More jobs

• Assisted the Government in the development and   implementation of a range of measures to support businesses, community   organisations and jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Provided secretariat support to the Economic   and Business Growth Fund Governance Committee, including advice on the   impacts of proposals on industry development and jobs in the state.
• Contributed to progressing the Government’s   vision for a vibrant Lot Fourteen development.
• Negotiated and managed industry assistance   contracts on behalf of the Treasurer and other agencies that promoted   economic and employment growth for the State.

Lower costs

• Assisted the Government in implementing   significant land tax reforms, delivering estimated reductions in land tax   collections of over $200 million over three years.
• Introduced payroll tax waiver and payroll tax   deferrals to assist businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Introduced land tax deferrals and landlord   land tax refunds to assist businesses, investors and tenants during the   COVID-19 pandemic.
• Provided advice to the Government to enable it   to continue to set Emergency Services Levy bills that deliver $90 million in   savings to ESL payers each year.

Better Services

• Contributed to the negotiation of the new   National Health Reform Agreement.
• Contributed to the development of the   Government’s 10-year Housing and Homelessness Strategy: Our Housing Future   2020-2030.
• In accordance with Commonwealth Protecting Your Super   legislation, Super SA put in place new fee erosion protection arrangements   for low account balances. This included necessary amendments to legislation   to allow the transfer of inactive low balance accounts and lost accounts to   the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in 2021, where such accounts will be   consolidated for members via the ATO regime.

Accountability for Public Sector Resources

Produce and publish the consolidated Government of South Australia financial statements for 2018-19, the 2019-20 MYBR and the 2020-21 Budget.

Published 2018‑19 financial statements and the 2019‑20 MYBR.

The 2020‑21 Budget will be released on 10 November 2020 to reflect estimated impacts of COVID-19 on the state’s finances.

Assist the government to respond to the independent inquiry into water pricing in South Australia.

The independent inquiry into water pricing in South Australia concluded on 30 June 2019.

Consistent with the findings of the inquiry, the Government revised down the value of SA Water’s water regulated asset base by $520 million (in 2012 dollars).

This formed part of the Essential Services Commission of South Australia’s SA Water Regulatory Determination for the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2024.

The Determination provides for a significant reduction in household water use prices.

Assist in the negotiation of a new National Health Reform Agreement between the States and the Commonwealth Government by 30 June 2020.

Contributed to the successful negotiation of the National Health Reform Agreement which was signed by the Premier on 29 May 2020.

Assist the government to effectively manage assets used in the delivery of Vocational Education and Training (VET) services to the community.

Managed the process to transfer ownership of State-owned infrastructure assets used for the delivery of VET services from Renewal SA to TAFE SA.

Assist the Government implementing reforms to the Land Tax Act 1936.

Provided policy advice to the Government to assist in implementing significant land tax reforms.

Lead the South Australian response to the Commonwealth Grants Commission’s review of the methodology used to distribute GST revenue between jurisdictions, the 2020 Methodology Review.

Led the response to the Review, which determines the distribution of GST between jurisdictions, and provided advice to the Government on the implications of the outcome.

Establish a permanent Secretariat based in Adelaide to support the Board of Treasurers.

Provided advice on a range of issues considered by the Board of Treasurers.

Continue to lead the assessment of the impacts of new Australian Accounting Standards at a whole of government level and develop appropriate drafting instructions required for amendments to the Treasurer’s Instructions (Accounting Policy Statements).

DTF has continued its efforts in developing government wide policy for the implementation of the new Accounting Standards. Amendments have been made to the Treasurer’s Instructions (Accounting Policy Statements) to reflect government-wide policy decisions.

Lead the development of amendments to the Unclaimed Moneys Act 1891 in accordance with the Project Agreement on Small Business Regulatory Reform between the South Australian and the Commonwealth Governments.

Preliminary stakeholder consultation was undertaken to inform the development of a draft amendment Bill.

Progress the delivery of new birth to Year 12 education facilities to be built under a public private partnership in the Angle Vale region and Sellicks Beach/Aldinga region in close collaboration with the Department for Education.

