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

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.

The audit objective was to assess the effectiveness of the management of the Australian Public Service (APS) workforce in implementing the Australian Government’s COVID-19 priorities.

This audit would examine the Department of Social Services’ (the department’s) design and implementation of performance measures and evaluation planning for the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032 (National Plan).

The National Plan was launched in October 2022 and sets the national policy agenda for addressing violence against women and children in Australia for the next 10 years. The Australian Government has committed $2.23 billion over six years (2022–23 to 2027–28) to deliver the outcomes of the National Plan and related women’s safety initiatives. Two actions plans, outlining actions for Commonwealth, state and territory governments, have been developed to support the implementation of the National Plan: the First Action Plan 2023–2027; and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan. The National Plan is also supported by the Outcomes Framework 2023–2032 which links actions outlined in the action plans to outcomes. The department has primary responsibility for the National Plan, including policy development and program and service design. The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission is responsible for ensuring activities and initiatives by governments are appropriately aligned and collaborative, and for providing annual reports to Parliament on progress against the National Plan.

The objective of the audit was to assess whether Defence Housing Australia administers its functions efficiently and effectively, and in accordance with the Government Business Enterprise guidelines.

The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the ANAO’s internal budgeting and forecasting processes and practices. View the audit.

This page lists status updates about the ANAO's progress on recommendations contained in the audit.

The audit reviewed Australian Development Scholarships (ADS). ADS's are the principal mechanism by which Australia provides scholarship assistance for individuals from developing countries to undertake studies at Australian education institutions. The scholarships help to meet the human resource development needs of developing countries and contribute to their development across various sectors. Scholarships also have an important role in fostering and sustaining Australia's relations with developing countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The objective of the audit was to evaluate AusAID's management of the ADS scheme.

The audit objective was to assess how well agencies manage their websites. Particular attention was given to the audited agencies' website purposes, risk management and planning, policies, content management procedures, and performance monitoring and reporting. These elements provide the framework for the design, implementation and operation of websites.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the management and oversight of compliance activities within the Child Care Subsidy program.

The objective of this audit was to examine the effectiveness of the Department of Home Affairs’ management of its public communications and media activities.