EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Statutory Rules 1988 No. 211
Public Works Committee Regulations (Amendment)
(Issued under the authority of the Minister of State for Administrative Services)
The Public Works Commitee Act 1969 (the Act) establishes the Public Works Committee to inquire into and report on public works referred to it by the Parliament. A public work is a work that is proposed to be carried out by or for the Commonwealth and which moneys are appropriated by the Parliament.
Subsection 6A(3) of the Act provides that where the Governor-General is satisfied that an authority of the Commonwealth is engaging in trading or other activities, or is providing services, in competition with other bodies, the Governor-General may make regulations declaring that this Act does not apply to that Authority.
As part of its 1988 May Economic Statement, the Government announced a series of reforms of the Transport and Communications Government Business Enterprises (GBEs). These reforms are aimed at improving the efficiency and commercial competitiveness of GBEs within the framework that concentrates on strategic planning, setting of performance targets, enhanced accountability and the achievement of results. Within this framework, the Government has decided to remove a large number of central controls over the day-to-day management of GBEs. Consequently, the Australian Postal Commission, Aussat Pty Ltd, Overseas Telecommunications Commission and Australian Telecommunications Commission will be exempt from compliance with the Act.
The proposed amendments to the Public Works Committee Regulation will exempt the Australian Postal Commission, Aussat Pty Ltd, Overseas Telecommunications Commission and Australian Telecommunications Commission from Public Works Committee scrutiny.