NSW Public Accounts Committee Chairman, Jonathan O'Dea will address the National Conference of the Australasian Study of Parliament Group this Saturday. The Conference will be held in Melbourne from this Thursday to Saturday.
"The conference will bring together over 130 Parliamentarians, academics, teachers, journalists, students and other interested individuals from across Australia. The conference theme is The Executive vs Parliament – who wins? In our open democracy, it is a most interesting question," Mr O'Dea said.
"The NSW Public Accounts Committee, which was first established in 1902, scrutinises the actions of the Executive Branch of Government on behalf of the Legislative Assembly. It recommends improvements to the efficiency and effectiveness of government activities, follows up aspects of the Auditor-General's reports to Parliament and can receive referrals from Ministers, the Legislative Assembly, the Auditor-General and itself, to undertake inquiries. It is a very powerful committee," Mr O'Dea said.
"My address will consider the nature of Public Accounts Committees, including the valuable democratic safety mechanism they provide. It will also examine six key factors which make such committees successful, including impartiality, the level of media involvement and a healthy Committee relationship with the Audit Office," Mr O'Dea said.
"While a Public Accounts Committee serves as a check on the Executive, it should complement as well as confront; support as well as scrutinise; and co-operate as well as challenge. In this way, good governance and democratic process is better promoted. Ultimately, it should not be about whether the Executive or the Parliament wins, but how they best work together so that the public wins," Mr O'Dea concluded.
For more information about the Public Accounts Committee: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au
