We recognise that Home and Community Care Services (HCS) operates in an increasingly difficult and changing environment. However, HCS does not have the capacity to meet these needs. Currently at least 50 per cent of those eligible to receive a service will miss out. Under the current system, there are inequities in service delivery. The ability to receive a service depends on when the applicant calls, where they live and if this coincides with service hours becoming available at the local HCS branch. In addition, applicants who miss out on a service may not automatically be referred to another provider. HCS needs to better manage both demand and expectations regarding access to the services it provides.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #127 - released 13 October 2004

We believe that school reports are an excellent concept. However, in their present form they are not an effective means of holding a school accountable. Successive performance audits by our Office have identified significant shortcomings in the reports. This is not so much the fault of the schools. The reporting content is largely optional. There is limited opportunity to compare performance. And the highly restrictive reporting protocols lead to reports which are not able to release important and relevant information.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #126 - released 15 September 2004

Overall, compliance with government policy was not high. In the agencies examined, the audit found problems similar to those identified in 2001 when we last examined fleet management practices. Business need was not always the determining factor in deciding the size and composition of fleets. In most cases the fleet profile reflected past practices or individual choice rather than business need.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #124 - released 30 June 2004

Managing reserves requires that judgements be made about the condition of natural and cultural heritage and decisions taken as to what is, at least, an acceptable standard. Reliable information is fundamental to these tasks and for monitoring success, continuous improvement and accountability. In our opinion the Service has yet to clarify what constitutes success in reserve management and develop an adequate information base to measure its success. Consequently the Service cannot reliably determine how well it conserves and protects our natural and cultural heritage. This is a common situation for like agencies.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #123 - released 16 June 2004

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) accepted all the recommendations in our 2001 audit report on Controlling and Reducing Pollution from Industry and has demonstrated leadership in addressing the issues raised. Most of the recommendations have now been fully or largely implemented. Major achievements include new measures to facilitate a more consistent approach to licensing, new risk assessment tools to assist in dealing with noncompliances and to identify priorities for its compliance audit activities and a new licensing information management system. In our view the EPA has a suitable framework with which to control the amount of pollutants discharged to the environment by industry.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #122 - released 12 May 2004

The Audit Office is of the opinion that the basis for environmental impact assessment of major projects in NSW is sound. The key concept of 'environmental significance' is well defined. The system is closely specified. The Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP) leads a whole-of-government approach to environmental impact assessment and its assessments are comprehensive. However, the Audit Office considers that there are opportunities for improvement by more actively managing the participants and the performance of the environmental impact assessment system. DUAP needs to strengthen its internal documentation and must ensure the public have greater involvement.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #92 - released 28 November 2001

Both the University of New South Wales' Internal Audit and HR reports identified serious deficiencies in the operation and management of the Education Training Centre (ETC). This performance audit verified those findings where appropriate, and they are referred to or incorporated within this report. In addition, we identified other weaknesses that are also presented here. All the findings point to a serious lack of management controls, proper accountability and management practices within ETC.

The Audit Office has a concern whether other activities within the University, or indeed within any other university, could be functioning with similar lack of corporate governance and accountability arrangements. The Audit Office considers that there is an urgent need for the University, and for other universities, to review their corporate governance and accountability framework.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #91 - released 21 November 2001

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