+
11
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1980
SHIFTING ROLE OF UNOFFICIALS
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UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE INVITED TO EXERCISE A SUPERVISORY-CUM-MONITORING ROLE OVER THE PERFORMANCE AND NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL OR GROUPS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE HON LYDIA DUNN SAID,
SHE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE GREATER USE MADE OF UNOFFICIALS IN RECENT YEARS IMPLIES THAT THEIR ROLE IS SHIFTING FROM BEING PURELY ADVISORY TO BEING QUASI-EXECUTIVE.
SHE BELIEVED THIS TO BE APPROPRIATE AS IT HARNESSES THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ASSIST WITH THE INCREASINGLY COMPLEX TASKS OF GOVERNMENT+.
IT ALSO PREPARES THE WAY FOR WHAT MISS DUNN BELIEVED SHOULD BE THE NEXT STAGE IN THE PARTICIPATION OF UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS IN THE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT.
+THAT STAGE SHOULD PROVIDE FOR INDIVIDUAL UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO BE INVITED TO EXERCISE A SUPERVISORY-CUM-MONITORING ROLE OVER THE PERFORMANCE AND NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS OR GROUPS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS.+
BUT MORE IMPORTANT, MISS DUNN STRESSED, THE EFFECT OF SUCH APPOINTMENT WOULD BE TO BLUNT THE ARGUMENT, PUT FORWARD ON PURELY POLITICAL GROUNDS, THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN ELECTIVE ELEMENT IN THE HIGHER COUNCILS OF GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THE ADMINISTRATION MORE ACCOUNTABLE.
+I SAY THIS BECAUSE, IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, WHETHER WE BELIEVE IN AN ELECTIVE SYSTEM OR NOT, WHAT WE ARE ALL CONCERNED WITH IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED IN THE WAY I HAVE SUGGESTED.+
THE GROUND RULES FOR SUCH A ROLE AND LIAISON ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY SPELLED OUT, SHE SAID.
+BUT, FOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO HAVE SUCH A ROLE AS OF AGREED RIGHT WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH THE GROWING TENDENCY FOR THEM TO DEVELOP SPECIALISED INTERESTS, WOULD INJECT MEANING INTO THE UMELCO SYSTEM OF STANDING AND AD HOC GROUPS, AND WOULD COMPLEMENT THE EFFORTS OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT AND THE ANNUAL PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE EXERCISE.
+ IT IS TRUE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT IS CONCERNED THESE DAYS WITH MUCH MORE THAN VERIFYING THE ACCOUNTS AND CHECKING THAT EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN PROPERLY AUTHORISED.
+ BUT I THINK THE ASSISTANCE OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS SHOULD HELP TO ENSURE THAT MONEY REALLY IS WELL SPENT AND TO PREVENT WHAT MAY BE EQUALLY DAMAGING, NAMELY, UNDERSPENDING.✦
THE TRADITIONAL