust and evidence-based advice to government. We will continue to foster links with research organisations and universities, and further develop key longitudinal data on households and children
- providing the government with advice on how to best respond to an increasingly ageing population
- implementing 2005 Budget measures to further reduce Family Tax Benefit overpayments
- working with the Attorney General’s Department in the area of support for families and family relationships. FaCS has a strong emphasis on early intervention to help families in times of relationships transition or crisis to achieve the best outcomes for parents and children
- gaining agreement from ministers and state/territory governments to the final National Agenda for Early Childhood Framework.
Our other responsibilities
FaCS remains responsible for helping look after some of the most disadvantaged people in our society. We work towards assisting the homeless, people with disabilities and a range of other needy Australians to participate actively in economic and community life.
Carers also have a special place in our society. While we need to encourage people to be active in the workforce, through paid work and volunteering, there is also a special role for people who care for children or the elderly.
Following the last election we also welcomed the Office for Women, which moved to FaCS from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. This means we can now directly support the Minister in her role as Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women’s Issues. We also have extensive responsibilities for youth and the aged.
Responding to the challenge
Ensuring the new FaCS is highly productive and provides well-formulated information and advice to the government in a professional manner is my key priority as secretary.
To do this we need an internally cohesive organisation with strong leadership. I am impressed by the quality of the people around me, particularly their professionalism and commitment. FaCS has a reputation for being a family-friendly and people-focused organisation. I am convinced that productivity depends on morale, and high morale results from strong leaders who adhere to professional standards of behaviour and who understand their responsibilities to set direction and communicate effectively with staff. We are already demonstrating that we can work effectively with other agencies, and this will continue to improve.
On behalf of my colleagues, I am proud to commend the 2004–05 annual report to you.
Dr Jeff Harmer