Mr Ian McPhee, PSM - Auditor?General for Australia, Speaking Notes for the IPAA (ACT) Forum, Canberra

Mr Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presentation to the Global Working Group of Auditors-General

The objective of this audit was to examine the efficiency and administrative effectiveness of processes the Australian Customs Service uses to screen incoming and outgoing mail. It also considers the involvement of other stakeholders such as Australia Post and Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.

The Department of the Treasury (Treasury) manages Australia's relations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and various development banks, including those belonging to the World Bank Group. The audit examined Treasury's management of these obligations. In view of the size of Australia's investments and obligations, the audit focussed on financial management issues.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the PAA National Conference - Reshaping the Old: Charting the New - Public Management in the 1990s - Melbourne

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Challenges and Opportunities Seminar, Conducted by the Department of Finance, Canberra

The objective of the audit was to determine the extent to which the new Commonwealth services delivery arrangements were implemented efficiently and effectively. The audit focussed on the establishment of Centrelink to deliver services on behalf of purchaser departments and the development of associated purchaser/provider arrangements.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Australian Corporate Lawyers Association, Old Parliament House, Canberra

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Corporate Management Network Meeting, Rydges Lakeside, Canberra

The audit reviewed the sale of Works Australia, a business unit of the Department of Administrative Services, which provided project, architectural and engineering design and documentation services to the Commonwealth and State Governments and private enterprise. The objectives of the audit were to review the efficiency and effectiveness of the management of the sale.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Risk Management in the Public Sector Seminar

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the MinterEllison Seminar Series

The sale raised gross proceeds of $95.4 million, which was at the upper end of the Business Advisor's estimate for the mid-1997 sale. In addition, it should be noted that the principal financial effect for the Commonwealth was not in the proceeds of the sale but in the termination of ongoing revenue supplements and financial losses. The Commonwealth's direct costs of selling the businesses are estimated to be $9.3 million, or 9.7% of gross proceeds. In addition, the Australian National's financial liabilities totalling $1393 million have been or are being repaid or assumed by the Commonwealth.

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Australia New Zealand School of Government Conference

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Australian Corporate Lawyers Association and the Australian Institute of Administrative Law Conference on Outsourcing

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at a Lunchtime Seminar, Canberra

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Queensland Commonwealth Regional Heads Forum 15th Annual Government Business Conference

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Global Working Group 10th Annual Meeting, Norway

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Public Sector Risk Management Conference

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the CPA Australia

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the IIR Conference 'Risks in Outsourcing in the Public Sector'

The audit reviewed the productivity and client service of IP Australia, a division of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, which provides intellectual property rights in respect of patents, trade marks and designs. The objective of the audit was to examine the effectiveness of IP Australia's management of productivity and client service.

The objective of the audit was to review AUSTEL and the Spectrum Management Agency's approaches to service delivery against recognised good practice and to identify opportunities for the new Australian Communications Authority to adopt the relevant features of these approaches in its service delivery.

The issues examined by the ANAO were considered on two levels. First, legal and ethical processes that focus on whether there are any impediments to the Government and public service implementing the CEIP in the way they have. The public interest issues turn largely on the question of whether the CEIP was for Government or party-political purposes. The other level on which these issues were considered is that of public accountability and the way in which decisions to spend public money are made. In turn, these issues raise questions about the relationship between, and authority of, the Government and Parliament. They may also involve consideration of what might be regarded as proper or responsible conduct by governments and the public service.

The audit reviewed the sales of DASFLEET, Works Australia and DAS Interiors Australia. Separate audit reports have been produced for each of the sales. This report focuses on the management of the overall sale processes for all business units.

The main objectives of the audit were to assess the management and administration of the payment of accounts function in the Commonwealth and to identify, develop and report better practice to promote overall improvements in public administration.

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Queensland Regional Heads Forum

The objective of the audit was to form an opinion on the administrative effectiveness, efficiency and accountability of the Department of Health and Aged Care's delivery of health services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.

The objectives of the audit were to provide assurance to Parliament concerning the adequacy of Commonwealth security planning and preparations for the Games and to identify areas for improvement early enough for any corrective action to be taken.

The objective of this audit was to ascertain whether Defence performance management strategies and practices contribute to the effective and efficient management of the supply chain. In particular, it focussed on examining the extent to which the latter demonstrate identified world-class practices.

