Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1
The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) exists to hold
Commonwealth agencies to account for the lawfulness, efficiency and
effectiveness with which they use public monies.
1.2
Section 8(1) of the Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951 (PAAC Act)
outlines the Committee's specific duties, which include ‘to report to both
Houses of the Parliament, with any comment it thinks fit, on any items or
matters in those accounts, statements and reports, or any circumstances connected
with them, that the Committee thinks should be drawn to the attention of the
Parliament’.
1.3
To meet this mandate and ensure the Committee is fully informed, the
Committee has met annually with the heads of the key Australian Public Service
(APS) agencies responsible for public sector governance and administration, to
discuss whole-of-government issues and trends, and review performance.
1.4
Previously held as a private briefing, the Committee agreed, in accordance
with section 11 of the PAAC Act, to hold the 2012 meeting as a public
hearing.
1.5
This year, the Committee was particularly interested to hear from
witnesses about progress on the APS reform initiatives stemming from the Ahead
of the Game: Blueprint for the Reform of the Australian Government Administration;
and to discuss the results of the latest State of the Service report and the
potential impact of the increased efficiency dividend.
1.6
The Committee is also responsible for approving annual report guidelines
for Commonwealth departments on behalf of the Parliament. This responsibility
is conferred by sub-section 63(2) of the Public Service Act 1999. Again,
the Committee decided that questions relating to the proposed 2011-12
Requirements for Annual Reports for Departments, Executive Agencies and FMA Act
Bodies would be discussed at this hearing.
1.7
The public hearing was held on Wednesday, 20 June 2012.
The Committee’s report
1.8
This report draws attention to the main issues raised at the public
hearing. Where appropriate, the Committee has commented on unresolved or
contentious issues.
1.9
The Committee’s report is structured as follows:
n Chapter 2 - APS Reform Initiatives
n Chapter 3 - The State of the Service
n Chapter 4 - APS Annual Report Requirements.
1.10
The following appendices provide additional information:
n Appendix A - List of public hearings and witnesses
n Appendix B - List of submissions
n Appendix C - Progress report on APS Reform initiatives.
1.11
A copy of this report, transcripts of hearings and submissions are
available on the Committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/jcpaa.