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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 Superannuation Guarantee, which came into effect on 1 July 1992, was introduced to reduce reliance on the age pension as a means of funding retirement for individuals. The objective of the performance audit was to review the ATO's administration of the Superannuation Guarantee and to identify appropriate opportunities for improvement.
The objective of the audit was to examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the administrative arrangements for the establishment and operation of the Green Corps program. Green Corps is a voluntary program for young Australians between 17 and 20 years old to receive accredited training in a range of skills such as bush regeneration and habitat protection. The program is delivered through a contractual arrangement. It was introduced in 1996 with a program allocation of $41.7 million over three years. The focus of the audit was on the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affair's administration of the program, including the management of the contract.
The audit examined a range of issues in relation to the development of certified agreements in the APS with particular emphasis on the link between improved pay and conditions and increased productivity, and the funding of agreements. The objectives of the audit were to:
- provide an overview of the range of wage outcomes included in the first round of APS certified agreements;
- identify the administrative arrangements agencies have in place to measure any improvements in productivity that were linked to pay increases;
- determine how agencies funded their certified agreements;
- review the reporting and accountability arrangements agencies have in place to monitor progress and to evaluate the outcomes of their certified agreements;
- determine the extent to which agencies complied with the employment terms and conditions outlined in their certified agreements that contributed to paying for their agreement or measuring and/or assessing improvements in productivity; and
- examine the role of central coordinating agencies in reviewing agencies' certified agreements.
The objective of the audit was to assess whether Centrelink's Balanced Scorecard (BSC) was based on key elements of better practice principles and its use assisted Centrelink to understand and communicate its performance against its strategic goals. The audit examined:
- the use of the BSC in setting Centrelink's vision and goals;
- the role of the BSC in planning;
- alignment of the BSC from the top down through the organisation and the interdependencies of scoreboards used by various support units, the definition and use of measures, including target setting and links to goals within the BSC framework; and
- its use in monitoring, reporting and feedback.
The ANAO reviewed arrangements for the development of the department's fraud policy, fraud risk assessment and fraud control plan within the core functional areas of the department that are responsible for these activities. The audit also examined the operational procedures and guidelines that were in place to implement the departments' fraud policy. The objective of the audit was to assess whether DVA has implemented appropriate fraud control arrangements in line with the Fraud Control Policy of the Commonwealth and whether these arrangements operate effectively in practice.
The overall objective of the survey was to assess key aspects of fraud control arrangements in place across the APS against Commonwealth Law Enforcement Board (CLEB) guidelines. This assessment aimed to provide assurance to Parliament that agencies had a suitable framework in place to assist in effectively preventing and dealing with fraud and to indicate to APS agencies any areas for improvement identified in the survey.
The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the Parliamentary Budget Office in conducting its role since being established in July 2012.
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The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection's (DIBP’s) management of the Central Movement Alert List (CMAL) system, having particular regard to the recommendations contained in Audit Report No. 35 of 2008–09.
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The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the administration of the Smart Grid, Smart City Program, including the establishment, implementation and ongoing management of the program.
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The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of Australia’s arrangements to meet its treaty obligations under three selected treaties:
- International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage 2001;
- Agreement between Australia and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of 1 July 1968 and Additional Protocol; and
- Convention on the Rights of the Child 1990.
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The objective of this audit was to assess the administration of internal fraud control arrangements in the ATO and to identify areas with potential for improvement as well as identified better practice. To achieve this objective the ANAO focussed on five key areas. These were:
- the application of the ATO's corporate governance processes to the internal fraud control activities;
- the prevention of internal fraud within the ATO;
- the related use of information technology to minimise fraud risks;
- the detection of internal fraud within the ATO; and
- ATO fraud investigation procedures and practices.
In late 1996, the Government announced its commitment to establish new facilities for the National Museum of Australia and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies on Acton Peninsula in Canberra. The objectives of the audit were to examine the project's compliance with the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines for the procurement of public works and effectiveness of the project's management.
The audit objectives were to assess the effectiveness of:
- selected agencies’ administration in developing advertising campaigns and implementing key processes against the requirements of the Australian Government’s campaign advertising framework, and other key legal and administrative requirements; and
- the ongoing administration of the campaign advertising framework.
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Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Canberra Evaluation Forum
Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the National Public Sector Accountants Conference, Adelaide
The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of Australian Government agencies' management and implementation of measures to protect and secure their electronic information, in accordance with Australian Government protective security requirements.
The audit objective was to assess whether the administration of the LPG Vehicle Scheme is effective. To address this objective, the audit considered whether:
- there is a sound framework for the operation of the Scheme;
- grants are promoted, assessed and approved in accordance with relevant guidance and regulations; and
- the Scheme's performance is monitored and reported.
The objective of this follow-up audit was to review Centrelink's progress in implementing the findings and recommendation relating to Centrelink's Customer Charter from Audit Report No.32
2004–05, Centrelink's Customer Charter and Community Consultation Program. This audit covers Centrelink's Customer Charter only and does not follow-up on the findings and recommendation on the Community Consultation Program aspect of the 2004–05 audit report.
Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the MBA Governance Students at Macquarie University Graduate School of Management
The objective of this audit was to form an opinion on the adequacy of, and to identify best practice in, Commonwealth agencies' electricity procurement systems and procedures. In doing so, the ANAO also formed an opinion on the level and results of participation by Commonwealth agencies in the National Electricity Market. The audit concentrated on adherence by agencies to the principles of the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines: Core Policies and Principles (March 1998), emphasising the importance of Commonwealth agencies achieving value-for-money (VFM) in their purchasing. VFM is one of the six principles on which the Guidelines are based.
