The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has released reports on Defence major projects and the administration of Commonwealth grants.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 8 December 2020

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has released reports on Defence major projects and the administration of Commonwealth grants. Report 483 focused on the 2018-19 Defence Major Projects Report and the Future Submarine Project. “Reviewing the Major Projects Report each year has been a longstanding practice of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit and goes to the core of the Committee’s oversight role,” the Chair of the Committee, Ms Lucy Wicks MP, said. The Committee made seven recommendations, including that the ANAO consider improving the format and accessibility of the MPR. It also recommended that Defence commission an external performance review of the helicopter acquisition program in advance of its upcoming acquisition and clarify the thresholds that categorise Defence major projects listed as Projects of Concern. The Committee’s report on the administration of government grants was based on Auditor-General reports concerning the National Competitive Grants Program; the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages; and the Community Sport Infrastructure Program. Ms Wicks said, “The Committee made six recommendations, including that the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines be amended to strengthen record-keeping and reporting requirements, to ensure compliance and public accountability.” The report also recommended that Sport Australia review its guidelines in relation to all current and future grants programs, to clarify the authority and duties of the Minister for Sport and the authority of the Australian Sports Commission. Report 483 examined the following Auditor-General reports: No. 19 (2019-20), 2018-19 Major Projects Report No. 22 (2019-20), Future Submarine Program: Transition to Design Report 484 examined the following Auditor-General reports: No. 5 (2019-20), ARC Administration of the National Competitive Grants Program No. 12 (2019-20), Award of Funding Under the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages No. 23 (2019-20), Award of Funding under the Community Sport Infrastructure Program Media enquiries Ms Lucy Wicks MP, Chair of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit on 02 6277 4738 (Parliament House) 02 4322 2400 (Electorate Office).  For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4615 jcpaa@aph.gov.au

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has postponed upcoming public hearings.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 19 March 2020

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has postponed the following scheduled public hearings: Cyber Resilience: Inquiry into Auditor-General’s Reports 1 and 13 (2019-20) on WEDNESDAY, 25 MARCH 2020; The Administration of Government Grants: Inquiry into Auditor-General's Reports 5, 12 and 23 (2019-20) on FRIDAY, 27 MARCH 2020 and Inquiry into the 2018-19 Defence Major Projects Report and the Future Submarine Project - Transition to Design (Auditor-General’s Reports 19 and 22 (2019-20)) on FRIDAY, 27 MARCH 2020. The Committee will resume usual activities, including public hearings in due course. Further information about the inquiries is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Ms Lucy Wicks MP, Chair of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit on (02) 6277 4738 (Parliament House) or (02) 4322 2400 (Electorate Office). For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4615 jcpaa@aph.gov.au

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit is currently undertaking an inquiry into the administration of government grants, considering issues contained in Auditor-General’s Reports 5, 12 and 23 (2019-20). The Committee recently held a public hearing as part of the inquiry and will hold a further public hearing on FRIDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 2020 focusing on Auditor-General’s Report 12 (2019-20): Award of Funding Under the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 25 February 2020

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit is currently undertaking an inquiry into the administration of government grants, considering issues contained in Auditor-General’s Reports 5, 12 and 23 (2019-20). The Committee recently held a public hearing as part of the inquiry and will hold a further public hearing on FRIDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 2020 focusing on Auditor-General’s Report 12 (2019-20): Award of Funding Under the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages. Ms Lucy Wicks MP, Chair of the Committee said, ‘The Committee is continuing its inquiry into the Administration of Government Grants and welcomes the opportunity to discuss in more detail matters contained in Auditor-General’s Report No. 12 (2019-20) with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, and the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.’ Media inquiries Ms Lucy Wicks MP, Chair of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit on (02) 6277 4738 (Parliament House) or (02) 4322 2400 (Electorate Office). For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4615 jcpaa@aph.gov.au

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit will hold its first public hearing in Canberra on Friday, 7 February 2020 as part of the Inquiry into the Administration of Government Grants of a number of Government programs and initiatives.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 5 February 2020

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit will hold its first public hearing in Canberra on Friday, 7 February 2020 as part of the Inquiry into the Administration of Government Grants of a number of Government programs and initiatives. The hearing relates to two Auditor-General’s Reports: Report No. 5 (2019-20), on the topic of the Australian Research Council’s Administration of the National Competitive Grants Program; and Report No. 12 (2019–20), on the topic of the awarding of Funding Under the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages The public hearing program and further information about the inquiry is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Ms Lucy Wicks MP (02) 6277 4738 (Parliament House) (02) 4322 2400 (Electorate Office) For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4615 jcpaa@aph.gov.au

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has commenced an inquiry into the administration of government grants capturing issues contained in Auditor-General’s reports 5 and 12 (2019-20).

Media release issue date: Monday, 2 December 2019

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has commenced an inquiry into the administration of government grants capturing issues contained in Auditor-General’s reports 5 and 12 (2019-20). Ms Lucy Wicks MP, Chair of the Committee said, ‘In the same vein as its Efficiency and Effectiveness Inquiry, the Committee will be examining Auditor-General’s reports along the theme of the Administration of Government Grants. The Committee is expecting to conduct public hearings in 2020.’ Submissions from interested individuals and organisations are invited by Thursday, 30 January 2020. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account. Media inquiries Ms Lucy Wicks MP, Chair of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (02) 6277 4738 (Parliament House) (02) 4322 2400 (Electorate Office) For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4615 jcpaa@aph.gov.au