VPRS 12625 Committee Records

Full description

This series comprises the records created or collected by the Joint Committee on Public Accounts and Estimates (VA 3137). See also VPRS 12901 for records of meetings prior to 2008. The committee undertakes inquiries related to the use of public funds such as public sector accountability, financial management of the State, activities of the Auditor General and budget estimates.

Matters are referred to the committee either by resolution of the Council or the Assembly or by Order of the Governor-in-Council. The Parliamentary Committees Act 2003 also enables the committee to inquire into and report to Parliament on any annual report or other document relevant to its functions and which have been laid before either House of Parliament.

Inquiry Records

A range of documents are either created or collected by committees during each inquiry. Although the range of documents captured per inquiry will vary, the following broad categories of documents are common:

• General administrative records relating to inquiries such as the inquiry budget, memoranda, media releases, sub-committee minutes, etc.
• Background papers, such as research and reports, gathered by the Committee during initial research into the matter to be investigated
• Correspondence files relating to the investigation or organisational aspects of the inquiry
• Submissions tendered by individuals or organisations during the investigation stating their views on the issues concerned
• Submissions received in response to public hearings or issues in the final report
• Transcripts of public hearings and overseas visits made during the inquiry
• Copies of the transcripts forwarded to various participants for amendments or corrections
• Reports, including the final copy as presented to Parliament, containing the Committee's findings.

Other Committee Records

This series also includes general committee records such as correspondence, minutes and agendas of meetings of the Committee, Executive Officer reports, Annual Reports, and Committee budget papers.