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 37 audit reports presented to the Parliament by the Auditor-General between September 2009 and May 2010, the Committee selected nine reports for further scrutiny at public hearings.

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

• Audit Report No. 07 2009-10, Administration of Grants by the National Health and Medical Research Council;
  
  
• Audit Report No. 08 2009-10, The Australian Taxation Office’s Implementation of the Change Program: a strategic overview;
  
  
• Audit Report No. 10 2009-10, Processing of Incoming International Air Passengers;
  
  
• Audit Report No. 15 2009-10, AusAID’s Management of the Expanding Australian Aid Program;
  
  
• Audit Report No. 20 2009-10, The National Broadband Network Request for Proposal Process;
  
  
• Audit Report No. 26 2009-10, Administration of Climate Change Programs;
  
  
• Audit Report No. 27 2009-10, Coordination and Reporting of Australia’s Climate Change Measures;
  
  
• Audit Report No. 31 2009-10, Management of the AusLink Roads to Recovery Program; and
  
  
• Audit Report No. 33 2009-10, Building the Education Revolution – Primary Schools for the 21^st Century.

1.4                   The public hearings for the reports were held on:

• 11 March 2010 (Audit Report Nos. 10, 20);
  
  
• 17 March 2010 (Audit Report No. 15);
  
  
• 22 April 2010 (Audit Report No. 08);
  
  
• 12 May 2010 (Audit Report No. 07);
  
  
• 16 June 2010 (Audit Report Nos. 26,27); and
  
  
• 21 June 2010 (Audit Report Nos. 31,33).

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

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 report is structured as follows:

• Chapter 2 – Audit Report No. 07 2009-10, Administration of Grants by the National Health and Medical Research Council;
  
  
• Chapter 3 – Audit Report No. 08 2009-10, The Australian Taxation Office’s Implementation of the Change Program: a strategic overview;
  
  
• Chapter 4 – Audit Report No. 10 2009-10, Processing of Incoming International Air Passengers;
  
  
• Chapter 5—Audit Report No. 15 2009-10, AusAID’s Management of the Expanding Australian Aid Program;
  
  
• Chapter 6—Audit Report No. 20 2009-10, The National Broadband Network Request for Proposal Process;
  
  
• Chapter 7 – Audit Report No. 26 2009-10, Administration of Climate Change Programs;
  
  
• Chapter 8 – Audit Report No. 27 2009-10, Coordination and Reporting of Australia’s Climate Change Measures;
  
  
• Chapter 9 – Audit Report No. 31 2009-10, Management of the AusLink Roads to Recovery Program; and
  
  
• Chapter 10 – Audit Report No. 33 2009-10, Building the Education Revolution – Primary Schools for the 21^st Century.

1.8                   The following appendices provide further information:

• Appendix A – List of submissions; and
  
  
• Appendix B – List of public hearings.

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