The objectives of the audit were to:

• review the implementation arrangements in relation to the transfer of the delivery of AUSTUDY to Centrelink and its subsequent inclusion as part of the Youth Allowance; and
• to form an opinion on the efficiency and effectiveness of the front-end processing aspects of AUSTUDY applications.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Medibank Private Executive Seminar Breakfast, Perth

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the CPA Australia National Public Sector Convention, Perth

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the National Archives of Australia Seminar, Parliament House, Canberra

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the CPA Australia National Public Sector Convention : Overview and Panel Discussion by Auditors General

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, address to the ACT Chapter of the Australasian Institute of Risk Management

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the CPA South Australia Conference 2001

The objective of the audit was to determine the extent to which the new employment services market had been implemented effectively and efficiently in accordance with announced Government policy and timeframe.

Mr Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Institute of Public Administration Australia, ACT Division

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Launch of MAB/MIAC Report 17 - Guidelines for Managing Risk in the Australian Public Sector - An Exposure Draft

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business Leadership Development Program

Mr Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the 2014 National Conference of the Risk Management Institution of Australasia, Brisbane

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Australian Government Solicitor Seminar

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Public Service and Merit Protection Commission Senior Executive Service (SES) Breakfast Seminar Series

Mr Ian McPhee, PSM - Auditor-General for Australia, address for the ANAO's 110th Birthday Celebration, National Press Club, Canberra

Mr Ian McPhee - Deputy Auditor-General, presented at the National Institute for Governance, Canberra

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Comcover Seminar

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Australasian Council of Auditors-General Conference, Melbourne

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the 1999 ACPAC Biennial Conference Commercial Confidentiality - Striking the Balance

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Health Insurance Commission Senior Management Group

Mr P.J. Barrett (AO) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the UN Results Based Management Seminar

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the InfoHRM Conference, Gold Coast

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Senior Executive Leadership Program - Preparatory day, Hill Station, Canberra

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the 'Ensuring Accountability and Ethics with Corporate Governance in the Public Sector' - IIR Conference, Canberra

This audit reviewed the efficiency and administrative effectiveness of case management in the Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET) to identify good practices and any areas in need of improvement.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, Address to the Challenge of Change : Driving Governance and Accountability CPA Forum 2004

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, addressed the Senior Executive Leadership 20. Canberra.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented a speech on the occasion of the release by the Minister for Finance of the Second Trial Unaudited Financial Statements for the Commonwealth of Australia for the year ended 30 June 1996.

Mr Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Risk Management Institute of Australia and the Australasian Compliance Institute, at the 2nd Annual GRC Conference, Melbourne

The audit reviewed the sale of DASFLEET, a business unit of the Department of Administrative Services, which provided passenger and general commercial vehicle leasing, rental and fleet management and maintenance services. The objectives of the audit were to review the efficiency and effectiveness of the management of the sale.

Mr Ian McPhee, PSM - Auditor?General for Australia, presented at the IPAA National Conference, Hobart

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Defence Senior Leadership Group, Financial Management Course, Canberra

Mr Ian McPhee, PSM - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the CPA Australia, International Public Sector Convention, Melbourne

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Australian Institute of Project Management, Hobart

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Australian Government Solicitor Seminar - Identify, Protect and Defend your Intellectual Property Assets

The objectives of the audit were to assess how well agencies are managing their assets to produce better outcomes and to identify or develop better practice in asset management.

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Public Sector Governance Forum of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and The Institute of Internal Auditors - Australia

Mr Ian McPhee - Deputy Auditor-General, presented to the Department of Finance

Allegations were made to the Senate Economics References Committee that the Australian Taxation Office and Australian Customs Service (Customs) had failed to pursue several cases of detected sales tax fraud. The Committee believed that this alleged failure may have stemmed from coordination problems between the two agencies. The Committee requested the Auditor-General to investigate this matter and report his findings to the Parliament.

Mr Mr Ian McPhee, AO PSM - Auditor-General for Australia, reflected on his 10 years as Auditor-General for Australia during a presentation to the Australasian Council of Public Accounts Committees in Adelaide, South Australia

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Australian Government Procurement Conference

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to COMNET - Canberra

This report has been prepared in response to a resolution of the Senate on 8 December 1994 which referred certain matters relating to the possible sale of ANL Ltd to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee. The resolution directed the Committee to consider a report from the Auditor-General and drew the Auditor-General's attention to a range of specific issues and questions.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Joint Launch of a Comcare Better Practice Guide - Canberra

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the launch of Comcare/ANAO Better Practice Guide

The objectives of this information report are to provide transparency of, and insights on, government grants expense and Commonwealth entities’ self-reporting of grants on GrantConnect.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Global Working Group Meeting, Wellington, New Zealand

