Family Responsibilities Commission

Report to the Family Responsibilities Board and
The Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

Quarterly Report
No. 33

July 2016 to September 2016

Report prepared by the Family Responsibilities Commission under the leadership of Commissioner David Glasgow

Executive Summary
During quarter 33, 1,294 within jurisdiction agency notices were received by the Family Responsibilities Commission (the Commission), an increase of 213 from last quarter. There were 647 conferences held for the same period, representing an increase of 45 from the previous quarter. Fifteen Family Responsibility Agreements (FRAs) were entered into, 47 orders were made to attend community support services and 69 Conditional Income Management (CIM) orders were issued. When compared to last quarter, this represents an increase of 2 FRA’s, an increase of 2 orders to attend community support services and a decrease of 19 CIM orders.

Voluntary Income Management (VIM) agreements increased by six from last quarter. VIM agreements are requested in order to assist with budgeting and to ensure funds remain available for purchases. The Commission considers an increase in VIM numbers to be indicative of community members resuming responsibility for their lives. The Commission case-managed 160 clients during the quarter, making 64 referrals relating to 55 clients. Further activity during the quarter consisted of 20 Applications to Amend or End Agreements or Orders (an increase of 3 from the previous quarter). No Show Cause conferences were held during quarter 33 (the same as the last quarter).

The first quarter of this financial year (term 3 of the school year) has proven to be a quiet one. Official school attendance statistics are as yet unavailable from the Department of Education and Training, however, from weekly attendance figures it would appear that Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge attendance remains within the acceptable to good range. School attendance in both Aurukun and Doomadgee continues to remain a challenge, and Commission and State Government strategies have been put in place in both communities to improve the situation progressing into term 4. Commissioners and Local Coordinators in each of the Welfare Reform communities have continued to place priority on improving school attendance with emphasis also being placed on the importance of conference attendance as a measure of Commission performance. Local Commissioners have committed to maximising client attendance at conference, recognising that the long term success of the Commission depends on meaningful interaction with clients; maintaining conversations, asking questions and adding value to client relationships. The Commissioners have affirmed that building upon the sense of community is pivotal to their success. The Commission will be closely monitoring reporting on conference attendance to more accurately identify explained absences from conference and commencing from October attendance statistics will be provided at conference to focus on future strategies to encourage attendance at conference and re-engage with clients where necessary.

The parenting program in Aurukun has been implementing changes and working well since commencing a partnership with the Griffith Youth Forensic Service (GYFS) and the Commission. A Junior Child and Family Practitioner commenced in Aurukun on 23 August 2016, and a Senior Child and Family Practitioner commenced on 7 September 2016. Dimity Adams and Susan Rayment-McHugh of GYFS will provide supervision and mentoring for the new practitioners. Presently there remains two part-time positions for local community members to be filled. Both the Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy Aurukun Campus and the Remote Area Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Care (RAATSIC) are providing referrals to the parenting program, and Commission clients have shown an average of 66 percent attendance rate at the parenting program since the beginning of the partnership in May.

This quarter the Commission has reassessed its responsibilities for those employees living and working in Indigenous communities who face safety issues through their work and in their daily lives which are not encountered in urban settings. A guide to living and working in Indigenous communities has been drafted to assist in the identification, assessment and control of risks associated with remote or isolated work and a guideline has also been drafted to assist employees who find themselves having to deal with a traumatic event or critical incident in or out of community.

Table of contents

1.  Activities and Trends		4
2.  Future Direction and Challenges	11
3.  Financial Operations		14

Abbreviations
CIM		Conditional Income Management
DATSIP		Department of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
DET		Department of Education and Training
DJAG		Department of Justice and Attorney-General
DV		Domestic Violence
FRA		Family Responsibilities Agreement
FRC		Family Responsibilities Commission
GYFS		Griffith Youth Forensic Service
QPS		Queensland Police Service
VIM		Voluntary Income Management
Also:		
Family Responsibilities Commission (the Commission)
Family Responsibilities Commission Act 2008 (the Act)
Family Responsibilities Commission Registry (the Registry)
Family Responsibilities Board (the Board)

Family Responsibilities Commission
Welfare Reforms

Report to 30 September 2016.
1.  Activities and Trends

Notices
In quarter 33 the Commission received 2,008 agency notices. Some individuals may have been the subject of more than one agency notice. Of that figure 1294 notices (64 percent) were within the Commission’s jurisdiction and 714 notices (36 percent) were outside the Commission’s jurisdiction.

