Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit

Observers for Committee Inquiries

Introduction

Since the early 1950s the Joint Committee of Public Accounts has been assisted in its work by observers from the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) and the Department of Finance (DoF).

Observers perform an important role in the work of the Committee: they help ensure that the Committee has before it all necessary information and opinion on the matters under review.

This paper provides background information about the role of an observer.

The Committee's expectations of an observer

At the outset of a Committee inquiry or review, the relevant areas in the ANAO and DoF nominate officers to be observers for the duration of the Committee's work.

The Committee expects observers to be officers:

1. at the Senior Officer Grade B level or above; and

1. who are working, or have experience, in an area relevant to the issues being considered by the Committee.

It would assist the Committee in selecting an observer if nominated officers were to provide a brief curriculum vitae.

Observers should be available to attend all of the public hearings conducted during an inquiry or review. At times the Committee may also expect observers to attend private meetings, briefings and

The role of an observer

General

The role of an observer is to assist the Committee in its work by providing background information and comment relevant to the subject being considered.

The Committee may request such assistance at any time during the course of an inquiry or review.

At public hearings

Public hearings are one of the main ways by which the Committee gathers evidence. At public hearings, the Committee formally questions witnesses, usually on the basis of written evidence previously submitted.

Observers are given as much notice as is possible of a public hearing and, in most cases, will be given copies of any publicly available submissions before a hearing commences.

During the course of a hearing observers are expected to:

(a) follow the proceedings;

(b) offer such information and comment to the Committee Secretary as may be of assistance to the Committee; and

(c) provide information and comment in response to questions from Committee members and staff.

An observer may, for example, suggest a possible line of questioning, or offer background information about any of the issues being discussed.

It is possible that the Committee may ask an observer to make formal and public comment on the issues being discussed at a hearing. If so, the observer will be required to swear an oath or make an affirmation.

Transcripts of Committee hearings are usually available within a week of the hearing and copies are sent to all participants, including observers. This is an opportunity for observers to reflect on the evidence taken and suggest areas or issues requiring further attention.

At other times

Committee members or staff may contact observers at any time during the course of an inquiry or review to seek information or comment on particular issues.

On most occasions the request will be for oral advice, although at times a written response may be requested.

Further Information

If you have any questions about the work of the Committee or the role of an observer, please contact the Committee secretariat on telephone 61 2 6277 4615, facsimile 61 2 6277 2220 or e-mail jcpa@aph.gov.au.