senior management committees and their roles

The Senior Executive Committee comprises the Director and section managers.

The Senior Executive Committee is assisted by a number of working groups and sub-committees, including:

• The Program Development and Delivery Working Group;
• The Capital Works Consultative Working Group;
• Information Governance Working Group;
• The Publications Committee;
• The Consultative Committee; and
• The Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee.

insurance and indemnities for officers

The Gallery has appropriate Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance cover through the Commonwealth’s general insurer, Comcover.

internal and external scrutiny

The Gallery’s Audit Committee oversees audit activity and the adequacy of internal controls. The role of the Committee is to assist and advise the Board in identifying areas of significant current or future operational risk. Specifically, the Audit Committee oversees:

• financial performance and financial statements;
• external audits;
• risk management;
• internal controls;
• internal audits;
• legislative and policy compliance; and
• fraud control.

Risk management

The Gallery’s Risk Management Framework (RMF) is straightforward, fit-for-purpose, and produces effective controls where required. The RMF underpins the Gallery’s operations; it focuses on risks that threaten to adversely impact the Gallery’s functions, strategic pillars, operations, assets, people and stakeholders.

The Gallery’s risk escalation points ensure appropriate oversight of risks. These escalation points serve a similar function to a risk appetite statement, triggering increased oversight at set points for each category of risk. Management is responsible for identifying and managing risks, and reports regularly to the Board through the Audit Committee.

ethics

Ethical behaviour is upheld as an integral value underpinning the work of the Gallery. Staff are made aware of these requirements through induction processes, the policy and procedures framework, and other programs.

Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance

The Gallery works with both local and international cultural agencies and collecting institutions to ensure the operation of the building is consistent with both national and international standards, and that all attempts are made to minimise the Gallery’s environmental footprint. This involves the development of policies, use of new technologies and continued optimisation of the existing plant and equipment to achieve the maximum output for the minimum input of resources.

Storage conditions for collection material are required to adhere to temperature and humidity set-points in accordance with international museum standards. This results in constant operation of plant and equipment. The use of water, gas and electricity is closely monitored ensuring that the use of non-renewable resources is minimised wherever possible.

activities which integrate environmental, social and economic considerations

The Gallery continues to deliver travelling exhibitions for the benefit of the Australian community, with four exhibitions staged in eight interstate venues in the 2019-20 year.

The Gallery participates in meetings with other cultural institutions in relation to matters of common interest. These include joint procurement activities, methods for achieving savings in the use of water, gas and electricity, and the sharing of critical information concerning changes in technology and efficiency trends.

activities which aim to promote conservation of the environment for the benefit of future generations

The Gallery continues to focus on waste minimisation by measuring, monitoring and reporting resource use, and incorporating recycling and efficiency strategies in procurement and capital works.

The Gallery harvests rain water which is stored in a 20,000 litre tank for use in the external water feature and for the operation of public restrooms. A second 100,000 litre underground tank collects water for the irrigation of the Gallery’s garden beds.

Roof-mounted solar hot water panels provide hot water for the building’s restrooms and kitchens.

Repair and upgrades of existing equipment consider changes in technology, allowing for increased life and reduced resource consumption.

Through the principles of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Rethink, Recycle’, the Gallery maintains a strong commitment to reducing its environmental footprint. Waste minimisation strategies and the reduction of utilities use allow the Gallery to continue to lessen its impact on the environment.

The installation of an energy monitoring system has allowed the Gallery to record its use of gas, water and electricity per meter, and thus monitor closely the operation of individual items of plant. This has allowed ongoing review of all activities involving the use of resources, and the continued streamlining of their operation.

Waste is analysed to determine the percentage of recycled materials, with comparative assessments undertaken each year to help determine where improvements can be made.

Work health and safety

The Gallery considers the health and safety of our people and visitors to be a fundamental and a critical component of a professional, productive and supportive work environment.

In 2018-19 the Gallery undertook a number of Work Health and Safety (WHS) initiatives, including:

• Development and implementation of safety controls in response to the bushfire crisis, including an organisational bushfire plan, air quality testing and procedures for reducing ingress of smoky air into the building.
• Responding to the covid-19 pandemic including with a risk assessment, staff consultation, covid-19 Safe Plan, workforce transition plan and infection control training. A range of safety controls were implemented to control covid-19 related hazards.
• Working from home procedures were implemented and a workstation self- assessment process was developed based on the Gallery’s Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control procedure.
• An electronic safety management system was built and rolled out, providing electronic reporting, risk assessment and training among other modules.
• Working from home procedures were implemented and a workstation self- assessment process was developed based on the Gallery’s Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control procedure.
• An electronic safety management system was built and rolled out, providing electronic reporting, risk assessment and training among other modules.

WHS Performance Metrics 2019-20

WHS Performance Metrics 2019-20

WHS Positive (Leading) Indicators

% of planned WHS workplace inspections completed - 100%

% of managers and supervisors trained in their role and responsibility for

managing staff with work-related injuries - 100%

% of injured staff who have been offered support to return to work - 100%

% of Health and Safety Representative (HSR) positions filled - 100%

% of staff with the required WHS training, including first aid and emergency response 100%

WHS Negative (Lagging) Indicators

Provisional Improvement Notices issued - Nil

Prohibition Notices issued - Nil

Investigations by the regulator - Nil

Lost time injuries - 2

Medically treated injuries - 1

Workers compensation claims - Nil

WHS Positive (Leading) Indicators

% of planned WHS workplace inspections completed - 100%

% of managers and supervisors trained in their role and responsibility for managing staff with work-related injuries - 100%

% of injured staff who have been offered support to return to work - 100%

% of Health and Safety Representative (HSR) positions filled - 100%

% of staff with the required WHS training, including first aid and emergency response - 100%

WHS Negative (Lagging) Indicators

Provisional Improvement Notices issued - Nil

Prohibition Notices issued - Nil

Investigations by the regulator - Nil

Lost time injuries - 2

Medically treated injuries - 1

Workers compensation claims - Nil