Report of the Third Review of the National Environment Protection Council Acts (Commonwealth State and Territory) December 2012 National Environment Protection Council Response to the Report of the Third Review of the National Protection Council Acts
Tabled paper 599
Tabled Papers for 12th Assembly 2012 - 2016; Tabled Papers; ParliamentNT
2013-10-17
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https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C01116
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/275013
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/424650
60 National Environment Protection Council NEPC Acts Third Review 2012 As an intergovernmental body with legal and financial independence from any single jurisdiction, the National Environment Protection Council Service Corporation owns and manages its own assets and has the power to invest surplus funds for the purposes of generating revenue, which ultimately reduces the overall funding commitment from each jurisdiction. The Executive Officer is accountable to the National Environment Protection Council and to each participating parliament for their financial management of the National Environment Protection Council Service Corporation. The National Environment Protection Council has established strong governance arrangements to support its operations. These include a defined governance policy and governance handbook, a formal audit and governance committee, and clear roles and responsibilities. The National Environment Protection Council Committee in particular is focused on governance, and in particular on the financial governance and reporting of the National Environment Protection Council Service Corporation. This approach ensures financial management is appropriate, statutory requirements are met, and reporting is in line with best practice. It provides responsive and strategic oversight and accountability. When the National Environment Protection Council Committee decided to co-locate the National Environment Protection Council Service Corporation within the department it anticipated that this would enable the corporation to draw on the expertise and support structures of the Commonwealth, resulting in both improved governance and cost efficiencies. OPERATIONAL BUDGET PRESSURES The Commonwealth, states and territories all contribute to funds for the operation of the National Environment Protection Council Service Corporation according to an agreed population-based formula, with 50 per cent from the Commonwealth and 50 per cent from the states and territories on a pro rata population basis. In addition, jurisdictions contribute project funds on an agreed basis and the corporation manages those funds on behalf of the National Environment Protection Council. The National Environment Protection Council Service Corporation held $5,064,825 in funds at 30 June 2012. The National Environment Protection Council Service Corporations operating budget for 201213 is $1,334,000, with actual contributions from jurisdictions making up $938,000. The remaining budget is derived from interest (as described under section 18 of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act) and from project funds. The majority of the operational budget is to fund the salary expenses of the Executive Officer and eight support staff within the National Environment Protection Council Service Corporation. Maintaining a deficit between the operational budget and jurisdictional contributions has been possible in the short term but desired services must meet the available budget.