Finance Minister's Orders for Financial Reporting

(incorporating policy and guidance) 

Introduction

The FMOs are produced each year and have the force of law under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act) and the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (CAC Act). The FMOs outline the requirements for the preparation of Financial Reports of Australian Government Entities. One of the main purposes of the FMOs and supporting Policies and Guidance is to ensure consistency of accounting policy choices across Government Entities where Australian Accounting Standards allow choices. Consistency is important to ensure comparability of Financial Reports across Entities and to facilitate the consolidation of individual Entity Financial Reports when preparing the Australian Government's Consolidated Financial Statements. The FMOs aim to enhance the usefulness of information presented in Financial Reports to Government and major external users.

Information Management

The Department of Finance and Deregulation, through the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO), works across government to maintain Australia's position as a leader in the productive application of information and communications technologies to government administration, information and services.

AGIMO fosters the efficient and effective use of information and communications technology (ICT) by Australian government departments and agencies. It provides advice, tools, information and services to help Australian government departments and agencies use ICT to improve administration and service delivery – often referred to as e-government. AGIMO also works with governments and other bodies at the local, state, national and international levels to develop and maintain Australia's position as a world leader in e-government.
ICT Strategy & Governance
The provision of high-level strategic advice on the technology-enabled transformation of government services and administration for the Australian Government.

CT Security & Authentication

The Department of Finance and Deregulation, through the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) in conjunction with the Privacy Commissioner, relevant security agencies and the Cross Jurisdictional Chief Information Officers Committee (CJCIOC), is assisting government agencies in understanding and implementing ICT security and privacy requirements.

ICT Security

Building trust and confidence has been a consistent theme of the government’s e-government strategies. Respecting and protecting the privacy and information security of citizens, businesses, community and other organisations will underpin all e-government activities. As part of the government’s wider set of initiatives to promote a culture of security in relation to e-commerce, the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO), in conjunction with the Privacy Commissioner and relevant security agencies, will assist government agencies to understand and implement the government's own legislation and requirements for security and privacy. This will lead to even better protection of an individual’s personal information.

 

Overview

In relation to ICT security, agencies are bound by the Australian Government Protective Security Manual (PSM) issued by the Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) and the Australian Government Information and Communications Technology Security Manual (ISM) which is issued by the Defence Signals Directorate (DSD).
As described in the PSM, information security is the responsibility of individual agencies. Information security is increasingly shared across agencies, as services are delivered on a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional or whole-of-government basis.
AGIMO works closely with agencies, other tiers of government and the ICT industry to enhance the security of government information and systems. AGIMO provides advice and assistance about whole of government ICT usage and business continuity to the Australian Government. AGIMO also prepares best practice guides to increase the information available to departments to manage their ICT risks.

Intra Governmental Communications Network (ICON)

The Intra Governmental Communications Network(ICON) service is managed by the Department of Finance and Deregulation. ICON is a communications system providing dedicated point-to-point links for Australian Government agencies in Canberra through the use of an underground system of fibre optic cables and conduits.
ICON assists agencies with their intra and inter agency communications needs by supplying “dark fibre” connections between sites throughout Canberra. Agencies supply and maintain the equipment that “lights” the fibre. ICON supplies the fibre pathways and agencies own the data services that travel on it. AGIMO is responsible for the policy and strategic development of the ICON service.

E-Security National Agenda (ESNA)

In 2006, the then Attorney-General, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Minister for Defence and Special Minister of State announced a review of the E-Security National Agenda (ESNA) to ensure that Australia’s policy and operational framework continues to be responsive to the changing e-security environment.
The review found that e-security threats to different segments of the Australian economy cannot be addressed in isolation. This key finding saw the development of three new priorities to address concerns and to assist in achieving the original objective of ESNA, to:

1. Reduce the e-security risk to Australian Government information and communications systems
2. Reduce the e-security risk to Australia’s national critical infrastructure
3. Enhance the protection of home users and small to medium enterprises from electronic attacks and fraud.

In May 2007, the Government announced funding over four years for new measures to address these three priorities.
As part of the first priority, AGIMO will establish a single framework for the continued delivery of government services in the event of disruption and/or failure of government operated ICT.
AGIMO is a member agency of the whole of government interdepartmental committee, the E-Security Policy and Coordination (ESPaC) committee, chaired by the Attorney-General’s Department. The ESPaC committee coordinates e-security policy throughout the Australian Government.