Appendix B: Other management matters | Annual Report 2017-18

Grants

Information on grants awarded by the Department of Finance during the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018 is available on our website, finance.gov.au.

Disability reporting

The National Disability Strategy 2010–2020 sets out a 10-year national policy framework for improving the lives of people with disability, promoting participation and creating a more inclusive society. A key initiative of the strategy is the introduction of a periodic high-level report tracking progress against each of the six outcome areas of the strategy for people with disability in Australia. The reports use trend data based on the six outcome areas of the strategy, and are available on the Department of Social Services website.

Freedom of information

Entities subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982

are required to publish information to the public as part of the Information Publication Scheme. This requirement is in Part II of the Act and has replaced the former requirement to publish a section 8 statement in an annual report. Each agency must display on its website a plan showing what information it publishes in accordance with the scheme’s requirements. The department’s plan is available on the

Finance website at https://www.finance.gov.au/foi/information_publication_scheme.html.

Members of the public can provide comments on the department’s information publication plan through the freedom of information coordinator.

Advertising and market research

Under section 311A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, Finance is required to disclose payments for advertising and market research that are over the reportable threshold of $13,500 (GST inclusive).

During 2017–18, Finance’s total reportable expenditure for advertising and market research was $222,105.76 (see Table B1).

While Finance also manages whole-of-government campaign and non-campaign advertising contracts, the lead agency responsible for such contracts reports the relevant expenditure.

Table B1: Advertising and market research expenditure, 2017–18