Overview This report focuses on key observations and common issues identified from our financial, performance and compliance audits in 2016, and identifies examples of good practice. It also looks forward to where we will focus our efforts in 2017. We have summarised our observations and findings for 2016 in four chapters: • Financial Performance and...

It is a truism that taxpayers’ money should not be used for personal gain. This should be ingrained into every person employed on the public purse, but as this, and so many other Ombudsman investigations in past years illustrate, it is not always the case. This investigation focuses on the use of public funds by...

On 12 January 2017, the Privacy Commissioner issued an interim report regarding a forensic audit of the mobile telephones of certain Victorian politicians and public servants being undertaken at the request or direction of the Premier of Victoria. The audit was in response to the apparent leak of information regarding an increase in police numbers...

Innovation is considered to be a sine qua non to improve efficiency and effectiveness in government and respond to citizens’ increasing demand for better services. This paper draws together literature related to innovation in the public sector. A qualitative analysis was conducted to establish the key aspects related to innovation raised by senior managers within...

Operation Dunham investigated allegations the tendering process in relation to the Ultranet – in particular, the awarding of a contract to a private company, CSG Services Pty Ltd (CSG) – may have been compromised due to senior officers within the education department having a financial interest in that company.