Reports
Actions for WestConnex: Assurance to the Government
WestConnex: Assurance to the Government
This audit assesses the assurance provided to the NSW Government for the initial stages of the WestConnex project.
The audit examined the WestConnex project from concept development to the pre-tender phase for Stage 1A – M4 (Parramatta to Homebush Bay). It did not examine the merit of the project or whether it represented value-for-money.
This audit found a number of shortcomings with the governance of the WestConnex project during its early stages and makes recommendations on how to better govern the remainder of the project to minimise the risk of failure.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #247 - released 18 December 2014
Actions for Learning Management and Business Reform Program
Learning Management and Business Reform Program
The Learning Management and Business Reform (LMBR) program was established in 2006 to improve service delivery to schools, corporate staff and TAFE NSW. Some parts of the three major components of the LMBR program have been delivered to different areas of the Department of Education and Communities. However, complete implementation is behind schedule and over budget, and the Department has yet to demonstrate that it will achieve the expected benefits.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #246 - released 16 December 2014
Actions for Managing Contaminated Sites
Managing Contaminated Sites
NSW Government agencies with large landholdings need to better manage their contaminated sites.
When contaminated sites are reported to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) there are long delays in assessing the extent of contamination. The EPA also lacks the management controls to ensure that all significantly contaminated sites are actively monitored and key milestones for remediation are met.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #245 - released 10 July 2014
Actions for Making the Most of Government Purchasing Power - Telecommunications
Making the Most of Government Purchasing Power - Telecommunications
The Auditor-General has found that agencies have consistently failed to negotiate the best price for their telecommunication contracts and are not getting value for money because of inadequate contract and expense management processes.
The audit examined six agencies to assess whether the government was getting value for money from its telecommunications contracts. It again raised problems with the way NSW government agencies manage contracts.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #244 - released 26 June 2014
Actions for Use of Purchasing Cards and Electronic Payment Methods
Use of Purchasing Cards and Electronic Payment Methods
NSW government agencies are not making sufficient use of purchasing cards and EFTs to pay for goods and services. There are potential savings in processing costs of around $22 per transaction from purchasing cards and over $7 when using EFTs instead of cheques.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #243 - released 5 June 2014
Actions for Regional Road Funding - Block Grant and REPAIR Programs
Regional Road Funding - Block Grant and REPAIR Programs
In 2013–14, Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) provided over $170 million to local councils through the Block Grant and REPAIR programs to spend on Regional Roads. Regional Roads are the link between State Roads and Local Roads.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #241 - released 8 May 2014
Actions for NSW State Emergency Service Management of Volunteers
NSW State Emergency Service Management of Volunteers
The SES needs to better understand the location, availability and skills of its volunteers so it can properly plan for emergency events. It needs to improve how it selects and retains the right volunteers and provide more up-to-date and focused training.
The SES has improved volunteer safety with injury claims falling by 40 per cent to 70 in the four years to 30 June 2013. The average cost of claims has fallen by 58 per cent to $3,547. The SES attributes this reduction to better equipment and work practices.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #240 - released 15 April 2014
Actions for Fitness of Firefighters
Fitness of Firefighters
Fire and Rescue NSW do not know whether all its firefighters are fit to perform their full range of operational duties. Once they are employed, there are no formal checks on firefighters’ health and fitness during their career. Also, while a health standard for firefighters has been developed it has not been agreed nor implemented.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #239 - released 1 April 2014
Actions for Use of the internet and related technologies to improve public sector performance
Use of the internet and related technologies to improve public sector performance
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:
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more robust mechanisms are needed to monitor, review and report publicly on progress and benefits
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a greater emphasis should be placed on central coordination to ensure that agencies act in a more uniform and integrated manner
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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.
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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
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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
Actions for Controlling and reducing pollution from industry
Controlling and reducing pollution from industry
The regulatory framework introduced under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, along with other initiatives progressively being implemented by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), should enhance the overall effectiveness of environment protection in NSW. The Audit Office is of the opinion that the framework is consistent with best practice and once fully implemented, should contribute to the achievement of further improvements in the environmental performance of industry.
However while the legislative framework supports best practice in regulation and enforcement, there are a number of issues which limit the effectiveness of the reforms. Some of the problems, such as the quality of licences and the effectiveness of compliance activities, have been identified by the EPA and may be addressed through recent initiatives.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #82 - released 18 April 2001