Autonomy and control in three Australian Capital Territory-based integrity agencies

Abstract

This article discusses the cases of three integrity agencies in one Australian jurisdiction and the means by which control is exercised and autonomy guaranteed. Integrity agencies include audit and ombudsman offices that have checking and vetting responsibilities over other parts of the administrative system. From the cases studied, it was evident that legislative arrangements were formally designed to provide considerable protections for the operational autonomy of all three integrity agencies, but that government control was primarily exercised through the appropriation of agency funds via parliamentary mechanisms. The cases also revealed that control can be, perhaps, more political and unpredictable when the government of the day dominates the parliament and its role in budget appropriation. What also emerged was the importance of other controls such as professional codes of conduct and the significance of securing ‘real’ autonomy with the development of the reputation, esteem and professional linkages by the integrity agencies themselves.

Keywords:

• integrity
• autonomy
• control
• Australian Capital Territory
• Australia

Notes

1. Wettenhall has calculated that usually this figure has been as high as 75% (Wettenhall and Aulich 2009).

2. The ACT is one of two Territories, which together with six states form governments at the intermediate level in the Australian federation. The parliament of the ACT is referred to as the ‘Legislative Assembly’.

3. Bills were introduced into the national parliament in 1998 and 2003 but on both occasions were defeated in the upper house, the Senate.

4. The structure of ACT Government is unusual, as all agencies, even the larger ones, are required to use centrally provided services such as IT, recruitment and procurement.

5. Of course, there is no guarantee that the PAC's recommendations will be supported by the Government and, in recent years, recommendations from both the PAC and the Estimates Committee for substantial increases to the budget of the Office have not been accepted by the Treasurer.

6. The dividend is an annual reduction in operating costs of all departments and agencies, unless specifically exempted.

7. In relation to dismissal, the Governor-General can only act in accordance with a resolution of both houses of the national parliament.