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Reports

Published

Actions for Volume Three 2013 focusing on New South Wales State Finances

Volume Three 2013 focusing on New South Wales State Finances

Whole of Government
Asset valuation
Compliance
Financial reporting
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Project management

The Total State Sector Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2013 received an unqualified independent auditor’s opinion. This is the first time in over a decade the Total State Sector Accounts have not been qualified. In looking into the resolution of qualifications: We obtained enough evidence supporting the value of education buildings and their depreciation expense Sufficent evidence has been obtained to support the existence and value of the

Published

Actions for Volume One 2013 focusing on themes from 2012

Volume One 2013 focusing on themes from 2012

Whole of Government
Asset valuation
Compliance
Financial reporting
Fraud
Information technology
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Procurement
Project management
Regulation
Shared services and collaboration
Workforce and capability

This overview summarises the significant findings included in my 2012 financial audit report, volumes three to eleven, and highlights NSW agencies’ overall achievements and challenges. The overview summarises key themes and messages arising from these audits to help readers understand common findings. Agencies and their audit and risk committees can use the overview to self-assess and identify issues that may be relevant to their organisations. It found

Published

Actions for Volume Three 2010 focus on Total State Sector

Volume Three 2010 focus on Total State Sector

Whole of Government
Asset valuation
Compliance
Financial reporting
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Project management

The final Budget result for 2009-10 was a surplus of $994 million, originally budgeted to be a $990 million deficit. If the Commonwealth Government’s capital stimulus funding had been excluded, the result would have been a deficit of $861 million. Employee costs (excluding superannuation costs) increased by approximately 3.5 per cent compared to 7.5 per cent in the prior year.   “I have issued a qualified Independent Auditor’s Report as the State ha

Published

Actions for Electronic Information Security

Electronic Information Security

Whole of Government
Cyber security
Internal controls and governance
Risk

The Government is not able to provide assurance that it is safeguarding its holdings of sensitive personal information because its policy has not been properly implemented. This is likely to remain the case until there are clear, mandatory, minimum standards that agencies sign up to, and scrutiny of performance against these standards is strengthened.   Parliamentary reference - Report number #207 - released 20 October 2010

Published

Actions for Severance Payments to Special Temporary Employees

Severance Payments to Special Temporary Employees

Premier and Cabinet
Compliance
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Workforce and capability

In reviewing both the severance pay guidelines and a sample of payments, we found the guidelines to be clear and all except two payments were made in accordance with them. In these two cases the severance payment was stipulated in the employment contract guaranteeing the STE a minimum of six months pay on termination, irrespective of the length of service.   Parliamentary reference - Report number #201 - released 16 June 2010

Published

Actions for Fraud control improvement kit: Meeting your fraud control obligations

Fraud control improvement kit: Meeting your fraud control obligations

Whole of Government
Fraud
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration

Fraud risks, and fraud control obligations, are growing at a rate which demands that more be done.  Our 2005 report showed that still only 50 per cent of NSW public sector organisations had achieved an adequate level of performance in developing and implementing a fraud control strategy.  In response to this, our 2005 report provided a range of recommendations for improving fraud control and urged that fraud control become a key item for attent

Published

Actions for Agencies working together to improve services

Agencies working together to improve services

Premier and Cabinet
Treasury
Justice
Transport
Education
Internal controls and governance
Service delivery
Shared services and collaboration

In the cases we examined, we found that agencies working together can improve services or results. However, the changes were not always as great as anticipated or had not reached maximum potential. Establishing the right governance framework and accountability requirements between partners at the start of the project is critical to success. And joint responsibility requires new funding and reporting arrangements to be developed.   Parliamenta

Published

Actions for 1999-2000 Millenium date rollover: Preparedness of the NSW Public Sector

1999-2000 Millenium date rollover: Preparedness of the NSW Public Sector

Whole of Government
Information technology
Risk

Overall, The Audit Office found that the NSW public sector is not as prepared as it could be. Beginning in May 1996, the Department of Public Works and Services (DPWS) commenced a program to increase awareness of, report on and assist agencies with Year 2000 issues. However, significant areas of risk are still yet to be fully assessed, and action to resolve and implement appropriate solutions are lagging in areas of the public sector. A substantial accel

Published

Actions for Corporate Governance - Volume One: In principle

Corporate Governance - Volume One: In principle

Whole of Government
Internal controls and governance

Volume One: Corporate Governance in Principle, considers relations between the Government and boards, and the extent to which boards add value. Various public sector governance models are examined, including those currently operating within NSW and those from five other jurisdictions. It found the role of boards should be clearly defined, and specific criteria developed, so that boards can be clearly classified as either governing or advisory. Legi

Published

Actions for Corporate Governance - Volume Two: In practice

Corporate Governance - Volume Two: In practice

Whole of Government
Internal controls and governance
Workforce and capability

This Report, Volume Two: Corporate Governance in Practice reports upon how actual corporate governance practices by NSW public sector boards compare with “better practice”. It found criteria and processes for appointing directors to boards are not always transparent. It also found a more systematic and rigorous approach to the range of corporate governance issues is required across the public sector if it is to approach "better practice", there is