Queenslanders rally as Coronavirus hits internal auditors conference

Sydney, March 11: Queensland internal auditors have rallied to support The Institute of Internal Auditors 2020 South Pacific and Asia Conference (SOPAC) in Brisbane despite attendances dropping 25 percent due to the fears of Coronavirus.

SOPAC was last held in Brisbane in 2016.

The conference, which will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) from March 15 until March 17, brings together around 380 leading internal audit practitioners and risk professionals from Australia, New Zealand and Pacific islands.

IIA-Australia CEO Mr. Peter Jones said the majority of internal auditors from the Asia region, Indonesia and South Korea are not attending.

Mr. Jones said live streaming of key note speakers and break-out sessions in the major auditorium would be available for those not able to attend.

“It’s unfortunate that the virus outbreak has affected attendances but local internal auditors have rallied behind the conference”.

He said it was timely the conference is being held in Brisbane as the growth and concentration of business in Queensland was increasing and justified bringing the conference here again.

“IIA-Australia will also be launching the first ever internal audit guidance for Commonwealth, State and Local Government public sector entities at the conference,” he said.
The 64-page guidance titled “Effective Internal Auditing in the Public Sector–a good practice guide” was authored by Bruce Turner AM and Stephen Horne both with extensive public sector experience at all three levels.

“This is the first time in Australian public sector history that guidance has been developed specifically for this sector.”

“IIA-Australia is very concerned that the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (The Standards), are not mandated in the Commonwealth public sector, only in two States, and not at Local Government level”.

“Public sector agencies only have voluntary guidance, which may explain the instances of failed practices in the public sector,” he said.

Around 66 speakers will address key issues facing internal auditors led by Anders Sorman Nilsson, futurist and strategist to fortune 500 and ASX leaders, IIA Global Chairman J. Michael Joyce, Chairman of the Board & VP Chief Auditor & Compliance Office Blue Cross- Blue Shield Association, Raelene Castle, CEO of Rugby Australia, Sandra Parker Fair Work Ombudsman, Alan MacSporan QC Chairperson of Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission and many more.