The Honourable Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory Parliament House Darwin NT 0800 31 October 2012 Dear Madam Speaker, Accompanying this letter is my report to the Legislative Assembly on matters arising from audits conducted during the six months ended 30 June 2012 and I request that you table the report today in the Legislative Assembly. The larger part of the report deals with the results of performance management system audits, and of compliance audits that were performed to assess the adequacy of controls over the administration of public monies. Also included are the results of audits of financial statements for those institutions that are required to report on a calendar year basis. I also wish to point out to Members that in this report I have referred to the public sector Agencies as they existed at 30 June 2012 notwithstanding the changed Agency arrangements that have since come into force. sincerely, F McGuiness Auditor-General for the Northern Territory
Department of Resources cont… Effective Performance Indicators / Targets The “SMART” criterion is a commonly used methodology to determine if performance indicators/targets contain a range of characteristics that allow for the effective delivery of outputs. The following five characteristics of a performance indicator, which are collectively known as the “SMART” criteria, are defined below: Performance indicator criteria Description / characteristic Considerations factors Specific Clear and concise to avoid misinterpretation of what is to be achieved. Does the performance indicator contain jargon or unexplained acronyms? Are the objectives and performance indicator directly related? Could a reasonable person understand the meaning of the performance indicator? Measureable Can be quantified and results can be compared to other data and able to show trends if measured over time. Is the performance indicator able to be measured and be achievable in a timely manner? Achievable Practical, reasonable and credible given available resources and expected conditions. Is there an action that the people who are being measured by the performance indicator could do to change the end number? Relevant (or Realistic) Informative and useful to stakeholders having regard to the content in which the entity operates. Is the performance indicator on facts? Is the data collectable? Time-bound Specifies a timeframe for achievement and measurement. Is there are period of measurement (i.e. monthly, quarterly, yearly)?
Appendix 8: Abbreviations BAC Blood Alcohol Content BrAC Breath Alcohol Content CDU Charles Darwin University CESS Communications and Electronic Services Section DCI Department of Construction and Infrastructure DLP Department of Lands and Planning DoH Department of Health EBA Evidential Breath Analyser ECI Early Contractor Involvement Fast Ferries Fast Ferries Pty Ltd GMS Grants Management System GST Goods and Services Tax ICT Information and Communication Technology NATA National Association of Testing Authorities NGO Non-government Organisation NSW New South Wales NTAGO Northern Territory Auditor-General’s Office NTPFES Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services OCPE Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment PPP Public-Private Partnership PRB Procurement Review Board