Page 2824 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 24 June 2009
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The Auditor-General not only audits the financial reports of the territories, its departments and authorities under the Financial Management Act 1996 but also audits the financial reports of all territory-owned corporations under the Corporations Act 2001. The Auditor-General’s Office also, when necessary, has authority for the receipt of disclosures under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1994. The office also has an important review role under the Procurement Act. These are important functions in a robust, democratic system of government.
One role that generally gets overlooked is the improvement in efficiencies in public administration. Governments do not pursue efficiency for its own sake. It means governments are able to deliver more to meet more needs with the same amount of resources or, at times, with fewer resources.
Efficiency allows governments to meet more of their objectives without the need for more taxation, and this is where the Auditor-General’s functions, besides ensuring accountability, have a vital role for any government that wants to pursue its policy objectives. Prudent governments recognise this importance. That is why this government has increased funding for the Auditor-General’s Office by more than 36 per cent in the same budget as it sought efficiencies of more than $100 million across the public service.
It is in this context that the motion from Mr Seselja should be viewed. Its imputations are wrong. The Auditor-General plays an important role in directly reporting to the ACT Legislative Assembly on any matter relating to the exercise of its functions. The Auditor-General’s Office is to be commended for its work on behalf of the community.
Mr Seselja: You are actually supporting No (1), Joy.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, Mr Seselja!
Mr Seselja: I am just trying to help Ms Burch.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Ms Burch does not need your help, Mr Seselja.
MS BURCH: The work of the office provides the assurance that the territory’s financial and performance information is accurate. We rely on the Auditor-General to inform the ACT Legislative Assembly and the community on the performance of the ACT public sector. Through the work of the office, the performance of ACT public agencies is improved. Agencies report that performance audits help improve effectiveness and efficiency of the services being audited.
Financial auditing processes assist agencies in improving accountability, governance arrangements and internal controls. The audit office’s strong relationship with the Legislative Assembly and agencies ensure that its legislative functions are able to be effectively discharged.
The government is mindful to ensure that the Office of the Auditor-General is provided with adequate funding. However, it is appropriate that the levels of increases
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