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The objective of this audit was to determine whether selected Australian Government organisations had effective processes for managing the annual leave entitlements of their staff, and whether systems and controls over the processing of annual leave were working as intended. In addressing this objective, the audit also assessed progress being made by the audited organisations in implementing the recommendations in ANAO Audit Report No.16 2005-06.
The focus of this audit was on those entitlements administered by Finance. Similar to the 2001-02 Audit Report, the audit scope did not include entitlements provided to persons employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 (MOP(S) Act). It also did not examine the administration of entitlements provided through other agencies (such as Parliamentarians' salary and electorate allowance, which are paid by the Chamber Departments, and entitlements provided to Ministers by their home department).
As an element of the arrangements implemented to support the role of the ANAO in reviewing campaigns' compliance with the Guidelines announced on 2 July 2008, the ANAO advised the chair of the JCPAA that the ANAO will provide regular summary reports to Parliament. Section 25 of the Auditor-General's Act 1997 provides for the tabling of such reports.
In two letters dated 19 and 22 June 2009, the Prime Minister requested a performance audit of a range of matters relating to representations to the Treasury regarding automotive finance arrangements for car dealers. In response to these requests, the Auditor-General decided that ANAO would undertake a performance audit under section 18 of the Auditor-General Act 1997 (Auditor-General Act). The audit objective, based on the matters raised in the Prime Minister's correspondence and in the Parliament, was to examine and report on:
- any representations to the Treasury since October 2008 from all sources regarding automotive finance arrangements for car dealers, including any made in relation to John Grant Motors;
- the nature of these representations;
- the manner in which the representations were responded to by officials, having regard to any relevant standards and procedures; and
- any related administrative matters that came to attention.
The objective of this audit was to assess whether the strengthened two–pass approval process for major capital equipment projects is being implemented effectively.
The objective of the audit was to examine if AFMA is effectively undertaking its regulatory compliance responsibilities in respect of domestic fishing in Commonwealth fisheries. Particular emphasis was
given to:
- the licensing of fishers and related transaction processing;
- the management of fishing quota by concession holders and AFMA; AFMA's domestic compliance monitoring and
- enforcement activities; and the governance arrangement for domestic fishing compliance.
The objectives of this audit were to:
- assess the current status of BCM and EM arrangements in Centrelink and identify opportunities for improvement; and
- review Centrelink's response to the recommendations.
The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the department's administration of general recurrent grants for non-government schools. The audit examined key processes in the department's administration ofgeneral recurrent grants for non-government schools for 2005–08 in accordance with the Schools Assistance (Learning Together—Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004.
The objective of this audit was to assess whether selected organisations had effective security risk management programs, including whether a selection of protective security risk treatment controls was working as designed.
The objective of the audit, in examining the construction of the CIIDC, was to assess:
- the adequacy of the planning and delivery processes for the project;
- the value-for-money achieved in the delivery of the project, including with regard to the suitability of the centre for its intended purpose; and
- the extent to which the Public Works Committee Act.
Given the significant expenditure associated with the Super Seasprites, and the problems that the Project had encountered over some time, the ANAO had commenced this performance audit prior to the Government's decision to cancel the Project. The focus of the audit was on Defence's and DMO's administration of the Project. In light of the Government's decision to cancel the Project, the objective of the audit was revised to place greater emphasis on those issues that resulted in the failure of the Project to provide the required capability, and highlighting project management lessons for major Defence acquisitions going forward.Accordingly the audit objective was to:
- identify those factors that contributed to the on-going poor performance of the Project;
- outline measures taken by Defence and DMO in seeking to overcome issues encountered by the Project, and key lessons arising from this project for the benefit of major acquisitions projects generally; and
- determine the capability and cost implications of a project that failed to deliver to expectations.
The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of DoHA's management of the planning and allocation of aged care places and capital grants, in accordance with the Aged Care Act 1997.
The objective of the audit was to examine the effectiveness of DAFF's implementation and administration of the Securing our Fishing Future structural adjustment package industry and community assistance programs.
