1001.0 - Annual Report - ABS Annual Report, 2000-01  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/09/2001   
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Contents >> Section 6 - Appendixes >> Appendix 11 - Inquiries by Parliamentary Committees and Reports by the Auditor General

Listed below are inquiries by Parliamentary Committees which involved the ABS during 2000-01, including a summary of significant comments and recommendations relating to the ABS and a summary of action taken by the ABS.

Parliamentary Committees

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works

The proposed fitout of new leased accommodation for the ABS in Belconnen, ACT, was referred to the Committee on 29 June 2000.

On 8 September 2000, the Committee inspected the current ABS accommodation and the proposed building site. The Committee was also briefed by representatives of the ABS about the proposed fitout. Following the inspection, the Committee held a public hearing at Parliament House, Canberra.

On 11 October 2000, the Committee tabled its report entitled ‘Fitout of New Leased Premises for the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Belconnen, ACT’. The Committee made two recommendations:

    • that the fitout proceed, noting that the arrangements entered into by the ABS to acquire the fitout represented value for money and met the needs of the ABS; and
    • that an audit of the builder’s margin component of the fitout price be undertaken to demonstrate competitiveness.

The ABS accepted both recommendations. The audit has been completed.

On 8 November 2000, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration moved an Expediency Motion in response to the Committee’s report, proposing that the fitout proceed.

Public Accounts and Estimates Committee, Victoria: Follow-up inquiry into environmental accounting and reporting

The ABS provided a submission to the Inquiry in July 2000. ABS officers also appeared before the Committee in October 2000. The Committee’s report has yet to be finalised.

House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration

In its report entitled ‘Review of the Reserve Bank of Australia: Interim Report: The Wagga Wagga Hearing’ the Committee recommended that the ABS investigate methods for ensuring the sample used for calculating the Consumer Price Index includes regional areas and implement the appropriate changes to achieve this.

The Government’s response to the Committee has yet to be finalised.

Senate Select Committee on Superannuation and Financial Services

ABS officers appeared before the Committee in February 2001 and subsequently provided it with additional information. The Committee’s report has yet to be finalised.

House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs: Inquiry into Substance Abuse in Australian Communities

The ABS provided a statement to the Inquiry and attended a round table discussion in May 2001. The Committee’s report has yet to be finalised.

Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit: Review of Accrual Budget Documentation

The ABS provided a submission to the Review in May 2001. ABS officers also appeared before the Committee in June 2001. The Committee’s report has yet to be finalised.

Ministerial Committee on Government Communications

The ABS provided information on the proposed media campaign for the 2001 Census of Population and Housing to the Committee in June 2001.

Reports by the Auditor General

There were no adverse reports or comments made by the Auditor General during 2000-01.



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