Report on performance
Outcome 2-Regional outputs and programmes
Output 2.2.1-Services to territories
Highlights |
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The Department successfully put forward new policy proposals for the building of a passenger and freight handling facility on Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and secured funding for the removal of asbestos and demolition of a disused precipitator tower on Christmas Island. The Department prepared and successfully negotiated a collective agreement for administration staff on Christmas Island. The Department hosted a consultative forum of 23 representatives of Aboriginal communities to consider a design concept for a permanent facility at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy site in Canberra. |
Overview-Output 2.2.1-Services to territories
Output 2.2.1 is delivered by the Territories and Local Government business division.
Under Output 2.2.1, the Department provides services to all populated Australian territories: the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, Norfolk Island, the Jervis Bay Territory and the Indian Ocean Territories. The Department also administers the laws governing the uninhabited territories of Ashmore and Cartier Islands and the Coral Sea Islands.
The Department assists the territories to manage their own current and future affairs, manages the Australian Government's interests in the territories and, in the absence of a state or territory government, ensures that appropriate services are effectively delivered to non-self governing territories.
The output includes 11 administered programmes:
- Christmas Island phosphate mining rehabilitation;
- Norfolk Island-preservation and maintenance of Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (KAVHA);
- Norfolk Island-refurbishment of Kingston Pier;
- Norfolk Island Memorial for Minister Buffett (environmental trust fund);
- Office of Administrator on Norfolk Island;
- Office of Administrator in Northern Territory;
- Payment to the ACT-assistance for National Capital type functions;
- Payment to the ACT-assistance for water and sewerage services;
- Payment to the ACT-compensation for the effects of National Capital influence on the cost of providing municipal services;
- Services to Indian Ocean Territories (IOTs); and
- Services to Jervis Bay Territory.
Table 4.12 summarises the output's performance in 2006-07.

The map shows the geographical spread of Australia's territories. Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands are as far from Perth as the Antarctic ice cap is from Hobart. (Image DOTARS)
Summary of performance-Output 2.2.1-Services to territories
Table 4.12 Summary of performance-Output 2.2.1
PBS/PAES performance indicators | Results |
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Effectiveness |
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Territories are assisted to manage their own futures |
The Department maintained a presence in the inhabited territories and administered funding to provide services and development opportunities. |
Quality |
|
Australian Government interests in all territories are managed |
The Department maintained representation with territory authorities to manage the Australian Government's interests. |
In the absence of a state or territory government, non-self governing territories are provided with a range of infrastructure and services:
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The Department maintained up-to-date and effective service delivery arrangements and memoranda of understanding with state and local government bodies and private service providers to deliver essential services to communities in non-self governing territories. The delivery criteria required cost and service level parity with similarly remote communities in mainland Australia. Community consultation, particularly in the non-self governing territories, assisted the Department in assessing community needs. |
Territories funding is administered in line with relevant legislation, policies and agreements |
All revenue and expenditure was administered in line with requirements and reported and audited as part of the Department's financial statements. |
Location |
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Self-governing territories: the ACT, Northern Territory and Norfolk Island Non-self-governing territories: Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Jervis Bay Territory Uninhabited territories: Ashmore-Cartier Island and Coral Sea Islands |
Where applicable, the Department consulted with the local government, community groups and/or special interest groups with respect to the delivery of services, infrastructure needs and governance issues in these territories. |
Price |
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$9.3 million |
The actual price of this output in 2006-07 was $10.9 million. |
Overall performance |
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Detailed report on performance- Output 2.2.1-Services to territories
Overview
Reflecting the differences in governance arrangements, economic capacity and culture, each territory is administered in its own unique way. Table 4.13 summarises some of the features that characterise each territory. Accordingly, in the following detailed report on performance, there is a separate response for each territory for each performance indicator.
