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 26 audit reports presented to the Parliament by the Auditor-General between May 2010 and November 2010, the Committee selected five reports for further scrutiny at public hearings.

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

• Audit Report No. 02 2010-11, Conduct by Infrastructure Australia of the First National Infrastructure Audit and Development of the Infrastructure Priority List;
  
  
• Audit Report No. 03 2010-11, The Establishment, Implementation and Administration of the Strategic Projects Component of the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program;
  
  
• Audit Report No. 09 2010-11, Green Loans Program;
  
  
• Audit Report No. 11 2010-11, Direct Source Procurement; and
  
  
• Audit Report No. 12 2010-11, Home Insulation Program.

1.4                   The public hearings for the reports were held on:

• 2 March 2011 (Audit Report No. 11);
  
  
• 21 March 2011 (Audit Report Nos. 02, 03); and
  
  
• 23 March 2011 (Audit Report Nos. 09, 12).

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. 02 2010-11, Conduct by Infrastructure Australia of the First National Infrastructure Audit and Development of the Infrastructure Priority List;
  
  
• Chapter 3 – Audit Report No. 03 2010-11, The Establishment, Implementation and Administration of the Strategic Projects Component of the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program;
  
  
• Chapter 4 – Audit Report No. 11 2010-11, Direct Source Procurement; and
  
  
• Chapter 5 – Audit Report Nos. 09 2010-11, Green Loans Program and 12 2010-11, Home Insulation Program.

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.