Linda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit—this is not my valedictory—I rise in my capacity as Chair of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit to make a statement on the appointment of the new Auditor-General. The JCPAA has a responsibility under the Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951 to approve or reject a proposed recommendation for this appointment. The outcome of the significant statutory duty of the committee is also required to be reported to the parliament under the committee's act. As an independent officer of the parliament, the Auditor-General is responsible for ensuring accountability and transparency in the delivery of government programs and services and thus has one of the most important statutory roles in this country.

I'm pleased to advise the House that the committee has unanimously endorsed the appointment of Dr Caralee McLiesh PSM to this position. She is extremely well-qualified. I won't go through all her qualifications—I'll leave those on the record. The committee's view is that Dr McLiesh's extensive qualifications and strong track record in senior leadership in government made her eminently qualified to lead the Australian National Audit Office for the next decade.

I take this opportunity to thank the committee and also recognise the significant contribution of the previous Auditor-General, Mr Grant Hehir, who has served in the capacity with distinction since 2015. Mr Hehir showed unwavering commitment to his role and to holding public administration and the executive government to account. The committee also acknowledges the significant contribution of the Deputy Auditor-General, Ms Rona Mellor PSM, who has done an outstanding job as Acting Auditor-General.

A strong working relationship with the Australian National Audit Office is critical to this committee performing its functions and fulfilling its statutory roles. We in the JCPAA look forward to developing this relationship with Dr McLeish in the coming months.

I ask leave of the House to present a copy of my statement.

Leave granted.

I present a copy of my statement, and I'll drop it down there in a little while.