❓ Hon Steve Martin questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding an adverse audit opinion against the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the steps taken to address identified control weaknesses. The Minister outlines DPIRD's remediation efforts and engagement with the Auditor General.
AnsweredQoN 1979Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Financial Audit Results State Government 2022-23 from the Office of the Auditor General, and the unprecedented adverse controls opinion against Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and I ask: (a) the Minister has indicated in answer to question without notice 191, asked on 19 March 2024, that "the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is working with the Office of the Auditor General to address the areas of concern raised in the report". What steps are being taken, or have been taken, to address the following areas of concern: (i) inadequate cash control practices; (ii) significant weaknesses in general computer controls; (iii) inconsistent preparation of monthly reconciliations for cash, property, plant and equipment, accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll; (iv) no bank reconciliation prepared at all for five months; and (v) fraud risk presented by ability to record commercial fishing fees received, even if not received; (b) given the unprecedented nature of the finding and the issues identified, why has the Minister refrained from providing a public response to the Auditor General's report; and (c) why did the Minister not outline any specific steps taken to address the areas of concern as identified in question without notice 191?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 May 2024
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
4 days
(a i-v) Steps taken by DPIRD include:
· Implementation of finance and payroll system improvements and automations to support improved business processes.
· Recruitment of resources to support ongoing improvement.
· Increased reporting and oversight at the executive level.
· Improved general computer controls.
· Initiation of meetings with OAG in respect of planning for the 2023-24 audit process.
(b-c) DPIRD and the government have responded to enquiries through various forums appropriately when required. The OAG has acknowledged that DPIRD is working diligently to address identified shortcomings and implement remediation measures and assurance processes to improve its audit position for the 2023-24 reporting period.
· Implementation of finance and payroll system improvements and automations to support improved business processes.
· Recruitment of resources to support ongoing improvement.
· Increased reporting and oversight at the executive level.
· Improved general computer controls.
· Initiation of meetings with OAG in respect of planning for the 2023-24 audit process.
(b-c) DPIRD and the government have responded to enquiries through various forums appropriately when required. The OAG has acknowledged that DPIRD is working diligently to address identified shortcomings and implement remediation measures and assurance processes to improve its audit position for the 2023-24 reporting period.
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