Misconduct is often perceived as a single event that suddenly erupts. Although cases like these do occur, misconduct typically appears as a series of more subtle signs that are missed. They can be small oversights, minor assumptions that go unchecked, or grey areas that remain unchallenged. Within not-for-profits, where reputation and regulatory compliance are paramount, recognising these early warning signs isn't only good governance, it's essential to an organisation's longevity.
The NSW Auditor General released his Local Government 2024 report in March this year, and it highlighted some of the financial vulnerabilities that we know exist within the sector.
One of the key financial benchmarks used to track council performance by the NSW Auditor General and the NSW Office of Local Government is the operating performance ratio. This ratio provides an indication of whether the Council is carrying ongoing deficits, and the benchmark is a break even average over three years.
Many agencies and departments are now addressing the new reporting requirements for the November 2024 update to the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) for the period to 30 June 2025.
The PSPF is the essential guideline for Australian Government agencies to safeguard their information, people, and assets. The update to the PSPF introduced new compliance requirements that aim to strengthen the security posture across various government entities. Previously, entities were reporting maturity, but those days are no longer.
