Listed below are inquiries by Parliamentary Committees which involved the ABS during 2001-02, including a summary of significant comments and recommendations relating to the ABS and a summary of action taken by the ABS.
Parliamentary Committees
Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit: Review of Accrual Budget Documentation
The ABS provided further information to the Committee in July 2001, in addition to a submission provided in May 2001.
The Committee’s report was tabled in Parliament on 19 June 2002. The Committee made eleven recommendations aimed at improving the transparency and accountability of government agencies and the Government’s accounts. There were no recommendations specific to the ABS.
Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Australia’s Relations with the Middle East
In November 2001 the ABS provided information to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for inclusion in a response to the Committee in relation to a recommendation that DFAT and the Department of Defence discuss the use of the category ‘Confidential Item’ for both imports and exports with the ABS, to produce more meaningful trade statistics. The Government’s response to the Committee has yet to be finalised.
Reports by the Auditor General
There were no adverse reports or comments made by the Auditor General during 2001-02.