Public Accounts Committee is a vital component of Parliamentary oversight

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is empowered to conduct public hearings, summon witnesses, and receive submissions from ministries, departments, and the public. Through these inquiries, the PAC identifies weaknesses in financial controls and provides recommendations to enhance governance and improve service delivery across the whole of Government.

These were the remarks by the Speaker of the Fijian Parliament, Hon. Filimone Jitoko whilst opening the Asia-Pacific Public Accounts Committee Regional Workshop underway in Nadi.

The Hon. Speaker said that PAC is one of the, if not the most vital component of Parliamentary oversight.

“Each one of you plays a vital role in the work of the Committee, which is accountable to your Parliament or Assembly, which in turn is accountable to the people it serves.”

“PAC distinguishes itself from other parliamentary committees through its singular focus on financial oversight. While other Standing Committees may assess policies, legislation, or departmental performance, the PAC is dedicated to examining reports from the Auditor-General.”

“Its primary role is to ensure that public funds are utilised efficiently, effectively, and in accordance with their intended purposes. This critical responsibility positions the PAC at the core of our democracy’s accountability framework.”

Hon. Jitoko also informed the participants on the recent establishment of a Subcommittee on Public Accounts.

“Recognising the need for deeper examination of unresolved financial matters, a Subcommittee on Public Accounts was established in October 2024, with its membership and terms of reference finalised in March 2025.”

“This Subcommittee is tasked with addressing critical concerns identified in two significant reports previously reviewed by the Public Accounts Committee which after all said and done, the Committee still felt dissatisfied.”

“Its formation marks a pivotal step in the Fijian Parliament’s continued commitment to accountability and financial oversight, ensuring that pressing issues receive focused and rigorous attention beyond the scope of the normal work of the Committee.”

The PAC Chair of the UK Parliament, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, shared that the PAC Committee scrutinises every pound of Government expenditure in the UK to make sure that they can spend it better.

“We are using very precious taxpayers’ money, people work very hard to pay their taxes and its incumbent upon their Parliament and the scrutiny committee to make sure that the money is spent as effectively as possible.”

The three-days workshop is being organised with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK in collaboration with the Fijian Parliament and attended by 37 delegates from eleven legislatures with a mixture of PAC Chairs, Deputy Chairs, Members of Parliament and PAC officials.

Earlier today, the Hon. Speaker held bilateral meetings with the Chair and the Deputy Chair of the PAC Committee of the UK Parliament before they met with the Fijian Parliament PAC Committee Members.

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