Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, I am pleased to advise the Senate of the committee's deliberations and subsequent approval of the appointment of Ms Jenny Wilkinson as the Parliamentary Budget Officer. The Senate will be aware section 64XA of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 requires the presiding officers to seek the approval of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit when appointing the Parliamentary Budget Officer. The committee welcomes the announcement of the President of the Senate today confirming the appointment of Ms Wilkinson and associates itself with his remarks.

The purpose of the Parliamentary Budget Officer is to increase transparency and support informed public debate by providing independent and non-partisan analysis of the budget cycle, fiscal policy and the financial implications of proposals. As the committee responsible for parliamentary oversight of the Parliamentary Budget Office, the JCPAA is of the view that Ms Wilkinson's appointment will continue the strong and astute leadership of the Parliamentary Budget Office. Following its meeting with Ms Wilkinson, the committee unanimously agreed to the appointment. The committee considers Ms Wilkinson's economic and fiscal-related background, complemented by a diversity of public-policy roles, will allow Ms Wilkinson to steward the PBO through its next phase. The committee is confident in Ms Wilkinson's knowledge, skills and expertise and believes that in the position of Parliamentary Budget Officer Ms Wilkinson will ensure the PBO continues to produce relevant work that affirms the independent and non-partisan nature of the PBO.

Since 2013 Ms Wilkinson has performed senior executive roles with the Commonwealth Treasury, including in the macroeconomic and fiscal groups. During her time as a Commonwealth public servant Ms Wilkinson has been responsible for delivering a number of high-profile economic reforms. Prior to joining the Public Service, Ms Wilkinson worked for the Reserve Bank of Australia, where she held various positions including that of Deputy Head, Economic Analysis Department.

The committee looks forward to working with Ms Wilkinson upon her commencement with the PBO. In welcoming Ms Wilkinson the committee would also like to acknowledge the very fine contribution made by Mr Phil Bowen, the inaugural Parliamentary Budget Officer, to the establishment and formative years of the Parliamentary Budget Office. Mr Bowen has led the PBO for five years since mid-2012.

At this important juncture it is worth reflecting on the tremendous achievement to our democratic discourse that has been provided by the Parliamentary Budget Office during Mr Bowen's tenure. The recent report of the independent review panel of the Parliamentary Budget Office undertaken by Dr Ian Watt AC remarked:

The PBO is regarded as an independent and non-partisan organisation that produces rigorous analysis relevant to public policy debate.

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… the PBO has been a successful institutional development in Australian governance … and has filled a significant gap in Australia's public policy landscape.

On behalf of the committee I would like to thank Mr Bowen for his strong leadership and for his effective and faultless commitment to the office's effective operations since its inception. The committee wishes Mr Bowen all the best for his future endeavours.