External scrutiny

Sport Australia’s operations are subject to scrutiny from a number of external bodies, such as the Australian National Audit Office, the Commonwealth Ombudsman and the Australian Information Commissioner. This section reports on audits, reviews, inquiries and legal actions relevant to Sport Australia (formerly ASC) in 2017–18.

Reports by the Australian National Audit Office

In 2017–18, the Australian National Audit Office tabled in Parliament one report involving the ASC:

  • Report No. 33, 2017–18: Implementation of the Annual Performance Statements Requirements 2016–17, tabled 28 March 2018.

Details of the Auditor-General’s reports, including the ASC’s response, are available on the Australian National Audit Office website.

Reports by the Commonwealth Ombudsman

The Commonwealth Ombudsman did not release any reports during 2017–18 that involved Sport Australia or that had, or might have, a significant impact on Sport Australia’s operations.

Decisions by the Australian Information Commissioner

In 2017–18, the ASC was involved in a freedom of information matter before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. In 2015, the ASC granted partial access to a freedom of information request. In 2017, the ASC’s decision was partially reversed by the Australian Information Commissioner. A third party subsequently sought review of the Commissioner decision. On 22 March 2018, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal affirmed the decision of the Commissioner.

Judiciary

There were no judicial decisions or decisions of administrative tribunals during 2017–18 that had, or may have, significant impact on the operations of Sport Australia.

Privacy

In 2017–18, there were no privacy findings or notifiable privacy breaches relating to Sport Australia.

Freedom of information

Sport Australia received 17 freedom of information requests in 2017–18. Three requests were granted in full, three were granted in part, six were refused, two were withdrawn, one was transferred, and two are ongoing.

One request made during 2016–17 and two requests from 2017–18 are under review by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Processing times were met in all completed requests.

As defined by section 8(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, Sport Australia has continued to publish on its website the information required by the Information Publication Scheme.