The Audit Office’s performance audit report, The Management of Intellectual Property (October 2001) addressed issues at the whole-of-government level and examined IP management in fourteen agencies.

This Better Practice Guide draws on the audit report and seeks to build upon initiatives undertaken by the Premier’s Department and other agencies. Some of these initiatives are included under the heading of ‘Additional Information’ at the end of the guide. These should be consulted for help in formulating policies and procedures for the management of Intellectual Property.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #90 - released 17 October 2001

The Audit Office is of the opinion that the good management of Intellectual Property (IP) by the public sector depends on an adequate and coordinated framework to guide agencies in developing their own policies. The current framework for IP is incomplete because it does not help agencies to develop policy, identify the IP assets that need to be managed, integrate management of IP with agency objectives, access expert help when they need it, encourage staff to be innovative and so create and promote the uptake of IP or monitor and defend IP against unauthorised use.

It is also important to improve coordination between agencies responsible for developing whole-of-government policy in regard to IP. The lack of an integrated framework and co-ordinated support for agencies means that the management of IP has varied across the public sector and in general is not adequate.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #89 - released 17 October 2001

Notwithstanding the considerable effort, it is not apparent that the Government's vision can be fully achieved without increased efforts. Based on the current position, to ensure that the Government's vision can be achieved the Audit Office is of the view that the following key issues need to be urgently addressed: 

• more robust mechanisms are needed to monitor, review and report publicly on progress and benefits

• a greater emphasis should be placed on central coordination to ensure that agencies act in a more uniform and integrated manner  

• the achievement of significant reform of business processes will require a substantial strengthening of accountability mechanisms and more comprehensive, rigorous and systematic approaches to e-government project and risk management. 

• despite an array of guidance material and support provided by central agencies, line agency needs for assistance do not seem to be being met to sufficiently advance matters across the sector at the pace and scope desired

• the Government’s e-government aspirations and funding are not always effectively harmonised. Agencies typically have limited resources available to trial or experience new technologies, and display an aversion to the associated risks.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #87 - released 19 September 2001