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Thursday, 9 February 2012
Page: 688

Mrs D'ATH (Petrie) (12:13): I do not intend to speak at length about report 428 of theJoint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, Review of Auditor-General's reports Nos 16 to 46 (2010-11). As the chair of the committee, the member for Lyne has already spoken to this report when tabling it in the last sitting of parliament last year. In this report the committee examined the following audit reports: Audits of financial statements of Australian Government entities; The Digital Education Revolution—National Secondary Schools Computer Fund, Maintenance of the defence estate;and Management of student visas. Overall, the review of the audit of financial statements showed positive results. The committee does believe there is further opportunity for improvement in transparency and has asked the Department of Finance and Deregulation to look into improving cross-agency and cross-jurisdictional financial reporting as part of the Commonwealth financial accountability review. In relation to the Digital Education Revolution, the Australian National Audit Office found that educational authorities had reported solid progress on the installation of computers, with the overall program achieving positive results and the fund set to meet its target of providing all students in years 9 to 12 with access to a computer by the start of the 2012 academic year. With questions to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the committee was also able to clarify some of the media reporting about charges being made to parents under this fund for the use of those computers. The department was able to explain how such circumstances have arisen where a school has chosen to introduce, or had already operating, a fee structure for the use of laptops or PCs in the schools. The department's explanation confirmed that the charges were not as a result of the National Secondary Schools Computer Fund and were decisions of the individual schools in relation to access of computers to other students outside of years 9 to 12 or were for other equipment that were superior to what was provided for under the fund because of the interests of the schools and where they wanted to progress in relation to their technology. So it was the individual choice of the schools but certainly not necessary for the accessing and provision of those computers.

In relation to the maintenance of the Defence estate, the committee heard that improvements are being made and, to ensure these improvements continue, the committee has asked that the Department of Defence provide a status report to the committee within six months on their progress. Similarly, changes are being made to the collection and reporting of student visas, and we have seen some improvements in the management of student visas. However, the committee wishes to ensure that improved outcomes are being achieved through these changes. That is why the committee has asked for a progress report on the student Visa program from both the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations within six months. The progress report will assist the committee in assessing progress in light of the government's response to two major reviews impacting the program. As stated for the member for Lyne in tabling this report, overall the inquiry has demonstrated that Australian government departments and agencies are well positioned to continue meeting their financial management obligations and that departments are making progress in addressing outstanding issues highlighted in the Australia National Audit Office reports.

In closing, I once again thank the chair and the committee members for their ongoing work on the committee. I thank the Australian National Audit Office for their ongoing support and assistance to the committee, and I especially thank the secretariat for all their hard work.

I will finish by making personal mention of the committee secretary, Mr David Brunoro. David is eagerly awaiting the overdue birth of his first child. The committee wishes David and his wife well with the imminent arrival of their new baby and thanks him for his work with the committee. I understand David will be taking leave in order to spend time with his new son or daughter and his wife, and we look forward to welcoming him back to the committee in the near future.

Debate adjourned.