Administration of Commonwealth regulations to be scrutinised by Audit Committee

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has commenced an inquiry into the administration of Commonwealth regulations.

Chair of the JCPAA, Julian Hill MP, said, "Compliance with Commonwealth regulations is critical to achieving policy outcomes. Numerous Commonwealth agencies have to police regulatory compliance with limited resources, hence proper evidence-based risk-based activities are essential to focus limited resources.

"This inquiry will examine how agencies assess compliance risk, inform compliance and enforcement strategies, and identify and address incidences of non-compliance with Commonwealth rules and regulations," Mr Hill said. "The Parliament provides regulatory power to agencies, and we will assess the extent to which full and appropriate use is being made of these powers.”

The inquiry will have particular regard to any matters contained in or connected to the following Auditor-General Reports:

• Auditor-General Report No.3 of 2023–24 Management of Non-Compliance with the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 for Unapproved Therapeutic Goods.
• Auditor-General Report No.5 of 2023–24 Trade Measurement Compliance Activities.
• Auditor-General Report No.8 of 2023–24 Design and Early Implementation of Residential Aged Care Reforms.
• Auditor-General Report No. 15 of 2023–24 Australian Taxation Office’s Management and Oversight of Fraud Control Arrangements for the Goods and Services Tax.
• Auditor-General Report No.26 of 2023–24 Department of Home Affairs’ Regulation of Migration Agents.

Submissions to the inquiry addressing the terms of reference are invited by Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Details of the inquiry – including the submissions received and public hearings – will be made available on the Inquiry website.

 

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