THE FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION PORTFOLIO

Our Ministers

The Department serves:

• the Minister for Finance and Administration—overall responsibility for the Portfolio including the Budget; outsourcing of relevant Government functions; public sector superannuation; non-Defence property portfolio; purchasing policy; Office of Asset Sales and Information Technology Outsourcing; Remuneration Tribunal and the Commonwealth Grants Commission;
  
  
• the Special Minister of State—responsibilities include the Australian Electoral Commission; M&PS; Comcover; COMCAR; Australian Procurement and Construction Council and Government Information;
  
  
• the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration—responsibilities include public sector accounting reform; consideration of Act of Grace financial assistance and waiver of recovery of debts; Commonwealth property management relating to Lands Acquisition Act 1989; liaison with Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and the Australian Antarctic Southern Ocean Profiling Project.

Legislation administered by the Portfolio can be found on the Finance website:

www.finance.gov.au/publications/legislation/legislation.html

Portfolio Responsibilities

The Finance and Administration Portfolio is diverse. The Portfolio's principal responsibilities, including those in the Administrative Arrangement Order of 17 December 1998, include:

• Budget policy advice and process, and review of governmental programmes;
  
  
• Government financial accountability, governance and financial management frameworks;
  
  
• shareholder advice on Government Business Enterprises;
  
  
• general policy guidelines for Commonwealth statutory authorities;
  
  
• superannuation for Commonwealth employees;
  
  
• asset sales and information technology (IT) outsourcing;
  
  
• Government information;
  
  
• natural disaster relief in the form of financial assistance to the States and Territories;
  
  
• strategic property management in Australia and overseas, including acquisition and disposal of real property;
  
  
• responsibility for Commonwealth public works policy;
  
  
• procurement policy and services (including contracting out, removals and disposals);
  
  
• electoral matters;
  
  
• administration of Parliamentarians' entitlements;
  
  
• administrative support for Royal Commissions and certain other inquiries;
  
  
• competitive tendering and contracting;
  
  
• Service Charters.

Other Portfolio Agencies

Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)

The AEC provides the Australian people with a fair, equitable and independent electoral service through its conduct of elections and referendums; the maintenance of the Commonwealth electoral roll; and the provision of electoral information and education programmes for the community. The Commission also supports Australian foreign policy through the provision of effective international electoral assistance.

In accordance with section 17 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the Australian Electoral Commission produces its own annual report.

AEC website: www.aec.gov.au
Telephone: (02) 6271 4411

Office of Asset Sales and Information Technology Outsourcing (OASITO)

The OASITO is responsible for the sale of major Commonwealth business assets; the implementation of the outsourcing of information technology infrastructure services for Commonwealth budget sector agencies; and assistance with the market testing of relevant activities and services commencing with corporate services (other than IT) that agencies are currently undertaking.

During 2000–01, the implementation of the outsourcing of information technology infrastructure services for Commonwealth Budget sector agencies was devolved to Department and Agency Heads following the Government's acceptance of recommendations from the Humphry Review. In accordance with this decision, effective from 1 July 2001, OASITO is to be known as the Office of Asset Sales and Commercial Support (OASACS).

As required by section 70 of the Public Service Act 1999, the OASITO produces its own annual report.

OASITO website: www.oasacs.gov.au
Telephone: (02) 6208 9100

Commonwealth Grants Commission (CGC)

The CGC operates under the Commonwealth Grants Commission Act 1973. It responds to terms of reference provided by the Minister for Finance and Administration. The main task of the CGC is to recommend the allocation of Goods and Services Tax revenue and health care grants to the States and Territories. The recommendations based on the principle that each State and Territory should have the financial capacity to provide government services of the same standard as the other States and Territories, if it makes the same effort to raise revenue and operates at the same level of efficiency. From time to time, the Commission is also required to report on the finances of Australia's external Territories, on local government matters and the regional distribution of the Commonwealth's funding for Indigenous Australians.

As required by section 63 of the Public Service Act 1999, the CGC produces its own annual report.

CGC website: www.cgc.gov.au
Telephone: (02) 6229 8800

Commonwealth Superannuation Administration (ComSuper)

ComSuper administers four superannuation schemes: the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme; the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme; the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme; and the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme. ComSuper provides superannuation administration services to scheme members over the 'lifetime' of their membership. ComSuper also provides direct support services to the Boards of Trustees of the various schemes, including accounting and secretariat functions.

In accordance with relevant statutory requirements, ComSuper produces its own annual report.

ComSuper website: www.comsuper.gov.au
Telephone: (02) 6252 7911