David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. In recent years we've seen scandals across the Public Service—robodebt, mismanagement of procurement in Home Affairs, continual blowouts in defence projects and the recent questionable contracts in Services Australia and the NDIA. Now there is a change in government. Is this government—and, please, for the answer this government, not the last government—satisfied that the ANAO has an adequate budget to ensure Commonwealth departments are operating legally and ethically?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pocock for his interest in this issue. He has gone through in some significant detail all of the scandals that beset the previous government. The budget for the ANAO is going to be the subject of budget discussions, and, of course, you'll know in a very short period of time what the budget position will be for all of these organisations. But I've had some dealings with the organisation, and we saw through the sports rorts organisation the good work that they did. Since coming to office, I've had responsibility, Senator Pocock, for the PEMS system. The PEMS system was supposed to computerise the way in which, for instance, our travel allowance payments were made. We discovered very quickly on coming to office—

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Point of order on relevance, President. My question was about the ANAO, not the PEM system.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister has referred to the ANAO, but I'll remind him of your question.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If you'd let me finish my answer, Senator Pocock, the point of reference to the PEMS system is that I have asked the organisation to investigate why it is that a project that is meant to simplify and speed up the way in which these payments are made has not done that and continues to cost the Australian public million and millions of dollars. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, first supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. Has the government been approached by the Auditor-General or any ANAO executive to request additional funding?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pocock for his first supplementary question. These are issues that the finance minister is particularly concerned with. My understanding is that she has received some representations in this regard. That would not be unsurprising, because in the lead up to the preparation for a budget all of these issues will no doubt be considered by not only the finance minister but the Treasurer in the preparation for the budget that is coming up in May.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, a second supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is my understanding that the ANAO has completed just 16 out of 42 reports for this financial year, so that means there are 26 to be completed in the next three months. Outside of the budget process, in principle, does the Labor government support fully funding the ANAO to ensure that it can undertake its vital task in our democracy?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pocock for his second supplementary question. We in opposition relied very heavily on the work that the ANAO did. They did have the resources to do very thorough investigations, and, of course, we saw the results of the sports rorts investigations and the scandal that was associated with that, which regrettably cost Senator McKenzie her ministry, but we—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Order across the chamber! Order across the chamber!

Senator Smith, I'm not sure whether the minister has concluded. I will check. Minister Farrell, have you concluded your answer?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think I have run out of time.