Table 4.13 Profile of Australia's territories
Territory | Area | Population | Cultural/linguistic features |
---|---|---|---|
Self-governing territories | |||
Australian Capital Territory | 2,358 km2 | 324,034 | - |
Norfolk Island | 35 km2 | 1,863 | - |
Northern Territory | 1,349,129 km2 | 192,898 | 28% indigenous |
Non self-governing territories | |||
Christmas Island | 135 km2 | 1,347 | 60% Chinese-20% Malay |
Cocos (Keeling) Islands | 14 km2 | 571 | 75% Malay |
Coral Sea Islands | 81 km2 | 4 | Transient |
Jervis Bay | 73 km2 | 611 | 40% Indigenous |
Other | |||
Ashmore and Cartier Islands | 5 km2 | Uninhabited | - |
Australian Antarctic Territorya | 5,896,500 km2 | Transient | - |
Heard and McDonald Islandsa | 367 km2 | Uninhabited | - |
All territories | 7,248,694 km2 | 521,790 |
a Australia's antarctic and subantarctic territories are administered by the Department of the Environment and Water Resources. More information is available from that department's website, www.environment.gov.au.
Effectiveness indicators-Output 2.2.1
Territories are assisted to manage their own futures | Australian Capital TerritoryThe Australian Capital Territory is a self-governing territory. In 2006-07 the Department:
Northern TerritoryThe Northern Territory is a self-governing territory. In 2006-07 the Department:
Norfolk IslandNorfolk Island is a self-governing territory located 1,500 kilometres east of Brisbane. As well as administering three Australian Government programmes to benefit the environment and heritage of Norfolk Island in 2006-07, the Department:
The Australian Government also considered alternative governance arrangements for Norfolk Island in 2006 and decided not to proceed with them. Jervis Bay TerritoryThe non-self governing territory of Jervis Bay is located on the New South Wales coast 200 kilometres south of Sydney. In addition to providing state-type services for Jervis Bay in 2006-07, the Department continued to assist the territory by:
Indian Ocean TerritoriesThe non-self governing Indian Ocean Territories (IOTs) comprise Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. In addition to providing state-type services for the IOTs in 2006-07, the Department:
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Table 4.14 Trends in services to territories
2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 estimate | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price of output | $108.1m | $18.5m | $18.1m | $10.9m | $10.8m |
Administered expenses | |||||
Services to Indian Ocean Territories | n/a | $75.2m | $58.0m | $62.9m | $84.3m |
Australian Capital Territory municipal services | $22.1m | $22.5m | $23.0m | $23.5m | $24.0m |
Australian Capital Territory water and sewerage services | $8.9m | $9.1m | $9.3m | $9.4m | $9.6m |
Christmas Island rehabilitation | - | - | $3.7m | $1.1m | $1.0m |
Services to Jervis Bay Territory | - | - | - | $3.5m | $5.1m |
Other | - | $0.3m | $6.0m | $2.7m | $2.6m |
Total cost of services to territories (departmental and administered) | $139.0m | $125.6m | $118.1m | $114.1m | $137.2m |
Quality indicators-Output 2.2.1
Australian Government interests in all territories are managed |
Australian Capital TerritoryIn 2006-07 the Department's role included:
Northern TerritoryThe Department administered funding and support provided to the Northern Territory Administrator when he was acting on behalf of the Australian Government. Norfolk IslandIn addition to advising Australian Government ministers on a range of policy issues related to Norfolk Island during 2006-07, the Department:
Jervis Bay TerritoryThe Department ensured that critical infrastructure and services were provided to the Jervis Bay community. Indian Ocean TerritoriesIn addition to advising Australian Government ministers on a range of policy issues related to the IOTs during 2006-07, the Department:
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In the absence of a state or territory government, non-self governing territories are provided with a range of infrastructure and services:
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Jervis Bay TerritoryIn 2006-07 the Department delivered a range of services to Jervis Bay, including health, education, motor registration, public library and dog control services and utilities such as electricity, water and sewage treatment. In addition, the Department:
Indian Ocean TerritoriesIn 2006-07 the Department provided a range of services to the IOTs, including emergency, health and education and utilities such as ports, airports, power and water. A total of 32 service delivery arrangements were managed between the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government to provide state-level services. The Department also:
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Territories funding is administered in line with relevant legislation, policies and agreements |
The Department administered funds for territories, including all administered programme funds, in line with all relevant legislation, policies and agreements in 2006-07. |
Overall performance
Overall, the Department successfully delivered services worth $103.2 million to assist in the effective management of Australian territories in 2006-07. As Table 4.14 shows, this was similar to last year's total assistance, although there were some differences in the distribution of funds.