Within jurisdiction notices comprised of:

	44	District Court notices
	0	Childrens Court notices
	300	Magistrates Court notices
	22	Domestic Violence Breach notices
	41	Domestic Violence Order notices
	800	School Attendance notices
	4	School Enrolment notices
	65	Child Safety and Welfare notices
	18	Housing Tenancy notices

Of the 714 notices not within the Commission’s jurisdiction, there were 18 District Court notices, 462 Magistrates Court notices, 18 Domestic Violence Breach notices, 27 Domestic Violence Order notices, 185 School Attendance notices, 1 School Enrolment notice, 1 Child Safety and Welfare notice and 2 Housing Tenancy notices.

Details of notices within jurisdiction for each community are set out below:

•	Aurukun’s 513 notices constitute 39.64 percent of the total notices in jurisdiction across the welfare reform communities:

	29	District Court notices
	0	Childrens Court notices
	162	Magistrates Court notices
	13	Domestic Violence Breach notices
	22	Domestic Violence Order notices
	258	School Attendance notices
	2	School Enrolment notices
	22	Child Safety and Welfare notices
	5	Housing Tenancy notices

Eight District Court notices, 177 Magistrates Court notices, 6 Domestic Violence Breach notices, 4 Domestic Violence Order notices and 16 School Attendance notices were processed as not within jurisdiction.
•	Coen’s 78 notices constitute 6.03 percent of the total notices in jurisdiction:

	0	District Court notices
	0	Childrens Court notices
	26	Magistrates Court notices
	4	Domestic Violence Breach notices
	5	Domestic Violence Order notices
	31	School Attendance notices
	0	School Enrolment notices
	10	Child Safety and Welfare notices
	2	Housing Tenancy notices

Thirty Magistrates Court notices, 3 Domestic Violence Order notices and 6 School Attendance notices were processed as not within jurisdiction.

•	Doomadgee’s 336 notices constitute 25.97 percent of the total notices in jurisdiction:

	310	School Attendance notices
	0	School Enrolment notices
	26	Child Safety and Welfare notices

One hundred and forty-one School Attendance notices and 1 Child Safety and Welfare notice were processed as not within jurisdiction.

•	Hope Vale’s 325 notices constitute 25.12 percent of the total notices in jurisdiction:

	9	District Court notices
	0	Childrens Court notices
	99	Magistrates Court notices
	2	Domestic Violence Breach notices
	13	Domestic Violence Order notices
	190	School Attendance notices
	1	School Enrolment notice
	7	Child Safety and Welfare notices
	4	Housing Tenancy notices

One hundred and forty-three Magistrates Court notices, 4 Domestic Violence Breach notices, 9 Domestic Violence Order notices, 22 School Attendance notices, 1 School Enrolment notice and 1 Housing Tenancy notice were processed as not within jurisdiction.

•	Mossman Gorge’s 42 notices constitute 3.24 percent of the total notices in jurisdiction:

	6	District Court notices
	0	Childrens Court notices
	13	Magistrates Court notices
	3	Domestic Violence Breach notices
	1	Domestic Violence Order notice
	11	School Attendance notices
	1	School Enrolment notice
	0	Child Safety and Welfare notices
	7	Housing Tenancy notices

Ten District Court notices, 112 Magistrates Court notices, 8 Domestic Violence Breach notices, 11 Domestic Violence Order notices and 1 Housing Tenancy notice were processed as not within jurisdiction.

Since its commencement the Commission has received 26,756 agency notices within its jurisdiction. Total notices increased from 1,688 in quarter 32 to 2,008 in quarter 33. Of those notices in jurisdiction, District Court, Magistrates Court, Domestic Violence Breach, School Attendance and Child Safety and Welfare notices increased, whilst Childrens Court, Domestic Violence Order and Housing Tenancy notices decreased. School Enrolment notices remained unchanged.

District Court notices increased this quarter to 44 from 9 received in the previous quarter. Aurukun, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge increased by 22, 8 and 6 notices respectively, whilst Coen decreased by 1 notice for the quarter. The Commission does not receive District Court notices for Doomadgee.

