Victoria’s integrity agencies have been criticised in a new review. 

A recent review of integrity agency reports conducted by the Public Record Office of Victoria (PROV) raised concerns about record-keeping practices within the state's public sector. 

The PROV examined investigative and integrity agency reports spanning over 11 years, categorising each report based on whether it identified problems or proposed solutions.

According to the PROV's report, record-keeping failures persistently emerged as a significant issue across all government sectors. 

The report described these failures as “systemic, chronic, and pervasive,” and alarmingly, more than 50 per cent of the analysed reports highlighted record-keeping problems or offered specific recommendations to address them.

The PROV report revealed a consistent pattern of inadequate creation and capture of comprehensive and accurate records. 

Finding reliable data and information proved challenging, while processes, systems, and security measures were deemed insufficient. Furthermore, the report highlighted a lack of knowledge and skills among staff as contributing factors to the problem.

The PROV says there is a strong need for improved resourcing, urging senior management to acknowledge and support this crucial issue. 

The report recommended incorporating record-keeping requirements into governance and auditing programs, implementing regular monitoring and reporting practices to identify and address weaknesses and gaps.

The PROV stressed the importance of applying record-keeping controls to all information storage and management systems, as well as data storage environments. 

Additionally, the report advocated for the inclusion of record-keeping requirements in contractual agreements when outsourcing government functions. This measure ensures the creation, retention, and accessibility of critical records for as long as legally required.