Jukongs are a traditional Cocos Malay sailing craft. They were once the main means of transport on the shallow lagoon and have been influenced by both Scottish and Malay watercraft. The jukongs are now raced for ceremonial purposes during the Hari Raya festival, to celebrate the end of Ramadan, and on Self Determination Day. (Photo courtesy of John Jaycock)
Administered programmes-Output 2.2.1-Services to territories
Table 4.15 Summary of performance-Christmas Island phosphate mining rehabilitationa
PBS/PAES performance indicators | Results |
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Effectiveness/Location |
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A robust rehabilitation programme targeting high conservation areas within the Christmas Island National Park |
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Department and Parks Australia continued to provide the strategic programme for rehabilitation services within the Christmas Island National Park. Funding was sourced through a conservation levy charged on phosphate mining tonnage and held in trust by the Department to meet the rehabilitation costs incurred by Parks Australia. |
Quality |
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Rehabilitation of old mine sites on Christmas Island to an agreed standard |
The rehabilitation undertaken by Parks Australia was to the standard outlined in the Christmas Island Rainforest Rehabilitation Programme, as agreed in the MOU. |
Cost |
|
$1.0 million |
The actual cost of this programme in 2006-07 was $1.1 million. Payments are based on rehabilitation work undertaken by Parks Australia. |
Overall performance |
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a Administered programme name modified in the 2007-08 PBS.
Did you know?
Cocos (Keeling) Islands has a population of 571 people and Christmas Island has a population of 1,347 (ABS data 2006 Census). The Indian Ocean Territories have 13 different religions, 10 languages spoken and 14 nationalities.
Table 4.16 Summary of performance-Norfolk Island-preservation and maintenance of Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area
PBS/PAES performance indicators | Results |
---|---|
Effectiveness |
|
Australian Government-owned assets and land within the KAVHA precinct is preserved and maintained in accordance with its heritage values |
The Department worked with and held membership on the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) Management Board to maintain and interpret heritage values on the island. |
Quality |
|
Australian Government funding is managed in accordance with the memorandum of understanding with the Norfolk Island Government |
Funding provided by the Australian Government is managed by the KAVHA Management Board in accordance with the MOU between the Australian and Norfolk Island governments. |
Cost |
|
$0.5 million |
The actual cost of this programme in 2006-07 was $0.5 million. |
Overall performance |
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Table 4.17 Summary of performance-Norfolk Island-refurbishment of Kingston Pier
PBS/PAES performance indicators | Results |
---|---|
Effectiveness |
|
The safety and functionality of the pier is restored in keeping with its heritage valuesa |
The Department administered funds provided to the Norfolk Island Government to stabilise and refurbish the historic Kingston Pier to ensure it remains useable. The pier was officially reopened on 6 March 2007. |
Quality |
|
Payments are administered in line with project progress |
The project was completed within budget and all payments were made on completion of contracted milestones. |
Location |
|
Kingston, Norfolk Island |
The work was undertaken at Kingston, Norfolk Island. |
Cost |
|
$0.3 million |
The actual cost of this programme in 2006-07 was $0.1 million. Project completed under budget. |
Overall performance |
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a Performance indicator modified in the 2007-08 PBS.
