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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-07-24 Daily Xml
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Public Finance and Audit (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 4 July 2018.)

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (17:04): I indicate that the Labor opposition is generally supportive of this bill and its endeavours to improve the timeliness and effectiveness of reporting by the Auditor-General. Currently, a report of the Auditor-General must be tabled on the next sitting day and can only be published when the report is tabled. This bill will make a change to allow the Auditor-General to publish a report after it has been delivered to the President of the Legislative Council and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, removing the requirement for tabling prior to publication. The practical effect of the amendment is the Auditor-General will be able to publish a report regardless of whether the parliament is sitting or not. I understand this amendment is based on a key concern of the Auditor-General expressed in his 2017 annual report.

This bill also proposes a number of simplification measures. The first simplification measure will allow the Auditor-General to annex documents to his report. This will significantly reduce the burden of publishing them in his annual report, which can often be in excess of 3,000 pages with relevant annexures. I understand the annexures will be available to parliament on a website determined by the Auditor-General.

The second simplification measure will require the Auditor-General to publish on a website audited financial statements of public authorities and the financial statements of the administrative unit established to assist the Auditor-General. The third simplification measure will allow the treasurer to delegate his power under the Public Finance and Audit Act to open, close and maintain deposit, specialist deposit and impressed accounts. These changes are uncontroversial and the opposition's view is that they should improve timeliness and efficiency reports of the Auditor-General.

The Auditor-General has further requested the bill adopt terminology regarding an audit that is consistent with current auditing standards in Australia and New Zealand. The term 'efficiency and economy' in the context of undertaking an audit has been refined in auditing standards in other audits acts across Australia and New Zealand as 'efficiency, economy and/or effectiveness'.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (17:06): I thank the honourable member for his indication of support on behalf of the Labor opposition. I am advised that no other members wish to speak and that there is broad support for the passage of the second reading. We thank members for their indications of support.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

Bill taken through committee without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (17:09): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.

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