Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public
Administration
Media release, 1 September 1997
IMPROVED ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Financial Institutions
Committee, David Hawker MP, welcomed the revised format of the Reserve
Bank of Australia's annual report.
Mr Hawker said the annual report released today now places greater emphasis
on the Bank's operations, particularly on the financial markets and prudential
supervision.'
"These aspects of the Bank's activities have tended to take a back seat
compared to the more glamorous matter of monetary policy.
"This new approach, whereby monetary policy is reported on in a more
timely manner through the Bank's six monthly appearances before this Committee
and through speeches and published articles, while the operational aspects
of the Bank's activities receive more attention in the annual report,
will serve to further improve the Bank's accountability and transparency.
"The framework established by the Treasurer's Statement on the Conduct
of Monetary Policy has facilitated a significant improvement in the understanding
of Bank's conduct of monetary policy and the Committee is pleased to have
played a constructive role in that process.
"The Committee is looking forward to the Bank's continued positive approach
to reporting on monetary policy when it next appears before the Committee
on 6 November in Melbourne," Mr Hawker added.
"I also expect that the Committee will increase its focus on prudential
and supervisory issues at the hearings over the next twelve months.
"I would also like to thank the RBA for its enthusiastic and cooperative
approach to its appearances before this Committee. Without that cooperation,
the Committee's objective of improving the level of community understanding
of the activities of the Bank would not have been possible.
''The Committee looks forward to building on the work of the last five
years at the November hearing. There are a number of matters the Committee
wishes to pursue with the Bank in addition to monetary policy including:
gold sales; interest rates for small business; the continued development
of capital adequacy arrangements once the outcome of Wallis is determined;
and the Bank's commercial operations," Mr Hawker said.
Ends
1 September 1997
Further information: David Hawker MP (Chairman) (02) 6277 4100
Chris Paterson (Secretary, FIPA Committee) 02 6277 4587
Back to top