Foreword

The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) assists the Parliament by providing independent, high quality and non-partisan analysis of budgetary issues and the fiscal cost of policy proposals.

The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) Corporate Plan 2020–21 sets out our approach and priorities for the next four years (2020–21 to 2023–24) and the measures by which we will be held to account. The corporate plan is the PBO's primary planning document. Our strategic planning process allows us to flexibly respond throughout the year to changes in the needs of parliament.

Over the year ahead, we will continue to focus our published analytical work on topics designed to promote public understanding of the deteriorating fiscal situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications for the budget over the medium term. This program of work retains flexibility to ensure that the research remains relevant and timely.

In light of the rapidly evolving budget situation, the PBO has developed its capacity to provide parliamentarians with budget analysis using a medium-term scenario that takes account of the impact of COVID-19 on their policy proposals. This is particularly relevant for parliamentarians in the period leading up to the 2020–21 Budget, as there is currently a high degree of uncertainty associated with costings due to the current budget baseline. Following a year of relatively low demand for costings, a sharp increase in demand is anticipated, particularly in the lead-up to and during the general election period.

This plan outlines our key activities and the capability investments we will make to achieve our purpose. In addition, the plan provides detail about our approach to risk management, which is critical to successfully providing independent and non-partisan analysis and advice. In developing this plan we have consulted with parliamentary committees and a wide range of stakeholders, including our panel of expert advisors, to ensure our work priorities reflect the interests of Parliament and the broader community.

As the acting accountable authority of the PBO, I present the PBO Corporate Plan 2020–21, as required under paragraph 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. This plan has been prepared in accordance with section 16E of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014. This plan also serves as the PBO’s work plan for 2020–21, as required by section 64Q of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999.

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