Effective from 1 July 2016 the Youth Justice Act 1992 was amended by the Youth Justice and Other Legislation Act (No. 1) 2016 and Youth Justice and Other Legislation Act (No. 2) 2016 prohibiting the publication of identifying information about all children dealt with under the Youth Justice Act. The effect of the amendments is that notices are unable to be provided to the Commission, as publication of identifying information is prohibited under s301 of the Youth Justice Act 1992.

Magistrates Court notices increased this quarter to 300 from 252 received in the previous quarter. Three out of the five communities experienced an increase in notices this quarter. Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge increased by 15, 58 and 7 notices respectively, whilst Aurukun decreased by 32 notices. The Commission does not receive Magistrates Court notices for Doomadgee.

Domestic Violence Breach notices increased from 10 in quarter 32 to 22 in quarter 33. Four out of the five communities experienced an increase in notices this quarter. Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge increased by 4 notices, 3 notices, 2 notices and 3 notices respectively. The Commission does not receive Domestic Violence Breach notices for Doomadgee.

Domestic Violence Order notices decreased from 49 in quarter 32 to 41 in quarter 33. Aurukun, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge decreased by 3 notices, 1 notice and 4 notices respectively, whilst Coen remained unchanged with 5 notices. The Commission does not receive Domestic Violence Order notices for Doomadgee.

School Attendance notices increased from 686 in quarter 32 to 800 in quarter 33. All five communities experienced an increase in notices this quarter. Aurukun, Coen, Doomadgee, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge increased by 18 notices, 3 notices, 23 notices, 67 notices and 3 notices respectively.

School Enrolment notices remained unchanged with 4 notices received for the quarter. Aurukun and Mossman Gorge increased by 1 notice each whilst Coen and Hope Vale both decreased by 1 notice.

Child Safety and Welfare notices increased from 24 in quarter 32 to 65 in quarter 33. Aurukun, Coen and Doomadgee increased by 22 notices, 8 notices and 19 notices respectively. Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge decreased by 5 notices and 3 notices respectively with zero notices received for Mossman Gorge for the quarter.

Housing Tenancy notices decreased to 18 from 23 received in the previous quarter. Aurukun increased by 5 notices, Mossman Gorge increased by 1 notice, whilst Coen and Hope Vale decreased by 3 notices and 8 notices respectively. The Commission does not receive Housing Tenancy notices for Doomadgee.

The Commission receives school attendance data from the Department of Education and Training (DET). This data is published on the Commission’s web page at http://www.frcq.org.au when available.

Table 1: In jurisdiction notices by type and quarter 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2016.

Notices by Agency Processed	Qtr 29	Qtr 30	Qtr 31	Qtr 32	Qtr 33	
District Court	65	16	4	9	44	
Children’s Court	22	41	29	24	0	
Magistrates Court	354	244	322	252	300	
Domestic Violence Breach	0	0	22	10	22	
Domestic Violence Order	0	0	30	49	41	
School Attendance	665	614	544	686	800	
School Enrolment	11	7	4	4	4	
Child Safety	38	52	43	24	65	
Housing Tenancy	15	12	19	23	18	
TOTAL	1170	986	1017	1081	1294	

Table 2: In jurisdiction notices by community and quarter 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2016.

Community	Qtr 29	Qtr 30	Qtr 31	Qtr 32	Qtr 33	
Aurukun	523	438	479	498	513	
Coen	58	41	56	54	78	
Doomadgee	271	231	211	294	336	
Hope Vale	276	247	226	207	325	
Mossman Gorge	42	29	45	28	42	
TOTAL	1170	986	1017	1081	1294	

Since commencement in July 2008, 86.9 percent of clients have received more than one notice with 60.3 percent of clients receiving more than five notices. Frequently this illustrates multiple child school absences for the one family or multiple Magistrates Court notices relating to one incident. Conversely, 13.1 percent of clients have received only one notice.

Table 3: FRC clients by number of notices 1 July 2008 to 30 September 2016.

Number of Notices Received	Number of Clients	
1	264	
2	206	
3	146	
4	96	
5	90	
>5	1219	
TOTAL	2021	

(Note:  Counting rules stipulate that where multiple charges are received each charge is counted as an individual notice or each child’s absence is counted as one notice – i.e. if three children from the one family were absent, that was counted as three notices).