Norfolk Island with KAVHA precinct highlighted (Photo DOTARS)
Table 4.18 Summary of performance-Norfolk Island Memorial for Minister Buffett (Environmental Trust Fund)
PBS/PAES performance indicators | Results |
---|---|
Effectiveness/Location |
|
Community groups and individuals are assisted to improve environmental and land management on Norfolk Island |
The Department worked with the Norfolk Island Government and the Australian Government Natural Resources Management Team (drawn from the Department of Environment and Water Resources and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) to administer the Ivens F (Toon) Buffett Environmental Trust Fund. |
Quality |
|
Payments are administered in line with project progress |
The Department collected funds from the sale of Crown land on Norfolk Island and deposited them into the Commonwealth Government Official Public Account. An equivalent amount was, in turn, appropriated to the Trust. Applications for grants under the Trust were assessed by the Trust Board appointed by the Norfolk Island Government and given expert scrutiny by the Natural Resources Management Team. |
Cost |
|
$0.1 million |
The actual cost of this programme in 2006-07 was $0.1 million. Payments are driven by the level of revenue receipts from land transfers. |
Overall performance |
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Table 4.19 Summary of performance-Office of Administrator on Norfolk Island
PBS/PAES performance indicators | Results |
---|---|
Effectiveness/Location |
|
Australian Government funding meets the Administrator's salary entitlements, office, relevant travel and other costs |
The Department supported the Office of the Norfolk Island Administrator, the Hon Grant Tambling. The office provides, among other things, a shopfront for some Australian Government services, including passport and visa processing. |
Quality |
|
Salary paid in accordance with relevant Remuneration Tribunal Determination Other costs managed within budget |
The administrator's salary component was paid fortnightly in accordance with the Remuneration Tribunal Determination. Other expenses were managed within budget and paid by the Department as they were incurred. |
Cost |
|
$0.5 million |
The actual cost of this programme in 2006-07 was $0.5 million. |
Overall performance |
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Table 4.20 Summary of performance-Office of Administrator in Northern Territory
PBS/PAES performance indicators | Results |
---|---|
Effectiveness/Location |
|
Australian Government funding meets the Administrator's salary entitlements and relevant travel costs |
The Department supported the Northern Territory Administrator, the Hon Ted Egan AO, whose role is largely equivalent to that of a state governor. |
Quality |
|
Salary paid in accordance with relevant Remuneration Tribunal Determination Travel costs associated with Australian Government requirements are paid |
The administrator's salary component was paid fortnightly, and his expenses incurred in performing duties on behalf of the Australian Government were paid by reimbursement. |
Cost |
|
$0.2 million |
The actual cost of this programme in 2006-07 was $0.2 million. |
Overall performance |
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Table 4.21 Summary of performance-Payment to the ACT-assistance for National Capital type functions
PBS/PAES performance indicators | Results |
---|---|
Effectiveness/Location |
|
The ACT Government provides specialised services on behalf of the Australian Government in the ACT |
The Department administered payments to the Australian Capital Territory Government as compensation for the following services provided to the Australian Government:
|
Quality |
|
Payments are made in line with the agreed schedule |
The amount payable is based on the estimate made by the Commonwealth Grants Commission when the Australian Capital Territory became self-governing in 1988, and is adjusted for increases in the Wage Cost Index 1. In 2006-07 the Australian Capital Territory Government received the full assessed amount in fortnightly instalments. |
Cost |
|
$1.3 million |
The actual cost of this programme in 2006-07 was $1.3 million. |
Overall performance |
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Table 4.22 Summary of performance-Payment to the ACT-assistance for water and sewerage services
PBS/PAES performance indicators | Results |
---|---|
Effectiveness/Location |
|
The ACT Government is compensated for extra costs resulting from national capital influences on the provision of water and sewerage services a |
The Department administered payments to the Australian Capital Territory Government as compensation for the higher maintenance and operational costs created by the dispersed nature of the urban development in the territory. |
Quality |
|
Payments are made in line with the agreed schedule |
The amount payable is based on the estimate made by the Commonwealth Grants Commission when the Australian Capital Territory became self-governing in 1988 and is adjusted for increases in the Wage Cost Index 1. In 2006-07 the Australian Capital Territory Government received the full assessed amount in fortnightly instalments. |
Cost |
|
$9.4 million |
The actual cost of this programme in 2006-07 was $9.4 million. |
Overall performance |
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a Performance indicator modified in the 2007-08 PBS.
