Chapter 2—Agency overview

Governance framework

Figure 2 outlines the governance framework in place for Old Parliament House at the end of 2008–09.

Figure 2 Governance framework at 30 June 2009

A diagram illustrates the governance framework for Old Parliament House. From the bottom: Old Parliament House (Director: Ms Jenny Anderson) is governed by the Old Parliament House Advisory Council (Chair: Mr William McInnes). Both are governed by the Cabinet Secretary and Special Minister of State (Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig). The Cabinet Secretary and Special Minister of State is governed by the Parliament of Australia.

Portfolio and responsible minister

Since it reopened in 1992, Old Parliament House has been administered by a range of Australian Government agencies and departments. In 2007–08, its management was a responsibility of the former Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) until 3 December 2007, then the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) until 30 June 2008.

In July 2008, Old Parliament House was established as an Executive Agency of the Commonwealth, located within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio, with Senator the Hon John Faulkner, the then Cabinet Secretary and Special Minister of State, as responsible minister.

Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig became the responsible minister when he was appointed as Cabinet Secretary and Special Minister of State on 8 June 2009.

Members of the Advisory Council and Senior Management stand for a photograph in the grounds of Old Parliament House
Image: Advisory Council and Senior Management. (L–R) Mr Fred Brenchley, Dr Jane Lennon, Ms Kate Cowie, Mr William McInnes (Chair), Mr Geoff Pryor, the Hon Paul Calvert, the Hon Susan Ryan (Deputy Chair), Mr Peter Rush, Mr Andrew Harper, Ms Jenny Anderson. (Absent: Dr John Byron). Photo Chalk Studio

Advisory Council

The Advisory Council (previously known as the Governing Council) was established in 1997 to provide expert advice to the minister and senior management on the role, functions and activities of Old Parliament House. The council met five times in 2008–09.

The guidelines for the council’s operation were revised during the year. While the essential role of the council had not changed, the original constitution had not been thoroughly reviewed since its establishment. The changes in the agency’s role and administration therefore presented an opportunity to refresh the document. Council members provided input into the development of a new charter, which received ministerial approval in January 2009.

Council members are appointed by the minister. In November 2008, the term of the council’s long-serving Chair, the Rt Hon Doug Anthony, a former deputy prime minister, expired. In February 2009, Mr William McInnes, an author and actor, commenced a three-year appointment as Chair. Appendix B details the council’s membership at 30 June 2009.

Executive Management Group

The Director and the two Deputy Directors form the agency’s Executive Management Group.

Ms Jenny Anderson was appointed Director on 1 July 2008 for a two-year term. She has the responsibilities of the Head of an Executive Agency as set out in s.66 of the Public Service Act 1999. These include managing the agency, and ensuring that the operations and administration of the agency are accountable to the government, parliament and public.

Mr Andrew Harper, the Deputy Director, Corporate and Heritage, is primarily responsible for activities relevant to the delivery of Output 1.1, which cover:

  • corporate governance, including internal audit, risk management, fraud control, and business continuity
  • finance services and procurement
  • information and communications technology
  • human resource management
  • occupational health and safety
  • support for the Advisory Council
  • heritage management, including meeting obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
  • the conservation, security and upkeep of the building, including capital works
  • management of the collection
  • tenant liaison and contracts.

Ms Kate Cowie, the Deputy Director, Exhibitions, Research and Programs, is primarily responsible for activities relevant to the delivery of Output 1.2, which cover:

  • collection development
  • development and delivery of exhibitions, interpretive activities, tours, education programs, online content and visitor services and programs
  • development and implementation of the Museum of Australian Democracy initiatives, including the Australian Prime Ministers Centre and associated scholarship programs
  • marketing
  • management of the volunteers program.

Corporate services

DEWHA provided transitional corporate support services until 31 October 2008. Since 1 November 2008, Old Parliament House has implemented independent corporate support and governance arrangements, including:

  • corporate governance policies and operational procedures in areas such as occupational health and safety, audit, business continuity, fraud control and risk management
  • human resource services
  • payroll services, provided through the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s contracted supplier
  • a financial management and reporting system
  • information technology services, provided through a memorandum of understanding with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

More detail on these arrangements can be found in the ‘Management and accountability’ chapter.

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