Terms of Reference
The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit is conducting an inquiry into Auditor‑General report:
No. 6 (2018‑19), Army’s Protected Mobility Vehicle – Light
Of particular interest to the Committee are matters related to the issuing of certificate by Attorney-General under section 37 of the Auditor-General Act 1997.
JCPAA Role
The purpose of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) is to scrutinise the governance, performance and accountability of Commonwealth entities and companies—focusing on whether public money is used in an efficient, effective, economical and ethical manner. The JCPAA is therefore the Parliament’s joint public administration committee.
The Committee’s powers are contained within the Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951.
The Committee examines all reports of the Auditor-General, adopting inquiries, including thematic inquiries, based on specific audit reports. In adopting inquiries based on audit reports, the Committee considers:
the significance of the program or issues raised in audit reports
the audited agencies response to the audit; and
the potential public interest benefits in conducting an inquiry.
The Committee examines a broad range of evidence. In addition to the ANAO reports, the Committee receives submissions from audited agencies and the public, and conducts public hearings. The Committee also considers relevant public sector frameworks and findings of other relevant reviews, reports and audits. In particular, the Committee references the relevant sections of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act), PGPA Rule 2014, and associated resource management guidance. As the primary piece of Commonwealth resource management legislation, the PGPA Act establishes a single system of governance and accountability for public resources.