Page 3607 - Week 08 - Thursday, 19 August 2010
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On 28 August 2009, Auditor-General’s report No 6 of 2009 was referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts for inquiry. The audit report presented the results of an assessment of agency performance relating to the strategic planning, management and delivery of government office projects. The audit assessed, in particular, whether office accommodation projects meet governance, quality, value for money and environmental sustainability requirements.
Using three case studies of individual office accommodation projects, the audit considered administration at the whole-of-government level as well as at agency level. The three case studies were, firstly, the relocation of the Department of Education and Training, DET, from Manning Clark offices in Tuggeranong to 220 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon; secondly, the refurbishment of Eclipse House, London Circuit, City for occupancy by the Shared Services centre; and, thirdly, the acquisition of leased premises at Fairbairn to relocate the Emergency Services Agency headquarters. The audit report noted:
The focus of the first two case studies was on implementation of the office accommodation projects as part of the whole-of-government accommodation strategy. The third case study, while not part of the whole-of-government accommodation strategy, focuses on the outcomes of, and the processes for, decisions to relocate the Emergency Services Agency Headquarters to Fairbairn.
The committee received a briefing from the Auditor-General in relation to the audit report on 7 October 2010 and a submission from the government dated 13 May 2010. The committee has resolved to inquire further into the report.
The committee’s inquiry will be forward looking and is concerned with drawing lessons arising from the audit which can be applied to future activity at a whole-of-government level as well as an agency level. The findings and issues arising from the audit report indicate that there is scope to consider what constitutes “best practice” with regard to the strategic management and delivery of government office accommodation projects at a whole-of-government level as well as an agency level.
Whilst the inquiry’s terms of reference will be the information contained within the Auditor-General’s report, the committee’s inquiry, using the three case studies of individual office accommodation projects, will focus specifically on best practice—planning, acquisition, management, delivery and utilisation of government office accommodation. The committee is expecting to report to the ACT Legislative Assembly as soon as practicable.
Executive business—precedence
Ordered that executive business be called on.
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (No 2)
Debate resumed from 6 May 2010, on motion by Mr Corbell:
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