The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General, has begun a thorough review of Fiji’s Audit Act with the aim of updating it to meet international standards and best practices.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, introduced a motion in Parliament that outlines the proposed amendments, stressing the importance of reforms to enhance the country’s auditing framework and ensure it keeps pace with evolving public sector standards.
The Audit Act was last amended in 2006, and Professor Prasad pointed out that the current legislation does not encompass recent advancements in public sector auditing methods.
The proposed amendments are designed to bolster the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG), allowing it to carry out its responsibilities free from external interference.
Additionally, the changes will broaden the OAG’s scope to include compliance, information technology, and environmental auditing while requiring that all audits conform to international standards such as the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and the International Standards for Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAIs).
Professor Prasad emphasized that the amendments aim to safeguard the roles and duties of the Auditor-General and other OAG personnel from individual and institutional pressures, ensuring that audit results are shared independently and impartially.
“The legislation also seeks to equip the OAG with necessary resources by acknowledging its budget, staffing, and funding sources in line with the 2013 Constitution,” he mentioned.
Furthermore, the amendments will allow for the review of audits for entities not currently overseen by the OAG and empower the Auditor-General with greater access to electronic data.
The Deputy Prime Minister revealed that the review process commenced in June 2023, involving consultations led by the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Auditor-General, and the Office of the Solicitor-General.
Support from the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) was crucial in developing the proposed amendments.
Professor Prasad called on Parliament members to back the motion to amend the Audit Act, stating it would align Fiji’s auditing framework with global standards.
He concluded that these amendments reflect the government’s dedication to enhancing transparency, accountability, and good governance in the management of public finances, enabling Fiji to modernize public sector oversight and ensuring the OAG can fulfill its mandate in the future.