The objective of the ANAO's audit was to examine the effectiveness of DAFF's implementation and administration of the buyback of fishing concessions under the Securing our Fishing Future structural adjustment package.
The objectives of the audit were to:
- determine the extent to which government entities complied with the requirement to publish and maintain documents online that were presented to the Parliament;
- evaluate selected government entities' policies and practices regarding online publishing; and
- assess AGIMO's policy and guidance in support of online publishing.
To address this objective the audit was conducted in three parts. Firstly, we reviewed a sample of papers tabled between 2000 and 2008 in order to assess their availability online. Next, we examined the online publishing practices of five government entities. These were the: Australian Federal Police (AFP); Department of the House of Representatives (DHR); Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (Infrastructure); Department of the Treasury (Treasury); and National Archives of Australia (NAA). Finally, we reviewed AGIMO's role in supporting government entities in their online publishing practices.
The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's management of the Settlement Grants Program. The ANAO assessed DIAC's performance in terms of how effectively it planned for funding rounds, assessed and allocated grants, monitored and evaluated the program, and managed relationships with its stakeholders. In doing so, the ANAO focused on SGP projects that received funding in the 2007–08.
The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of DIAC's management of MAL. The scope was confined to DIAC's management and use of the system: it did not examine the work of others with an interest in the system, such as security agencies.
The objective of the audit was to assess the administrative effectiveness of the Tax Office's strategies to address serious non-compliance. In conducting the audit, the ANAO examined the Tax Office's management framework and arrangements to deter, detect and deal with fraud and serious evasion.
The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Tax Office's administration of the PRRT. The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) identified four key areas for review: general administration; compliance; promoting certainty in administering the PRRT; and governance arrangements.
The objective of the audit was to review Defence's management of the HQJOC Project's tender process, including probity management, for the construction of the joint operation headquarters in order to provide assurance that the policy principles for the use of private financing had been followed.
The objective of this audit was to assess Army's progress in addressing the issues previously identified in Defence reviews and ANAO audits as affecting the Army Reserve's capability; and Identify the extent that the Army Reserve is capable of contributing to contemporary Australian Defence Force capability requirements through fulfilling its assigned roles and tasks.
The objective of the audit was to assess the arrangements for oversighting the Action Plan and whether the Plan's new measures have been administered effectively to deliver the intended results.
The objective of this performance audit of construction projects on the AusLink National Network was to assess the effectiveness of the administration by DITRDLG in working with the States to deliver the outcomes expected by the Government and the broader community. To inform the audit assessment, the methodology included examination of both Australian Government and State Government records as well as site inspections in relation to 21 projects being delivered in three States (New South Wales (NSW), Queensland and Tasmania). DITRDLG and the respective State road transport authorities were consulted in the selection of projects to be examined in detail.
The objective of the audit was to examine the quality and integrity of DVA's income support records and to report on the effectiveness of the department's management of the data and how it impacts on service delivery.
The objectives of this audit were to assess the progress of the M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier Upgrade Project against stated schedule, cost and technical performance objectives; and Defence Materiel Organisation's (DMO's) progress in implementing the recommendations and addressing the findings of ANAO Audit Report No. 3 2005–06, Management of the M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier Upgrade Project.
The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Health and Ageing's administration of health workforce initiatives in rural and remote Australia.
The objective of this audit was to assess and report on the progress being made by Government agencies in achieving better practice in green office procurement and sustainable office management. The scope of the audit included agencies incorporated under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 as well as a sample of bodies incorporated under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997. Sixty-three agencies were included in an audit survey. Detailed validation was carried out in nine of these agencies.
The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the procurement and contracting associated with:
- the design, development and delivery of government advertising campaigns by Commonwealth departments; and
- the operation of the Central Advertising System (CAS).
The audit focussed on performance information reporting by the submarine System Program Offices on reliability, safety systems and logistic support services. In the context of the sustainability arrangements, the audit considered combat system upgrades and personnel escape and rescue systems. Any arrangements that the Commonwealth may be considering regarding the potential sale of ASC were not within the scope of this audit.
