Governance committees
An important feature of ABS corporate governance is the role played by governance committees, which are active in developing policies and strategies, identifying ABS priorities, assessing and responding to risks and opportunities, and monitoring ABS performance.
The major governance committees in place during 2017–18, are outlined in Table 5.1.
Table 5.1: Governance committees for 2017–18
Executive Board |
The Executive Board (established in April 2017 to replace the Executive Leadership Group) is a decision-making board, chaired by the Australian Statistician, to provide leadership and strategic oversight of the ABS. The Executive Board provides advice to the Australian Statistician in order for him, as the authorised decision maker under the PGPA Act, to determine direction, policy, priorities, and to ensure the efficient, economical and ethical operations of the ABS. The Chair performs a leadership role in the conduct and direction of the Executive Board and has the majority vote and final decision in the event of non-consensus. Membership consists of the Australian Statistician; all Deputy Australian Statisticians; the General Manager Finance, Risk and Planning Division; the General Manager People, Capability and Communication Division; and a General Manager from the Statistical Services Group for a two year appointment. |
Australian Statistics Advisory Council |
The Australian Statistics Advisory Council (ASAC) is the ABS’s key advisory body and is established under the Australian Bureau ofStatistics Act 1975. ASAC provides independent advice to the Minister responsible for the ABS and the Australian Statistician on improvement of statistical services, longer-term statistical priorities and other relevant matters. It also reports to the Parliament annually. The current chair of ASAC is Professor Gary Banks AO. |
Statistical Strategy Committee |
The Statistical Strategy Committee (SSC) is an advisory committee to the Deputy Australian Statistician, Statistical Services Group, on the ABS statistical work program; outcomes of strategic importance are reported to the Executive Board. Key areas include statistical risk management, cross-cutting statistical issues and overall priorities, and strategic relationships. Membership includes the Deputy Australian Statistician (Chair) and General Managers from the Statistical Services Group, General Managers from the Transformation Group, and the General Manager from the Census and Statistical Network Services Division. |
Statistical Business Transformation Program Executive Board |
The Statistical Business Transformation (SBT) Program is the flagship transformation initiative of the ABS. The SBT Program Executive Board is chaired by the Australian Statistician. The Board has overarching authority for the SBT Program and is responsible for investment decisions and associated commitments to government, ensuring the ongoing alignment of the SBT Program with the strategic direction and goals of the ABS. |
Statistical Business Transformation Program Delivery Board |
The Statistical Business Transformation (SBT) Program Delivery Board is responsible for driving the program and delivering outcomes and benefits. |
2021 Census Board |
The 2021 Census Board’s key responsibilities include endorsement of the 2021 Census strategy, overseeing maintenance and achievement of 2021 Census Program objectives, and monitoring the planning, development, operation and delivery phases of the 2021 Census Program. The Board, chaired by the Australian Statistician, will also advise on the resolution of issues relating to scope, trade-offs and investment decisions; provide oversight on all aspects of risk management of the 2021 Census Program and its constituent projects; and advise on strategic relationships with governments and key stakeholders. |
2021 Census Delivery Committee |
The 2021 Census Delivery Committee is chaired by the Deputy Australian Statistician, Census and Data Services Group; it has specific responsibility for advising on the maintenance and achievement of 2021 Census Program objectives. The Committee will ensure adherence to agreed design principles and resolve any discrepancies, including those related to scope and budget. Members will advise on risk mitigation, provide assurance for operational stability and effectiveness through the 2021 Census delivery cycle, and manage the impact of change. |
Security Committee |
The Security Committee is an advisory committee, chaired by the Deputy Australian Statistician, Corporate Services and Transformation Group, established to ensure the ABS complies with its legal and legislative requirements related to security. Its purpose is to ensure there are adequate internal policies, guidelines and effective practices which meet the security- and privacy-related requirements of relevant government policy, i.e. the Protective Security Policy Framework and Information Security Manual. |
Resource Prioritisation and Finance Committee |
The Resource Prioritisation and Finance Committee is an advisory committee, chaired by the Deputy Australian Statistician, Corporate Services and Transformation Group, established to ensure there is cross-Group engagement on the planning, prioritisation, allocation and monitoring of ABS resources. The Committee’s advice to the Chair reflects ABS strategic priorities, and monitors allocations and expenditure to ensure rigour, discipline and transparency. In addition, the Committee advises on adjustments to resource allocations in response to high priority in-year and emerging issues, supports effective risk management frameworks and provides feedback and advice on relevant policies. |
