Auditor-General’s Report on the Financial Statements of State Entities 2020-21, Volume 1

About this report or communique

Report of the Auditor-General No. 4 of 2021-22: Auditor-General’s Report on the Financial Statements of State Entities, Volume 1, Audit of State entities and audited subsidiaries of State entities 31 December 2020 and 30 June 2021

The Auditor-General has the mandate under sections 16, 18 and 21 of the Audit Act 2008 (Audit Act) to carry out the audit of the financial statements of the Treasurer, all State entities and audited subsidiaries of State entities. The aim of a financial audit is to enhance the degree of confidence in the financial statements by expressing an opinion on whether they present fairly*, in all material respects, the financial performance and position of State entities and were prepared in accordance with the relevant financial reporting framework.

This report fulfils the Auditor-General’s obligation to, on or before 31 December in each year, report to Parliament in writing on the audit of State entities and audited subsidiaries of State entities in respect of the preceding financial year. Audits undertaken by arrangement under section 28 of the Audit Act are not included in this report.

This report is the first volume of two volumes reporting on our audits for the years ended 31 December 2020 and 30 June 2021. This volume reports on the status of audits of financial statements and provides analysis and commentary on:

  • State entities and audited subsidiaries of State entities in the General Government Sector (GGS) and Total State Sector (TSS)
  • Government businesses comprising Government Business Enterprises (GBEs), State-owned Companies (SOCs) and Tasmanian Water & Sewerage Corporation Pty Ltd (TasWater), which is predominantly owned by Tasmanian Local Government Councils.
  • other uncategorised State entities.

Commentary focuses on the consolidated results of State entities. In some chapters, financial information on controlled or equity accounted State entities is disclosed.

Unless otherwise stated, analysis undertaken on financial results at the sector level uses the consolidated results of State entities. Sector financial information is reported and analysed at different aggregation levels. Further information is provided in the relevant chapter.

The second volume will contain findings from all audits completed for the years ended 31 December 2020 and 30 June 2021 together with analysis and commentary on the local government sector.

 

* Give a true and fair view in the case of entities reporting under the Corporations Act 2001.