[Greens-Media] Audit shows need for measurable outcomes in landcare & environment programs

[Twomey, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

Audit shows need for measurable outcomes in landcare & environment
programs

The release of a report by the Auditor General's Office today
foregrounds ongoing concerns with the lack of accountability for
delivering outcomes of major environment and land care programs.

"We need to be able to clearly demonstrate that the large amounts of
money spent on the National Heritage Trust (NHT) and the National Action
Plan on Salinity and Water Quality (NAP) are achieving measurable land
management and environmental outcomes," said Senator Siewert today.

"Without measurable outcomes, how can we be confident that the upcoming
third round of NHT will change things for the better?" 

"These accountability problems are not new and there have been several
reports since the inception of NHT in 1996 that have raised these
concerns," said Senator Siewert.

Senator Siewert pointed to the Salinity Investment Framework developed
in WA as an example of the way in which clear and measurable outcomes
can be put in place for environmental and land management outcomes.

 "Over the last decade Australia has spent a lot of money. Without a
more effective approach to reporting outcomes and evaluating success we
simply don't have the information we need to continually improve land
management practices and strategically target the best outcomes." 

For more information or comment call

Chris Twomey 0407 725 025