Independent post-election review of the Parliamentary Budget Office

About this review

The Committee is required under the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 to consider whether a post-election review of the operations of the Parliamentary Budget Office is to be conducted, and to specify the scope and manner of this review and the person or body who is to perform this work. Having not requested this review in 2022, the Committee has determined that it would be appropriate and timely on this occasion for an external reviewer to be engaged for this purpose as specified in the terms of reference below.

Terms of reference

On 4 September 2025, the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit requested an independent post-election review of the Parliamentary Budget Office, pursuant to section 64T of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999, to be conducted by
Dr Martin Parkinson AC PSM under the following terms of reference:

The review will:

  • examine and provide a report on the effectiveness and efficiency of the PBO in executing its purpose to inform the parliament by providing independent and non-partisan analysis of the budget cycle, fiscal policy and the financial implications of proposals. The analysis should also consider the levels of demand for PBO services and the available resources of the PBO.

The review may also consider:

  • the appropriateness and scope of the PBO’s mandate, in the context of the evolving needs of the parliament.
  • the role of the PBO during the election period, including the timing of the election commitments report.

The review will have regard to:

  • the views of the PBO’s primary stakeholders, including parliamentarians, parliamentary parties, parliamentary committees and other Commonwealth agencies.
  •  the PBO's legislative mandate.
  • the impact of the PBO's current outputs in achieving its mandated objectives, including the manner and extent of use in public debate.
  •  the appropriateness of the PBO's resourcing arrangements to execute any extensions of work or responsibility.

The review will provide the report to the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit no later than 3 February 2026.

About this committee

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit is constituted by the Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951.
The Committee initiates its own inquiries into public administration matters and can conduct inquiries into matters referred to it by either House of Parliament.

Track this Committee

Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit
PO Box 6021
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 4615
jcpaa@aph.gov.au