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Constitution and Administration

Value for money audits are intended to provide independent information, advice and assurance about the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which any government bureau, department, agency, other public body, public office or audited organisation has discharged its functions. Except for some public organisations where the Director of Audit has statutory authority to conduct value for money audits, these audits are carried out according to a set of guidelines agreed by the Director of Audit, the Public Accounts Committee and the government and tabled in the Provisional Legislative Council in 1998.

After the Director of Audit's report has been submitted to the President of the Legislative Council and laid before the council, it is considered by the Public Accounts Committee. In 2013, the director submitted three reports: one on the audit certification of the government's accounts for the preceding financial year and two on the results of value for money audits. (Report No 60 of March 2013 and Report No 61 of October 2013).

Three of Report No 60's eight chapters were selected by the Public Accounts Committee for public hearing:

• Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme;

• Administration of road safety measures; and.

• Preventive education and enlisting public support against corruption.

Three of Report No 61's 10 chapters, were selected by the Public Accounts Committee for public hearing:

• Direct land grants to private sports clubs at nil or nominal premium;

• Allocation and utilisation of public rental housing flats; and

• Management of roadside skips.

The value for money audit reports attracted considerable public interest. The audit recommendations were accepted by the audited bodies.

The Director of Audit's reports on the accounts of other public bodies are submitted to the relevant authority in accordance with the legislation governing those bodies' operation.

The Director of Audit maintains close contact with the Mainland and overseas public sector audit institutions, and in October attended the 21st Congress of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions in Beijing as a member of the People's Republic of China delegation.

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