Topic analysis

‘A watchdog without resources is not a watchdog’: Labor accused of letting key accountability body languish

The Albanese Labor government faces criticism for providing a below-inflation funding increase to the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO), a key public accountability body. Critics including independent senator David Pocock and transparency advocates warn the inadequate resourcing will lead to staff cuts, prevent the ANAO from meeting audit targets, and end critical oversight work like the Major Projects Report, while the ANAO has operated in deficit for eight years and experts call for independent funding mechanisms to safeguard its role.