Page 274 - Week 01 - Thursday, 17 February 2011
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highlighted some failings both in legislation and in funding that would allow the Audit Office to do its job to the maximum of its ability.
Some of the recommendations involved other committees looking at things, particularly the admin and procedure committee. There is a bit of work for that. There is currently a review of the FOI Act by the JACS committee, and how that is applied to the Auditor-General in the context of the JACS inquiry may need to be looked at as well.
The review is comprehensive. I would particularly like to thank my colleagues. It has taken us some time, but I think it is worth the wait. The work put together by soon-to-be Dr Cullen was well received by all the members, and we thank Andrea for all her support and all the work she does. She works very well. Indeed, one of the recommendations is that a small amount of government funding needs to be put aside for the irregular audit so that that is included in the budget of the year that the audit is to occur and that the Assembly Speaker might actually look at what the implications for the Committee Office are in this report, because there are some implications there.
It is important that we regularly review statutory office holders, particularly as they relate to us here in the Assembly and to the people of the ACT and how we ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the way they go about their jobs. The position of Auditor-General has been interesting in the last couple of years where contentious reports have been delivered. Rather than addressing the issues, the Chief Minister has gone out of his way to shoot the messenger, as he is often so wont to do. This report says to anyone who would want to attack the Audit Office that you need to understand that the Audit Office acts at the behest of the Assembly, through the public accounts committee, and that you need to be wary because members in this place take our responsibilities in safeguarding the role of the Auditor-General very, very seriously because it is a very, very serious matter.
With that, I would recommend that all members take a good look at the report. I know we have a lot of reading material provided to us and that this is a longish report. However, I recommend that all members take the time to read it. I currently have a bill relevant to this issue before the Assembly, and I think its case might be strengthened by much of what is in this report. We need to ensure that we give people like the Auditor-General the tools they deserve and particularly the funding they deserve to do their jobs as effectively as possible.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Children and young people—sexualisation in advertising and media
Paper and statement by minister
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Women): Pursuant to the resolution of the Assembly of 25 August 2010, I present the following paper:
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