True

COMMITTEE'S CONSIDERATION

The committee has considered Auditor-General Report 4: 2024-25 Energy 2024 and has determined to take no further action in relation to the report. Further details are included in the committee's Report No. 6, 58th Parliament – Consideration of Auditor-General Reports to Parliament.

OVERVIEW

Role of the Auditor-General 

The role of the Auditor-General is to provide parliament with independent assurance of public sector accountability and performance. This is achieved through reporting to parliament on the results of its financial and performance audits. 

About the Auditor-General Report

This report summarises the audit results of Queensland’s state-owned energy entities. These entities generate, transmit, and distribute electricity for Queensland, and provide retail services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. This report also outlines the progress on Queensland’s transition to renewable energy to October 2024.

The QAO found the financial statements of the energy entities are reliable and comply with relevant reporting requirements. All energy entities met the legislative deadlines for signing their financial statements.

The QAO identified more security issues in systems and processes (internal controls) than the previous year because they tested more systems and identified similar issues across multiple systems. They also found that entities had not addressed the root causes of deficiencies from prior years.

The QAO found generators and retailer improved their profitability, but the transmission entity had a lower profit and the distribution entity reported a loss.

The QAO also reported that the first annual progress statement in September 2024 indicated that the state is on track to meet its renewable energy targets under the current legislation, despite some delays in the milestones originally scheduled for completion in 2024.

Referral to Committee 

Standing Order 194B provides that the Committee of the Legislative Assembly shall as soon as practicable after a report of the Auditor-General is tabled in the Assembly refer that report to the relevant portfolio committee(s) for consideration. 

The committee is responsible under section 94 of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001 for assessing the integrity, economy, efficiency and effectiveness of government financial management by examining government financial documents and considering reports of the Auditor-General.

The Auditor-General tabled this report on 27 September 2024, prior to the dissolution of the 57th Parliament on 1 October 2024. The Committee of the Legislative Assembly referred this Auditor-General’s report to the committee on 20 February 2025 for consideration.