Information publication scheme

The Parliamentary Budget Officer and the Parliamentary Budget Office are defined
as exempt agencies in subsection 7(1) and Division 1 of Part I of Schedule 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

Section 45A of the Freedom of Information Act also protects the confidentiality of documents related to PBO requests that may be held by Commonwealth agencies.

Disability reporting mechanism

Since 1994, non-corporate Commonwealth entities have reported on their performance as policy adviser, purchaser, employer, regulator and provider under the Commonwealth Disability Strategy. In 2007–08, reporting on the employer role was transferred to the Australian Public Service Commission’s State of the Service reports and the APS Statistical Bulletin. These reports are available on the Commission’s website at www.apsc.gov.au. From 2010–11, entities have no longer been required to report on these functions.

The Commonwealth Disability Strategy has been overtaken by the National Disability Strategy 2010–2020, which sets out a 10-year national policy framework to improve the lives of people with disability, promote participation and create a more inclusive society. A high-level, two-yearly report will track progress against each of the six outcome areas of the strategy and present a picture of how people with disability are faring. Further information is available on the Department of Social Services’ website at www.dss.gov.au.

Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance

As the PBO is located in Parliament House, all facilities and environmental management activities are undertaken by DPS and reproted on in its annual report.