Statutory reporting requirements

All disposals of historical material during 2017–18 were made under Section 9A of the Museum Act, which permits disposal of historical material not in the National Historical Collection. The items disposed of formed part of the following collections:

• Balarinji Design Archive collection
• ATSIC XI Cricket Team collection
• Bruce Dickson collection
• Lloyd Sharland collection.

Objects are carefully assessed, and disposed of for a number of different reasons, such as being duplicates or of little historical value. This year, the method of disposal included donations to charity (Balarinji Design Archive collection), returning to donor (ATSIC XI Cricket Team collection), transfer to the National Library of Australia (Bruce Dickson collection) and, in some cases, destruction (Balarinji Design Archive, Bruce Dickson, Lloyd Sharland collections).

The Museum values the health and safety of all workers (which includes volunteers, contractors and staff) and its visitors. The Museum proactively manages health and safety issues within the existing WHS management framework, with a strong emphasis on promoting safety awareness for our workers and contractors.

WHS capability development in 2017–18 included delivering awareness training in loading dock safety procedures, hazard and incident reporting, working safely at heights and floor warden duties.

Key initiatives and outcomes during 2017–18 included:

• a notable reduction in the Museum’s workers’ compensation premium
• ongoing review of public event risk management plans, contractors’ safety management plans, and safe work method statements in consultation with Museum stakeholders
• a review and improvement of the WHS management framework, including implementing practical controls to mitigate risks and minimise the potential for incidents to occur
• creation of a proactive Lead Dust Management Plan
• new contractor induction process, coordinated by the Property Operations business unit.

The Museum continues to review and improve the WHS management framework, including implementing practical controls to mitigate risks and minimise the potential for incidents to occur.

In 2017–18, the Museum continued to promote a healthy lifestyle through a wellbeing program for staff and volunteers that included a flu vaccination program, health checks and information sessions.

Category and number of reported incidents

In 2017–18, the Museum had a total of 66 minor injuries reported (those that require nil medical treatment or only minor first-aid treatment). One serious injury and four dangerous incidents occurred during the reporting period. Comcare, the Commonwealth regulator, issued one non-disturbance notice and no improvement or prohibition notices to the Museum.

In accordance with Section 516A of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the Museum annually reports on its activities in the context of their effect on the environment and the principles of ecologically sustainable development. The Museum is committed to the conservation of natural resources through ongoing improvements to its energy management program and implementation of other initiatives aimed at minimising its environmental impact, including:

• monitoring and adjusting energy consumption in the building’s thermal and mechanical plant and environmental systems to establish seasonal patterns of consumption which inform our energy targets and identify possible efficiencies to achieve energy savings
• participating in the ACT cultural agencies natural gas contract to ensure that the Museum is achieving best value outcomes through accessing whole-of government energy contracts
• continuing to participate in a whole-of-government electricity supply contract with ActewAGL, which means that 10 per cent of the electricity provided is ‘green energy’ from renewable sources
• using toilet paper and paper hand towels made from recycled material, and recycling paper products, toner cartridges, glass and plastic bottles from all areas of the Museum, resulting in approximately 30 per cent of all waste being recycled
• monitoring water consumption to ensure the Museum meets desired consumption levels and investigates any unusual increases that may occur
• using environmentally friendly cleaning products that feature biodegradable components, have very low or no toxicity, use ultra-low volatile organic compounds and do not contain phosphates or bleach.

Advertising and market research expenditure 2017–18

In accordance with reporting requirements contained in Section 311A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the Museum annually reports expenditure on advertising and market research, as summarised in the table below.

Note: In accordance with Section 311A(2) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, only payments over $13,200 are reported.