|
Public Sector Governance and Accountability Research Centre |
 |
About PSGARCThe Public Sector Governance and Accountability Research Centre (PSGARC), which was founded in 2004, represents the first serious attempt anywhere in the world to address the gap in capacity building for parliamentarians. The Centre is international in outlook and membership, and when established was a world first on two levels: its primary focus is on legislators, rather than on the bureaucracy, and both academics and legislators are involved with the Centre, so that it can offer ‘peer’ support. PSGARC has as a high priority on research into public accountability issues in conjunction with accounting firm KPMG, the Centre published a report on the practices and procedures of parliamentary public accounts committees (PAC) throughout Australasia. In completing the study, the clear theme that emerged was that ‘one size does not fit all.’ However, it is possible to develop a profile of the typical PAC based on an assessment of the common characteristics. Amongst many other things, a typical PAC would have the power to initiate its own inquiry, may have a role in the appointment of the Auditor-General, would be chaired by a member of government and would require the government to respond to recommendations within three to six months. However, there was significant diversity in the approach of PACs. It emerged that PACs must adapt to their contextual needs and requirements. The independence of PACs was seen as a serious question, particularly given that throughout Australasia PACs are generally chaired by a member of government and have a majority of members from the government. Australasian PACs have been subject to rapid and continuous structural change in nature and role. This has the potential to undermine continuity and effectiveness. PACs can be classed into three groups based on their inquiry source, those that primarily follow up work of the Auditor General, those that primarily initiate own enquiries and those that are a mixture of both approaches. The source of the enquiry does not appear to significantly affect their independence or scrutiny of government. The Centre has also established its own small research grants scheme to encourage research projects around public accountability, particularly as it relates to legislative oversight. The first of these was awarded to Dr Prem Yapa, who researched the use of summons in parliamentary committees in Sri Lanka. As well as this sort of leading-edge research, the Centre has earned a solid reputation for its Summer Residency Program for Public Accounts Committees – an annual event involving parliamentary and audit office members from parliaments around the world. The training program is run in association with other organisations with an interest in legislative strengthening, including the World Bank Institute, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Centre for Democratic Institutions. It includes carefully designed study visits to Commonwealth, state and territory parliaments/legislatures in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, and allows parliamentarians from around the world to examine in-depth issues related to parliamentary oversight, public financial scrutiny and the role of PACs (and similar committees). PSGARC annual reports
|