XN000022-1982-12-17 — Page 15

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1982

AT PRESENT THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PROVIDE FOR THE ESTIMATES OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE TO BE EXAMINED IN DETAIL AND FOR AMENDMENTS TO BE MADE AND REFLECTED IN THE APPROPRIATION BILL. THE PUBLIC FINANCE BILL 1982 PROVIDES THAT THE ESTIMATES SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN APPROVED UPON THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL.

THE BILL FORMALISES THE EXISTING PRACTICE WHEREBY APPROVAL OF SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS TAKEN AS SUFFICIENT AUTHORITY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCEED. WHILE THIS REMOVES THE NEED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SEEK THE SUBSEQUENT APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICH IS DONE AT PRESENT BY WAY OF A MOTION INTRODUCED BY THE FINANICAL SECRETARY ON A QUARTERLY BASIS, THE PROVISIONS WILL REMAIN IN THE STANDING ORDERS AS AN ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS ALSO EMPOWERED BY THE BILL TO APPROVE NOT ONLY SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS BUT ALSO CHANGES TO THE ESTIMATES. IT IS NOT CLEAR AT PRESENT WHOSE AUTHORITY IS REQUIRED FOR CHANGES TO THE ESTIMATES, WHICH DO NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS.

THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DELEGATION OF FINANCIAL POWERS ARE COMPLICATED AND, GIVEN THE PACE OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN RECENT YEARS, THE NEED HAS ARISEN FOR THE LIMITS OF FINANCIAL DELEGATION TO BE EXTENDED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+ IT IS NECESSARY, THEREFORE, NOT ONLY TO REDEFINE CLEARLY THE SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AUTHORITY BUT ALSO TO SIMPLIFY THE CHAIN AND METHOD OF DELEGATION AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT DEVOLVE UPON PUBLIC OFFICERS, AND THIS THE BILL SEEKS TO DO, HE EXPLAINED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT IN LATE 1978 OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EXAMINING ANNUALLY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT'S REPORT ON THE GOVERNMENT'S ACCOUNTS, AND THE INTRODUCTION IN 1979 OF THE CONCEPT OF CONTROLLING OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PUBLIC FUNDS WHICH THEY CONTROL WERE SIGNIFICANT STEPS IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC FINANCES. BUT ALTHOUGH THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ENJOYS LEGAL STATUS, THERE IS NO STATEMENT IN LAW OF THE AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONTROLLING OFFICERS.

THE BILL LAYS DOWN THE MAIN DUTIES OF CONTROLLING OFFICERS AND MAKES THEM PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR EXPENDITURE UNDER THEIR CONTROL.

ANOTHER SECTION OF THE BILL DEALS WITH THE AUTHORITY AND PROCEDURES FOR THE SURCHARGE OF PUBLIC OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR A LOSS OF PUBLIC MONEY OR PROPERTY OR FOR THE FAILURE TO COLLECT REVENUES.

SIMILAR PROVISIONS ALREADY EXIST IN FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING REGULATIONS AND NO SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES ARE PROPOSED.

DEDUCTIONS OF SURCHARGE WILL, HOWEVER, BE LIMITED TO 50 PER CENT OF AN OFFICER'S MONTHLY SALARY OR PENSION.

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