Australian Sports Drug Agency Annual Report

Corporate governance

The ASDA Board

The ASDA Board is responsible for ensuring the Agency operates in accordance with the ASDA Act 1990.

The Board must be comprised of a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, the Chief Executive and at least three other members. All Board members are eligible for re-appointment.

ASDA held Board meetings on:

  • 11 September 2003
  • 4 December 2003
  • 16 March 2004
  • 31 May 2004.

In addition, ASDA held six Board telephone conferences on:

  • 12 August 2003
  • 21 October 2003
  • 10 February 2004
  • 30 April 2004
  • 18 May 2004
  • 10 June 2004.

Figure 10: ASDA Board Details as at 30 June 2004

Figure 10: ASDA Board Details as at 30 June 2004

DCITA representative Sally Basser also attended ASDA Board meetings as an observer.

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ASDA Board members

Dr Brian Sando OAM (Chairperson)

Dr Brian Sando OAM (Chairperson)

Dr Brian Sando is a non-executive chairperson. Dr Sando is a sports medicine practitioner, the Chair of the AOC Medical Commission and a member of the Commonwealth Games Federation Medical Commission.

Dr Sando has been appointed as Medical Officer to seven Australian Olympic Teams, including four as Senior Medical Director and is a former President of Sports Medicine Australia. Dr Sando also acted as Medical Commission Chairman at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.

Jennifer Clark (Deputy Chair)

Jennifer Clark (Deputy Chair)

Jennifer Clark is a non-executive director and has had a long career in investment banking as an advisor and financier to a broad range of public and private sector clients. She has been a non-executive director on various Commonwealth Government boards including Export Finance and Insurance Corporation, the ASC and the Australian Sports Foundation.

Ms Clark is a former member of the NSW State Pistol Team and Fellowof the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Liz Ellis (Member)

Liz Ellis (Member)

Liz Ellis is a non-executive director. Ms Ellis is the Captain of the Sydney Swifts and the Australian Netball Team.

Ms Ellis is also a board member of the NSW Institute of Sport, the State Sports Centre Trust and the Institute of Sport Management.

Ms Ellis, formerly a solicitor, operates commercial netball coaching clinics.

Dr Andrew McLachlan (Member)

Dr Andrew McLachlan (Member)

Dr Andrew McLachlan is a non-executive director. He is a pharmacist, senior lecturer and researcher at the University of Sydney with expertise in clinical pharmacology and drug testing.

Dr McLachlan is actively involved in the education of pharmacists and other health professionals. He is a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry and the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Gabrielle Trainor (Member)

Gabrielle Trainor (Member)

Gabrielle Trainor is a non-executive director with a background as a lawyer, journalist and as a public sector executive. She is a founding partner of John Connolly and Partners, a specialist public affairs and communications firm.

Ms Trainor is a director of the Victorian Urban Development Authority (VicUrban) and has also served as a director of a number of other government agencies. She is a director of a number of private and community organisations and a Commissioner of the AFL (NSW/ACT).

Ms Trainor is an Honorary Associate, Graduate School of Government, at the University of Sydney.

John Mendoza (Member)

John Mendoza (Member)

John Mendoza is ASDA’s Chief Executive and the only executive Board member. He has qualifications in education and public health.

Mr Mendoza is a former teacher, academic, consultant and senior manager in health and human services. He joined ASDA in 1996 as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. In 2002 Mr Mendoza was awarded two Outstanding Alumni awards from the Queensland University of Technology for his achievements in public health and anti-doping.

 

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Audit Committee

The Agency’s Audit Committee was appointed by, and reported to, the Board. Jennifer Clark chaired the ASDA Audit Committee while Gabrielle Trainor was appointed to the Audit Committee on 25 November 2003 after Dr Andrew McLachlan retired from his committee position on 2 September 2003. The Board acknowledged Dr McLachlan’s commitment and contribution to the Audit Committee over the past three years.

The Chief Executive continued as a member of the Audit Committee. The ANAO along with the Agency’s Internal Auditors, Acumen, also attended committee meetings.

