At the meeting of the National Assembly Rules Committee, held on 14 October 2005, it was agreed that a separate standing Committee be established in terms of the Public Audit Act to oversee the functions of the Auditor-General.

The Subcommittee on the Review of Rules was mandated by the Rules Committee to draft the Rule amendments which would then be presented to the Speaker and circulated to parties and then put directly to the House for adoption.

The Subcommittee has concluded its consideration of the matter and presented its report to the Speaker. The report has been circulated to parties.

The following rule amendments are recommended for adoption by the House:

208 A There is a Committee on the Auditor-General, established in terms of section 10(3) of the Public Audit Act, 2004.

208 B The Committee on the Auditor-General consists of 13 members or such other number of members as the Speaker may determine with the concurrence of the Rules Committee.

208 C (1) The Committee on the Auditor-General must –

(a) maintain oversight over the Auditor-General;

(b) perform the functions and exercise the other powers as specified in the Public Audit Act, 2004.

(2) The Assembly may by resolution assign any other function, task or duty to the Committee on the Auditor-General within its area of competence.

(3) The Committee on the Auditor-General may not consider –

(a) audit reports produced by the Auditor-General;

(b) any budget or business plan other than that of the Auditor-General.

208 D A question before the Committee on the Auditor-General is decided when a quorum in terms of Rule 133 is present and there is agreement among the majority of members present.