NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

The Hon. C.V. SCHAEFER (15:05): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment a question about the Auditor-General's Report.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C.V. SCHAEFER: In his report, the Auditor-General was critical of the financial reporting and accountability of NRM boards and the tardiness, on the part of the government, in assisting the boards to meet the required standards. Given that the boards have been obliged to report under these guidelines since 2005-06, but in many cases were still unable to comply for the 2006-07 report, what procedures has the government put in place to assist the boards to meet these requirements?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (15:06): I thank the member for her important question. The Auditor-General's Report for the 2006-07 financial year, the independent audit report signed by the Auditor-General, was issued in relation to the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation; a financial report that was unqualified. In relation to the document as an overview, the view was that the financial practices were in order. In relation to the annual reports, in particular, I am aware that there have been issues of concern about their timeliness due to the processes involved with the boards. I understand that it has been looked into and a number of measures have been put in place to assist the boards to be able to process that in a more timely way. I am happy to take on notice the details of that and bring back a response.