An audit of the engagement of probity advisers and probity auditors by three NSW public sector Departments and Agencies has revealed that none of them fully complied with the NSW Procurement Board’s Directions.
In his report, Engagement of Probity Advisers and Probity Auditors, Acting Auditor-General, Ian Goodwin found that the Agencies did not have effective processes to achieve compliance or assure that probity engagements achieved value for money.
Mr Goodwin defined probity as the quality of having strong moral principles, honesty and decency.
“Probity is important for NSW Government Agencies as it helps ensure decisions are made with integrity, fairness and accountability, while attaining value for money,” Mr Goodwin said.
He said probity advisers provided guidance on issues concerning integrity, fairness and accountability.
“Probity auditors verify that Agencies’ processes are consistent with Government laws and legislation, guidelines and best practice principles,” he said.
The audit examined Transport for NSW, the Department of Education and the Ministry of Health.
Mr Goodwin said the Agencies tended to rely on a limited number of external probity service providers, sometimes using them on a continuous basis.
“In some instances, Agencies did not always manage probity practitioners’ independence and conflicts of interest transparently,” Mr Goodwin said.
“We found instances where each of the three participating Agencies had not fully complied with the requirements of the NSW Procurement Board.”
He recommended Agencies review and revise probity policies, processes, and systems so they used probity practitioners more effectively.
The Auditor-General’s 24-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