The objective of the audit was to review the effectiveness and efficiency of Centrelink's customer feedback system and the progress Centrelink had made in implementing the recommendations of the 2004–05 audit and the subsequent JCPAA inquiry.
This audit focused on the approval of business system projects -projects aiming to achieve a business objective such as reduced costs or to implement a new program, in contrast with projects with a narrower technology focus such as replacing an agencyʹs desktop computers.
The second audit, which is the subject of this report, is a broader and more in-depth cross-portfolio audit. Its objective was to assess:
- the planning and delivery of capital works projects by proponent agencies;
- the extent to which projects have delivered on what was intended; and
- the extent to which proponent agencies have complied with the requirements of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 and approved procedures.
The objectives of this audit were to:
- examine whether the appointment of CMAX Communications Pty Ltd as a provider of communications support and advice for the 2020 Summit was consistent with the Commonwealth procurement framework and sound principles of public administration; and
- assess the effectiveness of the administration of the CMAX Communications contract by PM&C.
The Australian Political Parties for Democracy Programme is administered by Finance. The programme aims to strengthen democracy internationally by providing support for the international activities of Australia's major political parties. Funding of up to $1 million is provided annually under the programme to each of the Australian Labor Party and to the Liberal Party of Australia. Guidelines for the programme provide for the parties to re-apply for funding each year and set out the criteria against which applications for funding are assessed. The proposed audit would examine the administration of the program by Finance, including the adequacy of assessment of acquittal documentation and requests to roll over funding.
The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of DEEWR's administration of Job Network outcome payments.
The objective of the audit was to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the BCM practices and procedures within the Tax Office in preparing for, or responding to, disruptions to ‘business as usual' operations.
The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of AIMS administration of its co investment research program.
The audit objective was to assess how well agencies manage their websites. Particular attention was given to the audited agencies' website purposes, risk management and planning, policies, content management procedures, and performance monitoring and reporting. These elements provide the framework for the design, implementation and operation of websites.
The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the implementation and administration of the AASC program by the ASC. The extent to which the ASC is able to determine that the program is achieving its objectives was also examined. Particular emphasis was given to the following areas:
- the implementation and the ongoing management of program; and
- the selection of sites and administration of grants funded under the program.
The elements of the Building a Healthy, Active Australia package undertaken by other agencies were not included in the scope of this audit.
The objective of this audit was to assess how effectively FaHCSIA and DEEWR have undertaken their roles and responsibilities for specialist disability employment services under the current (third) CSTDA.
The objective of this audit was to assess whether the Scheme is being administered effectively by the department. The ANAO focussed on Program Year 1 of the Scheme, 2005–06, and examined DIISR's arrangements for:
- assessing the eligibility of entities to receive grants;
- assessing entities' claims for eligible expenditure;
- adhering to the funding limits for the Scheme when calculating and paying claims, and managing any debts that arise;
- and evaluating and reporting on whether the statutory objective of the Scheme is being met.
The audit did not examine the other components of the 2005–2015 industry assistance package; nor did it examine any of the programs delivered under the previous assistance package (2000–2005).
The objective of the follow up audit was to assess the extent to which Customs has implemented seven of the previous audit's recommendations; the two recommendations relating to strategic and tactical taskings and dissemination of intelligence will be considered in the context of the planned performance audit of Illegal Foreign Fishing in Australia's Northern Waters.
The objective of the audit was to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the administration of the tip-off system, including Centrelink's management of privacy issues related to the tip-off management process.
The objective of the audit was to assess whether Customs has implemented effective measures to control IUU fishing in the Southern Ocean. The audit examined Customs' management and coordination of enforcement operations in the Southern Ocean, with particular emphasis on:
- the approach to assessing and reporting SOMPR program performance, and whether outcomes are being met;
- coordination with other stakeholder agencies to meet program outcomes;
- the operational planning framework, management of human and physical resources and contract management; and
- the management of the deployment and operation of program maritime assets.
The audit objective was to assess whether all agencies compiled Internet listings as required by the Senate Order, and to examine the appropriateness of the use, by selected agencies, of confidentiality provisions.
