Page 2362 - Week 08 - Thursday, 6 June 2013

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Public Accounts—Standing Committee

Report 3

MR SESELJA (Brindabella) (10.37): Pursuant to the order of the Assembly of 14 February 2013, as amended on 9 May 2012, I present the following report:

Public Accounts—Standing Committee—Report 3—Report on Annual and Financial Reports 2011-2012, dated 6 June 2013, including dissenting comments (Ms Porter and Dr Bourke) together with a copy of the extracts of the relevant minutes of proceedings.

I move:

That the report be noted.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to present the public accounts committee inquiry report on annual reports for 2011-12. As you know, consideration of annual reports and the estimates process are a critical part of scrutiny in this place. Arguably, the public accounts committee, with its particular focus on and significant responsibilities in relation to the expenditure of public money in the territory is the most significant player in this aspect of scrutiny.

In hearings for this report, the committee considered a number of whole-of-government issues on the operations of a number of the most important government and independent agencies. One focus of the recommendations made by the committee in this report is the reporting process itself. In the first recommendation, the report recommends improvements to reporting systems and compliance, with an emphasis on the clarity and timeliness of reporting, and that performance indicators be meaningful. Consistent with this, it recommends that the ACT government develop better performance measures for economically sustainable development.

Other recommendations include: that the government finalise policy on the process for complaints about government services and report on progress regarding feedback on Canberra Connect as a conduit for complaints; ensure that remuneration for the managing director of ACTEW and other territory-owned corporations is fully disclosed in annual reports and develop a government business enterprise ownership policy; respond to the Auditor-General’s 2006 report on Rhodium Asset Solutions; report on the outcome of the Economic Development Directorate’s discussions with Indigenous representatives regarding tourism and ecotourism and consider formalising a linkage with Indigenous Business Australia; inform the Assembly as further developments arise about the creation of a single racing industry administrative body; table the evaluation, when finalised, of the centenary of Canberra program events and activities; update the Assembly on funding negotiations with the commonwealth and co-investment for a new convention centre; regularly update the Assembly on the proposed light rail project; table its response to the review of the land rent scheme; and inform the Assembly regarding the review into future ownership and governance arrangements for ACTTAB.


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