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Publications
Department of the Environment
Commonwealth of Australia 1998
ISSN 1032-3465
The full report is available as a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view it.
If you are unable to access this document, please contact Environment Australia to organise a suitable alternative format.
Welcome to the Department of the Environment's 1997-98 Annual Report. This annual report centres on reporting program performance and the achievement of program objectives for the Department.
Part A provides charts setting out the program structure, senior management and the relationship between programs, divisions and branches of the Department. A table providing a reconciliation between programs and appropriations for 1997-98, and a summary table identifying aggregate financial and staffing resources data, are also included.
In Part B, the performance reports for each departmental program provide details of major issues and significant achievements in which each program played a key role in 1997-98. Sub-program 4.1 provides a summary of key developments relating to internal and external scrutiny, and social justice and equity.
Financial statements for the Department are in Part C. The appendixes to the report, in Part D, include statistical information and the annual reports of the Director of National Parks and Wildlife and the Supervising Scientist for the Alligator Rivers Region.
A list of the material relating to the operation of the Department which is not included in the annual report but which is available on request is provided on page 335.
Following a change in the Administration Arrangements Order in October 1997, the Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories became the Department of the Environment. The Sport function was transferred to the Department of Industry, Science and Tourism. The Territories and Local Government functions were transferred to the Department of Transport and Regional Development.
Reporting on these functions is therefore not included in this report.
The Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) was formally created in April 1998, and operates as a separate agency within the environment portfolio. A report on the operations of the AGO since its establishment is at section 1.2 of Part B. In future years it is expected that a separate report on the operations of the AGO will be produced. A copy of the financial statements for the AGO is at Appendix 12.
The annual report has been prepared in accordance with the reporting requirements for all Commonwealth departments and agencies.
A new requirement is the reporting of progress with Service Charters.
In accordance with the Government's Service Charter initiative for Commonwealth bodies, the Department completed the development of a Service Charter for Environment Australia by 30 June 1998.
The published Environment Australia Service Charter conforms to charter development principles and meets the whole-of-government reporting requirements. During 1998-99, client service statements for key functions which have a direct impact on the public will be developed.
The Bureau of Meteorology, the Antarctic Division and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority also undertook to develop Service Charters by 30 June 1998.
