The Accountability Priorities of Federal Parliamentarians and Whether They are Reflected in the Commonwealth Budgetary and Reporting Framework

Changes to Commonwealth budgeting and reporting frameworks have sought to shift the focus of government accountability towards greater accountability for results and less for inputs and processes. The project will analyse Senators questions at estimates committee hearings over the last two decades and will provide evidence about what types of issue Senators have actually wished to pursue with ministers and officials. It will also indicate whether the focus of Senators interests has altered with changes in the frameworks. Conclusions can then be drawn about whether the new accountability agenda accords with the public s priorities and whether it weakens or strengthens the democratic accountability of government.