Other management issues

A range of other management activities and services are undertaken in support of our primary audit functions. These include financial management, property management, management of legal matters, production of reports and publications, and the provision of IT and administrative services

Consultancy services

During 2007–08, 163 new consultancy contracts were entered into involving total expenditure of $0.750 million. In addition, 37 ongoing consultancy contracts were active during the 2007–08 year, involving a total actual expenditure of $0.910 million.

Information on expenditure on contracts and consultancies is also available on the AusTender website.

Major competitive tendering and contracting activities

Our major competitive tendering and contracting out of services is described below. This section includes the major contracts let in 2007–08. All tenders and contractual arrangements are carried out in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines, and contracts are subject to evaluation. Our procedures effectively meet our business needs and achieve value-for-money for the Australian Government.

  • IT Services—Our IT contract with Unisys Australia was renewed in July 2007 for a further two years . The partnership with Unisys is a professional and effective arrangement that continues to meet the business needs of the ANAO.
  • Legal services—We have an agreement with a panel of four legal firms to provide us with legal advice across a wide spectrum of issues until April 2009. The panel comprises the Australian Government Solicitor, Mallesons Stephen Jacques, Minter Ellison and Phillips Fox.
  • Publishing services—Our contract for publishing services with Canprint Communications Pty Ltd ends in December 2009. There is an option to extend the contract for a further two years.
  • Contracting out major financial statement audits—During the 2007–08 financial year we contracted out the conduct of a number of financial statement audits. The major audits put out to tender in this period were: Australian National University awarded to RSM Bird Cameron; Centrelink awarded to Ernst & Young; and the Future Fund and Comsuper audits awarded to Deloittes.
  • Performance Audit Services consultants’ panel—We use a panel of 31 consultants to assist with the conduct of performance audits. Following an invitation to the market, the panel was refreshed in August 2006. We will be approaching the market again in 2009.

Freedom of information

The Auditor-General is exempt from the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, but to the extent appropriate, provides information on request in the spirit of the Act. All audit reports and better practice guides (BPGs) are available to the public on our website, or in hard copy.

Service charter

We do not have a service charter as we do not provide a direct service to members of the public. However, we recognise that we provide a service to the community through our public audit reports and other products, such as BPGs.

Discretionary grants

We do not administer any grant programs and therefore have no grant recipients.

Assessment of effectiveness of asset management

Our assets management policy is set out in Auditor-General Instructions and supporting procedural rules. High value assets are subject to whole–of–life management including: formal tendering for acquisition; scheduled maintenance; and detailed accounting of disposal or return at end of the useful life of the asset. Our asset management practices are designed to protect the interests of the Australian Government.

Assessment of purchasing against core policies and procedures

Our procurement guidelines are set out in our Auditor-General Instructions and supporting Procedural Rules, which are derived directly from the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines. All purchasing is bound by these Procedural Rules under the underlying principle of “value for money” and are routinely the subject of internal audit. In addition, all contractual performance is subject to evaluation. Our procurement practices are designed to protect the interests of the Australian Government.

Emergency and Business Continuity Plans

We have a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan (BCP) which is supported by an Emergency Evacuation Plan. The BCP was reviewed and tested under the name Operation Hygenieia at the end of June in our off site operations room in Canberra. The scenario was a localised flu infection which required our head office in Canberra to be quarantined. The scenario tested both our plans and the effectiveness of our crisis organisation team, which had many new members. As a result of this exercise our documentation and some of our procedures have been revised to provide greater flexibility, direction and understanding, both prior to and during a crisis.

Refurbishment of 19 National Circuit ACT

We are undertaking a limited refurbishment of our leased accommodation at 19 National Circuit ACT. The current fit-out is 15 years old and has fallen behind current standards in meeting present and future needs. We have engaged a project manager and design consultant and are currently tendering for a construction manager. The Public Works Committee has given approval to proceed as ‘medium works’. We anticipates that the work will commence in October 2008 and be completed by the end of April 2009.