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the National Public Sector Accountants Conference, Adelaide

The ANAO's purpose was to ascertain:

• whether the enhanced investigatory powers had improved the Commission's ability to investigate and prosecute fraud and other offences against Health Legislation; and
• whether the Commission had used the powers with integrity, in a professional manner and in accordance with the legislation.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented an address to SES Officers in the Australian Customs Service, Canberra

The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 establishes a scheme to confiscate proceeds of crime and allows for confiscated proceeds of crime to be re-invested in programs for relevant purposes, including crime prevention and law enforcement. Auditor-General Report No. 43 2016–17 Proceeds of Crime concluded that:

• effective processes had been established by the Attorney-General’s Department to identify the possible use of funds from the Confiscated Assets Account;
• appropriate advice was being provided to the Minister to inform decision-making; and
• the main beneficiaries of funding from the Confiscated Assets Account have been Commonwealth criminal intelligence or law enforcement entities with significant funds also approved for non-government, community organisations or local council’s projects, including through the Safer Streets Programme (examined in Auditor-General Report No. 41 2014–15 The Award of Funding under the Safer Streets Programme). In addition, the initial allocation to the Safer Communities Fund (examined in Auditor-General Report No. 16 2021–22) included unspent Safer Streets program funding (sourced from the Confiscated Asset Fund, under the Proceeds of Crime Act).

This audit would examine the processes through which funding allocations are identified, the appropriateness of the advice provided by the Attorney-General’s Department to inform funding decisions.

The goal of the $250 million Emerging Markets Impact Investment Fund (EMIIF) is to help address access to finance challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South and South East Asia. It invests in funds and other financial intermediaries that in turn invest in early and growth stage SMEs with investments in the range of USD5,000 to USD2 million. The May 2023–24 Federal Budget measure that increased the size of the EMIIF stated that the majority of assistance would be provided via equity and loans (rather than grants), the cost of which will be met from Australia’s existing Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding.

EMIIF is an investment trust with DFAT as the sole beneficiary. Day to day management is undertaken by the investment manager appointed by DFAT and investment decision making is undertaken by the investment committee appointed by DFAT, as well as representatives from the investment manager. The design of EMIIF was intended to enable appropriate DFAT oversight by a DFAT delegate for the EMIIF being responsible for making any contractual and strategic decisions, who would be advised by an SES-level Impact Investing Advisory Group to provide advice, guidance and support regarding the overall direction and implementation of EMIIF and DFAT’s other impact investing programs. In addition, a Secretariat within DFAT is responsible for the day-to-day management of EMIIF, including interaction with counterparties to monitor ongoing performance, disseminate information and prepare relevant reporting to the advisory group or decision-makers.

The audit would examine DFAT’s establishment and oversight of the EMIIF.

This first Assurance Report on the status of selected Defence equipment acquisition projects, which has the support of the Parliament and the Government, represents a substantial step towards improving transparency and public accountability in major Defence procurement projects. It is the pilot of an annual Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) Major Projects Report, and was developed in conjunction with the DMO. It covers the cost, schedule and capability progress achieved by nine DMO projects, which had an approved budget totalling $13.535 billion as at 30 June 2008.

This report is organised into three parts. Part 1 comprises an ANAO overview and Auditor–General's Foreword. Part 2 comprises the Major Projects Report prepared by DMO, including an overview reflecting DMO's perspective on their business and on the nine projects included in the. Part 3 incorporates the Auditor-General's Review Report, the statement by the CEO DMO, and the information prepared by DMO in the form of standardised Project Data Summary Sheets covering each of the nine pilot projects.

In the next 12 months, the ANAO will review 15 DMO projects planned for inclusion in the 2008-09 DMO Major Projects Report, with the number of projects rising to 30 projects in subsequent years. The ANAO will also work with DMO to refine the approach adopted for providing assurance on each project's progress toward achieving Final Operational Capability. The ANAO will also consider the inclusion of an analysis of each project's emerging trends, as appropriate, to complement DMO's intention to provide improved analysis of project management performance regarding all projects included in the Major Projects Report.

