Military Policy Development, Coordination and Advice
Description
Provision of advice to the Minister of Defence on military contributions to New Zealand's foreign policy and military responses to contingencies, in accordance with NZDF Output Plan specifications. This output expense also includes military intelligence, responses to ministerial correspondence, select committee and parliamentary questions, Official Information Act inquiries, and Ombudsmen correspondence.
Output Expense 1 involves:
the provision of military advice to the Minister of Defence on:
- New Zealand’s defence interests (including intelligence);
- military options for safeguarding and advancing New Zealand’s security interests;
- military options available for contributions to collective and regional security; and
- advice on the military capabilities required to meet the Government’s defence policy objectives and to support its defence strategy.
Assistance to the Ministry of Defence in the provision of advice to the Minister and Associate Minister on:
- procurement of major military equipment; and
- defence policy development.
Outputs in Output Expense 1
Output 1.1: Collection, Collation, and Dissemination of Military Intelligence
The collection, collation and dissemination of military intelligence on areas of interest to New Zealand and as specified in the NZDF Intelligence Plan.
Output 1.2: Development and Production of Military Policy
The development and production of military policy and the provision of military advice to the Minister of Defence and Associate Minister.
Output 1.3: Operational Military Policy Advice
The provision of advice on operational military policy to the Minister of Defence and Associate Minister.
Output 1.4: Ministerial Correspondence and Parliamentary Questions
Draft responses to Ministerial Correspondence, to requests under the Official Information Act and to Parliamentary and other questions on behalf of the Minister and Associate Minister, including Ombudsmen correspondence.
Contribution to Outcomes
Output Expense 1 contributes to Intermediate Outcomes 1 and 2 (Secure New Zealand and Reduced Risks to New Zealand from regional and global insecurity).
Performance Measurement
Performance evaluation means output performance will be measured by the degree of satisfaction expressed by the Minister and Associate Minister, or by the appropriate committee or agency.
Measurement Areas
The supply of individual products of high quality as defined by the seven characteristics of quality advice: Purpose, Logic, Accuracy, Options, Consultation, Practicality and Presentation.
The aim is the provision of a comprehensive service: the capacity to react urgently; the regular evaluation of military policy for effectiveness in achieving required outcomes and timely briefings on significant issues; and support for the Minister and Associate Minister as required in Cabinet Committees, Select Committees and in the House.
Overview
Overall, a satisfactory level of quality was achieved for key submissions. The number of submissions provided was within the range anticipated, except for responses to Parliamentary Questions, which were lower than expected for the reporting period.
Due to the need to research and respond to a concentrated number of select committee questions within tight deadlines, some timeliness targets for other submissions were not achieved. This will be addressed as part of the review of HQ NZDF.
| Performance Standards and Measures |
Performance Achieved |
| Range of key submissions anticipated as follows: |
|
| Statutory Reports to Parliament - 2 |
2 |
| Submissions to Cabinet (in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence) – 40-60 |
21 |
| Reports and Briefing Papers to Minister (in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence) – 350-450 |
378 |
| Ministerial Correspondence (“Ministerials”) – 300-400 |
343 |
| Parliamentary Questions (for Written and Oral answer) – 350-450 |
101 |
| Select Committee Reports – 5-10 |
1 |
| Select Committee Questions (Foreign Affairs Defence & Trade, and Finance and Expenditure Committees) – 300-400 |
351 |
| The supply of individual products, as above, of high quality - defined by the seven characteristics of quality advice: Purpose, Logic, Accuracy, Options, Consultation, Practicality and Presentation. |
Submissions were provided in accordance with these seven characteristics of quality advice. |
| 95% of first drafts of all policy papers accepted by the Minister. |
95% of first drafts of all policy papers were accepted by the Minister. |
| 90% of other responses accepted without substantive amendment. |
90% of other responses were accepted without substantive amendment. |
| All reports and oral advice will be delivered within the agreed or statutory time frame. 95% of replies to Ministerials within 20 days of receipt of request, 95% of replies to Parliamentary Questions for Written Answer provided by due date, and 95% of replies to Parliamentary Questions for Oral Answer provided by midday on the day that the reply is due in the House. |
76% of draft replies to Ministerial correspondence were provided within 20 working days of receipt. Timeliness more closely approached the required standard late in 2008 and early in 2009. Response times lengthened significantly again after the receipt of a large number of select committee questions. There has also been an increase in the amount of correspondence requiring access to specialist or difficult-to-access information. This will be addressed as part of the review of HQ NZDF.
77% of replies to Parliamentary Questions for Written Answer were provided by the due date (85% in 2009). 100% of replies to Parliamentary Questions for Oral Answer were provided within the required period. |
| A high degree of satisfaction expressed by the Minister, appropriate committee or agency (feedback from those for whom policy products have been produced). |
The Minister of Defence has expressed satisfaction about quality, but was concerned about timeliness. The review mentioned above will address this aspect. |
Costs for Output Expense 1 (GST Exclusive)
Actual
2007/08
($ million) |
Category |
Main
Estimates
($ million) |
Supplementary
Estimates
($ million) |
Actual
2008/09
($ million) |
| |
Expenditure |
|
|
|
| 7.531 |
Personnel |
7.249 |
10.251 |
10.565 |
| 2.458 |
Operating |
2.461 |
2.670 |
2.486 |
| 0.185 |
Depreciation |
0.437 |
0.226 |
0.239 |
| 0.214 |
Capital Charge |
0.205 |
0.227 |
0.227 |
| 10.388 |
Total Expenses |
10.352 |
13.374 |
13.517 |
| |
Income |
|
|
|
| 10.169 |
Revenue Crown |
10.317 |
13.339 |
13.339 |
| 0.035 |
Revenue Department |
0.035 |
0.035 |
0.035 |
| 0.001 |
Revenue Other |
- |
- |
0.001 |
| 10.205 |
Total Income |
10.352 |
13.374 |
13.375 |
| (0.183) |
Net Surplus (Deficit) |
- |
- |
(0.142) |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Cost by Output |
|
|
|
| 6.328 |
Output 1.1 |
6.042 |
7.192 |
7.329 |
| 1.972 |
Output 1.2 |
2.172 |
2.723 |
2.678 |
| 1.084 |
Output 1.3 |
1.079 |
1.239 |
1.206 |
| 1.004 |
Output 1.4 |
1.059 |
2.220 |
2.304 |
The total approved appropriation in 2008/09 for this output expense was $13.524 million and the total expenditure was $13.517 million. There was no unappropriated expenditure for this output expense.
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