Concluded the appointment of TESA Education to deliver the schools. Commenced the design development phase, site establishment and preparation works, with all design packages expected by the end of September 2020.

Treasury Services: Revenue Collection and Management

Improve payroll tax compliance through expansion of existing audit programs targeting areas of potential non-compliance.

Audit program expanded to include emphasis on:

• Contractors across the construction, cleaning,   security and meat processing industries;
• Labour hire   entities; and
• Ungrouped and   unregistered entities.

Working in collaboration with Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), Revenue SA is undertaking an education program for major infrastructure contractors regarding payroll tax obligations to improve upfront compliance.

Implement changes to land tax aggregation and introduce a trust surcharge with effect from 1 July 2020.

Letters sent to all non-exempt landowners advising of new notification requirements.

Changes to the IT systems and administrative business practices were made to implement new company grouping provisions, aggregation changes and a surcharge on certain trusts.

Implement enhancements to online services, including a review of the online Stamp Duty Conveyance process to integrate it with mandated third-party reporting data collection.

The Commonwealth mandatory third-party reporting data has been integrated with the stamp duty lodgement process to improve the customer experience and minimise the burden on practitioners when providing the data.

A land tax module within RevenueSA Online system has been implemented to facilitate the changes to land tax legislation. In excess of 190,000 landowners have successfully accessed the system to notify of land holdings.

Support the market entry of additional electronic lodgement network operators into South Australia to service stamp duty practitioners.

RevenueSA has supported the entrance of a second Electronic Lodgement Network Operator, Sympli. Sympli is now operationally ready to onboard practitioners in South Australia for the purposes of eConveyancing.

Implement further measures to modernise service delivery.

RevenueSA continues to explore opportunities to modernise service delivery and improve business efficiencies.

The following enhancements have been implemented:

• A single point of customer contact established   for all taxes and grants.
• Redesigned the Land Tax Notice of Assessment, using   Behavioural Insight techniques.
• Functionality   within RevenueSA Online system expanded to implement COVID relief measures   (payroll tax, small business grant) and land tax reform.
• Reduced costs through conversion of customers   to e-billing, with a doubling of take up over the 12 months.
• Principal place of   residence exemption application process simplified.
• Delivered a suite of educational videos, FAQs   and guides to support the land tax reform.
• Collaborated with the Department of Human   Services to improve electronic exchange of information – improving services   provided to ESL concession customers

Commence re-drafting of the Stamp Duties Act 1923 (SA) to simplify, modernise and structure in a manner consistent with duties act models adopted in the majority of other states and territories.

External consultation on the draft Bill was undertaken with industry representatives from the State Taxes Liaison Group. Submissions received have been considered by RevenueSA and Parliamentary Counsel.

Treasury Services: Treasury, Insurance and Fleet Services

Continue to broaden SAFA’s profile and penetration with investors to enable cost-effective refinancing of existing short and long-term debt.

SAFA’s long-term funding task for 2019-20 was reduced to $3.0 billion from $3.2 billion following the release of the MYBR. As a result of the bushfires on Kangaroo Island and at Cudlee Creek, the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of the 2020-21 State Budget, SAFA’s borrowing’s in 2019-20 was larger than the $3.0 billion reported in the MYBR, with $5.2 billion in term funding being raised. The funding was raised through the issue of a mixture of short and long-term debt from domestic financial markets.

Renew the government’s reinsurance program.

The government’s reinsurance program was successfully renewed in 2019-20 at a total cost of $9.8 million ($8.9 million in 2018-19). The increase in premium was a result of changing insurance market conditions.

Establish new arrangements for the provision of fleet management and vehicle disposal management of the government fleet.

New arrangements for the provision of fleet management and vehicle disposal services for the government fleet have been established, with contracts being executed with the service providers in August 2019.

Treasury Services: Superannuation Services

Undertake a default investment option review in conjunction with Funds SA.

Strategic review completed.  Updates have been made to the default Balanced investment option for the Triple S, Select and Flexible Rollover Product, as well as Lump Sum Scheme member component Growth option.

