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Listed below are inquiries by Parliamentary Committees which involved the ABS during 2003-04. Parliamentary Committees In July 2003 the ABS provided comments to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources on several recommendations contained in the report which were relevant to the conduct of Innovation, and Research and Development surveys by the ABS. The government response to the report was tabled in parliament on 1 April 2004. Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters: Inquiry into Representation of the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory in the House of Representatives In August 2003 the ABS provided a submission to the Inquiry and also appeared before the Committee. A supplementary submission was provided to the Committee in September 2003 which was followed by a further appearance before the Committee. The Committee's report was finalised in November 2003. The report included recommendations that amendments be made to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to require the Statistician to advise the Electoral Commissioner of the margin of error associated with the population estimates for the Territories at the time of supplying the latest statistics. The margin of error is to be incorporated into the determination of seats when a Territory falls short of quota. The government response to the report was tabled on 25 March 2004. The recommendations were supported by the government and the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Representation in the House of Representatives) Bill 2004 received Royal Assent on 20 April 2004. Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit: Management of Integrity of Electronic Information in the Commonwealth In October 2003 information was provided to the Committee in relation to computer related security breaches. The Committee's report was tabled in parliament on 1 April 2004. The government response to the report is yet to be finalised. Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee: Inquiry into Australian Expatriates In February 2004 the ABS provided a submission to the Committee on the extent of the Australian diaspora. The Committee is due to report in September 2004. Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee: Report on the Foreign Affairs and Trade White Paper - Advancing the National Interest In March 2004 the ABS provided information to the Treasurer in relation to the government response to recommendation 4 of the report concerning the enumeration in the Australian population census of Australians living overseas. At 30 June 2004 the government response to the report was yet to be finalised.
There were no adverse reports or comments made by the Auditor General during 2003-04.
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