Chapter 1 Introduction

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 Australian Parliament, and report the results of its deliberations to both Houses of Parliament. In selecting audit reports for review, the Committee considers:

n  the significance of the program or issues raised in audit reports;

n  the significance of the audit findings;

n  the arguments advanced by the audited agencies; and

n  the public interest of the report.

1.2                   Upon consideration of the 34 audit reports presented to Parliament by the Auditor-General between June 2011 and February 2012, the Committee selected three reports for further scrutiny at public hearings.

1.3                   The audit reports reviewed by the JCPAA are listed below:

n  Audit Report No.5 2011-12, Development and Implementation of Key Performance Indicators to Support the Outcomes and Programs Framework.

n  Audit Report No.7, 2011-12, Establishment, Implementation and Administration of the Infrastructure Employment Projects Stream of the Jobs Fund.

n  Audit Report No.21, 2011-12, Administration of Grant Reporting Obligations

1.4                   The public hearings for the reports were held on:

n  8 February 2012 (Audit Report No.7)

n  29 February 2012 (Audit Report No.5)

n  14 March 2012 (Audit Report No.21).

1.5                   A list of witnesses who appeared at the public hearings is at Appendix A.

The Committee’s report

1.6       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.

1.7       The Committee’s report is structured as follows:

n   Chapter 2 - Audit Report No.5, 2011-12, Development and Implementation of Key Performance Indicators to Support the Outcomes and Programs Framework.

n  Chapter 3 - Audit Report No.7, 2011-12, Establishment, Implementation and Administration of the Infrastructure Employment Projects Stream of the Jobs Fund.

n  Chapter 4 - Audit Report No.21, 2011-12, Administration of Grant Reporting Obligations

1.8       The following appendices provide additional information:

n  Appendix A - List of public hearings and witnesses

n  Appendix B - List of submissions.

1.9       A copy of this report, transcripts of hearings and submissions are available on the Committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/jcpaa.