WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1984
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IF A VEHICLE FAILS AN EXAMINATION, THE FEE FOR A FURTHER EXAMINATION SHOULD BE DOUBLE, UNDER THE PRESENT PROVISIONS. THIS IS TO BE DELETED AS THE PAYMENT OF A SECOND FEE AND THE INCONVENIENCE OF RE-PRESENTING A VEHICLE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO DETER MISUSE OF THE EXAMINATION AS A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK TO GET BY WITH MINIMUM REPAIRS.
IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE TO FORGE A DRIVING LICENCE OR MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS ABOUT CANCELLATION, TRANSFER OR RETENTION OF A REGISTRATION MARK.
* CERTAIN OTHER MINOR AMENDMENTS ARE ALSO MADE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
PUBLIC TO SEE WHERE THE MONEY GOES
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UNDER A BILL GIVEN A SECOND READING BY THE COUNCIL TODAY, THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT'S REPORT MUST, IN FUTURE, BE LAID BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND PUBLISHED BEFORE THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE HOLDS PUBLIC SESSIONS.
THE AUDIT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 WAS MOVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS.
+SINCE 1971, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, ACTING THROUGH THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, HAVE BECOME ALERT WATCHDOGS OVER PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
+EACH YEAR THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT SCRUTINISES THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS LOOKING BOTH FOR IRREGULARITIES AND ALSO VALUE FOR MONEY.
*THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE THEN CALLS THE CONTROLLING OFFICERS BEFORE IT AND FOLLOWS UP THE DIRECTOR'S QUERIES BY TAKING EVIDENCE,+ MR THOMAS SAID.
HE SAID THE COMMITTEE REACHED ITS OWN CONCLUSIONS ON THE QUERIES RAISED BY THE DIRECTOR. THE COMMITTEE AND THE DIRECTOR'S REPORTS WERE THEN PUBLISHED AT THE SAME TIME.
THE COMMITTEE HAD DECIDED ITS HEARINGS SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN PUBLIC WITH FULL MEDIA COVERAGE, AND THE ADMINISTRATION FULLY SUPPORTED THIS DECISION, HE SAID.
+NOW TO THE BILL AND WHY IT IS NECESSARY. TO ACCOMPLISH OPEN SESSIONS MEANS CHANGING THE LAW GOVERNING AUDIT PROCEDURES.
/+WHAT IS