Figure 11: ASDA Audit Committee details as at 30 June 2004

Figure 11: ASDA Audit Committee details as at 30 June 2004

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Senior management staff

John Mendoza – Chief Executive

Mr Mendoza is responsible for ASDA’s overall operation.

Kim Terrell – General Manager, Operations

Mr Terrell manages the implementation of the Deterrence plan and elements of the International Response plans.

Anne Gripper - General Manager, Strategy and Support

Ms Gripper manages the implementation of the Business Improvement, People and elements of the International Response plans.

ASDAs senior management team (left to right) Anne Gripper, John Mendoza and Kim Terrell

ASDA’s senior management team (left to right) Anne Gripper, John Mendoza and Kim Terrell.

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Management committees

Executive meetings

The executive committee and program managers met weekly to discuss issues impacting the agency. Actions and outcomes of this meeting are regularly communicated to staff, the Board and the Minister’s Office.

The ASDA Council

The ASDA Council is a quarterly forum that involves executive, program managers, process facilitators, state coordinators and relevant staff as required. The council meetings reviewed the deployment and implementation of the operational plans, key projects and the progress towards achieving KPI targets.

ASDA coordinates its day-to-day business through operational forums including, but not limited to:

  • Drug testing result management meeting
  • Sport officer meetings
  • State Coordinators meetings
  • Education Work Group meetings
  • Scientific Intelligence meeting
  • Process and systems improvement meetings
  • International Response program meetings.

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Staffing overview

ASDA employed 54.86 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff at 30 June 2004. Of these staff approximately 300 (11.27 FTE) were casuals employed to undertake sample collection activities on a part-time basis. ASDA employed 11 full-time Drug Control Officers.

Strategic and operational plans

ASDA’s Strategic Plan for 2001-05 was approved by the then Minister for Sport and Tourism, The Hon. Jackie Kelly MP, in September 2001. The Minister for Art and Sport, Senator the Hon. Rod Kemp, approved the Agency’s 2003-04 Operational Plan.

ASDA’s Strategic Plan is at Appendix H.

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Reporting compliance

ASDA identified and complied with applicable laws pertaining to its business and operations. The Annual Report was produced in accordance with:

  • ASDA Act requirements
  • Commonwealth Authorities and Companies (Report of Operations) Orders 2002
  • Best practice guidelines from the Institute of Public Administration Australia.

The report addresses ASDA’s activities, performance and challenges in relation to the four strategic breakthrough issues from the Strategic Plan and Operational Plan deliverables.

Legislative and regulatory requirements

The powers of the Minister as specified under the ASDA Act 1990 appear at Appendix I. The objects, functions and powers of the Agency under the ASDA Act 1990 appear at Appendix J.

The Agency’s performance in relation to the PBS outcomes and outputs are at Appendix K. The resource allocations against the outcomes as detailed in the PBS appear at Appendix L.

Ministerial directions

The Agency received one Ministerial direction, from the then Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts The Hon. Daryl Williams MP, on 2 February 2004 relating to the consultation process for the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry and the Commonwealth’s Implementation Guidelines.

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Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance

The following information is supplied in accordance with section 516A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Sub-sections 8(1) and 8(3) of the Act require Commonwealth agencies to publish:

  • How the activities of the organisation accorded with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD)
  • How the administration of legislation by the organisation accorded with the principles of ESD
  • How the outcomes specified for the organisation in an Appropriations Act contribute to ESD
  • The effect of the organisation’s activities on the environment
  • The measures taken by the organisation to minimise this impact
  • The mechanisms for reviewing and increasing the effectiveness of those measures.

Activities and administration of legislation in accordance with ESD principles

Section 3A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 sets out the principles of ESD. ASDA has considered these principles in relation to its activities and administration of legislation and assessed that the implications are minimal.

The main effect the Agency has on the environment is the energy consuming impact of its four office spaces and 10 leased vehicles.

Measures taken to minimise environmental impact

ASDA operates offices that remain well lit during the day on safety and security grounds. ASDA considered expenditure to upgrade lighting and air conditioning in its buildings.

