Alongside these actions, the VEC will direct its energy into conducting the 2018 State election. While it is easy to consider each State election as simply an exercise in repetition, the dynamic nature of the Victorian electoral landscape requires a customised response: population growth and dispersion is significant; electors expect to vote at their convenience and with ready access to information; results are to be immediate, accurate and of the highest integrity. The challenge for the VEC is to respond, and the next Annual Report will outline our efforts and successes. Warwick Gately AM Electoral Commissioner
Status Strategic initiative Success indicators 01  Maintain an effective set of electoral plans Electoral events delivered within legislative and organisational requirements VEC project management framework applied consistently in managing electoral events plans are ready for immediate implementation as required 02  Maintain and enhance support structures for electoral representation activities Electoral Boundaries Commission has the necessary information to make decisions Government Minister has the necessary information and recommendations to make decisions 03  Review and improve enrolment programs Enrolment program targets achieved 04  Review and improve enrolment system Enrolment transactions captured effectively Enrolment systems are elector-centric Successful security audit 05  Identify enrolment and voting barriers and emerging trends Research conducted and utilised to inform service design and delivery 06  Design and implement responsive electoral education and awareness programs Increased community awareness of electoral matters Electoral engagement program targets are met Enrolment, turnout and informality rates inform success 07  Identify and engage key partners Partnerships contribute to the achievement of VEC objectives 08  Establish robust and resilient partnering arrangements INITIATIVE
09  Identify, encourage and facilitate service and product improvements VEC services represent best practice VEC services respond to community requirements and expectations 10  Identify and engage relevant stakeholders VEC stakeholder engagement objectives are met Second strategic intent The VEC will have transparent and accountable governance and business support systems that reinforce and sustain organisational capacity. EFFECTIVE OF RESOURCES Status Strategic initiative Success indicators 11  Map, document and regularly review key organisational business processes VEC systems and processes are efficient and effective Consistent business methodologies are applied VEC internal and external reporting framework meets legislative and organisational requirements Project management and corporate reporting processes are consistent across the VEC Corporate knowledge is accessible Corporate data is maintained and accessed in accordance with legislative requirements 12  Review business systems to ensure they support business processes 13  Develop and implement a VEC Project Management Framework 14  Develop and implement a VEC Corporate Reporting Framework 15  Develop and implement an Information Management System 16  Further develop the VEC’s Risk Management Framework Risk management is integrated into all business operations and managed in accordance with government requirements 17  Develop and implement effective workforce and succession planning Staff levels are appropriate and flexible to needs Critical business are identified with succession plans in place 18  Review and implement an effective business planning and budgeting process Activities are conducted on schedule and within budget Resource management targets are achieved 19  Minimise the VEC’s environmental footprint Environmental management targets are achieved
Ostlers North Balwyn Cellars Liquor Licensing Poll Liquor licencing poll 17/10/2017 Postal VEC 1,719 Greater Geelong City Council General Election General election 27/10/2017 Postal Geelong 194,721 Moonee Valley City Council Enterprise Agreement Ballot Fee-for-service election 09/11/2017 Postal VEC 1,08/1 Frankston City Council Enterprise Agreement Ballot Fee-for-service election 09/11/2017 Postal VEC 942 Wangaratta Rural City Council Municipal countback 13/11/2017 N/A Wangaratta N/A Northcote District State by-election 18/11/2017 Attendance Northcote 48,113 Wellington Shire Council Municipal countback 15/11/2017 N/A Sale N/A Mount Alexander Shire Council Municipal countback 20/11/2017 N/A Castlemaine N/A Moreland City Council Municipal countback 22/11/2017 N/A Coburg N/A Ararat City Council Municipal countback 29/11/2017 N/A Ararat N/A Melbourne City Council Municipal countback 15/01/2018 N/A VEC N/A Mount Alexander Shire Council Municipal 17/02/2018 Postal Castlemaine 2,174 Victorian Canine Association Management Committee Elections Fee-for-service election 01/03/2018 Postal VEC 7,969 Victorian Strawberry Industry Development Order Poll Fee-for-service election 27/04/2018 Postal VEC 105 Framlingham Aboriginal Trust Committee of Management Election Fee-for-service election 30/04/2018 Attendance Warrnambool 24 Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Industry Development Poll Fee-for-service election 01/05/2018 Postal VEC 946
Mount Alexander Shire Council Municipal countback 05/05/2018 N/A Castlemaine N/A Victorian Legal Services Board Elections Fee-for-service election 09/05/2018 Postal VEC 21,940 Melbourne City Council Lord Mayor Municipal 12/05/2018 Postal VEC 144,839 Department of Health and Human Services Enterprise Agreement Ballot Fee-for-service election 24/05/2018 Postal VEC 6,519 Ararat Rural City Council Municipal countback 21/05/2018 N/A Ararat N/A Ararat Rural City Council Municipal countback 06/06/2018 N/A Ararat N/A Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust Committee of Management Election Fee-for-service election 24/06/2018 Attendance Lake Tyers 186 Enforcement of compulsory voting After the conduct of elections, by-elections and polls in which voting is compulsory, the VEC implements compulsory voting enforcement. In order to conduct compulsory voting follow-up, the Electoral Commissioner appoints a VEC staff member as the prosecution officer. During 2017-18, the VEC continued enforcing compulsory voting for the 2016 Local Government elections as well as conducting the compulsory voting enforcement for other smaller election events. The VEC has statutory responsibility to conduct elections and polls under the Local Government Act 1989, including the follow up of non-votes and prosecution in the Infringements Court (now Fines Victoria).
