Annual Report 2005–06
External scrutiny
The department was not subject to any judicial decisions or decisions of administrative tribunals during 2005–06 which had, or may have, a significant impact on the department’s operation.
The department was involved in two performance audits conducted by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) during 2005–06. The first of these, relating to the administration of the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS), was requested by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit. As a client of DPS, the department was asked to provide its views on services DPS provides to the Parliament following the amalgamation of the three former joint parliamentary departments.
The second performance audit related to reporting of expenditure on consultancies. The ANAO identified some areas in which the department could improve the quality of its reporting, including within the annual report.
The department also provided comments on the ANAO’s cross‑portfolio performance audit of the management of net appropriation agreements.
The Senate Appropriations and Staffing Committee and the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee continued to play important roles in monitoring the department’s performance.
