Senate Order on Agency Files

On 30 May 1996 the Senate agreed to a motion requiring each Minister to table an indexed list of files created in the central office of their departments or agencies. The lists for each half of the year are tabled in the Autumn and Spring sittings of the Senate.

The order is designed to make the Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act) more genuinely workable by allowing Parliamentarians and the public to know what information exists. It also makes coordination within the bureaucracy easier as well as ensuring that both Ministers and Parliamentarians can get a real benefit out of the expenditure on information technology being undertaken by Commonwealth departments.

Senate Order on Non-Corporate Commonwealth Entity Contracts

The Senate Order on non-corporate Commonwealth entity contracts requires agencies to publish on their internet details of contracts entered into which have not been fully performed or which have been entered into in the previous 12 months, and which provide for a consideration to the value of $100,000 or more (GST inclusive).

The Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman agency's list is set out below.

The lists are tabled twice a year, once for the financial year and once for the calendar year.

Senate Standing Order on Departmental and Agency Appointments

On 24 June 2008, the Senate agreed to a motion requiring all Australian Government departments and agencies to produce a list of all appointments made by the Government (through Executive Council, Cabinet and ministers) to statutory authorities, executive agencies, advisory boards, government business enterprises and all other Commonwealth bodies, including the term of the appointment and remuneration for the position. A further amendment to the order agreed to by the Senate 12 May 2009 requires departments and agencies to include the place of permanent residence by state or territory of appointees.

The order also requires departments and agencies to produce a list of all existing vacancies to be filled by government appointment to statutory authorities, executive agencies, advisory boards, government business enterprises and all other Commonwealth bodies.

The lists are tabled three times a year commencing in 2011.

Senate Standing Order on Departmental and Agency Grants

On 24 June 2008, the Senate agreed to a motion requiring all Australian Government departments and agencies to produce a list of all grants approved in each portfolio or agency, including the value of the grant, recipient of the grant and the program from which the grant was made.

The lists are tabled three times a year commencing in 2011.

The Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman agency lists since 2011 are a nil response.