What is the PSGARC?
The Public Sector Governance and Accountability Research Centre, located at La Trobe University's Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus, is an exciting concept aimed at improving the capacity of elected representatives to carry out their role of scrutiny of the actions of executive government. Accountability is central to democratic government. It can remove the 'mystique' of government and open it up to its citizens. Accountability can lead to better decision making by government, and can be a significant factor in minimising the potential for mismanagement and corruption.
The PSGARC is international in outlook, and is unique in two ways. Firstly, its primary focus is on legislators, rather than on the bureaucracy. Secondly, it involves both academics and legislators within the Centre, so that it can offer 'peer' support to those wishing to use its services. This is because the Centre results from an initiative of legislators themselves.
- To conduct and promote research into issues of accountability and
governance within the public sector, and especially of the role of
Members of Parliament in these issues.
- To conduct seminars and training workshops for the members and staff
of Public Accounts Committees, and especially for those of Australia,
New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region, aimed at promoting practice
that contributes to accountability, openness and transparency of governments.
- To facilitate the study of such issues by staff and postgraduate
students at La Trobe University.
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