In accordance with the Committee’s terms of resolution of establishment all reports of the Auditor-General presented to the Legislative Assembly for the ACT are referred to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for examination.
Procedures the Public Accounts Committee adopts in examining reports of the Auditor-General
A summary of the current procedures the ACT Standing Committee on Public Accounts (ACT PAC) adopts in examining reports of the ACT Auditor-General is available here.
Government Guidelines for responding to Auditor-General’s Reports
The Government has issued guidelines for responding to performance audit reports by the Auditor-General in April 2016. The guidelines are available at: https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/policystrategic/cabinet/assembly-liaison
View Auditor-General's Reports from ACT Audit Office
| No. | Auditor-General's Reports | Report released/ presented | Government Response presented | Status | Inquiry concluded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/2018 | 2016-17 Financial Audits - Computer Information Systems | 28/02/2018 20/03/2018 | |||
| 03/2018 | Tender for the sale of block 30 (formerly block 20) Section 34 Dickson | 21/02/2018 22/02/2018 | Adopted for further inquiry on 28/02/2018 and 246A statement made 20/03/2018 | On-going | |
| 02/2018 | ACT Government strategic and accountability indicators | 01/02/2018 13/02/2018 | |||
| 01/2018 | Acceptance of Stormwater Assets | 31/01/2018 13/02/2018 | |||
| 11/2017 | 2016-17 Financial Audits - Financial Results and Audit Findings (No Recommendation) | 06/12/2017 13/02/2018 | N/A | Letter from Chief Minister tabled 20/03/2018 | 20/03/2018 |
| 10/2017 | 2016-17 Financial Audits - Overview (No Recommendation) | 24/11/2017 28/11/2017 | N/A | Letter from Chief Minister tabled 20/03/2018 | 20/03/2018 |
| 9/2017 | ACT Audit Office 2016-17 Annual Report | 12/10/2017 24/10/2017 | N/A | Consider as part of the inquiry into Annual and Financial Reports 2016-2017. Committee Report released 20/03/2018. | 20/03/2018 |
| 8/2017 | Select ACT Government agencies' management of public art | 12/10/2017 24/10/2017 | 13/02/2018 | No further Inquiry—246A statement made 20/03/2018 | 20/03/2018 |
| 7/2017 | Public Housing Renewal Program | 27/06/2017 01/08/2017 | 24/10/2017 | No further Inquiry—246A statement made 20/03/2018 | 20/03/2018 |
| 6/2017 | Mental Health Services - Transition from Acute Care | 23/06/2017 01/08/2017 | 24/10/2017 | No further Inquiry—246A statement made 20/03/2018 | 20/03/2018 |
| 5/2017 | Maintenance of Selected Road Infrastructure Assets | 09/06/2017 01/08/2017 | 24/10/2017 | No further Inquiry—246A statement made 20/03/2018 | 20/03/2018 |
| 4/2017 | Performance Information in ACT Public Schools | 31/05/2017 06/06/2017 | 15/08/2017 | No further Inquiry—246A statement made 20/03/2018 | 20/03/2018 |
| 3/2017 | 2015-16 Financial Audits - Computer Information Systems | 05/05/2017 09/05/2017 | 24/08/2017 | Adopted for further inquiry—246A statement made 08/06/2017; No further Inquiry—246A statement made 20/03/2018 | 20/03/2018 |
| 2/2017 | 2016 ACT Election | 16/02/2017 | 08/06/2017 | 246A statement made 28/03/2017—write to the Select Committee on 2016 ACT Election and Electoral Act to bring the matter to its attention, Committee report tabled 30/11/2017. | 30/11/2017 |
| 1/2017 | WorkSafe ACT’s management of its regulatory responsibilities for the demolition of loose-fill asbestos contaminated houses | 20/01/2017 14/02/2017 | 21/03/2017 | Adopted for further inquiry—246A statement made 08/06/2017 | On-going |
| 11/2016 | 2015-16 Financial Audits - Financial Results and Audit Finding | 21/12//2016 14/02/2017 | 11/05/2017 | Adopted for further inquiry—246A statement made 08/06/2017 | 08/06/2017 |
| 10/2016 | 2015-16 Financial Audits - Audit Reports | 07/12/2016 13/12/2017 | 11/05/2017 | No further Inquiry—246A statement made 28/03/2017 | 08/06/2017 |
| 9/2016 | Commissioner for International Engagement – position creation and appointment process | 30/11/2016 13/12/2016 | 30/03/2017 | No further Inquiry—246A statement made 20/03/2018 | 20/03/2018 |
| 8/2016 | ACT Audit Office Annual Report 2015-16 | 05/10/2016 13/12/2016 | N/A | Considered as part of inquiry into Annual and Financial Reports 2015-2016. Committee report released 11/05/2017. | 11/05/2017 |
| 7/2016 | Certain Land Development Agency Acquisitions | 30/09/2016 31/10/2016 | 14/02/2017 | Adopted for further Inquiry—246A statement made 28/03/2017 | On-going |
At its meeting of 13 December 2016 the Legislative Assembly resolved to create:
"a Standing Committee on Public Accounts to:
(A) the accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the Australian Capital Territory and its authorities; and
(B) all reports of the Auditor-General which have been presented to the Assembly;
On 26 October 2017 the Legislative Assembly resolved to amend:
"Insert after (e)(i)(A), the words:
(AA) matters relating to market and regulatory reform (excluding Access Canberra), public sector management, taxation an revenue."
2016 Strategic Review of the ACT Auditor-General
The Auditor-General Act 1996 was amended in 2013 to provide for a strategic review as opposed to a performance audit. Prior to these legislative changes—the review process encompassed a performance audit only. A performance audit primarily assesses whether the Audit Office conducts its functions effectively and efficiently and in compliance with the relevant legislation. A review or a strategic review may also review the Auditor-General’s legislative functions and other aspects as directed by the relevant Public Accounts Committee. The Report on the 2016 Strategic Review of the ACT Auditor-General, conducted by Mr Des Pearson AO, and tabled in the ACT legislative Assembly on 8 June 2016, view report PDF (3,992 KB).
2010 Independent performance audit of the operations of the ACT Auditor-General and the ACT Audit Office
Part five of the Auditor-General Act 1996 (the Act) provides for audits of the ACT Auditor-General’s Office operations. This includes the audit of financial statements as well as performance audits.
The report of the independent auditor—Independent Performance Audit of the Operations of the ACT Auditor-General and the ACT Audit Office (3 May 2010), conducted by Bob Sendt & Associates, as provided to the Public Accounts Committee was authorised for publication on 11 May 2010.
The Report is available here.
Mrs Vicki Dunne MLA (Chair)
Mr Michael Pettersson MLA (Deputy Chair)
Ms Bec Cody MLA
Mr Alistair Coe MLA
