Request for feedback
Draft annual plan 2014/15.
I am seeking feedback from members of Parliament about my proposed work programme for 2015/16.
Under section 36(1) of the Public Audit Act 2001, I am required to consult the House of Representatives each year on a draft annual plan that describes my proposed annual work programme. This consultation helps me to ensure that the work done using my reporting powers will be relevant and useful to Parliament, public entities, and the public.
My Office plays an important part in strengthening accountability, integrity, and transparency in the public sector. By carrying out work that is credible and of high quality, we aim to improve the performance of, and the public’s trust in, the public sector.
Most of my Office’s work (about 88%) comprises the annual audit of approximately 3800 public entities and is required by law. Our annual audit work gives us direct interaction with, and insight into, how the public sector is operating. We use this unique view of the entire public sector to inform our wider work. Each year, we extract even greater value from this information by applying a theme across our work, and by signalling future themes.
My 2015/16 draft annual work programme is the fourth in our multi-year themed work programme. It includes proposed performance audits and other reporting.
Investment and asset management is the proposed theme for 2015/16. Our previous themes were:
• 2012/13 – Our future needs – is the public sector ready?;
• 2013/14 – Service delivery; and
• 2014/15 – Governance and accountability.
Our proposed themes are:
• 2015/16 – Investment and asset management;
• 2016/17 – Information; and
• 2017/18 – Water.
We are currently exploring the content of our proposed Information and Water themes.
Each year, we draw together the findings and insights from our themed work into an overview report. We use this to encourage debate, challenge and expand thinking, and identify and highlight examples of good or poor practice to help improve public sector performance. I will soon publish an overview report on the Service delivery theme.
Investment and asset management is critical to New Zealand’s future. While we cannot cover every aspect of our theme, I am confident that our proposed topics cover aspects of those assets that are important to all New Zealanders – water, roads, health assets, and schools. This year’s work programme describes my priorities and the work that we consider would be useful, based on our knowledge of the challenges, emerging issues, and trends in the public sector.
The performance audits and other work we propose to carry out under this theme are described in Part 3. The Appendix provides an overview of our multi-year themed work programme. While each year’s theme is the focus of our work for that year, some larger pieces of work carry over into other years. The programme for the years beyond 2015/16 is indicative only and is still being developed. We will confirm our programme for each year after consultation with members of Parliament.
I welcome feedback and input from members (through select committees) on our proposed work in 2015/16 and on any other areas that members think my Office could usefully focus on. The matters on which we seek particularly seek feedback are described in Part 3.
I also ask members to be aware that the proposed work outlined in this draft annual plan might be reprioritised or might not be able to proceed if I decide that the Office needs to carry out other unanticipated major work.
I look forward to your responses, which I will consider and incorporate into my statutory Annual Plan for 2015/16 as appropriate. I would appreciate receiving feedback by Friday, 5 June 2015.