The audit examined whether training services purchased by the Department for labour market programs provided value for money.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the opening Presentation to Workshop on ANAO Year 2000 Discussion Paper

Presentation by the Indonesian Ambassador, His Excellency, Primo Alui Joelianto Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, to the Auditor-General for Australia, Mr Mr Ian McPhee

Mr Ian McPhee - Deputy Auditor-General, presented at the Best Practice Financial Management Seminar, Canberra

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, address to the Risk Management Institution of Australasia -ACT Chapter Conference 'Building on Experience'

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Insititue of Public Administration (ACT Division)

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the CPA Public Sector Convention 2005, Melbourne

This audit focused on tax compliance strategies aimed at rebates paid under the Diesel Fuel Rebate Scheme (DFRS) administered by the Australian Customs Service.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Joint Launch by the ANAO, the Department of Industry, Science and Tourism and the Management Advisory Board

Mr Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the CPA Australia 2013 International Public Sector Convention

Mr Ian McPhee, PSM - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Department of Parliamentary Services

Mr Ian McPhee - Deputy Auditor-General, presented at the CPA Australia Seminar

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at a Seminar for ANAO staff on Working with Parliamentary Committees. Parliamentary Education Office. The Commonwealth Parliament. Canberra

Mr Ian McPhee. Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Heads of Cultural Organisations Meeting

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the 25th National Conference of Association of Risk and Insurance Managers of Australasia Limited

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the ANAO Graduates - Graduate Recall Day

Mr Ian McPhee - Deputy Auditor-General, presented at the National Institute for Governance, University of Canberra

The purpose of this audit was to determine whether Australian Hearing Services has in place procedures to monitor the quality of services provided at both its own hearing centres and contractors' sites.

The primary objectives of the ANAO preliminary study were to gain an understanding of the concepts and associated processes used in the management of preparedness. This included the methodology for translating the Government's strategic guidance into military capability; the processes by which the Services translate preparedness directives into operational requirements; and how Headquarters ADF (HQADF) and the three Service Offices assure themselves that units can satisfy the requirements of preparedness directives.

Within the scope of this preliminary study the ANAO did not attempt to form a conclusion regarding the current ability of the ADF to satisfy the roles set by Government in strategic guidance; that is, its actual state of preparedness. It was important first to obtain a good understanding of the concepts and associated methodology used by Defence in managing preparedness.

The objective of this information report is to provide transparency and insights on the governing boards of Commonwealth entities and companies and the membership of these boards.

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the CPA Australia Public Sectore Finance and Management Conference

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Australian Institute of Company Directors Public Sector Governance Conference

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the National Institute of Governance, University of Canberra

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, Closing Address for the Institute of Chartered Accountants

This audit would assess the effectiveness (including cost effectiveness) of joint stewardship of the support worker workforce, including the coordination of workforce strategies for support workers.

In September 2021, the National Skills Commission released a report which noted that multiple federal and state and territory government program areas (aged care, disability support, veteran care and mental health care) draw upon a common pool of care and support workers, and that multiple workforce strategies exist in relation to this pool. In 2023, the Australian Government established a Care and Support Economy Taskforce and a draft National Care and Support Economy Strategy (the Strategy). The Strategy notes that the care and support economy is one of the fastest growing parts of the Australian economy and faces enormous projected demand. The Strategy states that it complements the substantial work already being undertaken in each of the aged care, disability support, veterans’ care and early childhood education and care sectors, by developing whole-of-system solutions.

The Strategy notes that ‘More nuanced approaches to market stewardship are required in thin markets, and across the care and support economy, to ensure people have access to the care and support they need’. The capability review of the Department of Health and Aged Care (endorsed in July 2023) found that systemic consideration of the health and aged care workforce is an area for improvement. The 2023 National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Review made 23 recommendations, including to the Australian Government to develop an integrated approach to workforce development in the care and support sector. In the 2024–25 Budget, funding was allocated to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to help deliver on reforms relating to the care and support economy.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, addressed the Senior Women in Management (SWIM) 2000 Group, PSMPC, Canberra

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Canberra Staff of ANAO

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, Opening remarks at a launch of a Better Practice Guide, Boathouse, Canberra

Mr Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Institute of Public Administration Australia (ACT Division)

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the 2009 Brookes Oration Deakin Business School, Deakin University

Mr Ian McPhee - Deputy Auditor-General, presented to the Public Service and Merit Protection Commission (PSMPC)

Mr Ian McPhee - Deputy Auditor-General, presented to the Public Service and Merit Protection Commission

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Department of Family and Community Services' launch

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the launch of the ANAO-PM&C Better Practice Guide: Implementation of Programme and Policy Initiatives

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the CPA Australia - CFO Public Sector Lunch

The Auditor-General responded on 2 September 2015 to correspondence from Senator Nick Xenophon of 3 June 2015 on the Australian bid for the football World Cup.

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the CIMA, AGSM and the Management Accountants Committee of CPA Australia