COMMITTEES OF MANAGEMENT

Corporate Governance reflects the rules, relationships, systems and processes that determine how Fair Work Building & Construction (FWBC) applies the resources entrusted to it. It also determines how the agency exercises its authority and the way in which it will deliver outcomes, initiatives and programs.

In 2012-13, FWBC had in place a number of corporate governance practices to ensure clear lines of accountability and well-defined
performance management. These practices were overseen by the Executive Board with support from the following management committees:

• People Committee

• Work Health and Safety Committee

• Contract Management Committee

• Recruitment Committee

• Audit Committee.

FWBC’s corporate governance framework comprises the enabling legislation (Fair Work (Building Industry) Act 2012 ), other relevant legislative instruments, policies, strategies and managerial procedures and practices.

Executive Board

The Executive Board is the peak decision making body of FWBC. It is comprised of the Director, Group Managers, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Directors. Meetings are held monthly and the outcomes are made available to staff through the FWBC intranet.

The Executive Board makes decisions across all operational areas of FWBC to ensure that its responsibilities are discharged in a timely, efficient and effective and lawful manner. The Executive Board also:

• oversees proper financial and prudential management of FWBC

• ensures FWBC is performing in line with agreed outcomes and key performance indicators

• oversees strategic direction and monitors implementation of strategy.

It also secures continuing commitment to a workplace that develops staff, promotes open communication and high levels of collaboration.

People Committee

The People Committee is a forum for identifying and focusing on current best practice in people management matters. Its role is to address and develop people strategies and policies for consideration by the FWBC Executive Board and to provide an arena in which staff concerns relating to people management can be discussed.

The People Committee is chaired by Executive Director, Prevention, Performance & Innovation, Glyn Cryer.

Health and Safety Committee

The Health and Safety Committee (HSC) advises the Director and the Executive Board on policy matters concerning the work health and safety of FWBC staff. It also proactively reviews and reports on the implementation of relevant Work Health and Safety legislation, policies and practices.

The HSC consists of four management representatives, including the position of Chair, who is appointed by the Director, and four employee representatives elected by staff following a request for expressions of interest. In 2012-13, the HSC met on four occasions. Major achievements include:

• launching the People@Work Project (P@W). P@W is a psychosocial risk assessment process aimed at helping agencies identify and manage workplace risk to the psychological health of employees

• developing and/or updating the First Aid, Corporate Citizens and Workgroup Inspection Guides

• promoting the health and wellbeing of employees by supporting national safety awareness initiatives.

TABLE 3.1 HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE MEMBERS AS AT 30 JUNE 2013

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is responsible for providing independent assurance and assistance to the Director and the Executive Board on FWBC’s risk, control and compliance framework, and its external accountability responsibilities. A compliance review of the agency’s financial policies and procedures against the Commonwealth’s Certificate of Compliance financial management framework is undertaken each year.

In January 2013 the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and Fair Work Building & Construction formed a shared audit committee function, known as the FWO & FWBC Audit Committee. The Audit Committee met twice in 2012-13.

The Audit Committee’s responsibilities are:

• risk management

• control frameworks

• external accountability

• legislative compliance

• internal audit

• external audit.

Internal audit representatives from Ernst & Young, the Chief Financial Officer and FWO Director, Finance are invited to attend each audit committee meeting as observers. Other FWO & FWBC officers may also be invited by the Chair to attend Audit Committee meetings as required.

TABLE 3.2 AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS AS AT 30 JUNE 2013

Recruitment Committee

The Recruitment Committee is chaired by the Group Manager, Field Operations and is responsible for renewing and approving all recruitment decisions and employment actions at FWBC.

As at 30 June 2013, the committee consists of the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Counsel and the Assistant Director, Human Resources.

Advisory Board

The Advisory Board provides recommendations to FWBC regarding policies, performance and functions. Members are not privy to any information about investigations and litigations. During the 2012-13 reporting period, the Advisory Board met on three occasions.

TABLE 3.3 ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS AS AT 30 JUNE 2013