Chapter 1 Introduction

Background to the review

1.1                   The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has a statutory duty to examine all reports of the Auditor-General that are presented to the Australian Parliament, and report the results of its deliberations to both Houses of Parliament. In selecting audit reports for review, the Committee considers:

• the significance of the program or issues raised in audit reports;
  
  
• the significance of the audit findings;
  
  
• the arguments advanced by the audited agencies; and
  
  
• the public interest of the report.

1.2                   Upon consideration of 31 audit reports presented to Parliament by the Auditor-General between November 2010 and May 2011, the Committee selected four reports for further scrutiny at public hearings.

1.3                   The audit reports reviewed by the JCPAA are listed below:

• Audit Report No.22 2010–11, Audits of the Financial Statements of Australian Government Entities for the Period Ended 30 June 2010;
  
  
• Audit Report No.30 2010–11, Digital Education Revolution Program – National Secondary Schools Computer Fund;
  
  
• Audit Report No.41 2010–11, Maintenance of the Defence Estate; and
  
  
• Audit Report No.46 2010–11, Management of Student Visas.

1.4                   The public hearings for the reports were held on:

• 14 September 2011 (Audit Report No.22);
  
  
• 21 September 2011 (Audit Report No.41);
  
  
• 12 October 2011 (Audit Report No.46);
  
  
• 2 November 2011 (Audit Report No.30).

1.5                   A list of witnesses who appeared at the public hearings is at Appendix A.

The Committee’s report

1.6                   This report of the Committee’s examination draws attention to the main issues raised at the respective public hearings. Where appropriate, the Committee has commented on unresolved or contentious issues, and has made recommendations.

1.7                   The Committee’s reports is structured as follows:

• Chapter 2 - Audit Report No.22 2010-11, Audits of the Financial Statements of Australian Government Entities for the Period Ended 30 June 2010;
  
  
• Chapter 3 - Audit Report No.30 2010-11, Digital Education Revolution Program – National Secondary Schools Computer Fund;
  
  
• Chapter 4 - Audit Report No.41 2010-11, Maintenance of the Defence Estate; and
  
  
• Chapter 5 - Audit Report No.46 2010-11, Management of Student Visas.

1.8                   The following appendices provide additional information:

• Appendix A – List of public hearings and witnesses
  
  
• Appendix B – List of submissions
  
  
• Appendix C – Department of Immigration and Citizenship: Finalised Non-Compliance Notices at 14 October 2011
  
  
• Appendix D - Department of Immigration and Citizenship and Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations strategic student visa policy group guidelines

1.9                   A copy of this report is available on the Committee’s website at www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jcpaa/reports.htm.