Table 4.23 Summary of performance-Payment to the ACT-compensation for the effects of national capital influence on the cost of providing municipal services
PBS/PAES performance indicators | Results |
---|---|
Effectiveness/Location |
|
The national capital influence on the cost of ACT municipal services is ameliorated |
The Department administered payments to the Australian Capital Territory Government as compensation for a number of factors, such as rating disability because of the large number of national institutions in the territory, and the extra costs resulting from the design and layout of Canberra as the national capital. |
Quality |
|
Payments are made in line with the agreed schedule |
The amount payable is based on the estimate made by the Commonwealth Grants Commission when the Australian Capital Territory became self-governing in 1988 and is adjusted for increases in the Wage Cost Index 1. In 2006-07 the Australian Capital Territory Government received the full assessed amount in fortnightly instalments. |
Cost |
|
$23.5 million |
The actual cost of this programme in 2006-07 was $23.5 million. |
Overall performance |
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Table 4.24 Summary of performance-Services to Indian Ocean Territories (IOTs)
PBS/PAES performance indicators | Results |
---|---|
Effectiveness |
|
Territories are assisted to manage their own futures |
The Department assessed proposals for economic development initiatives from the economic development committees on both Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and administered funding for projects approved by the Minister. |
Quality |
|
In the absence of a state or territory government, IOT residents and visitors are provided with a range of infrastructure and services:
|
The Department continued to support the Office of the Administrator, Mr Neil Lucas PSM. The administrator is the Australian Government's representative in the IOTs. The Department also managed the state-type grants programme that provides the IOT communities with equivalent access to a wide range of grant funding, based on Western Australian state government programmes. Newsletters and publications were produced in community languages, translators were used for community meetings and support was provided for students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds at the schools. |
Quantity/Location |
|
Approximately 2,100 people live in the IOTs, namely on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
The Department continued to manage a portfolio of properties on behalf of the Australian Government in 2006-07. This included the:
|
Cost |
|
$72.6 million |
The actual cost of this programme in 2006-07 was $62.9 million. The underspend is due to delays in the works programmes on the IOTs due to limited island resources. Approval has been provided to move funds to 2007-08. |
Overall performance |
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Table 4.25 Summary of performance-Services to Jervis Bay Territory
PBS/PAES performance indicators | Results |
---|---|
Effectiveness |
|
Accountable governance, administration and provision of services in the territory |
The Department delivered services to the Jervis Bay Territory either directly, through the private sector or through the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory governments. |
Quality |
|
In the absence of a state or territory government, Jervis Bay Territory residents and visitors are provided with a range of infrastructure and services:
|
In 2006-07 the Department delivered a range of services on behalf of the Australian Government, including health, education, motor registration, public library, dog control, electricity, and water and sewage treatment services. In providing essential services, the Department:
|
Quantity/Location |
|
Approximately 611 people live in the Jervis Bay Territory |
|
Cost |
|
$5.0 million |
The actual cost of this programme in 2006-07 was $3.5 million. The underspend is due to maintenance programmes for Australian Government owned rental homes being delayed by late delivery of condition reports and delayed invoices for welfare services provided by the ACT Government. |
Overall performance |
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a Performance indicator modified in the 2007-08 PBS
Outlook-Output 2.2.1-Services to territories
In 2007-08 the Department's priorities under Output 2.2.1 will include:
- preserving and maintaining the Australian Government-owned assets within the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area precinct on Norfolk Island;
- negotiating memoranda of understanding for service delivery to the Jervis Bay Territory;
- supporting a review by the Commonwealth Grants Commission of funding model requirements for the IOTs;
- finalising the collective agreement for IOT employees;
- implementing strategic health reforms in the IOT Health Service, including the recruitment of key personnel to implement and drive the reforms;
- submitting recommendations to the government on ways to overcome the water shortage on Home Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands;
- commencing projects to deliver a passenger and freight facility at Rumah Baru on West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands; and
- managing the removal of asbestos from Australian Government properties in the IOTs, including by demolishing a precipitator tower that presents a significant asbestos risk.