The objective of the audit was to examine the accuracy of Medicare claims processing, including the adequacy and operation of relevant manual and system processes. The audit assessed the:
- adequacy and operation of relevant manual and system controls used to support the reliable processing of Medicare claims, and
- accuracy of the assessing and processing of Medicare claims, using Computer Aided Audit Techniques (CAATs).
The objective of the audit was to assess the performance of the Child Support Agency in the administration of key aspects of the Child Support Scheme. The ANAO previously audited the CSA in 1993-94 and identified scope for improvement in the management and administration of the Child Support Scheme. Particular areas of audit concern included client service, staff training and debt management. The current audit has reviewed the CSA's progress in improving Agency performance since that time. The audit focused initially on the areas identified in the previous audit, but also sought to identify further opportunities for improvement where appropriate.
The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Social Services' fraud control arrangements.
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The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the design and administration of the VET FEE-HELP scheme.
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The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Employment and the Department of Education and Training's administration of the Shared Services Centre to achieve efficiencies and deliver value to its customers.
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The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of the Environment and Energy's award of funding under the 20 Million Trees Programme.
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The objective of the audit was to examine the effectiveness of the Australian Taxation Office’s use of settlements to resolve taxpayer disputes.
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The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the planning and implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
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Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Canberra Evaluation Forum
A Health Care Card (HCC) is one of three types of concession cards issued by Centrelink for the Australian Government. The objectives of the audit were to assess: the effectiveness of whole of government approaches to administering HCCs by FaCS, Centrelink, Health and HIC; the adequacy ofperformance information relating to HCCs, including monitoring the use of the card and its budgetary impact, as well as the cost of administering HCCs; and the effectiveness of controls relating to the issue, maintenance and cancellation of the HCC; and to limit its incorrect or fraudulent use.
The objectives of the audit were to assess agency performance in relation to compiling the Internet listings by the Senate Order and the appropriateness of the use of confidentiality in Commonwealth contracts.
The audit examined some key aspects of HRD in relation to Centrelink's Customer Service Officers (CSOs). The objective of the audit was to determine whether Centrelink had appropriate systems and strategies in place to ensure that its CSOs had access to the skills and knowledge necessary to meet expected levels of performance and customer service.
The objective of the audit was to determine whether Centrelink's planning, monitoring and costing arrangements provide a sound basis to underpin its delivery of quality, cost effective customer services.
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 to the Australian Society of CPAs, Canberra
Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Lunchtime Seminar Series for Senior Officers, Sydney, NSW
Mr P.J. Barrett (AO) - Auditor-General for Australia, Opening Address to the inaugural conference of the Risk Management Institution of Australasia - Bringing Risk Management Together - What the Future Holds
This audit examined the management of contracts for business support processes in eight Commonwealth organisations-six operating under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997, and two operating under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997. The objectives of this audit were to:
- provide assurance on the effectiveness of the management of contracted business support processes in selected organisations; and
- identify and disseminate better practices in related contract management.
Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Secretaries' Forum
The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Taxation Office’s administration of the personal services income regime.
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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 objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of Health's administration of the National Respite for Carers Program.
The audit reviewed the Australian Taxation Office's fraud prevention and contol arrangements in relation to the Goods and Services Tax. The audit objective was to assess whether the ATO has implemented administratively effective GST fraud control arrangements, consistent with the Commonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines.
The audit reviewed the retention of military personnel that are managed by the Australian Defence Force which comprises the three Services. The objective of the audit was to review the management of personnel retention within the ADF with a view to evaluating the measures Defence has in place to monitor and control the flow of trained personnel from the Services
The objective of the audit was to assess whether the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has effective arrangements to comply with domestic and international travel requirements.
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The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the operations of the boards of four corporate Commonwealth entities in managing conflicts of interest.
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The objective of this audit was to examine whether the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) is being effectively administered, with the appropriate management of risks.
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The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s management of initiatives to supply low aromatic fuel to Indigenous communities.
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The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the administration of the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debts and repayments.
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The objective of the audit was to examine whether strategic water procurements by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment were conducted consistent with government policy, were supported by appropriate program design, were planned and executed appropriately, and achieved value for money.
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The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of Australian Government-funded aged care services delivered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the governance board in Hearing Australia.
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Provides an overview of the annual audit work program including the purpose and key features, and how the program is developed and delivered. Information about the development of the annual audit work program includes details of environmental scanning, topic development, coverage review, consultation, final review and audit selection.
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The audit objective was to assess whether selected entities effectively implemented agreed recommendations from Auditor-General Report No. 25 2019–20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Participation Targets in Major Procurements.
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The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of Finance and selected entities’ implementation of the Australian Government’s campaign advertising framework.
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The objective of the audit was to evaluate the policies and practices of selected organisations to determine whether they had established sound arrangements for, and maintained effective control over, the administration of security incidents and investigations.
This was a follow-up of Audit Report No. 29 2000-01, Review of Veterans' Appeals Against Disability Compensation Entitlement Decisions. That audit examined the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA's) and the Veterans' Review Board's (VRB's) management of the review of decisions for disability compensation. The objective of this audit was to assess the extent to which DVA and the VRB had implemented the four recommendations of Report No.29 2000-01, taking into account any changed circumstances, or new administrative issues, affecting implementation of these recommendations.
The objective of this performance audit was to assess agencies' financial management of, and accountability for, the use of net appropriation agreements to increase available appropriations.
The objective of this performance audit was to assess the effectiveness and consistency of risk management processes undertaken by the Australian Taxation Office in administering individual taxpayer refunds.