The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has oversight responsibilities for the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), under sections 64S and 64T of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999. The Committee’s inquiry focused on PBO implementation of the recommendations of previous reviews; stakeholder relationships and engagement; and possible areas of reform to support the effective operations of the PBO.
The Committee concluded that the PBO is fulfilling its legislative mandate and is held in high regard by stakeholders. The PBO continues to inform the Parliament by providing independent and non-partisan analysis of the budget cycle, fiscal policy and the financial implications of proposals.
As a key area of reform to support the effective operations of the PBO, the Committee has recommended legislative amendment to provide for an automatic referral process for independent review of the PBO after a general election. Such reform would provide for ongoing independent evaluation of the PBO to meet the changing needs of the Parliament; enable the Committee to monitor PBO implementation of review recommendations over the life of the Parliament; and serve to further reinforce the independence of the PBO.
The PBO provided a comprehensive update on its implementation of the 16Â recommendations of the Independent Review Panel, Parliamentary Budget Office Review 2016-17. The Committee notes the PBO has sought to address all of these recommendations and that the PBO is working to improve further in each of the broad areas identified by the review.
I would like to thank the organisations that made written submissions and appeared at the public hearing for this inquiry and Committee Members who have worked together to deliver this report, particularly given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Lucy Wicks MP
Chair