The The The Introduction

ANAO Report No.11 2014–15 The Award of Grants under the Clean Technology Program 42

2. Program Design

This chapter examines the design of the programs, including the key roles and responsibilities for managing the programs as well as the department’s approach to evaluating the outcomes of the projects funded in relation to reduced carbon emissions. Introduction

2.1 From

the time that the programs were announced in July 2011, the department was responsible for the design and implementation of the programs. Accordingly, ANAO examined the extent to which the department designed an appropriate framework for administering the programs through the:  program guidelines and other documentation;  objective of the programs;  program governance arrangements; and  key program documentation. Program guidelines

2.2 A

key obligation under the CGGs was for all grant programs to have program guidelines in place. Program guidelines play a central role in the conduct of effective, efficient and accountable grants administration, by articulating the policy intent of a program and the supporting administrative arrangements for making funding decisions. 47 Reflecting their importance, the program guidelines represent one of the policy requirements that proposed grants must be consistent with in order to be approved for funding. 48

2.3 The

CGGs indicated that, where appropriate, consulting stakeholders on grant arrangements could help achieve more efficient and effective grants administration. In this context, the department facilitated an extensive 47 A range of ANAO’s audits of grants administration over a number of years have identified the importance of grant programs being implemented in a manner that accords with published program guidelines. 48 Up until 30 June 2014, this obligation was provided for under FMA Regulation 9. From 1 July 2014, this obligation was provided for under section 21 of the PGPA Act, which requires accountable authorities to govern in a way that is not inconsistent with the policies of the Australian Government.     ANAO Report No.11 2014–15 The Award of Grants under the Clean Technology Program