(1)   When was the last time the Embassy in Buenos Aires was audited by a Canberra-based audit team or otherwise audited externally.

(2)   How often are the accounts of the Embassy in Buenos Aires reviewed.

(3)   Has the Embassy consistently met its budget for the last financial year.

(4)   What changes are implemented to the financial structure if budgets are not met.

(1)   May 2001.

(2)   Each account payment is approved by the Finance Manager (the A-based Senior Administrative Officer) or, in her absence, the person delegated to carry out this function. The Finance Manager also reviews, on a weekly basis, the budgetary position of the Embassy.

(3)   Yes.

(4)   If the budget of an overseas post is projected to be under-spent, funds are generally returned to the centre for reallocation to other departmental priorities. If the budget of an overseas post is projected to be over-spent, posts generally request additional funding from the centre or request approval to overspend.