The objective of this audit is to assess whether the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) designed and is implementing its property investment strategy in a way that is delivering the intended benefits, and how any lessons learned are being reflected in a new strategy that is being developed.

This audit would assess the Department of Defence’s administration of the sustainment and capability assurance programs for the Royal Australian Navy’s Seahawk Romeo helicopters.

The Royal Australian Navy operates 24 Seahawk Romeo helicopters. The aircraft are sustained by the Maritime Helicopter Support Company, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation administered through a United States Foreign Military Sales agreement. The Seahawk Romeo Capability Assurance Program (SEA 5510 Phase 1) operates within a cooperative framework with the United States Navy to continuously upgrade the 24 Romeo helicopters.

This audit would examine the effectiveness of a selection of entities’ development and implementation of intellectual property (IP) policies and practices.

The Australian Government is a major investor in the creation and development of IP through activities in science, health, education, public infrastructure, information technology, defence, and arts and culture. The Intellectual Property Principles for Commonwealth Entities provide a policy for the management of IP by Commonwealth entities covered by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. Entities have been individually responsible for implementing the Statement of IP Principles since 1 July 2008.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of the Treasury in supporting value for money from the National Partnership Agreement on Asset Recycling.

The intended objective of the asset recycling initiative was to unlock funds from existing state and territory–owned assets to invest in additional infrastructure that would support economic growth and enhance productivity. A Senate inquiry in 2014 noted strong concerns about the ‘significant’ risks associated with the initiative, and effectively recommended that it not proceed in its current form. The agreement is due to expire on 30 June 2019.

An audit could consider how the Treasury managed risks to achieving value for money for the Commonwealth, including whether the overall objective of enhancing productivity was met. The audit would include consideration of program design, through Treasury’s advice to government, and whether better outcomes could have been achieved via an alternative funding mechanism.