Auditor-General, Margaret Crawford released a report on the planning and environment cluster today, concluding that the quality of financial reporting is improving. However, the cluster can improve its financial controls and governance framework.

In a report released today, the NSW Auditor-General, Margaret Crawford provides a snapshot of reported fraud in the NSW public sector and an analysis of NSW Government agencies’ fraud controls based on a survey of 102 agencies.

The NSW Government’s ‘program evaluation initiative’, introduced to assess whether service delivery programs achieve expected outcomes and value for money, is largely ineffective according to a report released today by NSW Auditor-General, Margaret Crawford.

Government services, in areas such as public order and safety, health and education, are delivered by agencies through a variety of programs. In 2016–17, the NSW Government estimates that it will spend over $73 billion on programs to deliver services.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #277 - released 3 November 2016

In a report released today, the NSW Auditor-General, Margaret Crawford found some NSW Government agencies were not publicly releasing all the required information on contracts with the private sector, nor were they publishing it in a timely manner.

This report assessed whether 13 agencies were complying with Part 3 Division 5 of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act), relating to Government contracts with the private sector.

This report analyses the results of the financial statement audit of the Total State and General Government Sectors for the year ended 30 June 2016.

This report focuses on key observations from financial and performance audits in 2015. The findings have been broadly classified into four themes, which has informed the focus of financial and performance audits for 2016.

The current benefits realisation approach for Service NSW needs to improve so benefits and savings can be effectively measured, reported and realised, according to a report released today by the NSW Acting Auditor-General, Tony Whitfield.

Customers are finding that Service NSW provides a convenient and practical way to access all government transaction services.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #266 - released 17 February 2016

The purpose of this document is to assist agencies in meeting the challenges of exploiting the benefits and managing the risks which e-government presents. Being 'e-ready' and managing the transition to e-government will not happen by chance. It is difficult and requires a careful and concerted effort. This guide draws from the research assembled in the performance audit, e-government - Use of the Internet and related technologies to improve public sector performance (September 2001). It addresses issues at the agency level, in a self-help guide format.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #88 - released 19 September 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

The Audit Office observed that there is diversity in the form, content and quality of reports produced by the agencies. This reflects, in the main, that agencies tailor reports to meet local needs and conditions. It is considered that improvement is needed. A more consistent approach to financial reporting through the use of minimum standards is suggested. The Audit Office is of the view that agencies would benefit from a systematic approach to the reporting of outputs and outcomes and using financial and non-financial information to measure, monitor and thereby improve performance.

Parliamentary reference - Report number #85 - released 27 June 2001