Three new inquiries by Public Accounts Committee

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has launched inquiries into Commonwealth grants administration, infrastructure spending and financial statements as part of its examination of Auditor-General reports.

The JCPAA is a central committee of the Parliament and has the power to initiate its own inquiries on the Commonwealth public sector. The Committee examines all reports of the Auditor-General tabled in the Parliament and can inquire into any items, matters or circumstances connected with these reports.

Committee Chair, Senator Dean Smith, said that, as Parliament’s joint public administration committee, the JCPAA has an important role in holding Commonwealth agencies to account.

“Grants administration is a significant activity for many Commonwealth agencies, involving the payment of billions of dollars of public funds each year. The Committee has launched an inquiry into this important area, drawing on a number of recent audits,” Senator Smith said.

“The inquiry into Commonwealth financial statements reflects the JCPAA’s role in examining whether public money is used in an efficient, effective, economical and ethical manner. Similarly, the Committee’s inquiry into Commonwealth infrastructure spending will examine whether appropriate steps have been taken to protect the Commonwealth’s interests and obtain value for money in two road infrastructure projects.”

By taking a thematic approach to these inquiries, the Committee seeks to encourage improvements and shared learning in key areas of public administration.

The Committee invites submissions to the inquiries, addressing the terms of reference. Further information about the inquiries can be accessed via the Committee’s website.

The Committee’s inquiries are based on the following Auditor-General reports:

Commonwealth grants administration

• 2015-16 Auditor-General Report No.25 Delivery and Evaluation of Grants Programmes
• 2016-17 Auditor-General Report No. 4 Award of Funding under the 20 Million Trees Programme
• 2016-17 Auditor-General Report No.12 The Design of, and Award of Funding Under, the Living Safe Together Grants Programme
• 2016-17 Auditor General Report No.35 Indigenous Advancement Strategy

Commonwealth infrastructure spending

• 2015-16 Auditor-General Report No.14 Approval and Administration of Commonwealth Funding for the East West Link Project
• 2015-16 Auditor-General Report No.TBC Approval and Administration of Commonwealth Funding for the WestConnex Project

Commonwealth financial statements

• 2016-17 Auditor-General Report No.33 Audits of the Financial Statements of Australian Government Entities for the Period Ended 30 June 2016

 Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. 

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