List of Recommendations

Recommendation 1

2.33
The Committee recommends that the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit undertakes an inquiry on each occasion a certificate is issued under section 37 of the Auditor‑General Act.

Recommendation 2

2.34
The Committee recommends:
That detailed consideration be given by the Committee to the proposal that a statutory timeframe be legislated in which the Attorney‑General is required to make a decision in regards to a section 37 application, and included in this legislative amendment is a mechanism for the Attorney‑General to self-execute time extensions for this decision, subject to notification of the extension to the Auditor‑General and the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit; and
That this proposal be examined on the next occasion a certificate is issued under section 37 of the Auditor‑General Act or at the next review of the Auditor‑General Act, whichever is the earlier.

Recommendation 3

2.35
The Committee recommends that the other issues raised by the Auditor‑General in his submission to this inquiry be referred for further consideration as part of the next periodic review of the Auditor‑General Act, including:
A provision for a confidential report to be provided to at least the Chair of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit along with relevant Ministers;
That the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit be consulted on a confidential basis if a proposed certificate affects the audit conclusion or information not otherwise prohibited from disclosure;
To consider amendments to distinguish between types of certificates to at least require confidential consultation with the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit before certificates are issued for non-national security matters; and
That substantive reasons be provided when a certificate is issued.

Recommendation 4

2.36
The Committee recommends the referral to the privileges committees of both the Senate and the House of Representatives the question of whether the draft reports and working papers of the Auditor-General are subject to parliamentary privilege.

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Past Public Hearings

21 Nov 2018: Canberra
19 Oct 2018: Canberra