The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has commenced two inquiries into important areas of public sector accountability as part of its examination of Auditor-General’s reports.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 7 July 2021

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has commenced two inquiries into important areas of public sector accountability as part of its examination of Auditor-General’s reports. The Auditor-General's reports on Defence Major Projects and on Commonwealth Financial Statements are critical accountability mechanisms for the expenditure of public funds. Committee Chair Ms Lucy Wicks MP noted that the Major Projects Report inquiry is an important opportunity for Parliament to review the cost, progress and technical attributes of major Defence acquisitions, and the review of financial statements gives the Committee the chance to examine Government agencies' expenditure. ‘The JCPAA scrutinises the governance, performance and accountability of Commonwealth agencies, to examine whether public money is used in an efficient, effective, economical and ethical manner’ Ms Wicks said. ‘The Committee has an important role holding Commonwealth agencies to account.’ The Committee invites submissions to the inquiries which address the terms of reference. Public hearings will be held in the second half of 2021. Media enquiries Ms Lucy Wicks MP, Chair of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit 02 6277 4738 (Parliament House) or 02 4322 2400 (Electorate Office).  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 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 will be holding a public hearing for its Inquiry into Cyber Resilience, based on Auditor-General’s Report No. 13 (2019-20), Implementation of the My Health Record System, and Report No. 1 (2019-20), Cyber Resilience of Government Business Enterprises and Corporate Commonwealth Entities.

Media release issue date: Monday, 18 May 2020

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit will be holding a public hearing for its Inquiry into Cyber Resilience, based on Auditor-General’s Report No. 13 (2019-20), Implementation of the My Health Record System, and Report No. 1 (2019-20), Cyber Resilience of Government Business Enterprises and Corporate Commonwealth Entities. The public hearing is scheduled for TUESDAY, 19 MAY 2020. The Committee will also be holding public hearings for its Inquiry into the Defence Major Projects report, Auditor-General’s Report No. 19 (2018-19), and Auditor-General’s Report No. 22 (2019–20), Future Submarine Program—Transition to Design. The public hearings are scheduled for the following dates: WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY 2020, which will consider in detail Auditor-General’s Report No. 22 (2019-20) and related matters WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 2020, which will examine Auditor-General’s Report No. 19 (2019-20) and related matters Further information about the inquiry 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 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 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 has commenced its annual inquiry into the Defence Major Projects report (Report No. 19 (2018-19), with the inclusion of Report No. 22 (2019–20) Future Submarine Program – Transition to Design.

Media release issue date: Friday, 7 February 2020

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has commenced its annual inquiry into the Defence Major Projects report (Report No. 19 (2018-19)), with the inclusion of Report No. 22 (2019–20) Future Submarine Program – Transition to Design. Ms Lucy Wicks MP, Chair of the Committee, stated, ‘The Committee’s annual review of the Defence Major Projects report provides an opportunity to examine key aspects of public expenditure on Defence assets. The Future Submarine Program has been included in the Committee’s inquiry in anticipation of its inclusion in future Defence Major Projects reports, and to assist the Committee in gaining a full perspective of Australia’s current and future Defence capabilities.’ Submissions from interested individuals and organisations are invited by Thursday, 19 March 2020. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account. Further information about the inquiry 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