This was a follow-up of Audit Report No. 40 of 1997-98, Purchase of Hospital Services from State Governments. That audit examined the administration by the Department of Veterans' Affairs of the Purchase of Hospital Services from State Governments. The objective of this audit was to assess the extent to which the Department had implemented the nine recommendations of Report No. 40, taking account of any changed circumstances or administrative issues that the Department identified as affecting their implementation; and to offer continued assurance to the Parliament on the management of the purchase of hospital services.

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.

This audit would assess the effectiveness of the design and implementation of the Consumer Data Right (CDR).

The CDR is a secure online system that enables consumers to get value from data that is collected about them through the provision of specific goods and services by consenting to that data being shared with trusted accredited third parties. CDR is an economy-wide reform that will be rolled out sector by sector. The CDR has already been rolled out to banking and energy, with non-bank lending to follow as the third sector. The Treasury, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), and Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) are the key agencies leading the CDR initiative. The Treasury leads policy development and determines which sectors should be included in the CDR, while the ACCC focuses on accreditation and compliance of data recipients, and the OAIC handles privacy and data breach notifications. The Data Standards Body develops the technical standards for how data is shared under the CDR, working closely with the Treasury, ACCC, and OAIC.

This audit would assess to what extent the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and its subsidiary Inland Rail Pty Limited has effectively managed its procurement and contracts for Inland Rail.

Inland Rail is a key government infrastructure project. It involves building and operating a freight train line from Brisbane to Melbourne. Construction started in 2018 with sections between Beveridge VIC and Parkes NSW expected to be finished in 2027. Design and approvals works are underway for the Parkes NSW to Ebenezer Qld line. Since 2018, there has been more than $3.8 billion in contracts awarded.

In October 2022, the Australian Government announced an independent review into Inland Rail. This was completed in April 2023 and made 19 recommendations. The government responded to the review in April 2023. One of the independent review’s recommendations was the establishment of a subsidiary of ARTC to deliver the Inland Rail project. Inland Rail Pty Limited (IRPL) was established as a subsidiary of ARTC in July 2023.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the ASCPA Annual Public Sector Accounting Convention, Canberra

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented to the Australian Society of CPAs, Canberra

The Auditor-General Act 1997 establishes the mandate for the Auditor-General to undertake financial statement audits of all Australian Government entities including those of government agencies, statutory authorities and government business enterprises.

Our interim audits of agencies encompass a review of governance arrangements related to agencies’ financial reporting responsibilities, and an examination of relevant internal controls, including information technology system controls. The ANAO’s examination of these areas is designed to assess the reliance that can be placed on agencies’ internal controls to produce complete and accurate information for financial reporting purposes.

In 2000, the ANAO tabled Audit Report No 49 1999-2000, Indigenous Land Corporation operations and performance. The 2000 audit made nine recommendations for improvement. This follow-up audit examined the Indigenous Land Corporation's implementation of the recommendations of the 2000 audit.

This report summarises audit and other related activities of the Australian National Audit Office in the period January to June 1998.

Mr P.J. Barrett (AM) - Auditor-General for Australia, presented at the Public Seminar Series, Graduate Program in Public Policy, 'Democratic Governance: Improving the Institutions of Accountability', The Australian National University