Purpose, Objectives and Operating Framework

Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit

Committee establishment and role

Purpose, Objectives and Operating Framework

Purpose

The purpose of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has remained unchanged since it was first established in 1913: the JCPAA exists to hold Commonwealth agencies to account for the lawfulness, efficiency and effectiveness with which they use public monies.

Objectives

The duties of the JCPAA are described in section 8 of the Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951 and reproduced in "Joint Committee of Public Accounts - Duties of the Committee", which can be accessed through the JCPAA home page. These duties can be interpreted as setting the following objectives for the Committee:

Operating Framework

The JCPAA works towards these objectives by:

1. reviewing the performance of Commonwealth agencies to ensure that;

in particular, by:

2. monitoring Australian Public Service (APS) wide resource management practices and standards, including the regulatory frameworks established for these purposes;

in particular, by:

3. examining and, as appropriate, giving approval to the annual report requirements for Commonwealth agencies;

in particular, by monitoring, and as necessary commenting on, the operation and appropriateness of the annual report requirements for Commonwealth agencies.

4. examining and reporting on such matters in connection with the public accounts as are referred by either House of the Parliament.

5. performing functions like those proposed for an audit committee of Parliament;

in particular, by: