Queensland coroners are responsible for investigating deaths that occur in Queensland under certain circumstances. Their primary responsibility is to make formal findings in respect of the death, including the circumstances and cause of the death. 

Between 2011–12 and 2017–18, the number of deaths reported to the coroner each year for investigation increased by 27 per cent. Demand for Queensland's coronial services is likely to increase with the state’s growing and ageing population.

An effective and efficient coronial system will enable a coroner to provide timely and reliable answers. However, Queensland’s coronial system is complex, and coroners rely on the services of multiple public sector and contracted agencies across a geographically dispersed state. This audit assessed whether agencies are effective and efficient in supporting the coroner in investigating and helping to prevent deaths.

Delivering coronial services (Report 6: 2018-19)

Market-led proposals are proposals from the private sector that seek an exclusive commercial arrangement with government to deliver a service or infrastructure to meet a community need. They always include a role for government, such as providing access to government land, assets, information, or networks. In return, market-led proposals are expected to provide benefits to government and/or the Queensland community. 

Market-led proposals are suited to projects that can be funded by the private sector and that are of low cost and low risk to the Queensland Government.   

The objective of this audit was to determine the extent to which the market-led proposals initiative is meeting its objectives to create jobs and stimulate the economy. We assessed how well agencies have designed and applied the market-led proposals process to achieve these objectives.

Market-led proposals (Report 12: 2018-19)

Most public sector entities, including departments, statutory bodies, and government owned corporations and the entities they control, prepare annual financial statements. This report includes the results for all Queensland state government entities, and evaluates the quality and timeliness of financial reporting for departments.

This report summarises the results of audits of Queensland state government entities for 2018–19, including the 21 government departments.

Queensland state government entities: 2018–19 results of financial audits (Report 8: 2019–20)

Coal workers are at risk of developing occupational lung diseases from inhaling hazardous dust. As there is no known cure, early detection helps identify individuals who need treatment and to be removed from risk of further exposure.

This audit assessed how effectively public sector entities have implemented recommendations from the Monash review and reports 2 and 4 from the Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Select Committee, which were aimed at reducing the risk and occurrence of mine dust lung disease.

Addressing mine dust lung disease (Report 9: 2019–20)

Each year, the Treasurer prepares consolidated state government financial statements. These statements separately disclose transactions and balances for the total state sector, including the general government sector.

This report analyses the consolidated position of the Queensland Government, including its financial performance, position and sustainability. We also report on the results of our audits of the Consolidated Fund Financial Report, the Public Report of Ministerial Expenses and the Public Report of Office Expenses for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.

Queensland Government state finances: 2018–19 results of financial audits (Report 11: 2019–20)

The State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) is responsible for collecting and enforcing unpaid fines issued in Queensland. SPER's Reform Program, which began in 2014, included an information and communication technology (ICT) component that involved implementing new case-management software to help recover unpaid fines.

The objective of the audit was to assess whether the ICT component of the SPER Reform Program was governed effectively.

Effectiveness of the State Penalties Enforcement Registry ICT reform (Report 10: 2019–20)

Most of Queensland's coal seam gas activity occurs in the state's agricultural regions. As both the coal seam gas and agriculture industries are important to the state's economy, it is essential that the coal seam gas industry is effectively regulated to ensure the different industries, landholders, and communities involved coexist, the benefits are maximised, and the risks managed.

The objective of this audit was to assess how well entities regulate and manage Queensland's coal seam gas activities and environmental obligations, to ensure a safe, efficient, and viable industry.

Managing coal seam gas activities (Report 12: 2019–20)

Local governments, also known as councils, are involved in a wide range of activities. Examples range from delivering key community services, such as roads, water, sewerage, and waste management, to providing banking, retail, cultural, and recreational services to their communities.

This report summarises the audit results of Queensland’s 77 local government entities (councils) and the entities they control.

Local government entities: 2018–19 results of financial audits (Report 13: 2019–20)

The entities in Queensland's health sector work together to provide a range of healthcare services to Queenslanders and support the wellbeing of Queensland communities.

This report summarises our financial audit results of the Department of Health, 16 hospital and health services, 12 hospital foundations and three statutory entities.

Health: 2018–19 results of financial audits (Report 7: 2019–20)

Queensland’s infrastructure investment is significant. Recognising the need for a fundamental shift in how infrastructure was planned and delivered, the Queensland Government established Building Queensland in 2015. Since then, Building Queensland has developed best practice frameworks and worked with government agencies to improve the quality of business cases in Queensland.

This audit examined whether Building Queensland effectively and efficiently led and/or assisted agencies to deliver robust business cases for major infrastructure projects and provided agencies with expert advice about infrastructure.

Evaluating major infrastructure projects (Report 14: 2019–20)

Entities within Queensland's education sector aim to help individuals make positive transitions from early childhood through all stages of schooling, providing the knowledge and skills to prepare them for future education, training, or the workforce.

The education sector, for the purposes of this report, includes the Department of Education; the eight grammar schools;  the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training; TAFE Queensland; and the seven public universities.

This report summarises our financial audit results for education sector entities at their respective balance dates.

Education: 2018–19 results of financial audits (Report 15: 2019–20)

The building and construction industry is a significant contributor to Queensland's economy.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission provides services, including licensing and dispute resolution, for homeowners and contractors. In 2016, it refocused its role as a regulator, and now has more powers to enforce the integrity and probity of the sector.

In this audit we assessed whether the Queensland Building and Construction Commission effectively regulates the building industry by issuing and managing licences in a fair and balanced way.

Licencing builders and building trades (Report 16: 2019–20)

The Queensland Audit Office is the independent auditor of the Queensland public sector. 

Our vision is for better public services for Queenslanders. Our purpose is independent, valued assurance and insights.

To achieve this, we:
•  provide professional audit services, which include our audit opinions on the accuracy and reliability of the financial statements of public sector entities and local governments
•  provide entities with insights on their financial performance, risk, and internal controls; and on the efficiency, effectiveness, and legislative compliance of public service delivery
•  produce reports to parliament on the results of our audit work, our insights and advice, and recommendations for improvement
•  conduct investigations about financial waste and mismanagement raised by elected members, public service employees, and the public
•  share information about best practice and wider learnings across the public sector and local government.

Queensland Audit Office

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