Chapter 3—Report on performance
Outcome 1
An enhanced appreciation and understanding of the political and social heritage of Australia for members of the public, through activities including the conservation and upkeep of, and the provision of access to, Old Parliament House and the development of its collection, exhibitions and educational programs.
To achieve Outcome 1, the agency:
- develops and delivers attractions, programs and activities for the general public and educational programs for students
- supports scholarships and other research activities
- maintains the major heritage and historical site that is Old Parliament House.
‘Democracy to go on display at Old Parliament House’
– The Age 19 February 2009
Performance overview
Substantial activity occurred under all aspects of Outcome 1 in 2008–09.
Table 1 shows that all performance measures set out in the 2008–09 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements for the two outputs that deliver Outcome 1 were met to a high degree. The reports on performance for Output 1.1 and Output 1.2 provide more details of results against the key performance indicators.
| Outcome 1—An enhanced appreciation and understanding of the political and social heritage of Australia for members of the public, through activities including the conservation and upkeep of, and the provision of access to, Old Parliament House and the development of its collection, exhibitions and educational programs. | |
|---|---|
| * Democracy initiatives were formerly known by the working title ‘Gallery of Australian Democracy’. | |
| Output 1.1—Conserve and manage Old Parliament House as a site of national heritage significance. | |
| Target | Result |
| KPI 1: Maintain OPH as a significant heritage site and retain its value through appropriate conservation and capital investment, including implementation of the Capital Works Forward Program. | |
| Adherence to Heritage Management Plan and relevant legislation (including the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) in operations. | Achieved |
| All development activity (other than Permitted Actions identified in the Heritage Management Plan) is assessed by the Heritage Actions Committee. | Achieved |
| Ongoing implementation of Human Impact Management Program. | Achieved |
| Heritage awareness training for staff, volunteers, contractors, tenants and school students (through education programs). | Achieved |
| Completion of Capital Works Forward Program for 2008–09. | Achieved |
| Completion of Conservation Works Program for 2008–09 (including conservation on representative sample benches and desks in the Chambers; Strangers Gallery floor; front doors; building external render; south-east wing garden; and partial reconstruction of Opposition Party Room and Office of the Leader of the Opposition). | Mostly achieved |
| KPI 2: Undertake all capital works necessary to facilitate the OPH redevelopment initiatives, including the Australian Prime Ministers Centre. | |
| All capital works projects (including refurbishment of south-east wing, redevelopment of former Parliamentary Library spaces) progressed and completed, as planned, to schedule and on budget by May 2009. | Achieved |
| KPI 3: Ensure public safety, OH&S and environmental standards are met, and improve physical access. | |
| Ongoing adherence to relevant legislation, guidelines and organisational plans. | Achieved |
| Relevant projects/activities undertaken in the year (including establishment and operation of OH&S Committee, Health and Safety Management Arrangements, Visitor Access Study, upgraded and additional lift services, new internal way-finding signage). | Mostly achieved |
| Output 1.2—Develop and present OPH as a major museum of political, parliamentary and social history | |
| Target | Result |
| KPI 1: Collection maintenance, management and development. | |
| Continued collection growth in accordance with Collection Management Policy. | Achieved |
| Collection items are housed in accordance with industry standards and all conservation activities undertaken using professional expertise. | Achieved |
| KPI 2: Relevant public programs and visitor activities, and resulting audience development. | |
| Continued operation of and access to existing OPH programs, exhibitions and other activities in lead-up to May 2009 relaunch (as measured by visitation levels; audience satisfaction / feedback; attendance at exhibitions, events and public programs, patronage of facilities and use of online facilities). | Achieved |
| Development and delivery of revised program content and Front of House service delivery structures for democracy initiatives.* | Achieved |
| Relevant projects progressed and completed, as planned, to schedule and on budget by May 2009. | Achieved |
| Completion of new Interpretation Plan. | Achieved |
Service charter
An assessment of performance against the Old Parliament House Charter of Operations is at Appendix C.
Purchaser–provider arrangements
The agency is not appropriated funds to deliver outcomes through purchaser–provider arrangements. Accordingly, it had no purchaser–provider arrangements in 2008–09.
Matters arising since the end of the year
No matter or circumstance that significantly affected or may significantly affect the agency's operations or financial result in futre years arose after the end of 2008—09.