Public Accounts Committee to Fill Final Position, Chair Announces Members and Focus Areas

One more person is to be appointed to complete the composition of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Leader of the Opposition, Ralph Thorne, who chairs the watchdog committee said 12 of the 13 members have been selected.

In addition to Thorne, they are: Members of Parliament Marsha Caddle, Corey Lane, Edmund Hinkson, Kerrie Symmonds and Colin Jordan. From the Senate, the Government representatives are Senators Lisa Cummins, Chad Blackman and Gregory Nicholls. Senator Crystal Drakes is the lone independent representative, and the Opposition comprises its two representatives, Senators Ryan Walters and Tricia Watson.

Explaining the process, Thorne said while he was appointed by law, the other members were appointed by the two chambers of Parliament.

The Public Accounts Committee examines the audited Financial Statements of Government, which are done by the Office of the Auditor General.

“So we met on Monday, June 3rd. I want to say to you that the Auditor General was present as well. You may wish to know, or you probably do know, but I’ll tell you all the same, that the Auditor General is inextricably tied to the Public Accounts Committee. As you know, he is a preacher of the Constitution. He is not under the control of any Minister of Government, any Government Department. The Auditor General holds that office in his own right under the Constitution, so he’s not subject to the control of anyone,” Thorne.

Speaking during a media conference at his office at the Thomas Daniel Building on Hincks Street on Thursday, Thorne said Government spending would be under the microscope, particularly the $50 million on Kensington Oval and $5 million at Oistins Bay Garden. (SAT)