IT issues and late annual reporting persist in the Commonwealth financial statements audits

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has today tabled its report for the Inquiry into Commonwealth Financial Statements 2022-23.

Committee Chair Linda Burney stated that poor IT governance, particularly user access issues, continue to be among the significant findings of the Auditor-General’s report into the financial statements.

Ms Burney said, "Unauthorised user access to IT systems across the Commonwealth remains a problem as in previous years. The risks this poses are potentially significant as some of the agencies involved hold highly sensitive information."

Another area of particular concern to the committee from the 2022-23 audits was the increase in the number of annual reports not being presented in time to be scrutinised at end of year Estimates hearings.

Ms Burney said, "The Parliament must have this information, and is indeed entitled to expect it, in time to readily and properly scrutinise the expenditure of taxpayer funds."

Other matters considered by the committee included legislative breaches involving certain payments and incorrect executive remuneration or non-compliance with the Remuneration Tribunal; and the lack of a mandatory internal auditing function for Commonwealth entities.

The committee had made five recommendations in its report that include requests for updates from specific entities on addressing legislative breaches and IT governance shortfalls, and an explanation from agencies that have failed to present an annual report on time for three consecutive years.

The committee is also recommending the Department of Finance amends the current guidelines to require it to be notified immediately of any breaches of the executive remuneration rules, and that it develops a mandatory framework with detailed guidelines for internal auditing.

The report can be downloaded from the inquiry website.

 

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