Mr PERRON - 1994-08-30
Mr PERRON (Chief Minister): Mr Speaker, I have an answer to the member for Nhulunbuy's question of me last week in relation to the Auditor-General's comments about the Internal Audit Bureau of the Department of the Chief Minister. I quote very briefly from the Auditor-General's comments, in which he was referring to the Internal Audit Bureau's clients. He said:
Interviews with some of the bureau's clients suggest that the demand for bureau services has increased to
the point where it may have difficulty in servicing this demand.
Those comments have been noted. On occasions, the demand does exceed the service capacity. Although it is a delicate balance, we must monitor the situation constantly and take note of the Auditor-General's comments.
I want to say more about this matter because the member was referring to the fact that a number of positions in the Internal Audit Bureau had been vacant. It is true that, for a time, some problems were experienced in recruiting suitably-qualified people to the Internal Audit Bureau. However, in recent months, the subcommittee of the Coordination Committee that examines these matters has agreed to a strategy for the future direction and resourcing of the Internal Audit Bureau. I understand that this was agreed to on the advice of a consultant. The agreed resourcing strategy includes retention of a smaller and highly-skilled internal audit group within the Internal Audit Bureau and increased involvement of the private sector to assist in providing internal audit services to the government. The Auditor-General's Office is supportive of these initiatives which will ensure that adequate internal audit services are provided to Territory government agencies.
I am advised that there have been no abnormal delays in relation to the existing audit program. Currently, departments are in the process of responding to the Internal Audit Bureau's annual request for advice in respect of their internal audit requirements for 1994-95. As part of that process, to ensure that there are sufficient resources to carry out that program and other audits in 1994-95, the Internal Audit Bureau will ensure that there are sufficient resources within the bureau or access to private sector auditors as necessary. I assure members that the Internal Audit Bureau has access to sufficient funding to undertake its task. If it has been unable to recruit to its full staffing level, funds are available for the engagement of outside resources as required. I point out that the relationship between the private sector and the bureau is excellent, as it should be. That augurs well for a most effective internal audit service to government agencies provided by the Department of the Chief Minister.
Page 110
Interviews with some of the bureau's clients suggest that the demand for bureau services has increased to
the point where it may have difficulty in servicing this demand.
Those comments have been noted. On occasions, the demand does exceed the service capacity. Although it is a delicate balance, we must monitor the situation constantly and take note of the Auditor-General's comments.
I want to say more about this matter because the member was referring to the fact that a number of positions in the Internal Audit Bureau had been vacant. It is true that, for a time, some problems were experienced in recruiting suitably-qualified people to the Internal Audit Bureau. However, in recent months, the subcommittee of the Coordination Committee that examines these matters has agreed to a strategy for the future direction and resourcing of the Internal Audit Bureau. I understand that this was agreed to on the advice of a consultant. The agreed resourcing strategy includes retention of a smaller and highly-skilled internal audit group within the Internal Audit Bureau and increased involvement of the private sector to assist in providing internal audit services to the government. The Auditor-General's Office is supportive of these initiatives which will ensure that adequate internal audit services are provided to Territory government agencies.
I am advised that there have been no abnormal delays in relation to the existing audit program. Currently, departments are in the process of responding to the Internal Audit Bureau's annual request for advice in respect of their internal audit requirements for 1994-95. As part of that process, to ensure that there are sufficient resources to carry out that program and other audits in 1994-95, the Internal Audit Bureau will ensure that there are sufficient resources within the bureau or access to private sector auditors as necessary. I assure members that the Internal Audit Bureau has access to sufficient funding to undertake its task. If it has been unable to recruit to its full staffing level, funds are available for the engagement of outside resources as required. I point out that the relationship between the private sector and the bureau is excellent, as it should be. That augurs well for a most effective internal audit service to government agencies provided by the Department of the Chief Minister.
Page 110
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016