External scrutiny
Australian National Audit Office Reviews
The ANAO published two performance audits in 2018–19 that examined aspects of ABS business.
The first of these was the Report on Statistical Business Transformation Program – Managing Risk which began in late 2017 and was finalised in August 2018. This review identified areas of improvement in the oversight of risk that have been comprehensively addressed through the finalisation of the new Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
The second review of relevance was the Closing the Gap report which looked at the arrangements for monitoring, evaluating and reporting progress towards ‘Closing the Gap’ in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage. The review found that the ABS had successfully collated and reported data to the support agencies with program oversight responsibilities. The ABS has accepted, and is implementing, the recommendation that quality assurance checks and approvals are more systematically documented.
Statistical Business Transformation Program - Gateway Reviews
The ABS has been the subject of five Gateway Reviews of the Statistical Business Transformation Program (SBTP), the most recent being in January 2019. These reviews are conducted on behalf of the Department of Finance.
The January 2019 review looked at the Program in relation to: policy context and strategic fit; business case and stakeholders; risk management; review of current phase; assessment of intended outcomes and benefits; and readiness for next review phase. In addition to a comprehensive review of program documentation, the review team interviewed senior staff from across the ABS. The ABS received positive feedback from the review team about the commitment and professionalism of all the staff interviewed.
The ABS has accepted and is addressing the six recommendations made by the Gateway Review Team.
The next mid-stage review of the Program is scheduled for mid-November 2019.
Other reviews
There were no other external reviews in 2018–19 that had a significant effect on the operations of the entity, with no reports issued by the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner issued a decision (AICmr 7) on 25 February 2019 where part of the ABS’ decision to withhold information under s55K of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 was set aside and a new decision was made by the Information Commissioner. There were no other individual or administrative review decisions of significance to the ABS.
There were no adverse comments or findings relating to the ABS from the Auditor-General, the Commonwealth Ombudsman, or courts or tribunals during 2018–19.
Submissions to parliamentary committees
Table 6.2 Submissions to parliamentary committees 2018-19
Committee/Inquiry |
Description of submission/information provided |
---|---|
Independent Review of the Australian Public Service |
In July 2018, the ABS provided a submission to the Committee of the Independent Review of the Australian Public Service headed by David Thodey and further wrote to Mr Thodey on 14 March 2019. |
United Nations Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty |
In July 2018, the ABS contributed to the Attorney-General's Department request for input into the United Nations' Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty. |
Senate Select Committee on Stillbirth Research and Education |
Following on from the ABS’ submission to the Senate Select Committee on Stillbirth Research and Education in June 2018, two ABS staff participated in in a panel discussion with members of other Commonwealth agencies on 7 September 2018. |
Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit – Inquiry into Australian Government contract reporting |
In November 2018, the ABS provided a response to a question from the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit's Inquiry into Australian Government Contract Reporting regarding contracts with the 'big four' consulting firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC) in the last five years. |
Norfolk Island Inter-Departmental Committee |
In December 2018, the ABS provided a brief update on ABS services and activities on Norfolk Island to the Norfolk Island Inter-Departmental Committee. |
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee – The framework surrounding the prevention, investigation and prosecution of industrial deaths in Australia |
In February 2019, the ABS provided input to the Department of Human Services response to a Question on Notice from the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee inquiry into industrial death rates. |
Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety |
On 12 February 2019, Program Manager, Health and Disability Branch appeared as a witness to give evidence on behalf of the Australian Bureau of Statistics regarding data sources related to health and ageing. |
Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs – The effectiveness of the current temporary skilled visas system in targeting genuine skills shortages |
In March 2019, the ABS provided a response to a Question on Notice from the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry into the effectiveness of the current temporary skilled visa system in targeting genuine skills shortages. |
NSW Government – The Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug ‘Ice’ |
In March, and again in May 2019, the ABS provided submissions to the NSW Government's Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug ‘Ice’. |
SA Government – Economic and Finance Committee’s inquiry into the economic contribution of migration to South Australia |
In June 2019, the ABS provided a written submission regarding data availability in support of a scheduled appearance before the committee on 3 July 2019. |
Visit
https://www.transparency.gov.au/annual-reports/australian-bureau-statistics/reporting-year/2018-2019-57