Page 353 - Week 01 - Thursday, 27 February 2014

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timeliness of access to electronic versions of annual reports; inclusion of correct versions of audited documents; timeliness of financial reporting processes; the quality of statements of performance; and the usefulness of performance measures and accountability indicators. The committee has resolved to make no further inquiries into the audit report.

On 26 April 2013, Auditor-General’s report No 2 of 2013, Executive remuneration disclosed in ACTEW Corporation Limited’s (ACTEW) 2010-11 financial statements and annual report 2011 was referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts for inquiry. This report responded to a request from the public accounts committee at a public hearing on 2 April 2013 at which the Auditor-General undertook to provide further information relating to (1) the Auditor-General’s responsibilities in relation to ACTEW’s annual report and financial statements and (2) incorrect reporting by ACTEW of the remuneration of ACTEW’s managing director in its 2011 annual report.

The report contained two recommendations. The committee received a submission from the government dated 8 August 2013. In its submission, the government noted and supported recommendation 1 and agreed to the second recommendation. The Auditor-General’s two recommendations to address the audit findings were:

1. ACTEW should be required to include information provided in remuneration tables in its annual report in its financial statements so that it is audited by the Auditor-General.

2. Communication processes between the Government and ACTEW should be documented.

The committee is of the view that these recommendations will promote public accountability by improving transparency with respect to communication processes between ACTEW and the government, and consistency in relation to financial statement reporting.

In its report inquiring into 2011-12 annual reports, tabled on 6 June 2013, the committee considered the findings of the audit report. The committee has resolved to make no further inquiries into the audit report.

On 3 July 2012, Auditor-General’s report No 6 of 2012, Emergency department performance information, was referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts for inquiry. This report presented the results of a performance audit that examined the circumstances associated with the alleged manipulation and misreporting of emergency department performance information at the Canberra Hospital.

The report contained 10 recommendations focusing on improvements to the management of the emergency department information system, EDIS, and data integrity. The government accepted all the recommendations. The committee received a private briefing from the Auditor-General in relation to the audit report on 5 February 2013.


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