Governor backs Auditor General

(CNS): Governor Stuart Jack has issued a statement of support for Auditor General Dan Duguay following the publication of his report, The State of Financial Accountability Reporting, which states that he agrees with the Auditor General that audited financial statements are important for the accountability of government and hence for good governance.

The report, which found most government entities have fallen short in some way of the legal accounting requirements for reporting government spending as set out in the Public Management and Finance Law (PMFL).

“While there may have been reasons in the past, the present delays in finalising those statements cannot be allowed to continue. The Governor has carefully considered the issues raised in the Auditor General’s Special Report and has discussed them with the Financial Secretary,” the statement reads.

“The Governor welcomes the efforts now underway to resolve this issue. He is pleased that there will be hearings in the Public Accounts Committee. He expects Chief Officers and Chief Financial Officers of all government entities to give the highest priority to quick progress towards meeting the requirements of the law and of financial accountability to the Legislative Assembly, particularly the Public Accounts Committee and the public.”