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

Criticism of budget funding comes amid warnings the Australian National Audit Office will struggle to meet its targets for independent reviews

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Labor has been accused inadequately funding one of the central institutions safeguarding public administration, with transparency advocates and independent David Pocock criticising commitments for the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) in this week’s budget.

Parliament’s Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has previously warned the Albanese government that the auditor general’s financial position is unsustainable and of “serious concern” – even as the number of government agencies and functions subject to oversight expands significantly.