The Queensland Audit Office (QAO) has released an update on Government entities’ self-assessed progress in implementing the performance audit recommendations made to them between 2015 and 2018.
Auditor-General, Brendan Worrall said the period was selected in order to allow enough time for entities to act on the recommendations.
“Our analysis of their reported progress highlights some of the common challenges and opportunities for the public sector,” Mr Worrall said.
“We offer insights as to where all entities can improve their systems and practices,” he said.
Mr Worrall said 15 reports had no outstanding recommendations; 15 entities reported fully implementing all the recommendations made; while Departments reported implementing 84 per cent of the recommendations made.
“The most common types of recommendations entities failed to implement were those related to performance monitoring and reporting, governance and strategic planning,” he said.
“Some entities are not monitoring their implementation of our recommendations.
“To do so, they could set up processes that hold specific positions or people accountable for this.”
The Auditor-General said some entities reported they had not evaluated the outcomes of their implementation of the recommendations.
“This means they do not know whether their actions have delivered the intended results,” he said.
“This is a gap they need to address.
“Timely and robust evaluations help entities determine what works and where they can improve.
“This can form the basis for them embedding a continuous improvement culture.”
Mr Worrall said next year the QAO would ask entities to report against 2018-t0-2020 recommendations “and thereafter we will add another report year to each of these annual reports”.
“We will also ask for updates on the ones that have been reported in this year’s report as being partially or not implemented,” he said.
Mr Worrall said over time, these yearly reports would provide insights on trends, challenges and shared learnings, giving a more complete picture of the progress the entities were making in delivering on recommendations in order to deliver better public services for Queenslanders.
The 123-page 2021 status of Auditor-General’s recommendations Report 4: 2021–22 can be accessed at this PS News link.
