3 Agency information management

At a glance

Background

This part examines information management (IM) practices in a sample of agencies and rates agencies' maturity using the Victorian IM better practice principles and standards.

Conclusion

None of the sampled agencies had fully established practices consistent with the better practice principles and standards.

1 Background

1.1 Introduction

1.1.1 Open access to public sector information

The importance of providing access to public sector information (PSI) is being increasingly recognised by government, business, research bodies, and the community at large.

Access to Public Sector Information

Body
Public sector information is recognised as one of government’s most valuable assets due to its ability to drive innovation, contribute to community outcomes and facilitate economic development. The audit will assess whether selected agencies are effectively facilitating access to public sector information.

Appendix D. Audit Act 1994 section 16—submissions and comments

Introduction

In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994, a copy of this report, or relevant extracts from the report, was provided to all portfolio departments and named agencies with a request for submissions or comments.

The submissions and comments provided are not subject to audit nor the evidentiary standards required to reach an audit conclusion. Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.

Responses were received as follows:

Appendix C. Glossary

Glossary

Accountability

Responsibility on public sector entities to achieve their objectives, with regard to reliability of financial reporting, effectiveness and efficiency of operations, compliance with applicable laws, and reporting to interested parties.

Asset

A resource controlled by an entity as a result of past events, and from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the entity.

Appendix B. Financial sustainability risk assessment indicators

Financial sustainability risk assessment indicators

This Appendix sets out the definitions, criteria and changes made to the financial indicators from prior years that assist us in conducting our assessment of risks to financial sustainability across the public sector.

The financial sustainability indicators used in this report are indicative and merely highlight risks to ongoing financial sustainability.