During the reporting period, for the Balanced Option, the allocation to growth assets has risen from 65 per cent to 70 per cent and has a long-term growth assets target of 75 per cent.

Perform a review of insurance services to align with insurance code of conduct.

Super SA has commenced a review aimed at ensuring Super SA’s insurance service and product offering is contemporary as the fund moves into a competitive environment. Super SA’s insurance service model review will also ensure the product suite is future-proofed, de-risked, responds to members’ needs, is fit for purpose and meets members’ expectations.

Conforming to the Commonwealth’s retirement income policy and meeting APRA’s standards, as well as aligning with certain Insurance Code of Conduct provisions as per obligations under the Heads of Government Agreement (HOGA), are key objectives.

Conduct a review of the contact centre and modernise the telephony system.

Technical requirements and procurement of a system vendor for a new Contact Centre Solution have been completed.

The new technology will be cloud-based offering enhanced functionality to enable improved workforce optimisation and flexibility, better reporting capability and a superior member experience. Implementation of the new solution is on track to occur in 2020.

Industrial Relations

Lead the negotiation of expiring public sector enterprise agreements.

New enterprise agreements were finalised for public sector nurses and midwives; employees at SA Water; teachers, school support and ancillary employees at government schools and preschools; tram employees; employees at Adelaide Venue Management Corporation; plumbing, metal and building trades employees in the public sector; and Assistants to the Members of the SA Parliament.

Negotiations commenced or continued for the following enterprise agreements: South Australia Police; State Theatre Company (Workshops and Props); South Australian Ambulance Service; TAFE SA Educational Staff; South Australia Metropolitan Fire Service; South Australian Modern Public Sector: Salaried;  Forestry SA; Rail Commissioner-Train Operations (Federal jurisdiction), South Australian Public Sector Wages Parity: Weekly Paid; Adelaide Festival Centre Trust-Performing Arts; Adelaide Festival Centre Trust – Professional and Administration; West Beach Trust.

Manage employment-related litigation concerning the public sector and in particular the resolution of industrial disputes and monetary claims.

Managed, on behalf of the declared employer, 51 new matters filed with the South Australian Employment Tribunal.  They included monetary claims, industrial disputes and interpretation of clauses in Enterprise Agreements, additional compensation matters; and court litigation.

Continue to build industrial relations knowledge and skills across the public sector.

Continued to liaise and consult with chief executives and agency representatives about various IR matters; and provided advice to chief executives and IR/HR personnel concerning IR issues and their management.

SafeWork SA

Contribute to the work injury reduction trend in South Australia.

SafeWork SA continues to undertake compliance, enforcement and education activities to contribute to the national target in the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022 of a 30% reduction in the incidence rate of claims resulting in one or more weeks off work by 2022.

SA is currently exceeding the targeted reduction for the period by 5%.

Provide consistent and practical services to support businesses and workers to improve work health and safety and workplace relations outcomes, including making it easier for people to engage with SafeWork SA and taking firm and fair action in the case of non-compliance.

SafeWork SA undertook 12,046 compliance and enforcement visits and 32,660 education, engagement and support activities for 2019-20 to support businesses and workers improve their work health and safety and industrial relations outcomes.

Implement changes arising from the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) evaluation.

There were 39 ICAC recommendations made.

As at 30 June 2020, 15 recommendations have been completed and 24 are in progress.

Government Services: Shared Services

Progress implementation of an electronic forms solution to streamline current human resources administrative processes.

A pilot implementation of an electronic forms solution within the CHRIS 21 human resource management system is underway in conjunction with SA Police. Subject to the outcomes of the pilot, a business case will be developed for the potential deployment of this solution across government.

Work with the Department for Health and Wellbeing to increase the number of staff electronically rostered and paid via the ProAct system, significantly reducing the need for the submission of manual timesheets and leave requests.

During 2019-20, an additional 1,765 SA Health employees were transitioned to be electronically rostered and paid via the ProAct system.

