18 May 2016

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Federal Member for Grayndler
By email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au

Dear Mr Albanese

ANAO performance audit of the approval and administration of Commonwealth funding for the WestConnex Project

On 16 January 2016, you wrote to the Auditor-General requesting that the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) conduct an audit of the Commonwealth’s infrastructure investment program. You also met with him in relation to this request on 4 February 2016.

The Auditor-General has decided to conduct a performance audit of the WestConnex project under sub-section 18(1) of the Auditor General Act 1997.

The objective of the audit is to assess whether appropriate steps were taken to protect the Commonwealth's interests and obtain value for money in respect to the $3.5 billion in Commonwealth funding committed to the NSW Government for the WestConnex project. The audit criteria are depicted in the attached diagram (Attachment A).

The scope of the audit includes the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development and Infrastructure Australia. The report is expected to be tabled in the Autumn 2017 session of the Parliament.

If you have any questions regarding the audit please contact the Auditor-General’s office on 6203 7500. Alternatively, your staff may wish to contact the Executive Director responsible for the audit, Brian Boyd on 6203 7672 or Brian.Boyd@anao.gov.au. Should you wish receive further updates on this audit, please visit www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/approval-and-administration-commonwealth-funding-westconnex-project to register.

Yours sincerely

Rona Mellor PSM
Acting Auditor-General

Attachment A — Audit objective and criteria