The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has commenced three new inquiries. These inquiries will consider the management of client privacy by public sector entities, the administration of the Age Pension, and Defence procurement.
Chair of the Committee, Mr Josh Burns MP, said that 'these inquiries address important areas identified by the Committee for further examination, including issues raised in recent Australian National Audit Office audits'.
1) Inquiry into the management of client privacy in the Australian public sector
The Committee will examine the frameworks used to identify and manage privacy risks, and meet the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988, in public sector entities that manage information on private individuals. The Committee will also examine the ability of public sector entities holding personal information to respond effectively to data breaches, cyber threats, and malicious actors.
2) Inquiry into the administration of the Age Pension
The Committee will examine the Department of Social Services' and Services Australia's administration of the Age Pension with reference to the effectiveness of oversight arrangements, processes for assessing applicant and recipient eligibility, and arrangements to communicate and manage engagement with applicants and recipients.
3) Inquiry into Defence's procurement of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (Land 400 Phase 3)
The Committee will examine any matters contained in and associated with Auditor-General Report No. 26 2025-26 Defence's Procurement of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (Land 400 Phase 3) with particular reference to whether Defence conducted an effective tender process, and whether Defence established effective contracting arrangements to support the achievement of value for money outcomes.
Submissions to these inquiries addressing their terms of reference are invited by Friday 8 May 2026.
Details of these inquiries – including terms of reference, submissions received and public hearing schedules – can be accessed on the committee's website.
