False

COMMITTEE'S CONSIDERATION

In its Report No. 44, 57th Parliament – Examination of Auditor-General Reports, tabled on 21 April 2023, the committee reported on its consideration of a number of Auditor-General's reports referred to it, including Auditor-General Report 6: 2022-23 - Managing workforce agility in the Queensland Public Sector.  The committee did not resolve to hold further inquiries into these audit reports and made no recommendations to the Legislative Assembly.

Overview

Role of the Auditor-General 

The role of the Auditor-General is to provide Parliament with independent assurance of public sector accountability and performance. This is achieved through reporting to Parliament on the results of its financial and performance audits and other insights.

About the Auditor-General Report

View:    Auditor General Report 6: 2022-23—Managing workforce agility in the Queensland Public Sector

The Auditor-General’s report to Parliament No. 6: 2022-23—Managing workforce agility in the Queensland public sector (Report 6) examined the effectiveness of the Queensland public sector’s workforce planning to support an agile and flexible workforce that can meet changing needs and government priorities.

Report 6 found that in terms of workforce planning and leadership, greater direction and leadership are needed to develop an integrated approach to strategic workforce planning, and to shift from operational to transformational approaches. The QAO stated that current workforce planning framework is broad and visionary but has not translated to effective planning strategies.

Report 6 also found that the Queensland public sector’s current assessment of the impact of technology on the workforce is inadequate to provide insights into how the workforce could change and identify opportunities to improve service delivery. The QAO suggested more analysis is needed on how to improve workforce skills, tools, and abilities, to keep up with the constant changes. 

In addition, barriers to attracting and retaining talent mean that many departments lack the right resources and skills to operate efficiently and effectively. Report 6 suggested the public sector needs flexible work practices that meet both organisational and employee needs, including ways of moving employees more easily across the sector.

The audit resulted in four recommendations being made to the Public Service Commission regarding leadership on strategic workforce planning, developing contemporary recruitment and selection practices, guidance on practical and sustainable hybrid workforce models and championing cross-sector workforce mobility programs and common job descriptions. Three recommendations were also made for all Queensland Government departments regarding ensuring strategic workforce planning is driven by leaders and integrated with organisational planning, implementing better strategies to address challenges and create a skilled workforce, and moving from traditional recruitment practices to contemporary talent acquisition approaches.

Referral to Committee 

Standing Order 194B provides that the Committee of the Legislative Assembly shall as soon as practicable after a report of the Auditor-General is tabled in the Assembly refer that report to the relevant portfolio committee(s) for consideration.  

The committee is responsible under section 94 of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001 for assessing the integrity, economy, efficiency and effectiveness of government financial management by examining government financial documents and considering reports of the Auditor-General.

The Committee of the Legislative Assembly referred this Auditor-General’s report to the committee on 1 December 2022.