Canberra’s National Capital Authority blasted for ‘poor transparency and record keeping’

A scathing auditor general's report has blasted Canberra's National Capital Authority for "poor transparency and record keeping" and being unable to demonstrate value for money, with calls for new guidelines around open tenders and competitive procurement.

But while agreeing to implement seven recommendations from the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO), the National Capital Authority (NCA) defended its practises in a "relatively specialised area" which needed "unique or bespoke equipment" to maintain commonwealth assets including sculptures, memorials and parks in Canberra.

"Procurement decision-making has not been sufficiently accountable and transparent," the ANAO concluded in its report on the NCA's procurement activities.

The NCA - with a remit to maintain "national assets" and "enrich the experience of the capital" - has managed projects for roads, bridges, flag displays, the Captain Cook Memorial Jet water feature and conservation in Canberra.

The commonwealth entity had not been audited for 13 years, the ANAO said, explaining its rationale for the audit, published on Thursday.

The audit office assessment of the NCA found "just over half of the contracts were awarded to the candidate where documentation demonstrated that it offered the best value for money".

"The NCA's insufficient use of open and competitive procurement processes, non-compliance with the CPRs [Commonwealth Procurement Rules] and poor transparency and record keeping means it cannot demonstrate value for money across its procurement activities," the ANAO's report said.