Report on Government Services
The first part of the Review’s terms of reference is addressed by the annual Report on Government Services. The report publishes a set of performance indicators agreed by the Steering Committee, and data for these indicators, for each jurisdiction (where possible). These indicators assist governments to assess the performance of the services provided in their jurisdiction.
The Report
The report, first published in December 1995, is published annually. A compendium of indigenous data compiled from the report, is also published. It covers the following service areas:
- School education
- Vocational education and training
- Police
- Courts administration
- Corrective services
- Emergency management
- Health
- Aged care
- Services for people with a disability
- Children's services
- Protection and support services
- Housing
Working Groups
For the purpose of producing the Report on Government Services, the Steering Committee is supported by working groups convened by a Steering Committee member for each area of service provision covered by the Review. The working groups are responsible for the development of performance indicators within the agreed performance indicator framework. Each jurisdiction has the opportunity to nominate a representative on each working group and working groups generally comprise senior staff working in the relevant line departments. For example, the Schools and Vocational Education and Training Working Groups comprises people working in the education and training agencies from each jurisdiction.
Specialist input and parallel exercises
A number of technical experts also attend working group meetings. The working groups may also draw on advice from specialist research groups. For example:
- The AIHW is the Secretariat for a number of interjurisdictional exercises that collect data in the health and community services area. The Review uses these data to report performance indicators.
- The ABS also provides technical expertise and data to a range of Review working groups.
There may be other interested groups who wish to contribute to the Review. Their suggestions as to which performance indicators should be considered and which reforms should be reviewed are most valuable.