Local Jobs First
The Local Jobs First Act 2003, introduced in August 2018, brings together the Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP) and Major Project Skills Guarantee (MPSG) policy which was previously administered separately.
The Authority is required to apply the Local Jobs First policy to all metropolitan Melbourne or state-wide projects valued at $3 million or more, or any regional Victoria projects valued at $1 million or more.
The Authority undertook no projects subject to the Act during the 2019-20 reporting period.
Government advertising expenditure
In 2019-20, there was one government advertising campaign with total media spend of $100,000 or greater (exclusive of GST). This advertising campaign was primarily targeted at eligible employers to raise their awareness of obligations under the Scheme. The campaign incurred a total of $160,000 (excl. GST).
Consultancy expenditure
Details of consultancies (valued at $10,000 or greater)
In 2019-20, there was one consultancy where the total fees payable to the consultants were $10,000 or greater.
The total expenditure incurred during 2019-20 in relation to these consultancies is $127,000 (excl. GST).
Details of consultancies under $10,000
In 2019-20, there were no consultancies engaged during the year, where the total fees payable to the individual consultancies was less than $10,000.
The total expenditure incurred during 2019-20 in relation to these consultancies was nil.
Information and communication technology expenditure
Information and communication technology (ICT) expenditure refers to the Authority’s costs in providing business enabling ICT services within the current reporting period.
For the 2019-20 reporting period, the Authority had a total ICT expenditure of $0.5 million. It comprises Business as Usual (BAU) ICT expenditure and Non-Business as Usual (Non-BAU) ICT expenditure. Non-BAU ICT expenditure relates to extending or enhancing the Authority’s current ICT capabilities. BAU ICT expenditure is all remaining ICT expenditure that primarily relates to ongoing activities to operate and maintain the current ICT capability.
Disclosure of major contracts
The Authority did not award any major contracts valued above $10 million or more during 2019-20.
Freedom of information
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 allows the public a right of access to documents held by the Authority.
Information about the type of material produced by the Authority is available on its website under the Part II Information Statement.
During the 2019-20 financial year, the Authority received no applications.
Access to documents may be obtained through a written request to the Freedom of Information Officer, as detailed in s17 of the Act.
Making a request
FOI requests can be lodged online at ovic.vic.gov.au. An application fee of $29.60 applies. Access charges may also be payable if the document pool is large, and the search for material time consuming.
Access to documents can also be obtained through a written request to the Authority’s Freedom of Information Officer, as detailed in s17 of the Act.
When making an FOI request, applicants should ensure requests are in writing, and clearly identify what types of material/documents are being sought.
Requests for documents in the possession of the Authority should be addressed to:
Attn: Freedom of Information Officer
Portable Long Service Benefits Authority
Level1, 56-60 King Street
Bendigo VIC 3550
Requests can also be lodged online at ovic.vic.gov.au.
Further information
Access charges may also apply once documents have been processed and a decision on access is made for example, photocopying and search and retrieval charges. Further information regarding Freedom of Information can be found at ovic.vic.gov.au.
Compliance with the Building Act 1993
The Authority does not own or control any government buildings and consequently is exempt from notifying its compliance with the building and maintenance provisions of the Building Act 1993.
The Authority met all relevant compliance provisions of the Building Act 1993 (Vic) in our building and maintenance activities during the year.
Competitive neutrality policy
The Authority does not provide services that compete with the private sector and is therefore not subject to the requirements of the Victorian Competitive Neutrality Policy or subsequent reforms.
Compliance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012 (previously known as the Protected Disclosure Act 2012) was amended by the Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment (Public Interest Disclosures, Oversight and Independence) Act 2019 which came into operation on 1 January 2020. The Act encourages and assists people in making disclosures of improper conduct by public officers and public bodies. The Act provides protection to people who make disclosures in accordance with the Act and establishes a system for the matters disclosed to be investigated and rectifying action to be taken.
The Authority encourages its officers and members of the public to report known or suspected incidences of improper conduct and detrimental action.
Disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action by the Authority or any of its employees and/or officers must be made directly to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission:
Level 1, North Tower, 459 Collins Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Phone: 1300 735 135
Internet: https://ibac.vic.gov.au
During the year 2019-20, there were zero assessable disclosures made by an individual to the Authority and notified to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.
Compliance with the Carers Recognition Act 2012
To the extent applicable, the Authority has taken all practical measures to comply with obligations under the Carers Recognition Act 2012. These include:
- ensuring our staff have an awareness and understanding of the care relationship principles set out in the Act.
- considering the care relationships principles set out in the Act when setting policies and providing services.
- promoting the availability of flexible work arrangements and providing resources to effectively support this.
- providing support to all staff through the Employee Assistance Program.
- increasing awareness of the flexible work arrangements and special leave arrangements available to staff during the COVID-19 pandemic to support home schooling and caring responsibilities.
Compliance with the Disability Act 2006
The Authority acknowledges the importance of strengthening the rights of people with a disability. We are committed to creating and maintaining an accessible and inclusive environment for all people with a disability who come into contact with the Authority, whether as employees, stakeholders or members of the public more generally.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet developed a comprehensive Disability Action Plan 2017–20 which informs the Authority’s policies ensuring we remain responsive to the needs of people with a disability.
Office-based environmental impacts
The Authority’s two offices maximise natural light, with electronics, lighting and heating and cooling turned off each evening.
Staff are encouraged to avoid printing where possible and senior staff members have been provided with devices to assist with this initiative.
In addition, the implementation of “Follow Me” printing allows us to undertake usage reporting, apply print policies organisation-wide and solve mobile printing issues while also reducing waste, saving on average, 30% of wasted print jobs sent by mistake.
All office waste systems across both of our locations are segregated, reducing the amount of recyclable material directed to landfill.
Authority staff are strongly encouraged to adopt “green commuting” through active or public transport when undertaking business activities, particularly when travelling between our Bendigo and Melbourne locations.
Subsequent events
There are no post balance date events that materially affect the Authority’s 2019-20 financial statements.
Additional information
The Authority’s published reports and documents are available online at the PLSA homepage.
Any relevant information in relation to the financial year is retained by the Accountable Officer and is available on request subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
Attestation for financial management compliance with Standing Direction 5.1.4
Portable Long Service Authority Financial Management Compliance Attestation Statement
I Julius Roe, on behalf of the Responsible Body, certify that the Portable Long Service Authority has no Material Compliance Deficiency with respect to the applicable Standing Directions under the Financial Management Act 1994 and Instructions.
_______________________________________________
Julius Roe
Chair, Governing Board
Portable Long Service Benefits Authority
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