Auditor-General of New South Wales

Auditor General of New South Wales

The Auditor-General helps New South Wales Parliament hold government accountable for its use of government resources.

The Auditor-General is responsible for audits and related services, and also provides certain assurance services for Commonwealth grants and payments to the State under Commonwealth legislation.

Peter Achterstraat was appointed the Auditor–General of New South Wales on 25 September 2006. Before joining the Audit Office of New South Wales, he was the Chief Commissioner State Revenue for New South Wales from July 1999.

Auditor General of New South Wales Incumbent Peter Achterstraat since 2006 Appointer as Governor General of Canada onadvice of the Prime Minister

Term length 10 years during pleasure of the Governor General; mandatory retirement at age 65 Formation 1878 Salary $443,990/year (2011) (Equal to that of aPuisne judge of the Supreme Court of Canada)[1][2]

The Role of the Audit Office of New South Wales

The Audit Office of New South Wales, a statutory authority established under the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, conducts the audits for the Auditor-General. The Audit Office reports directly to parliament on the New South Wales government’s financial statements and use of public money.

The Auditor-General of New South Wales is responsible for audits and related services. The Audit Office conducts financial and performance audits, principally under the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and the Corporations Act 2001 , and examines allegations of serious and substantial waste of public money under the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994.

[Appointment under the Act - BARRY]

Principal Legislation

The role of the Audit Office of New South Wales is set by the Parliament of New South Wales. We are independent of the executive government and report directly to parliament providing assurance about NSW government operations.

The Auditor-General and the Audit Office of New South Wales operate under the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983. The most recent significant change to this legislation was in 2004, giving the Auditor-General the power to employ staff directly.

Office

Auditors General are appointed by the Governor General in Council (cabinet) for 10 year terms during good behaviour. However, removal of an Auditor General requires the approval of both the House of Commons and Senate. Auditors General can only serve one term and cannot be reappointed to the position. On November 4, 2011, the Prime Minister appointed Michael Ferguson, former Auditor General of the province of New Brunswick, as Auditor General of Canada, effective November 28, 2011. Peter Achterstraat was appointed the Auditor–General of New South Wales on 25 September 2006. Before joining the Audit Office of New South Wales, he was the Chief Commissioner State Revenue for New South Wales from July 1999. The previous Auditor General, Sheila Fraser, was appointed on May 31, 2001. She can likely lay claim to being the most popular Auditor General of Canada of all time, being voted 66th place in The Greatest Canadian. The Office of the Auditor General of Canada was named one of "Canada's Top 100 Employers" by Mediacorp Canada Inc. five years in a row (2008-2012), and was featured in Maclean's newsmagazine.[3]

Legislative Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a current statutory committee of the Legislative Assembly, established 4 Sep 1902, re-established 22 June 2011. The Public Accounts Committee has responsibilities under Part 4 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 to inquire into and report on activities of Government that are reported in the Total State Sector Accounts and the accounts of the State’s authorities.

The Committee, which was first established in 1902, scrutinises the actions of the Executive Branch of Government on behalf of the Legislative Assembly.

The Committee recommends improvements to the efficiency and effectiveness of government activities. A key part of Committee activity is following up aspects of the Auditor-General’s reports to Parliament. The Committee may also receive referrals from Ministers, the Legislative Assembly and the Auditor-General to undertake inquiries.

History

For more than 180 years, the Audit Office of New South Wales has been assisting the Parliament of New South Wales hold government accountable for its use of public resources. This is done by reporting directly to parliament on audits of government financial reports and performance.

1824 | William Lithgow appointed Colonial Auditor-General, to compile and examine the colony’s accounts and report on government departments to the Governor.

1855 | The UK Constitution Act 1855 formalised government in New South Wales, and the Auditor-General made a member of the government.

1870 | Powers and duties of the Auditor-General first set in legislation, in the Audit Act 1870.

1902 | Audit Act 1902 prohibited the Auditor-General from being a member of the Executive Council or of parliament.

1929 | Audit (Amendment) Act 1929 changed the tenure of office of the Auditor-General from life to ceasing at 65. Position of Assistant Auditor-General created.

1984 | Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 established the Auditor-General’s Office (6 January 1984).

1989 | Auditor-General’s Office declared a statutory body, allowing it to be both more independent and more commercial.

1991 | The Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 expanded the Auditor-General’s role to include performance audits, limited tenure to seven years, and prevented acceptance of any other post in the NSW public service.

2001 | Auditor-General’s role expanded to reporting on issues of waste, probity and financial judgement.

2004 | Auditor-General given power to employ staff directly, and set wages and conditions.

List of Auditors-General of New South Wales

Auditor-General	Appointed	Departed
Peter Achterstraat	2006	-
Robert Sendt	1999	2006
Anthony Harris	1992	1999
Kevin Fennell	1992	1992
Kenneth Robson	1985	1992
Jack O'Donnell	1980	1985
William Henry	1977	1980
Daniel Fairlie	1968	1977
Victor Cohen	1967	1968
William Mathieson	1963	1967
William Campbell	1950	1963
Edmund Swift	1942	1949
John Spence	1928	1942
Frederick Coglan	1915	1928
John Vernon	1903	1915
Edward Rennie	1883	1903
Christopher Rolleston	1864	1883
William Mayne	1856	1864
Terence Murray	1856	1856
George Nicholls	1856	1856
Francis Merewether	1852	1856
William Lithgow	1824	1852

External Links

Audit Office of New South Wales Latest publications Parliament of New South Wales

Public Accounts Committee ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) Public Sector Governance-Better Practice Guide