Conferences
Six hundred and forty-seven conferences were held across the five communities in quarter 33 resulting in 15 FRA’s being entered into, 47 orders made to attend community support services and 69 CIM orders. Other outcomes as a result of conferencing during the quarter were decisions for no further action, rescheduling and scheduling to return for review with compliance. Forty-two new clients were added to the Commission’s database during the quarter. Details of conferencing activity in each community for quarter 33 are as follows:

	242 conferences were held in Aurukun
	25 conferences were held in Coen
	219 conferences were held in Doomadgee
	109 conferences were held in Hope Vale
	52 conferences were held in Mossman Gorge.

Conferences increased from 602 in quarter 32 to 647 in quarter 33.

Table 4: Conferences by community and quarter 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2016.

Community	Qtr 29	Qtr 30	Qtr 31	Qtr 32	Qtr 33	
Aurukun	244	190	211	247	242	
Coen	24	18	28	28	25	
Doomadgee	205	189	146	166	219	
Hope Vale	153	92	121	110	109	
Mossman Gorge	51	37	36	51	52	
TOTAL	677	526	542	602	647	

Referrals
The number of referrals to service providers increased from 56 in quarter 32 to 64 in quarter 33, relating to 55 clients. Since commencement the Commission has referred 934 clients to service providers resulting in approximately 45.7 percent of clients on 12 month service referral plans. Referrals in the communities during the quarter were as follows: Aurukun decreased by 1; Coen decreased by 2; Doomadgee increased by 10; Hope Vale decreased by 4 and Mossman Gorge increased by 5.

Table 5: Referral pathways by referral type and quarter 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2016.

Referral Type	Qtr 29	Qtr 30	Qtr 31	Qtr 32	Qtr 33	
MPower	3	6	3	6	6	
WBC - RDFS	34	22	28	35	38	
WBC – NWRH	7	2	0	3	2	
SCM	1	2	0	0	0	
Parenting Program	2	13	1	11	3	
Home Pride	0	1	0	1	1	
QLD Health	1	1	1	0	4	
Save the Children	5	5	1	0	10	
Other	0	0	0	0	0	
TOTAL	53	52	34	56	64	

Conditional Income Management
Sixty-nine CIM orders were made in quarter 33, a decrease of 19 from quarter 32. Since the commencement of the Commission 1,926 CIM orders inclusive of original orders, extensions and amendments have been made relating to 767 clients. Further activity during the quarter is as follows: Aurukun, Doomadgee and Hope Vale decreased by 8, 5 and 10 CIM orders respectively, whilst Coen and Mossman Gorge increased by 1 and 3 CIM orders respectively.

As at 30 September 2016, 37.6 percent of the Commission’s clients have been subject to a CIM order over the past eight and a quarter years. As at 30 September 2016 there were 173 clients subject to a CIM order which equates to 8.5 percent of clients on a CIM order at a point in time. Commissioners continue to negotiate with clients to achieve desirable outcomes or to demonstrate motivation and commitment to make appropriate life choices. Demonstrated positive steps toward taking responsibility provide the Commissioners with sufficient reason to consider revoking CIM orders when requested by the client.

The Commission processed 6 VIM agreements this quarter and since the commencement of the Commission in 2008, 111 clients have requested a VIM agreement. Those clients that request a VIM agreement use income management as a savings and budget tool, often for a specified period and to deter family members from accessing their income.

Table 6: Conditional Income Management orders by community and quarter 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2016.

Community	Qtr 29	Qtr 30	Qtr 31	Qtr 32	Qtr 33	
Aurukun	47	24	31	35	27	
Coen	2	1	1	2	3	
Doomadgee	0	0	0	28	23	
Hope Vale	9	18	4	17	7	
Mossman Gorge	8	10	6	6	9	
TOTAL	66	53	42	88	69	

Case Management
As at 30 September 2016, 160 clients were being case-managed, an increase from 159 in quarter 32. Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge increased by 8, 4 and 3 respectively, Aurukun and Doomadgee decreased by 12 and 2 respectively.

Show Cause Notices
During quarter 33, and similar to quarter 32, no Show Cause hearings were held.

Table 7: Show Cause Notices by community and quarter 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2016.

