Statutory Reporting Requirements

All disposals of historical material during 2016–17 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 were:

• a GTV-9 broadcast van
• a float used for the PS Enterprise
• a Lloyd Hartnett car
• a spare water tank for the Laffly street sweeper.

The items were disposed of because they were no longer required by the Museum, primarily due to their poor condition. Methods of disposal included sale and return of the item (the car) to the donor.

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 Work Health and Safety (WHS) management framework, with a strong emphasis on promoting safety awareness for our workers and contractors.

WHS capability development in 2016–17 included delivering awareness training in asbestos in a museum environment; hazard and incident reporting; training in working safely at heights; and training for floor wardens and first-aid officers.

Key initiatives and outcomes during 2016–17 included:

• a notable reduction in the Museum’s workers’ compensation premium
• engagement of an A-Class asbestos assessor to assist the Museum in its proactive management of material containing asbestos in some of its diverse collection objects
• ongoing review of public event risk management plans, contractors’ safety management plans, and safe work method statements in consultation with Museum stakeholders.

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 2016–17, the Museum continued to promote a healthy lifestyle through a wellbeing program for staff and volunteers that includes a flu vaccination program, health checks and information sessions.

Category and number of reported incidents, 2012–17

In 2016–17, the Museum had a total of 65 minor injuries reported (those that require nil medical treatment or only minor first-aid treatment).

No serious injuries or dangerous incidents occurred during the reporting period and Comcare, the Commonwealth Regulator, did not issue any improvement, prohibition or non-disturbance 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 our energy management program and implementation of other initiatives aimed at minimising our 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 2016–17

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 $12,166 are reported.