NSW’s Auditor-General has analysed the key findings and recommendations in her audit reports from the past four years, concluding that Departments and Agencies need to become more consistent when dealing with options and risks, reporting directions and decisions and sharing information.
In her Audit Insights 2018–2022 report, Auditor-General Margaret Crawford said she’d analysed the key findings and recommendations from 72 audit reports over the four year period.
“This analysis includes financial audits, performance audits, and compliance audits of State and local Government entities that were tabled in NSW Parliament between July 2018 and February 2022,” Ms Crawford said.
“The Report is framed by a very clear recognition that Governments have been responding to significant events, in number, character and scale, over recent years,” she said.
“Further, it acknowledges that public servants at both State and council levels generally bring their best selves to work and diligently strive to deliver great outcomes for citizens and communities”
Ms Crawford said her Report presented recommendations for good practice that Government Agencies should consider in relation to six themes, Integrity and transparency, Performance and monitoring, Governance and oversight, Cyber security and data, System planning for disruption, and Resource management.
“In this Report we particularly call out threats to the integrity of Government systems, processes and governance arrangements,” the Auditor-General said.
“The Report highlights the need for balanced advice to Government on options and risks, for transparent documentation and reporting of directions and decisions, and for early and open sharing of information with integrity bodies and audit,” she said.
“Arguably, these considerations are never more important than in an increasingly complex environment and in the face of significant emergency events and they will be key areas of focus in our future audit program.”
Ms Crawford said a number of the matters highlighted in her Report were similar to those described in her previous Insights Report, Performance audit insights: key findings from 2014-2018.
“Specifically in relation to cyber and information security, to performance measurement, reporting and evaluation, and system and workforce planning and capability,” she said.
The Auditor-General’s 32-page Insights Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
