Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to take note of the tabling of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit annual report. As the deputy chair of this committee, I'd just like to acknowledge a number of things. This year the committee has again been very busy, and it does vitally important work on behalf of the parliament and the Australian people. This year the committee's work included reviewing Australian National Audit Office reports, audit priorities of the parliament, and recommendations to government on the budget estimates of the Audit Office and the Parliamentary Budget Office. In 2022-23, the committee met 29 times and held 18 public hearings. The committee commenced eight inquiries and presented five reports as well as undertaking a range of other non-inquiry activities pursuant to its statutory duties. The committee's inquiries in 2022-23 included Foreign Affairs and Trade's crisis management arrangements, administration of Commonwealth grants, the 2021-22 Commonwealth financial statements, and Defence major projects.

In conclusion, can I thank the committee's incredibly capable, hardworking and very busy staff, very ably led by Ms Jenny Adams, the committee secretary. I also thank Dr Fiona Allen, Ms Kathleen McGarry, Dr Kilian Perrem, Dr Ashley Stephens, Mr Peter Pullen, Mr Laurence Hunt, Ms Laura Trobbiani, who is an ANAO secondee, and Ms Se Eun Lee, who's also from ANAO. It was another very busy year on this committee. I thank all the committee members and I particularly very warmly thank all the committee secretariat staff. Thank you. I seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.