Auditor general defends his work
(CNS): The auditor general has described his office as "the watchdog of government spending” working on behalf of the people of the Cayman. In the face of the mounting criticism and insults hurled at him by the premier, Alastair Swarbrick has declined to comment directly but has stated that his office is committed to open and transparent government and would continue its work regardless without fear or favour. In an explanatory piece posted on the office’s website, Swarbrick, who has been described as a "hit-man" by Premier McKeeva Bush, spells out what the audit office does and why. Having been in office for two years, Swarbrick is now being subjected to the same type of abuse by the premier as suffered by his predecessor, Dan Duguay.
Not only has Bush insulted Swarbrick regularly, but he has also accused him of “bureaucratic harassment" and preventing government from doing its job.
In his piece explaining his role, however, Swarbrick denies getting involved in the political process.
“We are politically neutral and therefore do not comment on government policy,” Swarbrick states. “The only time wediscuss the role of politicians is when they cross the line into the implementation and administration of policy, which is the role of civil and public servants as mandated under the Public Management and Finance Law and the Public Service Management Law."
The mandate of the Office of the Auditor General is to report on whether government has used public money properly, economically, efficiently and effectively, and to support the Legislative Assembly in its role of holding government managers to account for their use of public money.
Stressing the independence of his office, Swarbrick states that the work his team undertakes is impartial and objective and based on International Auditing Standards.
“The freedom to determine the content, timing and publication of reports is a fundamental principle of an independent audit office,” he pointed out. “It promotes transparency in the use of government resources and enables our objective findings to be made available without any political interference or manipulation.”
Pointing to the importance of ensuring the timely release of his reports, as delays can make findings obsolete and erode accountability, he said that they are all subject to a formal clearance process with the relevant officials and legal advisors to ensure factual accuracy before they are made public.
Supported by a United Nations resolution backing the independence of public audit offices around the world, Swarbrick makes it clear that he intends to continue with the work of the office and to protect its independence regardless.
For more about the auditor general and this office go to www.auditorgeneral.gov.ky
Category: Local News
Excellent job Mr. Swarbrick…and you predecessor, Mr. Duguay!
I do hope that Mr. Swarbrick and his team closely monitors the "grant for repairs fund" as I understand this review is now ongoing. I've heard of applications being made for repairs of RENTAL PROPERTIES.
They should also be doing needs assessments on these people. You can't tell me that big business people can't fix their own houses. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Mr Swarbrick keep up your good work and do not let this Govt put you under pressure.You are here to do a job for the people of these fair islands and we ask that you keep a cool head and not be intimidated by certain members of Govt.Again my personal thanks for a job well do so far.Keep it up.
Definition of a professional (in my book): a qualified individual who conducts himself in a levelheaded and sober way without losing his cool under pressure or in the face antagonism directed towards him, and one who acts with high integrity, ethical and moral standards in the execution of his duties.
Definition of a wannabe dictator / third world politician (in my book): A self-serving, bumbling idiot who lashes out and breathes fire and hell and damnation down upon the heads of all who dare to question and oppose.
You, Sir, are doing one heck of a fine job. You are the man of the hour. You, Sir, can hold your head high, knowing you are doing a great service to this country, and people are taking note of your findings and the blindfolds are falling off, slowly but surely. You understand the concept of leaving behind a legacy of good work, a good name, a good reputation, all of which are far more valuable, and more to be desired, than all the fine gold, silver and precious gems in the world, which, at the end of the day, cannot help us when our time comes to leave this earth. Pity some of our home-grown politicians and johnny-come-lately developers can't take a page out of your book and learn from you.
Dont worry Mr. Swarbrick when the two months are up and there is no proper budget, a British Frigate will appear in George Town Harbour and the UK will install someone to show Mac how to do the budget. Then out will come the silver bangles!
Oops I dont want to spoil the plot just because I can see the future…
But if you think your job is difficult, you can imagine how many people get mad at me when I have to point them in the direction of the 'red-man waving the fork'…
Stand tall, Mr. Swarbrick! The honest people of the Cayman Islands are with you.
What kind of moron would give a "thumbs down" to this comment? Oh wait, there is one I can think of . . .
And his few supporters….
Keep up the good work Mr. Swarbrick! You and Mr. Dan Duguay will be standing tall having maintained your integrity and honor long after maca$$ is gone!
Politicians are like pigs in a pen. The Auditor is the man with the stones. The one that squeals the loudest is the one that got hit. LOL. And there is a certain pig that is always squealing. Ha Ha Ha.
Anyone who attacks professional auditors doing their job as prescribed by the law has something to hide.
If the Premier doesn't like Mr Swarbrick's way of handling things he has an alternative – let the UK government take things over completely just like they did in TCI.
Keep up the good work and never mind McKeeva, Mr. Swarbrick. Anyone who happens to put his lordship in a bad light through doing their job is understandably less than crap in his eyes.
And please keep up the good work Ezzard. The fire is at long last starting starting to catch under his lordship's robust backside. In the ten minutes that my stomach was able to endure at his lordship's meeting in Bodden Town last night, the name Ezzard came out of his mouth over two hundred times. Throw dem bombs Ezzard. The boat is finally rocking.
Endure for just a little while longer Cayman. God is not dead. He is clearly teaching us some of the greatest lessons we will ever learn through this mess. And the best is certainly yet to come.
Keep up the good work and never mind McKeeva, Mr. Swarbrick. Anyone who happens to put his lordship in a bad light through doing their job is understandably less than crap in his eyes.
And please keep up the good work Ezzard. The fire is at long last starting starting to catch under his lordship's robust backside. In the ten minutes that my stomach was able to endure at his lordship's meeting in Bodden Town last night, the name Ezzard came out of his mouth over two hundred times. Throw dem bombs Ezzard. The boat is finally rocking.
Endure for just a little while longer Cayman. God is not dead. He is clearly teaching us some of the greatest lessons we will ever learn through this mess. And the best is certainly yet to come.
I especially liked his remark (some of his supporters actually found this funny) that certain other people's comments "unfortunately didn't cause him to lose weight". Sorry to inform you, Mac, but the best way in this world to lose weight is to stop being so greedy.
As above, so below.
Keep up the good work.
Mr. Auditor General, you are showing good grace under fire.
To the only man with balls in our Govt, keep up the good work.
Mr. Swarbrick, pleasedo not feel the need to defend your work to ANYONE!! YOU ALONE sir, are shining more light on the dirty deeds and goings on in this government than anyone else. I have to admit, that in the beginning, I felt you were being too quiet, but now I see you have not spent your time here since unwisely. I am not too big of a man to admit I was wrong in my initial assessment of you. You are the lone man in the wilderness that is giving people the answers they need. You will be cursed..you will be vilified…you will be threatened…but STAND FAST!! The lights have been switched on and the COCKROACHES are running for cover…