Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Bill 2013

Introduced into the House of Representatives on 16 May 2013

Portfolio: Finance and Deregulation

Overview

1.1        This bill seeks to replace the current model for Commonwealth financial management established through the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act) and the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (CAC Act). It will consolidate under one piece of legislation the governance, performance and accountability requirements for the Commonwealth and relevant entities, which can broadly be characterised as ‘Commonwealth entities‘. These include Departments of State, executive agencies and statutory authorities established by Parliament. In relation to Commonwealth companies, the bill is drafted in light of the fact that the primary regulatory framework that applies is the Corporations Act 2001.

1.2        The bill will create a financial framework under which entities will have the flexibility and incentive to adopt appropriate systems and processes that help them achieve their diverse policy and statutory objectives efficiently and effectively. Entities will also be held accountable for their performance through a more explicit framework for monitoring and evaluating performance.

Compatibility with human rights

1.3        The bill is accompanied by a brief statement of compatibility which states that the bill does not engage any human rights and is therefore compatible with human rights.

1.4        The explanatory memorandum states:

The objective of CFAR [Commonwealth Financial Accountability Review] is to improve performance, accountability, risk management and service delivery across government. This recognises that a more effective financial framework will help support a modern and forward-looking public sector that can respond to the changing circumstances of the twenty-first century.[13]

1.5                  The committee considers that the bill does not appear to give rise to human rights concerns.

Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page