Public Accounts Committee launches new inquiries

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has launched its second inquiry into Commonwealth procurement as part of its examination of Auditor-General’s reports.

Committee Chair Senator Dean Smith said improving the effectiveness of Commonwealth procurement has been a key focus of the Committee over this Parliament.

“The Committee’s inquiry will examine the procurement of the National Cancer Screening Register, and management of the Inland Rail Program’s pre-construction phase and contract for Telephone Universal Service Obligations,” Senator Smith said.

The Committee is also inquiring into Auditor-General’s Report No. 5 (2017-18), Protecting Australia’s Missions and Staff Overseas: Follow-on.

As Parliament’s joint public administration committee, the JCPAA scrutinises the governance, performance and accountability of Commonwealth agencies 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.

The Committee invites submissions to the inquiries, addressing the terms of reference. Submissions are requested by Thursday, 25 January 2018, with public hearings to be held from February 2018. Further information about the inquiries can be accessed via the Committee’s website.

The Committee’s second Commonwealth procurement inquiry is based on the following Auditor-General’s reports:

·         Auditor-General’s Report No. 9 (2017-18), Management of the Pre-construction Phase of the Inland Rail Programme

·         Auditor-General’s Report No. 12 (2017-18), Management of the Contract for Telephone Universal Service Obligations

·         Auditor-General’s Report No. 61 (2016-17), Procurement of the National Cancer Screening Register

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

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