5.  PPP project governance

Each PPP project will be overseen by, and be the responsibility of the relevant portfolio minister of the Australian Government agency undertaking the project. The agency undertaking the project is also responsible for the management and implementation of the project.

The Department of Finance and Deregulation (Finance) is the relevant PPP authority as defined in the national guidelines. Finance has whole-of-government responsibility for:

•  advising government on the use of PPP arrangements and the value for money of particular proposals; and

•  assisting and advising agencies with the preparation and development of PPP proposals as part of the budget process.

PPP projects will be subject to the Gateway review process, a project assurance methodology involving short, intensive reviews at critical points in the project's lifecycle, by a team of reviewers independent of the project. Gateway applies to all major projects undertaken by FMA Act agencies, including via PPPs. Further information is available at www.finance.gov.au/gateway.

The Auditor-General will have full and complete access as required to information on any Australian Government PPP project.