The audit objective was to form an opinion on the administrative effectiveness of the arrangements between DEEWR (previously DEWR) and Centrelink for the delivery of working age employment services under the Business Partnership Agreement (BPA).
The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the management and administration of the Communications Fund, including an assessment of:
- the development and implementation of appropriate investment strategies; and
- the robustness of the governance structures and controls relating to investment activities.
The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of Tourism Australia's governance arrangements, the management of its marketing contracts, and whether outcomes are being achieved. The audit reviewed Tourism Australia's:
- procurement processes for selecting service providers;
- management of service provider contracts; and
- governance framework including planning, performance management and reporting.
The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of DFAT's employment and management of its LES at Australia's overseas missions. In particular, the audit examined arrangements for: planning and risk management; guidance and training; recruitment, engagement and employment of LES; and performance management.
The audit objective was to examine if ACMA is, in respect of commercial broadcasting services, effectively discharging its regulatory responsibilities under the BSA. The audit examined ACMA's:
- monitoring of commercial broadcasters' compliance with the BSA;
- addressing non compliance with, and enforcement of, the BSA;
- collection of broadcast licence fees; and
- monitoring and reporting of its regulatory performance in respect of commercial broadcasting.
The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the department's administration of general recurrent grants paid to the States and Territories for government schools. To achieve this, the ANAO assessed whether the department:
- paid the correct amount of general recurrent grants to the States and Territories;
- effectively managed the agreements with the States and Territories; and
- monitored progress towards achieving the National Goals for Schooling in the Twenty-First Century.
The objectives for the audit of the third tranche sale of Telstra shares were to:
- assess the extent to which the Government's sale objectives were achieved, including maximising overall value for money;
- assess the effectiveness of the management of the sale; and
- identify principles of sound administrative practice to facilitate potential improvements in any future asset sales.
The objective of this follow-up audit was to examine Centrelink's progress in implementing the recommendations of the 2004–05 audit and the subsequent JCPAA inquiry.
The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of personnel security arrangements at selected Australian Government organisations, including whether they satisfied the requirements of the PSM.
To address this objective, the audit examined the extent to which the selected organisations implemented the 14 recommendations from the three previous reports.
The objective of this audit was to assess the Tax Office's implementation of the nine recommendations of Audit Report No.19 2004–05 Taxpayers' Charter, having regard to any changed circumstances affecting the implementation of the recommendations. This involved an examination of the Tax Office's:
- systems and processes used to develop, maintain and update the Charter;
- strategic commitment to implementing the principles of the Charter;
- integration of Charter principles with its business processes;
- systems for resolving disputes according to Charter principles; and
- monitoring and reporting of its performance against commitments in the Charter.
The objective of this follow-up audit is to examine DEEWR's implementation of the six recommendations made in the ANAO's 2003 report. This audit has had regard to the issues underlying the recommendations, and new administrative issues affecting their implementation.
The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of DEEWR's administration of Job Network service fees. The ANAO examined DEEWR's arrangements to:
- specify the nature and level of services to be supplied by JNMs and to communicate this to the JNMS;
- calculate and pay service fees in accordance with the Employment Services Contract (ESC) 2006–2009 it has with JNMs; and
- obtain assurance that JNMs have delivered services in accordance with the contract.
The objective of this audit was to assess whether agencies had effectively administered credit cards, including having complied with legislative and internal requirements.
The objective of the audit was to assess the Tax Office's strategies to address tax haven compliance risks. Particular emphasis was given to the Tax Office's:
- management arrangements relating to the administration of tax haven compliance risks;
- risk management framework for the identification and evaluation of compliance risks, specifically the activities of the Offshore Compliance Program (OCP); and
- risk mitigation strategies.
The audit did not include an examination of cases related to the promoters of tax haven related schemes nor the criminal use of tax havens.
The objective of the audit was to assess DoHA's administration of building certification of residential aged care homes. The ANAO examined DoHA's arrangements to: plan for, and report on, the certification program; manage the delivery of certification services; and manage stakeholder relations.
The audit did not seek to validate assessments made under the program by DoHA's contracted assessor and, therefore, does not form an opinion on whether residential aged care homes should or should not have been certified.