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 detailed review, the Committee considers factors such as:

• 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 the twenty-four audit reports presented to Parliament by the Auditor-General between May and August 2012, the Committee selected five reports for further scrutiny.

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

• Audit Report No.41 2011–12, National Partnership on Literacy and Numeracy
  
  
• Audit Report No.45 2011–12, Administration of the Health and Hospitals Fund
  
  
• Audit Report No.46 2011–12, Administration of the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy
  
  
• Audit Report No.50 2011–12, Processing and Risk Assessing Incoming International Air Passengers
  
  
• Audit Report No.1 2012–13, Administration of the Renewable Energy Demonstration Program

1.4                   Public hearings for two of the reports were held on:

• 12 September 2012 (Audit Report No.41 2011–12)
  
  
• 10 October 2012 (Audit Report No.46 2011–12)

1.5                   The Committee conducted its reviews of the remaining three reports through written correspondence.

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 and in responses to questions on notice. Where appropriate, the Committee has commented on unresolved or contentious issues, and has made recommendations.

1.7                   The Committee’s report is structured as follows:

• Chapter 2 - Audit Report No.41 2011–12, National Partnership on Literacy and Numeracy
  
  
• Chapter 3 - Audit Report No.45 2011–12, Administration of the Health and Hospitals Fund
  
  
• Chapter 4 – Audit Report No.46 2011–12, Administration of the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy
  
  
• Chapter 5 – Audit Report No.50 2011–12, Processing and Risk Assessing Incoming International Air Passengers
  
  
• Chapter 6 – Audit Report No.1 2012–13, Administration of the Renewable Energy Demonstration Program

1.8                   The following appendices provide additional information:

• Appendix A - List of public hearings and witnesses
  
  
• Appendix B - List of submissions

1.9                   A copy of this report, transcripts of hearings and submissions—including responses to the Committee’s written questions—are available on the Committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/jcpaa.