Implement a major upgrade of the CHRIS 21 human resource management system to facilitate compliance with the Commonwealth’s single touch payroll legislation.

Planning and testing activities for a major upgrade of CHRIS 21 have been completed. Implementation of the upgrade, including adoption of the Commonwealth’s single touch payroll legislation is scheduled to occur progressively between August and December 2020.

Progress deployment of a new version of the Basware invoice management system across government agencies.

As at 30 June 2020, the new version of the Basware invoice management system has been deployed to approximately 1,500 users across six agencies.

Whole of Government Procurement

Conduct procurements to replace a number of major across government contracts.

During 2019-20, across government procurements were progressed for voice and unified communications, electricity, Microsoft licensing and distributed computing services. New Microsoft licensing and support contracts were executed prior to 30 June. Finalisation of new contracts for voice and unified communications, electricity and distributed computing services are scheduled for completion before 31 December 2020.

Deliver a new training and certification program for procurement professionals across government.

A new procurement Capability Development Strategy was drafted and endorsed by agency Heads of Procurement.

Develop an updated policy framework in response to the outcomes of the SA Productivity Commission government procurement inquiry and to State/Commonwealth legislative changes.

Significant work has been undertaken including:

• Establishment of a new Procurement branch in DTF;
• Bill drafted to repeal the State Procurement Act 2004 and abolish the State Procurement Board; and
• 17 of the 30 Stage 1 recommendations have been fully   implemented.

Electorate Services

Relocate further electorate offices affected by the 2016 Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission redistribution of electoral boundaries.

New Electorate Offices were established within redistributed Electoral District Boundaries for MacKillop, Colton, Mawson, Reynell and Wright electorates.

Suitable accommodation options for Lee and Black Electorate Offices have been identified.

Continue to build productive working relationships with cross agency and third-party providers that support the delivery of services to members of the South Australian Parliament.

Working collaboratively with the DIT, delivered five new Electorate Offices and are working towards the development of a standard minimum specification for Electorate Offices. Collaborated with vehicle agents / suppliers in the replacement of the ageing Ministerial Chauffeur fleet vehicles with modern, fuel efficient, fit for purpose with high safety rating vehicles.

DTF: Mentoring Program

The DTF Mentoring Program commenced in October 2019 with 34 mentees commencing partnerships with internal mentors.  The program was designed to build the capability, self-confidence and opportunities for the mentees.  It also assisted the participants in their personal development and career planning.

Reconciliation Action Plan

During 2019-20:

• Opportunities provided to employees during    Apology Day, National Reconciliation Weeks and NAIDOC Weeks
• Developed an Aboriginal Engagement Plan and Guideline
• Developed an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Training Strategy (draft)
• Developed an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Retention Strategy (draft)
• Welcome and Acknowledgement to Country Policy and Guideline developed and implemented
• Stretch RAP 2021-2024 drafted and under Reconciliation Working Group review.

Performance Discussions

100% of DTF employees have Performance Discussions which are facilitated and documented through the online learning management system.  The formal Performance Discussion process is biannual and focusses on engaging with our people and building relationships.

Wellbeing for Our People

The department continued to implement a range of Wellbeing for Our People initiatives, focusing on four key areas of ‘Mind’, ‘Body’, ‘Purpose’ and ‘Place’.

While some scheduled events were suspended during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic a range of innovative topics and delivery methods were introduced with a key focus on psychological wellbeing over this time.

An increase of 10% in flu vaccinations was reported as part of the department Influenza Vaccination Program, with additional appointments including a drive-thru service on offer this year.

Mental Health First Aid

In line with the provisions of the SA Modern Public Sector Enterprise Agreement – Salaried 2017, the Mental Health First Aid Training Program achieved the target number of participations by Designated First Aiders, Health and Safety Representatives and other workers.

Deloitte Self-Insurer Audit and Verification System (AVS) results

The Department’s WHS&IM system was found to be performing at the maturity level of ‘Proactive’ for the domain of Safety Leadership and ‘Safety Leader’ for the domains of Wellbeing & Engagement and Performance Measurement.

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