Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 1 Introduction

Background to the review
The Committee’s report

Background to the review

1.1

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has a statutory duty to examine all reports of the Auditor-General that are presented to the Presiding Officers of the Australian Parliament, and report the results of its deliberations to both Houses of Parliament. In selecting audit reports for review, the Committee considers:

1.2

Upon consideration of 18 audit reports presented to the Parliament by the Auditor-General between 1 February 2004 and 14 April 2004 (3 rd quarter 2003-2004), the Committee selected three reports for further scrutiny at public hearings.

1.3

On 29 August 2004, the Prime Minister announced an election which resulted in the dissolution of the House of Representatives. On 31 August writs for the election were issued and Parliament was prorogued.

1.4

Parliament resumed on 6 December 2005, and the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit was re-appointed for the 41 st Parliament. On 8 December, a sectional committee was appointed to review Auditor-General reports. It resolved to review the three audit reports agreed to in the 40 th Parliament. In addition, on 9 February 2005 a further eight audit reports were included in the Committee’s review after consideration of a total of 37 Auditor-General’s reports tabled in Parliament between April – December 2004 (4 th quarter 2003-2004, 1 st and 2 nd quarter 2004-2005).

1.5

The audit reports reviewed by the JCPAA are listed below:

1.6

The public hearings for the respective reports were held on:

1.7

A list of witnesses attending all public hearings is at Appendix D.

 

The Committee’s report

1.8

This report of the Committee’s examination draws attention to the main issues raised at the respective public hearings. Where appropriate, the Committee has commented on unresolved or contentious issues, and has made recommendations.

1.9

The Committee’s report is structured as follows:

1.10

The following appendices provide further information:

1.11 A copy of this report is available on the Committee’s website at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jcpaa/reports.htm

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