Figure 16: Elector statistics by district, 30 June 2018 Below are the elector statistics by district for 2017-18 Total number of electorates: 88 DISTRICT ELECTOR VARIANCE TO AVERAGE (%) Dandenong 42,168 -9.42 Eildon 44,413 -4.60 Eltham 44,702 -3.98 Essendon 47,827 2.74 Euroa 48,642 4.49 Evelyn 42,819 -8.02 Ferntree 40,927 -12.09 Footscray 51,026 9.61 Forest Hill 39,963 -14.16 Frankston 44,118 -5.23 Geelong 47,139 1.26 Gembrook 49,932 7.26 Gippsland East 45,760 -1.70 Gippsland 42,072 -9.63 Hastings 50,931 9.40 Hawthorn 44,642 -4.10 Ivanhoe 46,379 -0.37 Kew 44,152 -5.16 Keysborough 45,021 -3.29 Kororoit 50,607 8.71 Total number of electors: 4,096,692 Average number of electors: 45,553 DISTRICT ELECTOR COUNT VARIANCE TO AVERAGE (%) Albert Park 48,271 3.69 Altona 54,711 17.52 Bass 55,587 19.41 Bayswater 43,795 -5.92 Bellarine 48,395 3.96 Benambra 48,012 3.13 Bendigo East 48,182 3.50 Bendigo West 44,821 -3.72 Bentleigh 42,354 -9.02 Box Hill 43,903 -5.69 Brighton 45,090 -3.14 Broadmeadows 43,358 -6.86 Brunswick 52,665 13.13 Bulleen 43,966 -5.56 Bundoora 40,870 -12.21 Buninyong 44,790 -3.79 Burwood 42,895 -7.86 Carrum 48,284 3.72 Caulfield 44,952 -3.44 Clarinda 44,452 -4.51 Cranbourne 60,173 29.26 Croydon 42,846 -7.96 DISTRICT ELECTOR COUNT VARIANCE TO AVERAGE (%)
Note 3. The cost of delivering services Introduction This section provides an account of the expenses incurred by the Commission in delivering services and outputs. In Note 2, the funds that enable the provision of services were disclosed and in this note the cost associated with provision of services are recorded. 3.1 Expenses incurred in delivery of services 2017 $’000 2018 $’000 Employee expenses 3.1.1 20,607 14,842 Capital asset charge 3.2 129 129 Other operating expenses 3.3 29,867 17,935 Total expenses incurred in delivery of services 50,603 32,906 3.1.1 Employee benefits in the comprehensive operating statement 2017 $’000 2018 $’000 Defined benefit and contribution superannuation expense 1,514 1,162 Salaries and wages, annual leave and long service leave 19,093 13,680 Total employee expenses 20,607 14,842 Employee expenses include all costs related to employment including wages and salaries, superannuation, fringe benefits tax, leave entitlements, redundancy payments and WorkCover premiums. The amount recognised in the comprehensive operating statement in relation to superannuation is employer contributions for members for both defined benefit and defined contribution superannuation plans that are paid or payable during the reporting period. The Commission does not recognise any defined benefit liability in respect of the plan(s) because the entity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay future benefits relating to its employees; its only obligation is to pay superannuation contributions as they fall due. The Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) discloses the Stateʼs defined benefit liabilities in its disclosure for administered items. 3.1.2 Employee benefits in the balance sheet Provision is made for benefits accruing to employees in respect of and salaries, annual leave and long service leave for services rendered to the reporting date.