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Areas of responsibility of the committee
At the commencement of the 40th Parliament in May 2017, the Speaker determined and tabled a schedule showing the portfolio responsibilities of the Public Accounts Committee as being those of:
· The Premier;
· The Treasurer;
· The Minister for Finance;
· The Minister for Public Sector Management; and
· The Minister for Federal-State Relations
Annual reports of government departments and authorities tabled in the Assembly will stand referred to the relevant committee for any inquiry the committee may make.
Whenever the Public Accounts Committee receives or determines for itself fresh or amended terms of reference, the committee will forward them to each standing and select committee of the Assembly and Joint Committee of the Assembly and Council. The Speaker will announce them to the Assembly at the next opportunity and arrange for them to be place on the notice boards of the Assembly.
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Functions and powers of the committee
Establishment
At the commencement of every Parliament the Assembly will appoint a Public Accounts Committee to inquire into and report to the Assembly on any proposal, matter or thing it considers necessary, connected with the receipt and expenditure of public moneys, including moneys allocated under the annual Appropriation bills and Loan Fund.
Powers of committee
The Committee may -
1. Examine the financial affairs and accounts of government agencies of the State which includes any statutory board, commission, authority, committee, or trust established or appointed pursuant to any rule, regulation, by-law, order, order in Council, proclamation, ministerial direction or any other like means.
2. Inquire into and report to the Assembly on any question which -
(a) it deems necessary to investigate;
(b) is referred to it by a Minister; or
(c) is referred to it by the Auditor General.
3. Consider any papers on public expenditure presented to the Assembly and such of the expenditure as it sees fit to examine.
4. Consider whether the objectives of public expenditure are being achieved, or may be achieved more economically.
5. The Committee will investigate any matter which is referred to it by resolution of the Legislative Assembly.