This report has been prepared to align with the reporting guidelines prescribed in the Commonwealth Disability Strategy. It addresses performance against the indicators for the five key roles performed by Commonwealth organisations, i.e. policy advisor, regulator, purchaser, provider and employer.

In this context, the Bureau fulfils four of the five core roles performed by Australian Government organisations - policy advisor, purchaser, provider and employer.

THE ROLE: POLICY ADVISOR

In the policy advisor role, the Bureau advises the Australian Government on policies and programs on matters involving meteorology.

During the reporting period, a review was completed into the accessibility of the Bureau's website for users with disabilities. The agreed recommendation arising from the review will be implemented in 2004-05, and will ensure improved access to web-based meteorological information as well as providing a new range of products for rural users. Construction commenced on a new building to replace an existing Bureau office in Cobar. The building was designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities, and incorporates external ramps to the upper level of the building for ease of access.

3. Public announcements of new, revised or proposed policy/program initiatives are available in accessible formats for people with disabilities
Public announcements were advised through media statements for broadcast via radio and television and insertion in newspapers, magazines and journals. All media statements were archived on the Bureau's external website, being easily accessed from the homepage under the heading of 'News' by date posted and subject matter. The web address is http://www.bom.gov.au/announcements/#Media.

All media statements issued by the Bureau include the name, telephone number and email address of a Bureau employee to contact for further information. Media statements can be easily made available to people in different formats such as facsimile message.

THE ROLE: REGULATOR

The Bureau administers the Meteorology Act. It is responsible for Australia's participation in a number of international conventions, treaties and agreements, but has no formal regulatory responsibilities in respect of disability matters.

THE ROLE: PURCHASER
The Bureau met the purchaser role through the purchasing of its equipment and services to meet its corporate objectives.
1. Publicly available information on agreed purchasing specifications are available in accessible formats for people with disabilities
Bureau public tender notifications were publicly advised through the APS Gazette on-line service. These notices included a contact name, phone number and email address to obtain further information. These notices were available in different formats such as electronic or hard copy, with most requests being responded to on the day of receipt.
2. Processes for purchasing goods or services with a direct impact on the lives of people with disabilities are developed in consultation with people with disabilities
People with disabilities were consulted, as appropriate, in the development of specifications and evaluation of tenders.
3. Purchasing specifications and contract requirements for the purchase of goods and services are consistent with the requirements of the 'Disability Discrimination Act 1992'
Specifications made particular reference where required. The Bureau's standard contract conditions for goods and services included the provision that tenderers must comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 being one of several pieces of legislation with which contractors must comply.
4. Publicly available performance reporting against the purchase contract specifications requested in accessible formats for people with disabilities is provided
Any such requests were addressed. Reporting formats accommodated any special needs.
5. Complaints/grievance mechanisms, including access to external mechanisms, in place to address concerns raised about the providers' performance
All major Bureau contracts included dispute resolution clauses and also arbitration and termination provisions. If a contractor breached the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, this would be seen as a breach of the contract and subject to remedial action.

THE ROLE: PROVIDER

In the provider role, the Bureau made available to the Australian public, forecasts, information, advice, publications and other material related to weather and climate. Information regarding Bureau services was available in accessible formats on the Bureau's website (http://www.bom.gov.au), via the media and in hard copy from Bureau offices. The Bureau's Service Charter for the Community provided contact information.
1. Providers have established mechanisms for quality improvement and assurance
The Bureau's Service Charter for the Community specified the quality and service improvements that clients may expect. Performance was monitored against the standards set out in the Charter, with results published in the Bureau's Annual Report and included on the Bureau's website. Refer to the following address for an example of performance information: http://www.bom.gov.au/inside/eiab/reports/ar02-03/PDF/Appendix.pdf.

The Bureau has actively supported private meteorological service providers in enabling them to distribute to the public a range of enhanced products and specialised services. It also collaborated with emergency services organisations in improving the penetration of forecasts and warnings amongst remote communities.
2. Providers have an established service charter that specifies the roles of the provider and consumer and service standards which address accessibility for people with disabilities
This information was included in the Bureau's Service Charter for the Community. The Charter was made available in printed form, or electronically at the following address: http://www.bom.gov.au/inside/services_policy/serchart.shtml.
3. Complaints/grievance mechanism, including access to external mechanisms, in place to address issues and concerns raised about performance
The Charter clearly identified telephone numbers, facsimile numbers and email addresses to use in relation to complaints and technical problems, or to provide feedback on services. Clients also had the option of contacting the Parliamentarian responsible for the Bureau, the APS Commission, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, the Commonwealth Ombudsman, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal or the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to raise issues and/or concerns about the Bureau's performance.

Following severe weather events, public meetings were convened in affected areas to enable members of the public to voice their concerns or make suggestions about improving the dissemination prior to, and during, a severe weather event such as a cyclone, flood or hailstorm. Venues chosen for the meetings were readily accessible in terms of location and physical access.

THE ROLE: EMPLOYER

In the employer role, the Bureau's employment policies, procedures and practices complied with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

• as part of induction programs, the APS Values and Code of Conduct were clearly explained to employees new to the Bureau;
• a workshop entitled 'Challenging the way we work' included information on disability issues; and,
• an on-line training course entitled 'Workplace Discrimination and Harassment - Legal Compliance' included a case study on disability issues and reasonable adjustment. When required, Auslan interpreters were engaged for the duration of training courses, and venues were selected for their accessibility in terms of mobility.

• informally with managers, supervisors or specialists within the organisation;
• raised with Diversity or Harassment Contact Officers;
• discussed with an Employee Assistance Program consultant;
• formally as a Review of Action and investigated either internally or externally; and
• through the Australian Public Service Commission, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC), the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) or by raising them with the Minister responsible for the Bureau.
  Members of the public may have their issues or concerns addressed in a number of ways including:
• through informal discussions with an appropriate Bureau employee;
• by contacting the Bureau in writing such as via letter, facsimile or email;
• by contacting external agencies such as HREOC, the APS Commission or the AIRC; or
• by contacting the appropriate Member of Parliament.