Media Release

30/2008
30 September 2008

New performance audit reports - Indigenous Programs

The Rudd Government today announced the publication of three new reports completed by the Office of Evaluation and Audit (Indigenous Programs) in the Department of Finance and Deregulation.

The Minister for Finance and Deregulation, the Hon Lindsay Tanner MP said: “These audits provide important feedback on programs aimed at strengthening communities and better engaging Indigenous Australians.”

Prevention, Diversion, Rehabilitation and Restorative Justice Program

The Prevention, Diversion, Rehabilitation and Restorative Justice Program works to divert Indigenous Australians away from adverse contact with the legal system and provides activities that will rehabilitate and support Indigenous Australians who have been incarcerated or are in custody. The audit highlights the commitment of the Attorney-General’s Department to addressing Indigenous Australians’ overrepresentation in the criminal justice system. The audit found that providers are financially accountable and comply with their contract conditions. However, the program lacked the performance information necessary to evaluate its achievements. This impacts on how projects are selected, how funding decisions are made, and what attention is given to capacity building and project service quality.

Torres Strait Regional Authority

The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) has a Development Plan to improve the economic, social and cultural status of Indigenous people living in the Torres Strait. The performance audit found that the TSRA has met its legislative responsibilities in regard to preparation of the Development Plan. A clearer outcome focus, and setting out which agencies are responsible for addressing the broad range of issues in the Plan, would enable the Authority to better measure real achievements. The TSRA is a small organisation with a significant coordination role in the Torres Strait. It has a limited capacity to implement policy and program reform and would benefit from greater assistance from key agencies to achieve reform.

Indigenous Small Business Fund and Indigenous Capital Assistance Scheme

The Indigenous Small Business Fund offers funding to Indigenous community-based organisations to assist Indigenous people learn about business, develop good business skills and expand their businesses. The Indigenous Capital Assistance Scheme offers Indigenous businesses access to commercial finance, and professional and mentoring services. The audit found that Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations has been successful in providing financial assistance to eligible Indigenous businesses. The audit was unable to determine the extent to which the programs are achieving their stated objectives as there is inadequate performance information on the outcomes of the programs.

Further information

These reports are available on the Department of Finance and Deregulation’s website at:
http://www.finance.gov.au/oea/publications-and-reports.html

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