NSW: Auditor-general's report finds grant systems needs review

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NSW: Auditor-general's report finds grant systems needs review

An Auditor-General's report has found the allocation and effective use of New SouthWales government grants -- totalling more than $4 billion last financial year -- needto be reviewed.

The report, tabled in state parliament today, examines the administration of grantsby three state agencies.

It's found there's not been enough evaluation by agencies of the results achieved fromindividual grants.

And not enough formal reviews were undertaken of grants programs to assess their benefitsand relevance.

Problems were also identified in the grants selection process.

The report recommends a formal system be set up to review grant projects and assesstheir overall relevance and effectiveness.

In 2001-02 the NSW government handed out $4.86 billion in grants, or the equivalentof $730 for each man, woman and child in the state.

AAP RTV ved/arb/dl/rp

KEYWORD: GRANTS (SYDNEY)