Stakeholder management

During 2012–13, DHA relationships with Shareholder Departments were cooperative and effective, extending from regular working level contacts with officials of both Departments through to the most senior levels. The Secretary of Defence attended DHA’s Annual Strategic Meeting on 13 December 2012. The Chairman and Managing Director meet as required with senior officials in both Departments to ensure a good understanding of Shareholder Minister priorities and of issues affecting their relationships with DHA. As a result, DHA has been able to make good progress on major issues impacting on the business including the establishment of an unlisted property trust, the extension of the Services Agreement to 2023, the expansion of DHA’s off-base singles business and an increase in the cap on the supply of inner-city apartments in Sydney.

The DHA Advisory Committee brings together the Deputy Chiefs of the three Services, other senior Defence officials and DFA to provide advice to DHA on the performance of its functions. The Committee met four times in 2012–13.

State, Territory and Local Government planning departments and agencies are key groups for DHA, especially in the context of residential developments currently underway. Small and large projects currently underway would not be possible without careful attention to relationships with these agencies and an understanding of their issues and priorities. DHA’s Property Provisioning Group is responsible for these relationships, assisted by DHA senior leadership. An important vehicle for sustaining these relationships is the regular meetings of the respective Government Land Organisations. DHA participates in regular meetings of the group.