Transcript Induction Programme Structure

Information for New
Members of Crown
Entity Boards
Crown copyright: State Services
Commission, March 2008
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Outline of content
1 What are Crown entities and where do they fit in the
State services environment?
2 How do Ministers influence Crown entities?
3 Accountability and scrutiny of Crown entities
4 Developing effective relationships
5 Governing a Crown entity
6 Expectations of board members
7 Applying public sector values
8 Additional resources
Crown copyright: State Services
Commission, March 2008
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3 As part of the State services,
Crown entities must
demonstrate high standards of
accountability, and expect to
experience considerable public
scrutiny…
Crown copyright: State Services
Commission, March 2008
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Through accountability to Parliament…
Despite the ‘arm’s length’ relationship, Crown entities
operate within a political setting
Ministers responsible for Crown entities are answerable
to Parliament
A Crown entity can support its Minister by, for example:
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appropriate and transparent reporting (often by supplying
information via the monitoring department)
open and constructive engagement with Select Committees
Following a ‘no surprises’ approach
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Commission, March 2008
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…scrutiny by Select Committees…
Crown entities may appear before Select Committees:

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As witnesses (e.g. in relation to Estimates, financial review or
enquiries)
As advisors (e.g. on a bill)
See guidelines at www.ssc.govt.nz/officials-and-selectcommittees-2007
Information and answers must be full and honest
Parliamentary privilege applies. There must be no
pressure on officials, or action taken against them, for
giving evidence.
Crown copyright: State Services
Commission, March 2008
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Select committees - continued
Entities should be represented at an appropriate level:
usually the chair in respect of Crown entities
Entities should take a "no surprises" approach with their
Minister e.g. giving advance notification of a submission.
‘Protections’ are available to officials but, given a Crown
entity's accountability to its board and Minister, loss of
confidence could result from flouting the conventions.
Responsibility for explaining and justifying government
policy ultimately rests with Ministers.
Board members can appear in a personal capacity.
Crown copyright: State Services
Commission, March 2008
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…by contributing to answers to Parliamentary
Questions, OI Act requests, Ministerial
correspondence, etc…
Ministers have to respond to various forms of request for
information concerning Crown entities in their portfolios.
Crown entities need to provide information to enable
Ministers’ offices or departments to prepare appropriate and
accurate responses.
The timelines for responses can be very short.
Documents created by Crown entities (even internal emails) are subject to disclosure under the OIAct.
All of this place strong disciplines on departments and
entities re record-keeping, productive relationships,
responsive processes, etc.
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Commission, March 2008
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…and also, through the audit process
The Office of the Auditor-General provides independent
assurance to Parliament that State sector organisations
are operating, and accounting for their performance, in
accordance with Parliament’s intentions, and in terms of:
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Performance
Authority
Waste
Probity
Accountability
The OAG audits some 3000 Crown entities (incl School
Boards Of Trustees) and undertakes a wide variety of
inquiries, reviews, etc
Crown copyright: State Services
Commission, March 2008
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