33rd Annual WS Lonnie Awards - IPAA Western Australia

March 22, 2018
Award Winners, WS Lonnie Award Winners

The Institute of Public Administration Australia WA’s (IPAA WA) 33rd Annual W.S. Lonnie Awards for excellence and accountability in annual reporting was held at the Pan Pacific Perth on Thursday 22nd of March 2018.

IPAA WA President and WA Auditor General Colin Murphy PSM welcomed guests including the Governor of Western Australia and Patron of IPAA WA, the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC, and Secretary to the Premier and Member for Perth Mr John Carey MLA, who was representing the IPAA WA Vice-Patron and Premier of WA, the Hon. Mark McGowan MLA.

The Awards attracted CEOs, Directors General and Commissioners from across State government agencies and statutory bodies, all hoping to take out the prestigious W.S. Lonnie Memorial Trophy – awarded to the best annual report for the year.

The primary vehicle for accountability in the Public Sector has been and always will be the way agencies report their performance. The W.S. Lonnie Awards recognise the importance of Annual Reports being accountable and transparent in a succinct and independent way. All State agencies are eligible and are automatically considered as part of the judging process.

Major Awards and Trophies

The WS Lonnie Memorial Trophy

Awarded to the best annual report for the year.

WINNER: Fremantle Port Authority

Judges’ Comments:
The report displays a very good use of charts and graphs. It has a detailed complaints handling which included detailed information on complaints management, and a strong performance section. The risk management section was among the best, with internal controls evident throughout.

Margaret McAleer Special Commendation

The award is presented at the discretion of the panel for an outstanding report that, in some respect, establishes a benchmark to which others should aspire.

WINNER: Commissioner for Children and Young People

Judges’ Comments:
Very good layout – short, brief but very informative. The report has a good use of colours, pictures, graphs/charts, and case studies. A highlight of the report includes the informative ‘year in snapshot’ section.

The Allan Skinner Trophy

Awarded to the best annual report in the General Government Sector.

WINNER: Department of Transport

Judges Comments:
Interesting format, layout and presentation – an innovative approach to an electronic document. Language is clear and non-technical, with a straight forward presentation of information. A good balance in reporting is achieved through a thorough treatment of KPIs.

The Margaret Nadebaum Trophy

Awarded to the best annual report in the Government Enterprise Sector.

WINNER: Fremantle Port Authority

Judges Comments:
The report displays a very good use of charts and graphs. It has a detailed complaints handling which included detailed information on complaints management, and a strong performance section. The risk management section was among the best, with internal controls evident throughout.

General Award Winners

Category 1 – Agencies with < 100 FTEs

Gold: Department of the State Heritage Office

Judges’ Comments:
Very clean and easy to read layout, with well-pitched language throughout. Excellent treatment between report on operations and their relation to strategic objectives, and a very good discussion of the context within which the agency will need to operate within coming years. Concise financial report and excellent corporate governance section.

Silver: South West Development Commission

Judges’ Comments:
Great use of executive summary, graphs and charts. The use of a report card (reporting on both improvements and improvement needed) was a standout – The use of basic data in tandem with stop light symbols very effective. The report highlighted the strong alignment of the organisational structure with strategic objectives.

Bronze: Office of the Information Commissioner

Judges’ Comments:
The report provided a comprehensive outline of activities, including a concise financial report which expressed the financial situation well. The layout was very clean, and it was very easy to scan for information across the page/s. The discussion on KPIs was above average, and the report featured a good use of case studies.

Bronze: Commissioner for Children and Young People

Category 2 – Agencies with 101 – 1,000 FTEs

Gold: Office of the Auditor General

Judges’ Comments:
Clear and logical structure, and a good use of informative graphs, charts, photos and highlights. The real stand out is the very high quality, balanced and detailed performance section of the document – negative aspects were extremely well handled via KPI reporting. The corporate governance section was also very detailed and informative, and the financial reporting was brief and to the point.

Silver: Department of Mines and Petroleum

Judges’ Comments:
The layout was exceptional – it was easy to navigate with a clear and logical structure and cross references throughout, and used highlights, graphics, charts and photos well. The language provided a straight forward approach to discussing a somewhat technical area of government. The performance reporting and corporate governance sections were detailed and informative, and the financial report provided good explanations about actual vs targets.

Bronze: WorkCover WA

Judges’ Comments:
The report has a clear and logical structure that is easy to follow. Excellent use of highlights and graphs, and a good use of links and interactivity throughout. Strong and informative performance section (very easy to follow with easy comparison to targets), and detailed corporate governance report. Complaints handling continues to be strong.

