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Reports

Published

Actions for Educational Testing Centre

Educational Testing Centre

Universities
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Risk

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

Published

Actions for E-Government readiness assessment guide

E-Government readiness assessment guide

Whole of Government
Information technology
Internal controls and governance
Risk

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

Published

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

Whole of Government
Cyber security
Information technology
Procurement
Service delivery
Shared services and collaboration
Workforce and capability

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

Published

Actions for Planning statewide services

Planning statewide services

Health
Information technology
Management and administration
Service delivery
Shared services and collaboration

The Audit Office is of the view that:

  • there is no system wide plan for the location of emergency departments. This function is undertaken by each Area Health Service

  • coordination between the Department and the NSW Ambulance Service could be improved in aspects such as the collocation of facilities and direct communications between ambulances and emergency departments

  • there is no policy framework that recognises the increasing role and impact of private providers

  • the Department’s guidelines do not take into account demographic factors, the number of patients treated or the acuity of presentations as criteria for determining the size of an emergency department or the level and scope of emergency services that should be available at that location.

  • the Department has introduced a range of initiatives over a period of time to improve the performance of emergency departments such as the establishment of the Integrated Bed Management Committee. Some have been quite effective, whilst others have had mixed success. There has been an overall improvement in emergency department waiting times for urgent cases. However, there has been little improvement in waiting times for less urgent cases and a decline in performance for access block (the time taken to be admitted to a hospital ward from the emergency department after a decision has been made that this is required).

 

Parliamentary reference - Report number #54 - released 21 October 1998

Published

Actions for Police response to fraud

Police response to fraud

Justice
Fraud
Information technology
Management and administration
Service delivery
Workforce and capability

This audit was initiated following concerns expressed by the Department of Agriculture about the Police’s handling of a suspected fraud that it had first reported in 1996. The Department’s main concern related to the long delays before a full Police investigation took place.

Nevertheless, the current review highlighted a number of areas that, in the opinion of The Audit Office, require closer examination and resolution by the Police Service in implementing their changes. This report highlights those areas and provides recommendations for the Police to consider in its implementation of its reforms. Key areas requiring attention include: service standards are not clearly defined for the police response to fraud, without which it is difficult to ensure that police objectives and public expectations are met; restrictive employment arrangements which limit management’s ability to obtain the appropriate mix of people with skills to investigate fraud and inadequate information systems to support operational, tactical and strategic decision-making.

 

Parliamentary reference - Report number #53 - released 14 October 1998

Published

Actions for The levying and collection of Land Tax

The levying and collection of Land Tax

Treasury
Information technology
Management and administration
Service delivery

Land tax has a significantly higher cost to collection ratio than other State taxes. In part this is because of its design. But there are opportunities to reduce collection costs within current policy constraints. The Office of State Revenue (OSR) has been actively pursuing better practice initiatives for some time and a substantial range of improvements has been made. OSR is continuing these efforts. However, inadequate systems and continued difficulties with the quality of land information remains as an impediment to efforts to increase efficiency and effectiveness and reduce collection costs.

Improvements canvassed in this Report (a number of which OSR had already been addressing before the audit commenced) would provide reduced collection costs (through greater efficiency) and improved collection results (through better education of taxpayers and better use of penalties and incentives). Notwithstanding these improvements, the long standing issues of land information standards and land ownership data compatibility between NSW agencies (largely outside OSR’s control) remain to be satisfactorily resolved.

 

Parliamentary reference - Report number #51 - released 5 August 1998

Published

Actions for Casino surveillance as undertaken by the Director of Casino Surveillance and the Casino Control Authority

Casino surveillance as undertaken by the Director of Casino Surveillance and the Casino Control Authority

Industry
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Risk
Workforce and capability

At the request of the Department of Gaming and Racing, the audit reviewed the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation and management of casino surveillance undertaken pursuant to the Casino Control Act, 1992 (the Act).

Implicitly the Act requires an effective level of cooperation and coordination between the agencies to achieve their statutory roles and responsibilities. However, The Audit Office is of the opinion that this has not been achieved. As a consequence, the efficiency and effectiveness of the surveillance roles and processes carried out under the Act can be improved.

Revision is required to the surveillance methodology and its implementation, to the skills base within Director of Casino Surveillance (DCS) and the underlying working and to organisational arrangements between and within DCS and the New South Wales Casino Control Authority. Until such revision has been finalised, it is not possible to determine the level of resources or type of surveillance that needs to be undertaken and funded.

 

Parliamentary reference - Report number #50 - released 10 June 1998

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 acceleration and expansion of Year 2000 related activity is essential over the next twelve months to address this situation. In broad terms, the Year 2000 problem could affect both information technology (IT) and non IT. The latter includes systems dependent upon programmable logic controllers. These drive machines and equipment, including building services and medical equipment.

 

Parliamentary reference - Report number #43 - released 8 December 1997