Department of the Environment and Water Resources annual report 2006–07
Volume one
Department of the Environment and Water Resources, 2007
ISSN 1441-9335
Executive summary (continued)
Organisation overview
Portfolio overview
As at 30 June 2007 the Australian Government's environment and water resources portfolio comprised:
- the Department of the Environment and Water Resources, formerly the Department of the Environment and Heritage
- four prescribed agencies under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997—the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, National Water Commission, Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator and the Bureau of Meteorology
- two Commonwealth statutory authorities under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997—the Director of National Parks and Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
This annual report only covers the performance of the Department of the Environment and Water Resources. Portfolio agencies and Commonwealth statutory authorities report separately to the parliament on their performance.
Portfolio minister and assistant minister
The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP was appointed Minister for the Environment and Water Resources in January 2007 and the Hon John Cobb MP was appointed Assistant Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Prior to this, Senator the Hon Ian Campbell, was Minister for the Environment and Heritage from July 2004 to January 2007 and the Hon Greg Hunt MP was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage.
Departmental overview
The Australian Government Department of the Environment and Water Resources develops and implements national policy, programmes and legislation to ensure the protection, conservation and sustainable use of Australia's natural environment, water resources and cultural heritage.
As at 30 June 2007 the department was made up of 14 divisions. Each division's roles and responsibilities are described at the beginning of relevant chapters of the report. The names and responsibilities of the department's deputy secretaries and first assistant secretaries are shown in the organisation chart.
The department has offices in Canberra, Hobart and Darwin.
Roles and functions of the department
The department addresses matters of national environmental significance, water resource management and Australia's Antarctic interests by:
- advising the Australian Government on its policies and programmes for the protection, conservation and use of the environment, water resources and heritage
- administering environment, water resource and heritage laws, including the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- managing the Australian Government's environment, climate change, water resource and heritage programmes including the $10 billion National Plan for Water Security, $3 billion Natural Heritage Trust, and $3.4 billion package of measures to respond to climate change
- working with government, industry, community stakeholders and international forums to protect and conserve the environment, improve the sustainable management and efficient use of water resources, and implement an effective response to climate change.
Approach
In its work the department looks for whole-of-government solutions that are efficient, equitable and feasible based on:
- a comprehensive understanding of the environmental, economic and social dimensions of the issues being addressed, underpinned by high quality science and information
- carrying out the Australian Government's environment, climate change, water resource and heritage policies and programmes to deliver outcomes consistent with the government's economic and social objectives
- adopting economic, regulatory or administrative instruments that can effectively target problems
- cooperating across all levels of government, and with industry, international partners and the community.
In this section
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