Public Finance and Audit Act 1987

Subject to subsections (3) and (4), every public authority must, within 42 days after the end of the financial year of the authority, deliver to the Auditor‑General financial statements relating to that financial year that comply with the Treasurer's instructions.

The financial statements must be accompanied by a certificate as to compliance with the requirement that the statements—

are in accordance with the accounts and records of the authority; and

comply with relevant Treasurer's instructions; and

comply with relevant accounting standards; and

present a true and fair view of the financial position of the authority at the end of the financial year and the result of its operations and cash flows for the financial year.

The certificate must be signed by—

the Chief Executive Officer of the public authority; and

the officer responsible for the financial administration of the public authority; and

if the public authority has a governing body comprised of a number of persons—the person entitled to preside at meetings of the governing body.

A person who intentionally or recklessly provides the Auditor‑General with a certificate that does not comply with subsection (2) is guilty of an offence. Maximum penalty: $5 000.

A certificate under subsection (2) must include a statement as to the effectiveness of the internal controls employed by the authority for the financial year over its financial reporting and its preparation of the financial statements.

The Treasurer must deliver the financial statements of SAFA to the Auditor‑General when delivering the Treasurer's statements under section 22.

The administrative unit established to assist the Auditor‑General in carrying out the Auditor‑General's functions under this Act must deliver its financial statements to the Treasurer.