On 30 November 2023, the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit adopted an inquiry into the procurement of the permissions capability to inquire into and report into the multi-stage procurement process commenced by the Department of Home Affairs in 2017 for a new IT workflow system to manage Australian visa applications, having particular regard to:
- matters contained in or connected to Auditor-General Report No. 34 of 2022–23 Procurement of the Permissions Capability;
- the conduct of entities or persons involved—or interested—in that procurement process; and
- any related matters.
In undertaking that inquiry, the Committee was considering the expenditure incurred and whether value for money was achieved, the impact of anticipated savings on the Department of Home Affairs, ethical use of resources and ethical behaviour, and any lessons arising. Submissions were invited by 31 January 2024.
On 29 February 2024, having considered initial responses and submissions received, the Committee expanded the scope of the inquiry to consider other IT procurement processes across the public sector and amended its terms of reference accordingly.
The Committee invites further submissions to address the expanded terms of reference by Friday, 12 April 2024.