Shane Rattenbury has gone out on the front foot to let it be known the Auditor-General thinks efforts to be seen to be doing something to improve the lot of homelessness in the ACT can be signed off on:
“The report found that there is significant difficulty in the agreed definition of homelessness, which makes it difficult to provide accurate data and conclusions, something that has been reflected by Auditor Generals in other jurisdictions, who have also been tasked with a similar evaluation.
“However, on the ground, the ACT is doing quite well in meeting its obligations under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness,” said Mr Rattenbury.
“Several programs targets have not only been met but have been exceeded and this is a very positive result for the ACT.
“The Auditor General has acknowledged some of the great achievements by ACT Community Organisations and the ACT Government, but also identified areas that could be improved, mostly in the area of contract management.
The Report made four recommendations, including improvements to financial management processes, and that ‘lessons learnt’ be reviewed and incorporated into future programs in the ACT and in discussions with the Commonwealth.
“I welcome this feedback and look forward to working to address the recommendations, all of which the Community Services Directorate agree with,” said Mr Rattenbury