The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has today tabled its report for the Inquiry into Commonwealth Financial Statements 2022-23.

Media release issue date: Monday, 4 November 2024

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has today tabled its report for the Inquiry into Commonwealth Financial Statements 2022-23. Committee Chair Linda Burney stated that poor IT governance, particularly user access issues, continue to be among the significant findings of the Auditor-General’s report into the financial statements. Ms Burney stated ‘unauthorised user access to IT systems across the Commonwealth remains a problem as in previous years. The risks this poses are potentially significant as some of the agencies involved hold highly sensitive information.’ Another area of particular concern to the Committee from the 2022-23 audits was the increase in the number of annual reports not being presented in time to be scrutinised at end of year Estimates hearings. Ms Burney commented that ‘the Parliament must have this information, and is indeed entitled to expect it, in time to readily and properly scrutinise the expenditure of taxpayer funds.’ Other matters considered by the Committee included legislative breaches involving certain payments and incorrect executive remuneration or non-compliance with the Remuneration Tribunal; and the lack of a mandatory internal auditing function for Commonwealth entities. The Committee had made five recommendations in its report that include requests for updates from specific entities on addressing legislative breaches and IT governance shortfalls, and an explanation from agencies that have failed to present an annual report on time for three consecutive years. The Committee is also recommending the Department of Finance amends the current guidelines to require it to be notified immediately of any breaches of the executive remuneration rules, and that it develops a mandatory framework with detailed guidelines for internal auditing. The report can be downloaded from the inquiry website. Media inquiries Hon Linda Burney MP, Chair of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit Electorate office: (02) 9587 1555 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4615 jcpaa@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit will be holding public hearings for its inquiries into 2022–23 Defence Major Projects Report, Commonwealth Financial Statements 2022–23, the failed visa privatisation process and the implementation of other public sector IT procurements and projects.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 23 April 2024

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will be holding public hearings on Wednesday, 24 April 2024, for its inquiries into: 2022–23 Defence Major Projects Report (first hearing) Commonwealth Financial Statements 2022–23 (second hearing) the failed visa privatisation process and the implementation of other public sector IT procurements and projects (continuing). The details are as follows: Date:             Wednesday, 24 April 2024 Time:             8.45am – 5.00pm (AEST) Venue:           Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House and by videoconference Program: Inquiry into the Defence Major Projects Report 2022–23 8.45am           Department of Defence                          Australian National Audit Office Inquiry into the failed visa privatisation process and implementation of other public sector IT procurements and projects 10.30am         Department of Employment and Workplace Relations                           Australian National Audit Office                          Workforce Australia IT System (Digital Employment Services Platform) and Apprenticeships Data Management System 11.15am         Department of Finance                          Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority                          Australian National Audit Office                          Parliamentary Expenses Management System (PEMS) 12.30pm         Department of Finance                          Digital Transformation Agency                          Review and approval processes for IT systems Inquiry into Commonwealth Financial Statements 2022–23 3.30pm           Department of Health and Aged Care                          Australian National Audit Office                          Potential legislative breaches relating to various benefits and services and significant finding regarding legislative                          compliance and legal advice 4.00pm           Department of Social Services                          Australian National Audit Office                          Late disclosure of information on income apportionment 4.30pm           Australian Taxation Office                          Australian National Audit Office                          IT Change Management policies and practices and other unresolved findings relating to pursuing debt and re-raises The hearings will be broadcast live and will be accessible from the Parliament House website. Details on the inquiries – including the terms of reference and submissions received – are available on the Committee website. Media inquiries Mr Julian Hill MP, Chair of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit on (03) 9791 7770 (Electorate Office) or via Laura Hooper 0422 85 1127. For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4615 jcpaa@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has commenced an inquiry into the 2022-23 Commonwealth Financial Statements which are audited each year by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).

Media release issue date: Monday, 12 February 2024

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has commenced an inquiry into the 2022-23 Commonwealth Financial Statements which are audited each year by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO). This audit provides the Parliament with an independent examination of the Commonwealth’s accounts and identifies financial statement risks, issues with governance arrangements, and problems with any internal control frameworks of Commonwealth entities. The Chair of the JCPAA, Mr Julian Hill MP, said that “The traditional focus on legislative breaches and more serious findings will continue. There will also be a focus on thematic issues including governance for Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, the role of internal audit functions and how equity injections to an entity are treated in the accounts when an investment has elements of social and economic benefits. It is concerning that most of the legislative breaches identified relate to incorrect remuneration payments to executives.” Areas of likely focus for the Committee will include: Lack of governance frameworks for managing the use of emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotic Process Automation and risks arising. Role of internal audit and whether guidance would be beneficial to enhance the Australian Government’s system of internal control. Weaknesses in consideration of legal matters in the preparation of financial statements. Appropriateness of Finance’s return-on-investment forecast model and guidance on the accounting treatment of equity injections when an investment has elements of social and economic benefits. Information Technology governance. Key areas of financial statements risk and timeliness of financial reporting. 9 Significant and 36 Moderate audit findings identified by the Auditor-General. 14 legislative breaches identified, noting the majority relate to incorrect remuneration payments to executives and/or non-compliance with decisions of the Remuneration Tribunal. The inquiry will examine Auditor-General Report No. 9 of 2023-24: Audits of the Financial Statements of Australian Government Entities for the Period Ended 30 June 2023. The Committee invites submissions to the inquiry addressing the terms of reference to be received by Friday, 29 March 2024. Details of the inquiry – including the terms of reference and public hearings – will be made available on the Committee website. Media inquiries Mr Julian Hill MP, Chair of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit on (03) 9791 7770 (Electorate Office) or via Laura Hooper 0422 85 1127. For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4615 jcpaa@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.