The Public Accounts Committee resolved to inquire into the matter of the Minister of Health delegating his powers under section 127 of the Health Services Act 1997 (HSA) to certain officers within the Department of Health.

This matter was raised in the Auditor General’s Report to Parliament 2001 – Volume 7. The Minister delegated his power, to approve the allocation of funds and determine the conditions for the payment of any subsidy to public health organisations, after considering the recommendations of the Director-General of Health, to the Director-General of Health and certain officers in that Department. The inquiry sought to determine whether this delegation: posed any risks to the Government; complied with best practice; and was consistent with the intention of section 127 of the HSA.