Community	Qtr 29	Qtr 30	Qtr 31	Qtr 32	Qtr 33	
Aurukun	5	0	0	0	0	
Coen	0	0	0	0	0	
Doomadgee	0	0	0	0	0	
Hope Vale	0	0	0	0	0	
Mossman Gorge	0	0	0	0	0	
TOTAL	5	0	0	0	0	

Applications to Amend or End Agreements or Orders
Twenty Applications to Amend or End a Family Responsibilities Agreement or Order were received in quarter 33, an increase of 3 from quarter 32. Outcomes of the 20 applications received are as follows:

	7 Applications granted and Income Management agreements and orders revoked
	3 Applications dismissed
	1 CIM order percentage decreased from 90 to 60 percent for the remaining 
		 period of the existing order
	1 CIM order percentage decreased from 90 to 60 percent for the remaining 
		 period of the existing order and client placed on a case plan
	8 Applications received at the end of the quarter, decision pending

The Commission continues to encourage clients to participate in the Amend or End process. Commissioners report increasing client confidence to question decisions and the reasons behind decisions, both for decisions delivered by the Commission and decisions delivered by external agencies and bodies.

Table 8: Applications to Amend or End FRA or Order by community and quarter 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2016.

Community	Qtr 29	Qtr 30	Qtr 31	Qtr 32	Qtr 33	
Aurukun	5	5	7	8	9	
Coen	0	0	1	0	3	
Doomadgee	0	0	0	0	1	
Hope Vale	5	6	7	7	6	
Mossman Gorge	3	2	5	2	1	
TOTAL	13	13	20	17	20	

2.  Future Direction and Challenges

Doomadgee
Following the pronounced drop in school attendance from term 1 to term 2 at the Doomadgee State School, attendance rates have improved slightly for the primary school students in term 3 but still remained in the 50 to 55 percent range. On 30 August 2016 the Doomadgee Local Commissioners, Deputy Commission Curtin, Registrar Maxine McLeod, Client Manager Camille Banks and Local Coordinator Bryce Coxall met to discuss the drop in school attendance. The Local Commissioners committed themselves unequivocally to developing strategies to raise school attendance with a view to increasing it into the 70 percent range. Local Commissioners set the following priorities:

•	support the school to implement an offsite temporary transition class, proposed to be located at the Youth Hub, for students with challenging behaviours
•	continue to emphasise in conference that poor behaviour of other students is not an excuse for not attending school
•	continue to issue income management orders in conjunction with case plans
•	increase the effectiveness of income management by meeting with Centrelink regarding the delay in issuing BasicsCards
•	investigate the possibility of DET providing school enrolment notices to facilitate the conferencing of parents who have failed to enrol their children in school (s41 of the FRC Act)
•	support the possible expansion of Transition Support Services to the Gulf as there is no external support available to the school to assist students to transition to boarding schools
•	seek to clarify and consolidate the community’s guidelines and expectations for sorry business and school attendance.

The Commissioners particularly noted that some children of community members in fulltime employment (including the children of those employed by service providers) are not attending school consistently and this contributes to a negative message regarding the value of education. The Commissioners raised the matter with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet who will be addressing the matter with their service providers. The Doomadgee Local Coordinator met with David Morris, Regional Director, North West Region, Education Queensland in community on 6 September. Mr Morris expressed a keen desire to meet with the Local Commissioners on 6 October to inform them of DET’s decision to commence prosecution processes beginning in term 4. Discussions held included:

•	the prosecution of carers not within the Commission’s jurisdiction
•	improving the relationship between the FRC Commissioners and the Doomadgee State School
•	further training for Doomadgee teachers regarding roll marking processes
•	improved behaviour management support at the school
•	increasing the number of students going to boarding school and 
•	extra support for boarding school students once they have left community.

Mossman Gorge
Mossman Gorge Local Commissioners report that school attendance is adversely impacted by the consumption of alcohol and late night parties in the community, and have sought a voluntary liquor accord to be established. Discussions have taken place between Queensland Police Service (QPS), Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG), Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku inc., service providers and the Commission to commence negotiations for the implementation of a liquor accord. A further meeting with the Commissioner of Police, local organisations and publicans in Mossman and Port Douglas has been postponed until the end of October.

