Urgency

I move, That urgency be accorded the passing through of all stages of the Annual Reporting and Audit Time Frames Extensions Legislation Bill.

The Annual Reporting and Audit Time Frames Extensions Legislation Bill is a simple bill of just seven clauses that extends certain statutory time frames in relation to the audits of Crown accounts and the annual reporting requirements of local authorities and council-controlled organisations. The bill is in response to a situation created by a shortage of auditors across Australia and New Zealand that has made it impossible for the Office of the Auditor-General to meet some forthcoming deadlines. It is essential that the bill be enacted before the forthcoming adjournment so that the Auditor-General can communicate with public entities about the impacts of the current auditor shortages. It will also allow the Auditor-General to provide assurance to his staff that the work of the office is achievable with the current resources available to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of all staff are protected. The Auditor-General cannot take these steps in anticipation of what the House might decide to do. It has to act within the confines of the law, which is why it is necessary for the bill to be enacted before the House adjourns for three weeks.