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Finance January 31, 2008 Finance Minister Responds to Auditor General Report
The Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance, said the annual release of the Auditor General�s report on reviews of departments and Crown agencies provides the Provincial Government with an independent view of its operations and it will now take the time to study in detail the report�s recommendations. Minister Marshall was responding today to the release of the Auditor General�s report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007. "Our government sees the Auditor General�s report as providing important oversight to assist our departments and Crown agencies to determine that we have the appropriate checks and balances in place to ensure that public spending follows the province�s legislation, policies and guidelines," said Minister Marshall. "We also look at the findings and recommendations of the Auditor General as a measure upon which we can improve on our management practices, business processes and operational governance." Minister Marshall noted that this year�s annual Auditor General report contains findings that are being taken seriously by the Provincial Government. Furthermore, this year�s report also provides an update on previous reports which indicate that departments and Crown agencies have taken action and are making progress based on prior recommendations of the Auditor General. A key priority of the Williams Government is to provide strong governance to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and that includes responsible management of the province�s fiscal resources, said Minister Marshall. The minister added that not only has that resulted in the enactment of the Transparency and Accountability Act to guide departments and Crown agencies, but has also meant the passage of the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act that opened the door in a new era of accountability for elected officials. "Since the Williams Government took office, we have introduced initiatives that have restored the province�s fiscal integrity and brought enhanced accountability to public sector management," said Minister Marshall. "Of utmost importance to our government is providing assurance to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that our management of public dollars is sound. We will continue to make significant strides on our path to making government more responsible, transparent and accountable to the people we serve." -30- Media contact: Bill Hickey 2008 01 31 12:25 p.m.
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