Details of consultancies (valued at $10,000 or greater)
In the 16-month period ended 30 June 2022, there were three consultancies where the total fees payable to the consultants were $10,000 or greater. The total expenditure incurred during the 16-month period ended 30 June 2022, in relation to these consultancies is $0.8 million (excluding GST).
Details of individual consultancies are outlined below
| Consultant | Purpose of consultancy | Total approved project fee (excl. GST) | Expenditure 2021-22 (excl. GST) | Future expenditure (excl. GST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price waterhouse Coopers | Accounting advisory and entity establishment | $600,000 | $600,000 | $600,000 |
| Rothschild & Co | Data modelling | $210,000 | $25,351 | $10,000 |
| Clayton Utz | Entity establishment and advisory | $250,000 | $215,314 | $250,000 |
Details of consultancies under $10,000
In the current financial period, there were no consultancies engaged during the year where the total fees payable to the individual consultancies was less than $10,000.
Information and communication technology (ICT) expenditure
STC did not incur any expenditure relate to ICT in the financial period.
Disclosure of Major Contracts
STC has disclosed, in accordance with the requirements of government policy and accompanying guidelines, all contracts greater than $10 million in value entered into during the 16-month period ended 30 June 2022. Where copies of the contract were not available due to COVID-19 workplace restrictions, contracts will be made available as soon as practicable.
Details of the contracts are published on the Victoria Government’s contracts publishing system and can be viewed online http://www.tenders.vic.gov.au.
Contractual details have not been disclosed for those contracts for which disclosure is exempted under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and/or government guidelines.
Office-based environmental impacts
STC was established with interim resources working from home for much of the financial year. In May 2022, STC made an arrangement with Cenitex to rent six workstations in its Melbourne CBD office. The Cenitex office environment is paperless and STC undertakes sustainable procurement practices and initiatives to reduce the environmental impacts including:
- Paperless office environment
- Leveraging the State Purchasing Contract (SPC) for large site energy consumption, which includes the provision of renewable energy certificates, noting a significant reduction in office energy consumption due to staff working from home during the pandemic.
- The building has a 6-star energy efficient NABERs (National Australian Built Environment Rating System).
- Banned the use of single-use plastics in the provision of office supplies to the new building, in support of the goal to phase out single-use plastics across the Victorian Public Service by February 2022
- STC to detail environmental impacts of operations, including impacts of office-based workforce, and any relevant carbon neutrality certifications. Detail (in list form or free text) should be added around any active or proposed environmental initiatives in place
Freedom of information
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) allows the public a right of access to documents held by STC. The purpose of the Act is to extend as far as possible the right of the community to access information held by government departments, local councils, Ministers, and other bodies subject to the Act.
An applicant has a right to apply for access to documents held by a public body. This comprises documents both created by STC or supplied to STC by an external organisation or individual, and may also include maps, films, microfiche, photographs, computer printouts, computer discs, tape recordings and videotapes. Information about the type of material produced by STC is available on STC’s website under its Part II Information Statement.
The Act allows a public body to refuse access, either fully or partially, to certain documents or information. Examples of documents that may not be accessed include cabinet documents; some internal working documents; law enforcement documents; documents covered by legal professional privilege, such as legal advice; personal information about other people; and information provided to a public body in-confidence.
From 1 September 2017, the Act has been amended to reduce the Freedom of Information (FOI) processing time for requests received from 45 to 30 days. However, when external consultation is required under ss29, 29A, 31, 31A, 33, 34 or 35, the processing time automatically reverts to 45 days. Processing time may also be extended by periods of
30 days, in consultation with the applicant. With the applicant’s agreement this may occur any number of times. However, obtaining an applicant’s agreement for an extension cannot occur after the expiry of the timeframe for deciding a request.
If an applicant is not satisfied by a decision made by STC, under section 49A of the Act, they have the right to seek a review by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) within 28 days of receiving a decision letter.
Making a request
FOI requests can be lodged online at www.online.foi.vic.gov.au. An application fee of $29.60 applies. Access charges may also be payable if the document pool is large and the search for material time consuming.
Access to documents can also be obtained through a written request to STC’s Freedom of Information team, as detailed in s17 of the Act.
When making an FOI request, applicants should ensure requests are in writing, and clearly identify what types of material/documents are being sought.
Requests for documents in the possession of The North East Link State Tolling Corporation should be addressed to:
Belinda Bacon
North East Link State Tolling Corporation
Level 10, 80 Collins St
Melbourne VIC 3000
FOI statistics/timeliness
During the 16-month period ended 30 June 2022, STC received nil applications. STC made nil FOI decisions during the 16 months ended 30 June 2022.
Further information regarding the operation and scope of FOI can be obtained from the Act, regulations made under the Act and www.online.foi.vic.gov.au.
Compliance with the Building Act 1993
STC does not own or control any government buildings and consequently is exempt from notifying its compliance with the building and maintenance provisions of the Building Act 1993.
Compliance with the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012
The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 encourages and assists people in making disclosures of improper conduct by public officers and public bodies. The Act provides protection to people who make disclosures in accordance with the Act and establishes a system for the matters disclosed to be investigated and rectifying action to be taken.
STC does not tolerate improper conduct by employees, nor the taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclose such conduct. It is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal corrupt conduct, conduct involving a substantial mismanagement of public resources, or conduct involving a substantial risk to public health and safety or the environment.
STC will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make such disclosures from any detrimental action in reprisal for making the disclosure. It will also afford natural justice to the person who is the subject of the disclosure to the extent it is legally possible.
Reporting procedures
Disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action by STC or any of its employees may be made to the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission:
Level 1, North Tower, 459 Collins Street Melbourne, VIC 3000
Phone: 1300 735 135
Internet: www.ibac.vic.gov.au
Email: info@ibac.vic.gov.au
Asset Management Accountability Framework (AMAF) maturity assessment
STC is exempt from compliance with this disclosure for the financial period ended 30 June 2022, according to exemption obtained in relation to the Standing Directions under the Financial Management Act 1994.
Compliance with DataVic Access Policy
STC does not currently have policies in place in relation to DataVic Access.
Additional information available on request
STC is exempt from compliance with this disclosure for the financial period ended 30 June 2022, according to exemption obtained in relation to the Standing Directions under the Financial Management Act 1994.
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