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Introduction

The general performance standard for all policy outputs is that the output meets the standards for quality, quantity, coverage, timeliness and cost as defined below. These standards apply to Output Classes 1, 2 and 3 for Vote: Environment and Output Class 1 for Vote: Energy - Energy Efficiency and Conservation.

Quality

All policy advice is required to:

  • be clear and concise in both purpose and presentation
  • offer a logical argument supported by facts and be consistent with the Ministry's purpose
  • identify issues, impacts, costs benefits and assumptions
  • cover all relevant and practicable options
  • be factually accurate
  • be discussed with relevant officials and key interested or affected groups.

Drafting instructions for Orders in Council and regulations are required to be:

  • intra vires
  • in accordance with principal statutes
  • of quality acceptable to Parliamentary Council.

Quantity

The Ministry is required to produce policy advice as detailed in the 2002-2003 Estimates and Output Statement (subject to amendments by agreement with the Minister to take account of changing Government priorities).

Coverage

A comprehensive service must be provided to the Minister which:

  • includes the capacity to react urgently
  • provides regular evaluations of the impacts of Government policy
  • provides timely briefings that anticipate issues
  • provides support for the Minister as required in Cabinet Committees, Caucus Committees, Select Committees and in the House.

Because the implications of environmental management are global, the Ministry, on behalf of the Government, has a key role in working with international agencies such as the United Nations (United Nations Environment Programme, Commission on Sustainable Development), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme and the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Forum.

Timeliness

The Ministry is required to meet the agreed deadlines specified in the Estimates and the Output Statement, or as amended by agreement with the Minister.

Cost

All policy should be produced within budget.

Quality assurance

The Ministry provides policy advice on resource management and environmental issues of a quality that meets the needs of the Minister. The performance standard is that 95% or more products will be satisfactory or better.

The Ministry provides for quality assurance and peer review in all project plans and for all analytical work and statutory/legal work.

Changes to the Output Statement

Performance standards in the Output Statement may be amended to accommodate changing circumstances, following approval of the Minister.

Changes to performance standards in the 2002/2003 Output Statement were approved by the Minister and recorded in writing.

Non-departmental revenue and receipts

The Ministry is required to ensure that all Crown revenue and receipts are appropriately accounted for and collected.

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