The Public Accounts Standing Committee has released its comprehensive report on the proposed Audit Bill 2024, a landmark legislation designed to modernise Fiji’s audit framework and replace the outdated Audit Act of 1969.
This critical reform aims to align the country’s financial oversight processes with contemporary governance standards.
The new Bill focuses on improving how government finances are managed, strengthening the powers of the Auditor General, and fixing serious problems found in past audits.
Committee chairman Esrom Immanuel explained why the new law was important, saying, “The main goal of the Act is to define the salary, duties, and powers of the Auditor General, as well as set rules for auditing public accounts.”
The Bill is designed to align Fiji’s auditing practices with international standards, promoting better accountability and transparency in government work.
One of the key areas of focus in the report is the proposed amendments to the powers of the Auditor General.
The Committee has recommended several changes, to give the Auditor General more independence. Notably, Clause 6 of the Bill has been amended to replace the term ‘Attorney General’ with ‘Solicitor General’.
“Given that the Attorney General is the legal advisor of the Government, the Committee recommends that the Solicitor General replace the word Attorney General for independence purposes,” Mr Immanuel explained.
Additionally, the Committee has made it mandatory for the Office of the Auditor General to report any serious irregularities identified during audits. This amendment, changing the word ‘may’ to ‘must’ in Clause 17, now makes it mandatory for the Auditor General’s office to report serious problems found during audits.
“It is a must for the Office of the Auditor General to report any serious irregularities identified during the time of the audit, for transparency and accountability purposes.”
In its scrutiny process, the Committee analysed evidence regarding the notification of serious irregularities. This included consultations with stakeholders and public hearings, which provided insights into the current challenges faced by the Auditor General’s office.
As the Audit Bill progresses through Parliament, it promises to establish a more accountable and transparent framework for public financial management in Fiji, ensuring that the Auditor General’s office can effectively carry out its critical functions.
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts comprise Mr Immanuel, Deputy Chair Sakiusa Tubuna, Jovesa Vocea, Alvick Maharaj and Naisa Tuinaceva.
