Reports
Actions for Internal Controls and Governance 2017
Internal Controls and Governance 2017
Agencies need to do more to address risks posed by information technology (IT). Effective internal controls and governance systems help agencies to operate efficiently and effectively and comply with relevant laws, standards and policies. We assessed how well agencies are implementing these systems, and highlighted opportunities for improvement. 1. Overall trends New and
Actions for Managing demand for ambulance services 2017
Managing demand for ambulance services 2017
NSW Ambulance has introduced several initiatives over the past decade to better manage the number of unnecessary ambulance responses and transports to hospital emergency departments. However, there is no overall strategy to guide the development of these initiatives nor do NSW Ambulance's data systems properly monitor their impact. As a result, the Audit Office was unable to assess whether NSW Ambulance's approach to managing demand is improving the effi
Actions for Health 2017
Health 2017
The following report highlights results of the financial audits of entities in the NSW health cluster. The report focuses on key observations and findings from the most recent audits of these entities. The report also includes a range of findings on service delivery. Overall, NSW Health is achieving most of their targets. Some local health districts are continuing to experience increased demand for their services and are finding it more difficult t
Actions for Central Agencies 2017
Central Agencies 2017
This report highlights the results of the financial audits of NSW Government central agencies. The report focuses on key observations and findings from the most recent financial statement audits of agencies in the Treasury, Premier and Cabinet, and Finance, Services and Innovation clusters. The report includes a range of findings in respect to service delivery. One repeat finding is that while the Government regularly reports on the 12 Premier's priorit
Actions for State Finances 2017
State Finances 2017
Total State Sector Accounts received an unqualified audit opinion for the fifth consecutive year. There was a $5.7 billion State budget surplus and continued investment in new infrastructure, in part funded by the long-term leases of Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy assets. This report also comments on key accounting matters, including the correction of some previously reported balances and the first time reporting of combined Cabinet members’ com
Actions for Planning and evaluating palliative care services in NSW
Planning and evaluating palliative care services in NSW
NSW Health’s approach to planning and evaluating palliative care is not effectively coordinated. There is no overall policy framework for palliative and end-of-life care, nor is there comprehensive monitoring and reporting on services and outcomes. Palliative care is an essential component of modern health care services and an increasingly important part of the wider health and social care s
Actions for NorthConnex
NorthConnex
The processes used to assess NorthConnex adequately considered value for money for taxpayers.This report also found that the impact of tolling concessions on road users and the motorway network was consistent with policy objectives described in the 2012 NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan. NorthConnex is a nine-kilometre tolled motorway tunnel be
Actions for Mining Rehabilitation Security Deposits
Mining Rehabilitation Security Deposits
The Department of Planning and Environment requires mining companies to rehabilitate sites according to conditions set in the mining development approval. The Department holds mining rehabilitation security deposits that are meant to cover the full cost of rehabilitation if a mining company defaults on its rehabilitation obligations. The total value of security deposits held has increased from $500 million in 2005 to around $2.2 billion in 2016, coveri
Actions for 2016 - An overview
2016 - An overview
This report focuses on key observations and findings from 2016 audits and highlights key areas of focus for financial and performance audits in 2017. The quality and timeliness of financial reporting continued to improve across the NSW public sector in 2016. Only one qualified audit opinion was issued and most agencies signed their financial statements on time. We found the Government’s cluster governance arrangements were unclear and inconsisten
Actions for NSW Senior Executive Service: Professionalism and Integrity Volume 1 Part 1 Summary and Research Report
NSW Senior Executive Service: Professionalism and Integrity Volume 1 Part 1 Summary and Research Report
The Audit Office is of the opinion that there are several features of the current Senior Executive Service (SES) model, or its application, which hinder the capacity of the SES to operate effectively in line with the Government’s stated objectives. The ultimate effect of these features is to reduce the capacity or perceived capacity of the SES to meet the Government’s objectives for the operation of the SES. Taken overall, difficulties in the SES i