ASDA implemented the following measures to minimise its environmental impact:

  • Automatic shut down of air conditioning outside of office hours
  • Power savers and auto switch off functions on equipment
  • Providing paper recycling bins to all staff
  • All staff required to turn off computer monitors when not in use
  • Encouraging fuel efficiency when using motor vehicles
  • Leasing of more fuel efficient cars than those used in 2002-03
  • Involvement in the Greenfleet carbon emission offset program for all leased vehicles.

ASDA’s analyses its energy use annually to find ways of achieving further efficiencies.

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Equal employment and opportunity

Workplace harassment officers were selected and will attend training in early 2004-05. The workplace survey indicated that staff did not believe age, gender or ethnicity were barriers to advancement at ASDA.

Ethical standards

ASDA staff members have a statutory obligation to be ‘fair and just’ and ‘act according to substantial justice’. The principles of fairness, natural justice and transparency are applied to all internal processes in ASDA and flow on to dealings with clients. As a regulator of doping-free sport, ASDA sets high ethical standards for itself. These are articulated in the ASDA values and behavioural statements.

As a regulator of doping-free sport, ASDA sets high ethical standards for itself.

A code of conduct for all drug control staff is included as part of employment terms and conditions. No reports of behaviour inconsistent with the code of conduct were reported.

Confidentiality and privacy agreements are also maintained for all staff and Board members. Board members are required to declare all financial and other interests annually.

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Occupational health and safety (OH&S)

The following information is supplied in accordance with section 74 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991.

ASDA maintained a safe workplace environment by adhering to OH&S policies and practices.

OH&S committee and policies

ASDA does not have a separate OH&S committee and policies. The Workplace Relations Committee, which met 10 times, undertakes this role as part of its functions. The committee consulted with employees on matters affecting them, including staff development, accommodation, occupational health and safety, workplace diversity, employment of non-ongoing employees, resource allocations and workload issues.

Health and Safety representatives

Each ASDA office has at least one health and safety representative. Representatives in all offices undertake refresher training as required.

Accidents and dangerous occurrences

There were no accidents or dangerous occurrences that required notification under section 68 of the Act occurred during the year.

Investigations, directions and notices

There were no investigations conducted by Comcare under section 41 of the Act nor were any directions or notices given.

A planned OH&S audit of all offices will proceed in early 2004-05. Issues relating to air quality and noise within the Canberra office were on going. Negotiations with the building owners to rectify the air-conditioning issues are a priority for 2004-05.

A planned office refurbishment was cancelled due to reductions in income.

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Discretionary grants

ASDA provided no discretionary grants.

Freedom of information (FOI)

ASDA received and actioned one FOI request.

Risk management and fraud control

ASDA’s Risk Management Strategy covered the following activities:

  • Planning and maintaining ASDA’s Risk Management Strategy
  • Ensuring compliance with AS/NZS 4360 and MAB/MIAC standards
  • Monitoring compliance, regulatory changes and improvements
  • Developing and deploying a risk register and action plan
  • Educating all staff
  • Undertaking the Comcover benchmarking program
  • Maintaining a Fraud Control Plan as per Commonwealth guidelines.

ASDA investigated no cases of fraud in 2003-04.

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Social justice and equity

ASDA recognises the importance of ensuring clients have equitable access to its range of services.

Provision of information

The ASDA web site outlines information about the Agency and its operations.

ASDA’s publications are written in plain English and are regularly reviewed to ensure clients understand the information presented.

Commonwealth disability strategy

ASDA maintains guidelines for the drug testing of disabled athletes as part of its field service procedures. These procedures inform ASDA staff on athlete notification and sample collection techniques for specific disability types.

ASDA communicated with disabled people and athletes via its various education resources.

The Agency employed specialists to deliver education to some disability groups and maintains a register to allow disabled athletes to make formal complaints regarding ASDA’s services.

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Australian Government Branding

ASDA received notification from DCITA that all government departments and agencies were to adopt the Australian coat of arms as their logo.

In June 2004 ASDA applied to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for an exemption in relation to this requirement. As at 30 June 2004 this application was being considered.

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