External scrutiny

External audit

During 2017–18, the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) reported on two PM&C portfolio-specific performance audits:

  • Supporting good governance in Indigenous corporations (tabled 12 July 2017)
  • Management of the Australian Government’s Register of Lobbyists (tabled 14 February 2018).

PM&C was involved in four multi-portfolio performance audits:

  • Design and monitoring of the National Science and Innovation Agenda (tabled 27 September 2017)
  • The design and implementation of the Community Development Programme (tabled 31 October 2017)
  • Design and governance of the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund (tabled 28 February 2018)
  • Effectiveness of monitoring and payment arrangements under National Partnership Agreements (tabled 24 May 2018).

Judicial decisions and other external scrutiny

PM&C has not been subject to any judicial decisions or decisions of administrative tribunals or the Information Commissioner in 2017–18 that have had, or may have, a significant effect on PM&C’s operations.

Other external scrutiny

The Home Affairs and Integrity Agencies Legislation Amendment Bill was introduced into the Parliament by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on 7 December 2017. On 8 December 2017, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull referred the Bill to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) for inquiry and report. Together with the Department of Home Affairs and the Attorney-General’s Department, PM&C provided two submissions to the committee, in January and March 2018, and attended a hearing on 9 February 2018.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security made a number of recommendations in its two reports (tabled on 26 February and 28 March 2018), all of which were accepted by the Government in full. The Bill passed the Parliament on 9 May 2018. Further information and transcripts are available on the PJCIS web page.

The Finance and Public Administration References Committee delivered its report on Appropriateness and effectiveness of the objectives, design, implementation and evaluation of the Community Development Program (CDP) on 14 December 2017.

Entities subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) are required, under Part II of the Act, to publish information as part of the Information Publication Scheme. Information including an Agency Plan showing what information is published, is available on the Department’s website.