Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .
Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 1 Hansard (18 February) . . Page.. 72 ..
MS MacDONALD (continuing):
As I have said before, I think it would be a good idea for consideration to be given to all annual reports to include any reviews which have been conducted, although not necessarily to have to comment on minor reviews which may talk about the reorganisation of office space, for example. As we say in the report, any reviews which have an impact should be included as appendices.
MR SMYTH (Leader of the Opposition) (11.41): Mr Speaker, it is a pleasure to speak to this report. The constructive nature in which the committee went about looking at what is in reports, and how we make them more useful and more accessible for the public, really pleased me. As MLAs, we have some knowledge of that. We have staff to help us get through the reports, but it is important that the reports are usable. I commend the report to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Public Accounts-Standing Committee
Report No 3
MR SMYTH (Leader of the Opposition) (11.43): Pursuant to order, I present report No 3 of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts entitled Report on Annual and Financial Reports 2001-2002, together with extracts of the relevant minutes of proceedings. I seek leave to move a motion authorising the report for publication.
Leave granted.
MR SMYTH: I move:
That the report be authorised for publication.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
MR SMYTH: I move:
That the report be noted.
Mr Speaker, the report makes many sensible recommendations on page 7. I hope the government looks at those recommendations in the spirit in which they are offered-that this is an opportunity to continue to fine-tune and improve the annual reports process which many of us have commented on over the years. The recommendations run through a number of themes, and I would like to address some of those.
With the Public Accounts Committee, you get 17 very diverse reports. They are diverse in style, context, content, presentation and readability. Because no two can be compared, to say they have followed a similar format, you then have an enormous task.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .