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 Presiding Officers of the Australian Parliament, and report the results of its deliberations to both Houses of Parliament. In selecting audit reports for review, the Committee considers:

n  the significance of the program or issues raised in audit reports;

n  the significance of the audit findings;

n  the arguments advanced by the audited agencies; and

n  the public interest of the report.

1.2                   Upon consideration of 30 audit reports presented to the parliament by the Auditor-General between February 2009 and August 2009, the committee selected eight reports for further scrutiny at public hearings. In addition, the Committee decided to examine Audit Report No. 5 2009-10 Protection of Residential Aged Care Accommodation Bonds even though it was tabled after the review period, because of an ongoing interest in aged care issues and because the same Department of Health and Ageing officials were already required to provide evidence for Audit Report No. 40 2008-09.

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

n  Audit Report No. 25 2008-09, Green Office Procurement and Sustainable Office Management;

n  Audit Report No. 27 2008-09, Management of the M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier Upgrade Project;

n  Audit Report No. 28 2008-09, Quality and Integrity of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Income Support Records;

n  Audit Report No. 35 2008-09, Management of the Movement Alert List;

n  Audit Report No. 36 2008-09, Settlement Grants Program;

n  Audit Report No. 40 2008-09, Planning and Allocating Aged Care Places and Capital Grants;

n  Audit Report No. 43 2008-09, Construction of the Christmas Island Immigration Detention Centre;

n  Audit Report No. 48 2008-09, Planning and Approval of Defence Major Capital Equipment Projects; and

n  Audit Report No. 05 2009-10, Protection of Residential Aged Care Accommodation Bonds.

1.4                   The public hearings for the reports were held on:

n  15 June 2009 (Audit Report Nos. 27, 28);

n  24 June 2009 (Audit Report No. 25);

n  28 October 2009 (Audit Report No. 48);

n  16 November 2009 (Audit Report No. 35 & No. 36);

n  18 November 2009 (Audit Report No. 43); and

n  25 November 2009 (Audit Report No. 40 and No. 05).

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

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:

n  Chapter 2 – Audit Report No. 25 2008-09, Green Office Procurement and Sustainable Office Management;

n  Chapter 3 – Audit Report No. 27 2008-09, Management of the M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier Upgrade Project;

n  Chapter 4 – Audit Report No. 28 2008-09, Quality and Integrity of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Income Support Records;

n  Chapter 5 – Audit Report No. 35 2008-09, Management of the Movement Alert List;

n  Chapter 6 – Audit Report No. 36 2008-09, Settlement Grants Program;

n  Chapter 7 – Audit Report No. 40 2008-09, Planning and Allocating Aged Care Places and Capital Grants;

n  Chapter 8 – Audit Report No. 43 2008-09, Construction of the Christmas Island Immigration Detention Centre;

n  Chapter 9 – Audit Report No. 48 2008-09, Planning and Approval of Defence Major Capital Equipment Projects; and

n  Chapter 10 – Audit Report No. 05 2009-10, Protection of Residential Aged Care Accommodation Bonds.

1.8                   The following appendices provide further information:

n  Appendix A – Conduct of the Committee’s review;

n   Appendix B – List of submissions authorised; and

n  Appendix C – List of witnesses who appeared at the public hearings.

1.9                   A copy of this report is available on the Committee’s website at: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=jcpaa/reports.htm.