Measuring Performance

We use a number of agreed performance measures to determine whether we are meeting or exceeding the expectations the Government has of us.

Stakeholder Survey

We employ an independent consultant to conduct a biennial survey to determine our external and internal stakeholders’ satisfaction with the quality of our services. The information we derive from this survey is used in corporate and branch planning to ensure that we understand and are meeting (or exceeding) our stakeholders’ needs.

The most recent Stakeholder Survey was conducted in 2006. The survey measures our success in achieving our Critical Success Factors and assists us to improve communication and liaison with our stakeholders.

A summary of Treasury’s performance against our Critical Success Factors and comparison to 2004 is in the table below.

Performance Information against Output Groups

As part of the Budget process, we publish agreed performance information each year to demonstrate our commitment to transparency and accountability. This performance information is included in the tables below.

Output Group 1 – Financial and Resource Management Services

Notes:

1. An unqualified audit opinion from the Auditor-General indicates that the financial reports are a true and accurate reflection of the Government’s finances. The whole-of-government financial reports that receive an audit opinion are the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report and the Consolidated Financial Statements.
2. The satisfaction rating is obtained from the results of the Department’s Stakeholder Survey in relation to the quality and appropriateness of advice, and accessibility and responsiveness of officers in the Budget and Finance Division. This survey is taken every two years with the next survey results due in 2007–08.
3. The vacancy rate is the proportion of all owned and leased office space managed by the Department that is currently vacant and available for occupation.
4. The Tasmanian Risk Management Fund, which is managed by the Department, includes a self-insurance scheme for the workers’ compensation liabilities of participating agencies. An indication of the relative efficiency of the fund can be obtained by comparing the workers’ compensation contributions paid by agencies to the fund with the workers’ compensation premiums charged by private insurers. The measure is calculated by comparing average agency workers’ compensation contributions, as a proportion of salaries, with the contribution rate of private insurers.
5. The whole-of-government financial reports published each year in accordance with legislative deadlines include the Mid-Year Financial Report, the Preliminary Outcomes Report and the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report.
6. The estimated returns from government businesses and state-owned companies that will be received during the year include dividends, tax-equivalent payments, rate-equivalent payments and guarantee fees.

Output Group 2 – Economic and Fiscal Policy Advice

Notes:

1. The satisfaction rating is obtained from the results of the Department’s Stakeholder Survey in relation to the quality and appropriateness of advice, and accessibility and responsiveness of officers in the Economic and Financial Policy Division.
2. The accuracy of the Department’s taxation receipt forecasts can be determined by comparing the Budget estimate with the actual end-of-year outcome.
3. The accuracy of the Department’s Australian Government payments forecasts can be determined by comparing the Budget estimate with the actual end-of-year outcome.
4. This measure provides an indication of the quality of taxation forecasts by comparing the accuracy of the Department’s estimates with the accuracy of estimates developed by other state and territory treasuries. The target is for Tasmania to be ranked in the top half of all jurisdictions.
5. The quality of the economic forecasts can be determined by comparing the accuracy of the Department’s estimates with the accuracy of industry benchmark forecasts developed by independent economic forecasters at around the same time. The target is for over half of the Department’s estimates to be more accurate than industry benchmark forecasts. The reduction in the number of Budget economic forecasts is due to the Department ceasing to provide a forecast of the change in Average Weekly Earnings as from the 2005–06 Budget.

Output Group 3 – Revenue and Regulatory Management Services

Notes:

1. In providing revenue management services to the Commissioner of State Revenue, the Department seeks to ensure that taxpayers are well informed of their obligations and that overdue taxation debts are minimised. Accordingly, the target is for overdue taxation debt to be a very small percentage of total taxation revenue.
2. Department staff provide advice and support to the Tasmanian Gaming Commission (TGC). While recognising that the TGC is an independent statutory body, a measure of the quality of the services provided is the proportion of all formal recommendations contained in decision papers that are accepted by the TGC.
3. The Commissioner of State Revenue is assisted by department staff to make assessments and decisions in relation to land tax, duties, payroll tax and First Home Owner Grant applications. Objections may be lodged against assessments issued to clients or decisions of the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner or a delegate of the Commissioner. In providing this assistance, the Department seeks to ensure that the original assessments and decisions are accurate and that the number of successful objections to these are minimised. Accordingly, the target is for over 80 per cent of objections to result in the original assessment being confirmed as accurate.
4. An indication of the efficiency of the revenue management services provided by the Department can be gained by comparing total taxation revenue collected with the operating costs required to administer and collect that revenue. The target is for these costs to be kept to a very small proportion of revenue collected.
5. The Department helps the Licensing Board of Tasmania by receiving applications for licences, undertaking investigations on behalf of the Commissioner for Licensing and providing recommendations to the board on whether an applicant is fit and proper in accordance with the requirements of the Liquor Licensing Act 1990. The measure relates to the time the Department takes to make its investigations and prepare submissions for the monthly board meetings.