The Mossman Gorge Wellbeing Centre reports that of a total of 16 monthly progress reports received, relating to 8 clients, 10 reports indicate that clients have attended over the period 1 July to 30 September 2016. These figures represent 63 percent attendance at the Mossman Gorge WBC which, although down from the month of June (92 percent), still represents a substantial and encouraging improvement on attendances prior to the changes in staffing at the WBC.

Aurukun
As reported in the Commission’s Annual Report 2015-16, the appointment of Brendon McMahon as Senior Government Coordinator on 30 May 2016 was well received in community and his presence has done much to facilitate joint efforts in community to restore order. During this quarter public violence has substantially decreased and there has been considerable success in restoring calm in the community. CCTV surveillance cameras have been installed throughout the town and the following strategies have been implemented and have contributed to community safety and wellbeing:

•	three health providers (Queensland Health, Wellbeing Centre and Apunipima) have formed a close alliance to provide holistic health services to clients
•	QPS has increased its presence in community, particularly in regard to Alcohol Management Plan enforcement and community patrols
•	the Police-Citizens Youth Club has officially opened and commenced activities in the newly refurbished community hall
•	Cape York Employment and Queensland Transport have combined to improve the ability for community members to access motor vehicle licences
•	Aurukun Aboriginal Shire Council has opened a library/Indigenous Knowledge Learning Centre
•	increased security has been provided to Education Queensland staff
•	the parenting centre has been reviewed and a new plan established 
•	a prisoner/youth detention returnee plan has been introduced to assist reintegration of released persons into community.

The Commission is advised that numerous mediations have occurred this quarter with both mediators performing well in their roles and providing a proactive approach to community mediations. The mediations have been beneficial in improving relationships within community.

Operations
No Childrens Court notices were received for the quarter due to amendments to the Youth Justice Act 1992 which became effective from 1 July 2016. The Commission has been advised that talks are ongoing between DATSIP and DJAG in regard to a resolution.

The Commission has written to the Honourable Shannon Fentiman MP, Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence in response to a call for submissions on the Domestic and Family Violence Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016. The Commission has inquired as to whether it could be recognised as a ‘prescribed entity’ to enable DJAG to share victim and perpetrator information (protection orders) for the purpose of assessing risk and managing cases where there is a serious threat of safety because of domestic violence (DV). The provision of the domestic violence order will provide accurate and factual information as to what occurred in a DV incident which has led to an order being issued by the Court (without relying solely on the respondent’s information), accurate information as to the parties involved, and a greater ability for the Commission to support victims of domestic and family violence.

The Commission has established an internal process whereby Local Coordinators will seek a fortnightly update from service providers on those clients scheduled to attend conference the following week. This will give Commissioners up-to-date information on the attendance and engagement of clients at those services, may serve to encourage service providers to engage with clients and will facilitate better relations and collaboration between the Commission and service providers.

The Commission’s Customer Relationship Management database has been enhanced to allow these fortnightly updates to be incorporated into the case management information already collected through Monthly Progress Reports. The data will assist in providing the Commission with a better picture of both individual and broader client outcomes as they progress through a case plan.

3.  Financial Operations

Governance

Part 12 of the Act provides for the establishment of the Family Responsibilities Board (the Board).

The Board has a mandate to give advice and make recommendations to the Minister about the operation of the Commission and similarly to give advice and make recommendations to the Commissioner about the performance of the Commission’s functions.

The Board must meet at least every six months. The meeting may be held by using any technology available which will allow for efficient and effective communication, however, the Board members must meet in person at least once a year. A quorum for the Board is comprised of two members. The Board’s membership consists of the following members. Mr Troy Sloan is currently an acting Board member on behalf of the Australian Government:

•	Ms Clare O’Connor	Director-General, Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
•	Mr Noel Pearson		Founder, Cape York Partnership as the Executive Chairman, representing Cape York Institute.
•	Mr Troy Sloan	First Assistant Secretary, Indigenous Affairs, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Operational

In meeting obligations under Part 3 of the Act, the Family Responsibilities Commission Registry (the Registry) commenced operations on 1 July 2008 with a central Registry office established in Cairns and local Registry offices operating in each of the five welfare reform communities.

The Registry, managed by the Registrar, provides corporate and operational support to the Commissioner, the Local Commissioners and the Local Coordinators.

