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  by pltm
• Sep 19, 2019
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(PLTM) - It has been explained that a current lopsided scenario is preventing the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) from forming. The PAC is usually chaired by the Leader of the Opposition and is tasked with examining public audits and projects; and has the power to invite ministers, permanent secretaries or senior civil servants before it for questioning.

The disclosure about why this entity has not been formed was made by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Marlon Penn during a public meeting.

In response to a question about the PAC during a recently held public meeting that was held in Road Town, Hon. Penn mentioned that efforts are being made to have the committee formed.

“We had an informal meeting this week (last week). We have a Standing Orders meeting scheduled for September 24, where there is supposed to be an adjustment to the Standing Orders for us to be able to start to get the Public Accounts Committee going,” the Leader of the Opposition explained.

Hon. Penn said that the Public Accounts Committee is expected to be constituted following Standing Orders amendments.

“Hopefully after September 24 and the Standing Orders Committee meets, the next House of Assembly sitting we will be able to have a constituted Public Accounts Committee, so we can start to really dive into the projects and the finances of the Territory and bring reports.”

In explaining the lopsided situation, the Leader of the Opposition pointed out that currently, only one member of Government can sit on the PAC.

“The issue that we had was a numbers issue. Right now, you have an eight to five – eight members in the Government and five members in the Opposition. Right now, only one member from the Government is eligible to sit on the Public Accounts Committee, because the Standing Orders say that no Minister is allowed to be on the Public Accounts Committee--you have five Ministers from Government, and two Junior Ministers who have the same responsibilities as a Minister.”

“You would have had a situation where you have a lopsided Public Accounts Committee, because you need a minimum of five persons. So, you’ll have four persons from the Opposition and just the one sole member from the Government. We’re making the adjustment in the Standing Orders to be able to have less than five members. We will eventually have about four members – so one less member. We give it the adjustment so that in future if we have 11-2; like we’ve had in the past--that you have the leverage to go up or down in terms of the members. You will have four members, where the Chairman would have a deciding vote in case of a tie,” Hon. Penn further explained.

Under the current Standing Orders, PAC is comprised of five members—three from the Opposition and two from the Government

It is now expected that the Standing Orders Committee is going to meet, make the mentioned adjustment, and a resolution taken to the House to have the Public Accounts Committee constituted.

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