Page 2014 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 5 June 1990
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
The Government has decided that the position of ACT Auditor-General should be filled from 1 July 1990. This will further reinforce the fact that the ACT is responsible for its own destiny and will ensure that the ACT Auditor-General has jurisdiction for the full term of the 1990-91 financial year. There are also administrative and budgetary benefits to commencing the office at the start of a financial year.
An acting appointment of ACT Auditor-General would have an advantage, in that the occupant could provide valuable input to the ACT Public Accounts Committee, which is expected to report during 1990-91 on the principles relating to appropriate financial administration and audit legislation for the Australian Capital Territory. An acting appointment from 1 July 1990 could assist the Public Accounts Committee in accelerating its consideration of these matters. The Government's response to the report of the committee and its development of new financial administration and audit legislation may alter the currently perceived role of an ACT Auditor-General. This could be taken into account for any subsequent permanent appointment, which the Government intends should take effect by 1 July 1991.
The Government has therefore decided that an acting ACT Auditor-General be appointed, under section 14(1) of the Act, from 1 July 1990 until 30 June 1991. The Government's view is that the ACT Assembly and community require an Auditor-General who will give priority to ACT agencies, whose requirements may not be fully met under existing arrangements.
The Commonwealth Auditor-General will lose all existing powers in respect of ACT matters on 1 July 1990. The Government has therefore decided that certain operational arrangements should be put in place for the Office of the ACT Auditor-General for the 1990-91 financial year. These arrangements are designed to ensure the ACT Auditor-General's Office undertakes those audits which allow full statutory financial accountability requirements under ACT legislation. These arrangements will not diminish the level of statutory accountability which would have been provided by the Australian National Audit Office had existing arrangements continued.
Other major responsibilities of the office in the first year will be related to providing assistance for the current ACT Public Accounts Committee inquiry, contributing to the development of a new legislative framework for the ACT Auditor-General and permanent establishment of the office. To facilitate the establishment and maintenance of an ACT Auditor-General's Office, the ACT Treasury will enter into negotiations with the Commonwealth for the transfer of associated financial capacity. These negotiations will aim to achieve agreement with the Australian National Audit Office on the transfer of ongoing
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .