ABSTRACT
This chapter traces the process by which Treasury emerged as a 'problem' with respect to its overseeing of public finance and how this then prompted debate over the entire system of public expenditure management. Treasury instructions, directions, and regulations formed a 'manual of guidelines on accounting matters' which retained control and uniformity in accounting matters. Treasury's objective in this gatekeeper role was to ensure expenditure accorded with parliamentary appropriations and remained consistent with traditional bookkeeping and budgetary practices. Treasury's interest in the control and management of public expenditure occurred largely by default. The expansion of government commitments in the post-war period gradually increased sensitivity toward the magnitude of expenditure and need for aggregate controls. Treasury acknowledged its primary responsibility was in overseeing the public purse, and the department relied on the Accounting and Supply Division to provide advice 'in relation to the Public Account'.
