(1) Has the department and/or any agency in the portfolio, set a timeframe to market test any of its corporate services; if so, which agency, which functions, and what is the timeframe.

(2) In relation to each agency which has, or will, move to market test corporate services, what arrangements have been made to consult with effected employees and their representatives; if such arrangements have not been made, when will these consultations be undertaken.

Environment Australia

(1) Environment Australia has commenced market testing its full range of corporate services. A decision on sourcing of functions is expected to be made progressively, with completion in the first half of 2001.

(2) Environment Australia has a communications strategy in place which outlines the consultative mechanisms for employees and their representatives. The communications strategy is in line with the EA's Certified Agreement and includes use of the Environment Australia Consultative Committee (EACC), local versions of the EACC and regular communications through branch and work area meetings and updates through the electronic bulletin board.

Australian Antarctic Division

(1) The AAD is conducting an Output Pricing Review which will be completed by the end of 2000. The AAD will commence market testing of its corporate services in 2001 as part of the Government Initiative in Competitive Tendering and Contracting in the Australian Public Sector. Functions to be part of the market testing program are not yet determined, but may include categories of human resources, financial, property, office and other services.

(2) Consultation with employees and their representatives has commenced and is included in the Australian Antarctic Division Certified Agreement 2000-2002, where “the parties agree to work constructively through the Output Pricing Review and in market testing”.

Bureau of Meteorology

(1) The Bureau is undertaking an Output Pricing Review (OPR) exercise which will be completed by the end of 2000. The OPR is to examine what the Bureau produces and to assess the reasonableness of the price of its key outputs. In parallel with the OPR, the Bureau will undertake market testing of its corporate services. At this stage there is no firm timeframe for market testing, but the Bureau would expect to complete the process in the next 12-18 months.

(2) At this early stage in the process the Bureau has already provided staff with as much information as possible. Meetings have been held with managers and staff in the corporate services areas and two information bulletins have been distributed to all staff affected. In addition, there have been discussions with the unions involved. The Bureau remains committed to the process of consultation and will keep staff and their representatives fully informed as the market testing process unfolds.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

(1) Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has not established, as yet, a program to market test corporate services functions.

Australian Greenhouse Office

(1) In establishing the AGO in April 1998, the decision was made to have a small strategically focused corporate services area and outsource transactional and non core corporate services. Transactional services were outsourced to Environment Australia through a service agreement and will be market tested in accordance with the Environment Australia market testing timetable. Other non core corporate services have been outsourced through competitive tendering and contracting.

(2) As this framework was implemented from agency establishment, there have been no staff affected by this approach.