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The department was involved in an Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) audit of the CMAX Communications contract for the 2020 Summit. This audit report (No. 19), inclusive of our response, was tabled in February 2009.
The audit objectives were to:
- examine whether the appointment of CMAX Communications Pty Ltd as a provider of communications support and advice for the 2020 Summit was consistent with the Commonwealth procurement framework and sound principles of public administration, and
- assess the effectiveness of the administration of the CMAX Communications contract by PM&C.
In terms of overall performance, the report concluded that while there was scope for some improvement in our administration of the contract engagement process, there was no evidence of any external pressure being applied to our decision to engage CMAX Communications, or that the fee payable to CMAX was not reasonable in the circumstances.
We noted the report’s conclusions and have undertaken a number of actions to improve our procurement and contract management systems. Throughout 2008 we put in place strengthened governance arrangements, including an updated Chief Executive’s Instruction on procurement, to reflect recent changes to related legislation. We also undertook a number of internal audits as part of the 2008–09 audit program, providing additional assurance and further opportunities for improving our procurement and contract management processes.
The department was also involved in an ANAO performance audit of representations to the Department of the Treasury in relation to motor dealer financing arrangements, which commenced in June 2009.
We were further involved in the following ANAO cross-portfolio audits:
- Audits of the financial statements of Australian Government entities for the period ended 30 June 2008. This audit report (no. 14) was tabled in December 2008
- the Administration of contracting arrangements in relation to government advertising to November 2007. This audit report (no. 24) was tabled in March 2009
- Green office procurement and sustainable office management. This audit report (no. 25) was tabled in March 2009
- the Online availability of government entities’ documents tabled in the Australian Parliament. This audit report (no. 37) was tabled in May 2009, and
- the interim phase of the Audit of financial statements of general government sector agencies for the year ending 30 June 2009. This audit report (no. 42) was tabled in June 2009.
The ANAO audit reports are available from www.anao.gov.au
Other External Scrutiny
There were no judicial decisions or decisions of administrative tribunals during 2008–09 (specific to this department) that had a significant impact on the operations of the department.
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