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 ANAO selected the Fututech project for audit as it is one of the largest R&D projects conducted by any of the rural R&D corporations to date. The ANAO planned to identify possible improvements in management practices which would assist not only MRC but also other R&D corporations.

Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, presented for a video-conference of the International Federation of Accountants

The objectives of this audit were to assess planning, management, conduct and staffing of internal audit in the Department of Defence, with a view to providing assurance as to the standard of its work. Opportunities were taken to identify specific policies and practices that would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of MAB audit. Fieldwork for the ANAO audit was performed between May and August 1995.

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.

The ANAO conducted a project audit of Competitive Employment, Training and Placement services, part of the Disability Services Program administered by the then Department of Human Services and Health, primarily because of parliamentary concerns relating to these services. Under the Administrative Arrangements Order of 11 March 1996, the Disability Services Program is now administered by the Department of Health and Family Services.

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

Mr Mr Ian McPhee - Auditor-General for Australia, participated in a panel discussion at the Australian Government Leadership Network Annual Conference (Queensland)

This audit reviewed:

• the methods used by the Department of Social Security (DSS) to determine and allocate staff numbers to Regional Offices. It sought to ascertain whether the allocations resulting from these methods met the demands placed on Regional Offices and the scope for improvement to these methods; and
• the scope for improvements to the benefit delivery process and other aspects of Regional Office operations that could lead to significant productivity gains or client service benefits.

The ANAO's objective in auditing the sale was to assess:

• the extent to which the Commonwealth's objectives were achieved; and
• the efficiency, administrative effectiveness and accountability of the sale process.