Category 3 – Agencies with > 1,000 FTEs

Gold: Main Roads Western Australia

Judges’ Comments:
The report has an innovative layout that was logical and easy to follow in both html and pdf versions, and the illustrative material was amongst the best. The performance section was outstanding – the discussion on objectives was high quality, and the link between strategy and performance was very clear. A very concise financial report, and among the best future outlooks sections. Corporate governance section was also of very high standard.

Silver: Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Judges’ Comments:
The report has a clear and logical structure that is easy to follow. It has a strong and informative performance section (very easy to follow with easy comparison to targets), and detailed corporate governance report including exceptional coverage of risk management.

Bronze: Department of Transport

Judges’ Comments:
Interesting format, layout and presentation – an innovative approach to an electronic document. Language is clear and non-technical, with a straight forward presentation of information. A good balance in reporting is achieved through a thorough treatment of KPIs.

Category 4 Government Trading Enterprises

Gold: Fremantle Port Authority

Judges’ Comments:
Fremantle Port Authority’s report displays a very good use of charts and graphs. It has a detailed complaints handling which included detailed information on complaints management, and a strong performance section. The risk management section was among the best, with internal controls evident throughout.

Silver: Pilbara Ports Authority

Judges’ Comments:
PPA’s approach to electronic communications is very sophisticated – the readability of their annual report as an electronic document was extremely good. A good use of illustrative material in the report, and their corporate governance and risk management reporting sections were above average.

Bronze: Insurance Commission of Western Australia

Judges’ Comments:
Overall this is a good report that is easy to understand format and well presented. Highlights include the good use of charts and graphs that complement the text very well. Very informative and detailed Performance section, and strong corporate governance disclosures.

Specialist Awards

There are eight Specialist Awards for 2018 that are presented on the day.

Office of the Auditor General Award for Transparency and Accountability

WINNER: East Metropolitan Health Service

Judges’ Comments:
Easy to understand format and presentation, with a good use of charts and graphs. Very informative and detailed performance section, and a strong linkage between strategy and performance. The treatment of non-desirable outcomes is very well set out in the detailed KPI reporting.

The joint award led by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety for Occupational Safety, Health and Injury Management

WINNER: Department of Transport

Judges Comments:
The Department of Transport’s excellent performance against all reporting targets conveys compelling evidence of its strong commitment to ensuring the workplace safety, health and excellent injury management of its employees. This is particularly noteworthy given the number and diversity of its employees, locations and services provided.

SPECIAL COMMENDATIONS: Disability Service Commission; Kimberley Port Authority

State Records Commission Award for Excellence in Compliance Reporting

WINNER: Western Australian Treasury Corporation

Judges’ Comments:
The WATC received a commendation for the State Records Commission Award in 2017. This year’s annual report statement builds upon the information provided last year, outlining the technical and functional review of the corporate recordkeeping system, as well as the continued implementation of recommendations arising from their 2017 external compliance audit.

In addition, the WATC’s comprehensive recordkeeping training and support program has resulted in:

every employee being aware of their responsibilities under the State Records Act 2000;
new employees receiving induction training tailored to their specific role; and
information relevant to recordkeeping requirements reinforced for all employees on a regular basis, ensuring that staff maintain their knowledge and skills.

The judging panel was convinced that the WATC provided a remarkably impressive account of its programs, especially considering the small size of the organisation, and that it is a worthy recipient of the 2018 State Records Commission Award.

Ombudsman Western Australia Award for Complaints Handling

WINNER: Fremantle Port Authority

CPA Australia Award for Performance Reporting

WINNER: Department of Mines and Petroleum

Judges’ Comments:

Clear relationships are articulated in the Outcome Based Management Structure (Page. 23) between government goals, desired outcomes, services & KPIs
Performance reporting is well embedded into department planning (Page 49)
A clear annual report that provides an accessible picture of departmental performance
A well-presented annual report

Public Sector Commission Award for Good Governance

WINNER: Fremantle Port Authority

Judges Comments:
Fremantle Ports’ report demonstrated excellence in reporting of governance processes and activities. The report is engaging for readers and provided clear overviews of their activities to communicate with stakeholders through their operations and strategic priorities.

SPECIAL COMMENDATIONS: Workcover WA; Office of the Auditor General

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development AE Gaby VC Memorial Award for Achievement of Objectives Reporting

WINNER: Office of the Auditor General

Judges’ Comments:
The Office of the Auditor General’s annual report provided open and frank disclosure of their operations and performance. Through effective use of tables and graphics, a reader could quickly and easily understand the organisation’s objectives and intended outcomes and whether or not they were achieved as planned.

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Award for Chief Financial Officer of the Year

WINNER: Jay Peckitt, Department of Education

Comments:
Jay was praised for his dedication, expertise and utmost professionalism has contributed significantly to improving the financial management, budget strategy and resource allocation of the organisation. His ability to build strong and productive relationships with internal and external staff and stakeholders is outstanding, and so important in such a large and complex government department.