Page 1950 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 16 June 1993
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Madam Speaker, as a result of a resolution passed in this place on 17 December also, in relation to the Public Accounts Committee's consideration of this report, I, as deputy presiding member of the committee, became acting presiding member for the purposes of this inquiry. As outlined in the introduction to our report, the committee sought submissions from members of the Executive and the Speaker on matters raised by the Auditor-General. The committee also held private discussions with the Auditor-General and the Assistant Auditor-General. On 14 May the committee held a public hearing and received evidence from a number of officials representing the Chief Minister's Department, the Treasury, the Legislative Assembly Secretariat, the Department of the Environment, Land and Planning, the Canberra Institute of Technology and the Department of Urban Services. ACT Health, the Attorney-General's Department, the Department of Education and Training and the Housing and Community Services Bureau were not requested to appear at the public hearings.
Madam Speaker, in addressing the findings of the committee I would point out, as outlined in paragraph 1.9 on page 2 of the report, that:
The Committee has made a number of comments and findings throughout the body of the report and has not separately highlighted particular recommendations. The Committee believes that when addressing the matters contained in this report all issues need to be considered.
Whilst recommending that the report be read fully, I would like to draw attention to a number of major issues considered by the committee. The question of financial management and accountability is addressed by the Auditor-General in detail in chapter 2. He comments specifically on the accuracy and reliability of the financial statements, the timeliness of financial statements, and the functionality and shortcomings of the Fiscal system, which is the main accounting system used generally in the ACT Government Service. The Auditor-General's comments and concerns, where applicable, are carefully outlined in our report. Madam Speaker, the committee is encouraged by the acknowledgment of significant improvement in the accuracy, reliability and timeliness of audited financial statements. However, we have noted that there is still need for some improvement. The committee also agrees with the Auditor-General's comments in relation to the Fiscal accounting system.
Madam Speaker, the question of the recording and management of assets was a constant theme throughout various portfolio areas in the comments made by the Auditor-General. Whilst sharing the concerns of the Auditor-General, we have noted the real concerns of some agencies in both defining and valuing assets. We also note that, until uniform procedures to control and record the assets are in place and operating, these difficulties will continue in some areas.
The question of salaries of staff of members of the Legislative Assembly is addressed in chapter 4 of our report. In our inquiries into this matter, in fact, two issues became evident. I will address them individually, as we have done in the report. Madam Speaker, the Auditor-General's comments on pages 28 and 30 of his report, relating to severance pay to one staff member, were examined very carefully by the committee. The committee went to some length to ensure full
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