Financial

Income:
•	Income received by the Commission for the period 1 July 2016 to 30 September 2016 totalled $1,029,626. This income consisted of:
•	$407,500 Queensland Government funding
•	$156,500 Queensland Government
•	$450,000 Australian Government funding
•	$4,065 interest received
•	$11,561 received in sundry income.
The balance of available funds in the bank as at 30 September 2016 is $2,473,028.

Expenditure:
•	Expenditure for the period 1 July 2016 to 30 September 2016 was $952,239. This total represents 22 percent of the projected annual expenditure of $4,253,232.

Table 9: Expenditure in quarter 33.

1 July 2016 to	Expenditure	1 July 2016 to	Expenditure	
30 September 2016	Qtr 33	30 September 2016	Qtr 33	
				
Employee salaries – FRC staff	$484,232	Internet & IT	$47,363	
Employee salaries – Local Commissioners	$81,200	Motor vehicle	$15,130	
Employee on costs – FRC staff	$99,502	Property	$53,453	
Employee on costs – Local Commissioners	$14,019	Travel	$47,770	
Other employment costs	$10,384	General operating	$63,317	
Communications	$5,614	Other expenses	$30,255	
		Total	$952,239	

Quarter 33 disbursement of expenditure by category and percentage of total expenditure.

Table 10: Total FRC Operating Costs 1 July 2016 to 30 September 2016.

Expenditure Category	Percentage of Total Expenditure	
Employee salaries – FRC staff	50.9%	
Employee salaries – Local Commissioners	8.5%	
Employee on costs – FRC staff	10.4%	
Employee on costs – Local Commissioners	1.5%	
Other employment costs	1.1%	
Communications	0.6%	
Internet & IT	5.0%	
Motor vehicle	1.6%	
Property	5.6%	
Travel	5.0%	
General operating	6.6%	
Other expenses	3.2%	
Total	100.0%	

Regional operational expenditure by location and quarter.

Table 11: Operating Costs by remote location 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2016.

Community	Qtr 29	Qtr 30	Qtr 31	Qtr 32	Qtr 33	
Aurukun	$135K	$96K	$115K	$167K	$124K	
Coen	$31K	$24K	$41K	$58K	$39K	
Doomadgee	$132K	$144K	$141K	$185K	$148K	
Hope Vale	$72K	$82K	$84K	$120K	$75K	
Mossman Gorge	$47K	$44K	$47K	$55K	$39K	
TOTAL	$417K	$390K	$428K	$585K	$425K	

Cairns Registry expenditure for quarter 33 compared to the previous five quarters.

Table 12: Quarterly Operating Costs Cairns 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2016.

Community	Qtr 29	Qtr 30	Qtr 31	Qtr 32	Qtr 33	
Corporate Services	$206K	$202K	$221K	$229K	$245K	
Operations	$242K	$250K	$272K	$248K	$246K	
Gov/Board Reporting	$36K	$37K	$33K	$35K	$36K	
Abnormal Expenditure	$0K	$0K	$0K	$1K	$0K	
TOTAL	$484K	$489K	$526K	$513K	$527K	

APPENDIX A			

	SITTING CALENDAR 2016
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES COMMISSION
1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016		
Week Beginning	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Other	
4 January						Cooktown Circuit	
11 January						Aurukun Cape B & Coen Cape A Circuit	
18 January						19 ASC Meeting, 20/21 DSC Meeting
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
25 January		Public Holiday				26 Australia Day	
1 February		2	3	4		Cooktown Circuit	
		2	3				
8 February	8	9	10	11		Aurukun Cape B Circuit	
15 February		16	17	18		16 ASC Meeting, 17/18 DSC Meeting
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		16	17				
22 February	22	23	24				
29 February		1	2	3			
		1		3			
7 March	7	8	9			Cooktown Circuit	
14 March		15	16	17		15 ASC Meeting, 16/17 DSC Meeting
Local Government Elections 19/3/2015
Aurukun Cape B & Coen Cape A Circuit
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		15		17			
21 March	21	22	23		Public Holiday	25 Good Friday	
	21						
28 March	Public Holiday			31		28 Easter Monday	
4 April						Cooktown Circuit	
11 April		12	13	14		Aurukun Cape B Circuit	
		12		14			
18 April	18	19	20	21		18 ASC Meeting, 20/21 DSC Meeting
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
25 April	Public Holiday		27	28		25 Anzac Day	
		26		28			
2 May	Public Holiday					2 Labour Day
Commissioner Development Week
Cooktown Circuit	

