JCPAA publishes report of inquiry into administration of Commonwealth regulations

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has today published the report of its inquiry into the administration of Commonwealth regulations.

The inquiry was informed by audits into regulatory responsibilities of five entities: Department of Health and Aged Care; Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission; Department of Home Affairs; Department of Industry, Science and Resources; and the Australian Taxation Office.

These audits dealt with: management of non-compliance with the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 for unapproved therapeutic goods; early implementation of aged care reforms; regulation of migration agents; trade measurement; and the management and oversight of fraud control arrangements for the goods and services tax.

Chair of the committee, Linda Burney MP said, "Government regulation has a profound effect on the daily lives of all Australians. When it is administered effectively, regulation protects the public interest, ensures the efficient delivery of services, promotes trust, and improves community safety and wellbeing.

'The committee found that overall the agencies were meeting their requirements but there are areas where improvements could be made. We noted gaps and inconsistencies, as well as partial regulation and, in some cases, failure to regulate effectively."

During the inquiry, the committee also examined the adequacy of the current principles-based policy guidance from the Department of Finance and found regulators required more practical advice on how to go about their regulatory responsibilities.

"To ensure improvements, we made nine recommendations. These deal with specific entity shortcomings discovered during the inquiry, the need for greater transparency and accountability, and the nature of policy advice," Ms Burney said.

The report can be downloaded from the Committee website.

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