Where government is a competitor, Reviews will need to consider competitive neutrality implications. Competitive neutrality requires that government business activities not enjoy a net competitive advantage over competitors by virtue of their public ownership. Please refer to for further details. Contestability options Any Review recommendations need to consider how alternative arrangements will be implemented and managed. A key part of the successful implementation of contestable arrangements is ongoing improvements through consistent management to ensure that contestable arrangements are sustainable and adaptive. This includes considering any necessary transition arrangements and timeframes required to implement the recommendations, including staff skills and capabilities (and how these will be gained), governance structures and performance management requirements. Information about when the proposed arrangements would be reviewed after implementation should also be included. Please refer to for details to consider about alternative arrangements. Step five Submit – Once the Review is complete, entities will submit to Finance a draft Review which will be assessed against its TOR, and these Guidelines. Once Finance has confirmed the Review has met these minimum requirements, the Accountable Authority of the entity will provide the final report to the CPSC. Finance’s primary role during the process is to ensure that an adequate level of analysis underpins the Review. Finance will liaise with the Review Leader as the Review progresses to address any concerns with its direction. Ultimately, it is the relevant entity conducting the Review that is responsible for its analysis and recommendations. Nevertheless, where Finance has ongoing concerns, it may notify the CPSC. To maintain the independence, transparency and rigour of Reviews, entities are encouraged to have their Reviews independently assessed before they are submitted to the CPSC. Options for independent review may include an external consultant, an eminent person or an academic. Step six Implementation – Where a Review recommends an approach which requires Government agreement (a decision from a Responsible Minister, the Prime Minister or the Government), the relevant entity(s) preparing the Review will typically be responsible for progressing such a decision. Finance can partner with the responsible entity to develop a submission to gain this decision.
Where government is a competitor, Reviews will need to consider competitive neutrality implications. Competitive neutrality requires that government business activities not enjoy a net competitive advantage over competitors by virtue of their public ownership. Please refer to for further details. Contestability options Any Review recommendations need to consider how alternative arrangements will be implemented and managed. A key part of the successful implementation of contestable arrangements is ongoing improvements through consistent management to ensure that contestable arrangements are sustainable and adaptive. This includes considering any necessary transition arrangements and timeframes required to implement the recommendations, including staff skills and capabilities (and how these will be gained), governance structures and performance management requirements. Information about when the proposed arrangements would be reviewed after implementation should also be included. Please refer to for details to consider about alternative arrangements. Step five – Submit Once the Review is complete, entities will submit to Finance a draft Review which will be assessed against its TOR, and these Guidelines. Once Finance has confirmed the Review has met these minimum requirements, the Accountable Authority of the entity will provide the final report to the CPSC. Finance’s primary role during the process is to ensure that an adequate level of analysis underpins the Review. Finance will liaise with the Review Leader as the Review progresses to address any concerns with its direction. Ultimately, it is the relevant entity conducting the Review that is responsible for its analysis and recommendations. Nevertheless, where Finance has ongoing concerns, it may notify the CPSC. To maintain the independence, transparency and rigour of Reviews, entities are encouraged to have their Reviews independently assessed before they are submitted to the CPSC. Options for independent review may include an external consultant, an eminent person or an academic. Step six – Implementation Where a Review recommends an approach which requires Government agreement (a decision from a Responsible Minister, the Prime Minister or the Government), the relevant entity(s) preparing the Review will typically be responsible for progressing such a decision. Finance can partner with the responsible entity to develop a submission to gain this decision.
Contestability_Programme_Guidelines_March_2015_2.docx