Service Improvement Steering Committee |
The Service Improvement Steering Committee (formerly known as the Statistical Network Services and Technology Committee) is an advisory committee, chaired by the Deputy Australian Statistician, Corporate Services and Transformation Group, established to ensure there is cross-Group engagement on the customer-focused service delivery of technology, corporate and statistical services across the ABS. The Committee to promotes a customer-focused service delivery ethos at the heart of what we do and provides advice to the Chair on strategic directions of data acquisition and provider management functions in conjunction with technical and statistical dissemination services from both a customer and client perspective. |
People Committee |
The People Committee is an advisory committee, chaired by the General Manager of the People, Capability and Communication Division, established to ensure there is cross-Group engagement on the monitoring, prioritisation and operational decisions associated with people, culture and partnerships functions of the ABS. The Committee also provides input and advice to the Chair on strategic matters prior to their consideration by the Executive Board, and monitors progress on the implementation of the People and Culture Action Plans. It includes representatives of ABS’s Diversity Networks. |
National Health and Safety Committee |
The National Health and Safety Committee (NHSC) is the forum at which the ABS, its workers and their representatives discuss organisational health and safety matters and issues. The NHSC plays a key role in ABS work health and safety (WHS) governance by receiving and considering information and issues, making decisions and recommendations on organisational WHS matters, and identifying safety matters for appropriate decision-making by the People Committee. |
Disclosure Review Committee |
The Disclosure Review Committee (DRC) advises the Chief Methodologist on the disclosure risks and mitigation strategies associated with the dissemination of microdata and, on an exception basis, aggregate statistics. The DRC may also initiate reviews to continuously improve procedures, processes and policies, or undertake investigations where warranted or where directed by the Executive Board. |
Economics Statistics Advisory Group |
The Economic Statistics Advisory Group (ESAG) is an advisory committee to the Deputy Australian Statistician, Statistical Services Group. It is an important mechanism through which the user community can provide feedback on current and planned ABS developments in the field of economic statistics. This Group nurtures the interaction between senior ABS executives and key user groups including influential researchers, policy advisors and decision makers who have a sound appreciation of the use and value of economic statistics. |
Population and Social Statistics Advisory Group |
The Population and Social Statistics Advisory Group (PSSAG) is an advisory committee to the Deputy Australian Statistician, Statistical Services Group. It is an important mechanism through which the user community can provide feedback on current and planned ABS developments in the field of population and social statistics. This Group nurtures the interaction between the ABS and informed users of population and social statistics to gain valuable input from their knowledge and expertise. |
State Statistical Forum |
The State Statistical Forum (SSF), chaired by the Deputy Australian Statistician, Statistical Services Group, is an information sharing and engagement body. It supports effective interaction between the ABS and the states and territories to address common statistical issues. |
Methodology Advisory Committee |
The Methodology Advisory Committee (MAC), chaired by the Chief Methodologist, is an expert advisory group of statisticians and data scientists drawn mainly from, but not restricted to, universities across Australia and New Zealand. The function of the MAC is to provide expert advice to the Chief Methodologist on selected methodological issues that arise across the production of national statistics e.g. survey design, data linkage, analysis, confidentialisation and dissemination. |
ABS Management Meetings |
ABS Management Meetings play a major role in setting and communicating ABS strategic directions and priorities. The meetings are held twice a year and involve all ABS Senior Executive Staff (SES). They provide an opportunity for SES to discuss big-picture issues, take stock of lessons learnt, look ahead and discuss strategic issues and plans. Recently the Management Meetings have included workshops on risk management, developing a high performing workforce and 2021 Census planning. |
ABS Audit Committee |
The ABS Audit Committee provides independent assurance and assistance to the Australian Statistician on the ABS’s financial and performance reporting responsibilities, risk oversight and management, and the system of internal controls, including those applied to ensure legislative compliance and the execution of ABS functions. The current Chair of the ABS Audit Committee is Ms Jennifer Clark. |
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