	SITTING CALENDAR 2016
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES COMMISSION
1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016		
Week Beginning	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Other	
9 May		10	11	12		Aurukun Cape B & Coen Cape A Circuit	
16 May		17	18	19		17 ASC Meeting, 18/19 DSC Meeting
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		17		19			
23 May	23	24	25				
30 May		31	1	2		Cooktown Circuit	
		31					
6 June	6	7	8				
13 June			15	16		15/16 DSC Meeting
Aurukun Cape B Circuit	
		14		16			
				16			
20 June	20	21	22	23		20 ASC Meeting
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		21					
27 June							
4 July						Cooktown Circuit	
11 July		12	13			Aurukun Cape B & Coen Cape A Circuit	
18 July		19	20	21	Public Holiday	Estimates 19, 20, 21 and 22
22 Cairns Show Day
19 ASC Meeting, 20/21 DSC Meeting
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		19					
25 July	25	26	27	28		25 Mossman Show
Estimates 26, 27, 28 and 29	
1 August		2	3	Public Holiday		4 Aurukun Day
Cooktown Circuit
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		2		4			
8 August	8	9	10				
15 August		16	17	18		16 ASC Meeting, 17/18 DSC Meeting
Aurukun Cape B Circuit
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		16		18			
22 August	22	23	24		Public Holiday	26 Doomadgee Day	

	SITTING CALENDAR 2016
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES COMMISSION
1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016		
Week Beginning	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Other	
29 August		30	31	1			
		30					
5 September	5	6	7			Cooktown Circuit	
12 September		13	14	15		Aurukun Cape B & Coen Cape A Circuit
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		13		15			
19 September						20 ASC Meeting, 21/22 DSC Meeting	
26 September							
3 October	Public Holiday	4	5	6		3 Queens Birthday
Cooktown Circuit	
				6			
10 October		11	12	13		Aurukun Cape B Circuit
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		11					
17 October		18				19/20 DSC Meeting	
		18	19				
		18		20			
24 October	24	25	26			27 ASC Meeting	
31 October		1				Cooktown Circuit	
		1	2				
		1					
7 November		8	9	10		Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
		8					
14 November		15				15 ASC Meeting, 16/17 DSC Meeting
Aurukun Cape B & Coen Cape A Circuit	
		15	16				
		15		17			
21 November		22	23	24			
		22					
28 November		29				CYAAA schools finish 2/12/2016	
		29	30				
		29					
5 December						Aurukun Cape B Circuit
Doomadgee - Gulf Circuit	
12 December						Cooktown Circuit
13 ASC Meeting	
19 December						21/22 DSC Meeting	
26 December	Public Holiday	Public Holiday				25 Christmas Day, 26 Boxing Day
27, 28, 29, 30 Office closed for Xmas	

LEGEND

	Office Days	
	Public Holidays	
	Aurukun Sitting	
	Coen Sitting	
	Doomadgee Sittings	
	Hope Vale Sitting	
	Mossman Gorge Sitting	
ASC	Aurukun Shire Council Meeting	
DSC	Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council Meeting	
0	Cancelled Conference	

OFFICE	CONTACT NAME	Phone	Mobile	Facsimile	
Cairns – Registrar	Ms Maxine McLeod	4057 3871	0409 461 624	4041 0974	
Cairns – Client Manager	Ms Camille Banks	4057 3874	0419 647 948	4041 0974	
Cairns – Accountant	Ms Andrea Cotten	4057 3875	0429 495 353	4041 0974	
Aurukun Local Coordinator	Ms Dellis Gledhill	4060 6185	0428 985 106	4060 6094	
Coen Local Coordinator	Ms Sandi Rye		0417 798 392	4041 0974	
Doomadgee Local Coordinator	Mr Bryce Coxall	4745 8111	0418 666 204	4745 8366	
Hope Vale Local Coordinator	Ms Samantha Foster	4060 9153	0408 482 026	4060 9137	
Mossman Gorge Local Coordinator	Ms Sandi Rye		0417 798 392	4041 0974