Accountability reform, parliamentary oversight and the role of performance audit in Australia

Abstract

In its Budget Paper No. 4, 2015–16: Agency Resourcing, the Australian Government sets out a ‘smaller government’ reform agenda aimed at transforming and modernising the public service while eliminating waste and duplication (Commonwealth of Australia 2015: 1). The government is methodically examining all aspects of the public sector, from the functions of agencies to how they operate and are structured. Further, specific reforms in the 2015–16 budget are making a material contribution to budget repair while improving the responsiveness and effectiveness of government. Key elements of the smaller government reforms include: 1) reducing the size of the Commonwealth