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

In recent years the Department of Housing (DoH) has made a major effort to improve both the quality of service to tenants and its processes for maintenance. In addition, the funding for maintenance has also been increased. There is, however, a need to ensure that the maintenance of assets is adequately planned for and funded from the start. Without adequate maintenance, the value of an asset will deteriorate more rapidly and can result in significant losses.

DoH needs to give greater emphasis to completing property condition surveys in order to improve the way in which maintenance is planned and organised. There is also a need for DoH to establish a performance reporting framework in order to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the maintenance function in an objective way. The framework should benchmark maintenance across regions and with public housing authorities in other States.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #81 - released 11 April 2001

The Audit Office is of the opinion that the RTA is taking positive steps in planning for road maintenance and in many instances follows better practice. There are, however, some important improvements which need to be implemented in order to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of that function.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #69 - released 1 December 1999

The Audit Office is of the opinion that cost of administration at the University of Western Sydney is unnecessarily high and could be reduced. In addition, its approach to administration can place barriers in the way of potential students and other users of the University. To its credit, the University has recognised that administrative costs are high and is developing plans to reduce those costs. The Audit Office considers that there is now an urgent need to accelerate those activities and to move from planning to implementation. Further delays will be costly and will affect the service the University provides to its customers, the students and other users.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #67 - released 17 November 1999