Audit committee to probe Defence reform lag

A senior Defence chief has been recalled to front a parliamentary committee investigating reform lags in military capability development.
 
Federal Parliament’s Joint Committee on Public Accounts and Audit is examining the findings of the Australian National Audit Office report, Capability Development Reform 2013-14.

Vice Admiral, Peter Jones, Chief of Defence’s Capability Development Group will appear before the inquiry at a public hearing today, Monday April 7.

The Committee has recalled Vice Admiral Jones to answer further questions following an initial hearing March 6.
 
Committee chair, Dr Andrew Southcott, said he was disappointed at the results of the most recent audit into capability development reform, which is one of the highest spending area for the Commonwealth Government.
 
“Defence’s ability to deliver military capability on time and on budget has been a significant concern to successive Governments. The initial project selection and advice to government is critical to the success to the whole lifetime of defence acquisition and maintenance.
 
The lack of appropriate skills, and problems of accountability have been recurring themes in numerous independent, internal and parliamentary reviews,” Dr Southcott said.
 
The committee will conduct a second hearing to examine the reasons for reform lag and whether recent reforms will result in lasting change.
 
Dr Southcott said that with expenditure in the multi-billions of dollars the Government, the Parliament and the public are entitled to high standards of accountability.
 
‘In times of fiscal constraint, effective control over the defence budget is essential to ensure Australians see value for their tax dollar and has an effective Defence Force,’ he said.
 
More information about the hearings can be found at the committee’s website www.aph.gov.au/jcpaa. The hearing will be broadcast live at: www.aph.gov.au/live