Agency compliance with the GIPA Act

In a report released today, the NSW Auditor-General, Margaret Crawford found some NSW Government agencies were not publicly releasing all the required information on contracts with the private sector, nor were they publishing it in a timely manner.

This report assessed whether 13 agencies were complying with Part 3 Division 5 of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act), relating to Government contracts with the private sector.

All thirteen agencies had published an adequately designed Government contracts register, but:

• some contracts valued at $150,000 or more were not recorded in the contracts register

• some contracts were not entered into the register within 45 working days of the contracts becoming effective

• there were instances where inaccurate information was recorded in the register when compared with the contracts

• additional information required for certain classes of contracts was not disclosed in some registers.

‘The objectives of the GIPA Act will not be achieved if agencies do not implement appropriate controls and processes to address specific areas of non-compliance’, Ms Crawford said.

The GIPA Act aims to improve the transparency and integrity of the NSW public sector by requiring agencies to proactively publish information on government contracts with the private sector. 

The release of timely and accurate information to the public helps promote:

• good governance, minimising fraud and corruption

• fairness in the way contracts are awarded

• value for money and efficiency. 

Further information

Please contact Barry Underwood on 9275 7220 or 0403 073 664; email barry.underwood@audit.nsw.gov.au