The Grants The In

  ‐ ‐ ANAO Report No.11 2014–15 The Award of Grants under the Clean Technology Program 17 for awarding grants under the programs and, in relation to the Clean Technology Investment Program, the distribution of funding in electoral terms. A potential audit of the Clean Technology Program was included in ANAO’s Audit Work Plan for 2013–14 as the resources to undertake an audit were not available at the time of the Senator’s request. Audit resources became available later in 2013, with this audit commencing in November 2013. This audit also examined the specific matters raised by the Senator.

11. The

scope of the audit included the design of the programs, as well as the assessment and decision‐making processes in respect to the 1171 applications that were received. The audit scope was focused on the application and assessment processes up to the point at which funding was awarded and a funding agreement signed, and also included analyses of the distribution of funding including in electorate terms and the announcement and reporting of grant funding. The scope did not include the administration of the Clean Technology Innovation Program see paragraph 2. 10

12. The

audit criteria reflected relevant policy and legislative requirements for the expenditure of public money and the grants administration framework, including the Commonwealth Grant Guidelines which have now been replaced by the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines. The criteria also drew upon ANAO’s Administration of Grants Better Practice Guide. Overall conclusion

13. The

Clean Technology Investment Program and the Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program were well received by industry, with 1171 applications made seeking over 773 million in Australian Government funding. 11 By the time the programs were closed, after some 18 months of operation, 603 projects had been awarded nearly 315 million in grant funding. 12 This result was achieved due to a range of factors, particularly the 10 The audit scope also did not include the management of grant agreements with successful applicants and, therefore, did not examine the department’s measurement and verification regime for completed projects or the evaluation of program outcomes apart from any steps taken by the department to plan and prepare for program evaluation. 11 Of the 1171 applications, 814 applications were considered by the program delegate, with 61 applications found to be ineligible, 102 applications withdrawn and 194 not fully considered due to the closure of the programs. 12 The wine industry received the highest number of grants, with the meat processing industry receiving the largest amount of funding. ANAO Report No.11 2014–15 The Award of Grants under the Clean Technology Program