Press Release

Enhancing Transparency and Accountabilty

Thursday, 20 September 2007

The Public Accounts and Estimates Committee has finalised its review of the Victorian Government's expenditure proposals contained in the 2007-08 Budget Papers with the tabling of part three of the Report on the 2007-08 Budget Estimates by the Chair, Bob Stensholt MP in Parliament today.

This report is the third and final report on the inquiry into the 2007-08 budget estimates.

The first two parts tabled in May and June 2007 served to inform debate on the appropriation bills culminating from Budget estimates hearings conducted in May with all government Ministers.

The Chair, Bob Stensholt MP said, ‘This third and final part of the report on the 2007-08 Estimates makes an important contribution to improving transparency and accountability.'

‘For the first time key fiscal and economic matters such as productivity, economic reform and staffing are the subject of extensive analysis in a PAEC report.'

Bob Stensholt added that under each of the government's Growing Victoria Together policies the committee had subjected several key issues to in-depth analysis with recommendations.

‘There has also been for the first time significant analysis of key fiscal parameters including contingency items, efficiency initiatives and carry-over funds,' Bob Stensholt said.

‘Significantly the Committee intends to undertake in the near future a detailed examination of financial reporting with the aim of making further improvements.'

‘I commend the series of reports on the Estimates which represents a shift in timeliness of reporting and detailed analysis of important fiscal issues,' Bob Stensholt said.

Part three of the report centres on in-depth analyses undertaken by the Committee that include:

• commentary on contingency provisions, asset investment, staffing, and advertising and communications;
• coverage of a number of major themes relevant to the budget such as the National Reform Agenda and productivity improvements; and
• a detailed examination of select issues deemed to be in the public interest and categorised according to the elements of the government's Growing Victoria Together policy vision.

For further information, please contact the Chair of Public Accounts and Estimates Committee, Bob Stensholt, MP on 9625 0880 (pager).