Audit Panel
In accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 and the the Local Government (Audit Panels) Order 2014 , Dorset Council has established an Audit Panel to support Council in fulfilling its governance and oversight responsibilities.
Audit Panel Charter and Code of Conduct | Version October 2025The role of the Audit Panel is advisory in nature and includes reviewing Council’s financial governance arrangements, risk management frameworks, internal controls and compliance with legislative obligations.
Council has adopted an Audit Panel Charter (the Charter) to guide the operation of the Panel. The Charter sets out the panel’s objectives, authority, composition, tenure, functions, reporting requirements and administrative arrangements and was most recently reviewed by Council in October 2025.
As part of that review, Council also adopted a Code of Conduct for members of the Audit Panel to clearly establish the behavioural standards expected of panel members, including requirements relating to conflicts of interest, confidentiality and the proper use of Council information.
The Panel plays an important governance role in reviewing and providing advice to Council in relation to its risk management frameworks, internal controls and financial governance arrangements. Through its oversight of these areas, the Panel supports Council in identifying and managing strategic, financial and operational risks and in maintaining sound governance practices.
The appointment of suitably qualified independent members to the Panel assists Council to maintain independent oversight of its risk management and assurance processes and supports compliance with the requirements of the Order.
Councillors appointed to sit on the Audit Panel Committee until the end of their term are Councillor Hughes and Councillor Simmons, with Councillor Teichmann (alternate member).
Jan Lynch | Chairperson
Ms Jan Lynch is a Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant with extensive experience in public sector audit, governance and financial oversight. She previously held the role of Senior Manager with the Tasmanian Audit Office for more than five years, where she led regional audit teams and acted as Engagement Leader for a range of entities, regularly attending and presenting at Audit and Risk Committee meetings and ensuring compliance with auditing standards and legislative requirements.
Ms Lynch currently serves as a member of the Audit Panels for Burnie City Council, King Island Council and the Cradle Coast Authority and is Deputy Chair of the CPA Tasmania Public Sector Committee. Her career also includes senior financial management roles, including Chief Financial Officer at Artas Architects, together with extensive experience in accounting education at TasTAFE.
Her background provides strong expertise in financial reporting, internal controls, risk management frameworks and governance processes within public sector and local government environments. Ms Lynch’s experience in audit oversight and governance is well suited to the role of Chairperson of Council’s Audit Panel.
Ian Wright | Independent Member
Mr Ian Wright has served as Chairperson of Council’s Audit Panel since 2019 and has indicated his willingness to continue as an independent member while stepping back from the Chairperson role. Mr Wright has more than 40 years’ experience in public accountancy, auditing and senior executive management.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and previously held both Public Practicing Certificate and Registered Company Auditor status. Mr Wright spent almost two decades as a partner and principal of Garrott and Garrott (now WHK), where he established and led a statewide audit practice providing services to a wide range of Tasmanian organisations, including government entities. From 2010 to 2019 he served as Chief Executive Officer of St Giles Society Limited, overseeing significant organisational growth and the organisation’s transition to the NDIS funding model.
Mr Wright has also held a range of professional and community governance roles, including Chair of the State Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and membership of its Public Practice Advisory and Audit Advisory Committees, as well as chair and finance-related roles with several community organisations.
His extensive experience in auditing, governance and financial oversight has supported the work of Council’s Audit Panel over the past six years. Continuity of Mr Wright’s experience on the Panel is beneficial in supporting the transition to the revised Panel composition.