The Ministry of Finance, through the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), has initiated a comprehensive review of Fiji’s Audit Act, with the goal of modernising it to align with international standards and best practices.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Hon. Biman Prasad, presented a motion to Parliament outlining the amendments, emphasising the need for reforms to strengthen the country's auditing framework and ensure it meets evolving public sector standards.
The Audit Act was last revised in 2006, and Professor Prasad highlighted that the current legislation does not reflect recent developments in public sector auditing practices.
The amendments aim to strengthen the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG), ensuring it can perform its duties without external interference.
The proposed changes will expand the OAG’s mandate to include compliance, IT, and environmental auditing, while also mandating that all audits adhere to international standards, such as the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and the International Standards for Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAIs).
In addition, the amendments are designed to protect the roles and responsibilities of the Auditor-General and other OAG officers from personal and institutional pressures.
This would ensure that audit findings are reported independently and objectively.
The legislation also aims to provide the OAG with the resources it needs by recognising its budget, staffing, and revenue streams in accordance with the 2013 Constitution.
Provisions are included to review audits of entities not currently subject to oversight by the OAG, and the powers of the Auditor-General will be expanded to allow access to electronic data.
The review process commenced in June 2023, with consultations facilitated by the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Auditor-General, and the Office of the Solicitor-General.
Technical assistance from the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) was instrumental in shaping the proposed amendments.
The OAG invited written submissions from stakeholders in July, with consultation meetings held in Suva and the Western Division from July to August 2023.
Out of 49 key stakeholders invited, 36 responded with written or oral submissions.
While there was broad support for the amendments, some stakeholders sought clarifications on specific sections of the existing legislation and the new provisions.
Professor Prasad urged members of Parliament to support the motion to amend the Audit Act, as it would bring Fiji's auditing framework in line with international standards.
He also took the opportunity to acknowledge the appointment of Finau Seru Nagera as Fiji’s first female Auditor-General, a historic achievement that marks a significant step forward for gender representation in the country’s public sector.
The proposed amendments signal the government’s commitment to improving transparency, accountability, and good governance in public financial management.
Professor Prasad emphasised these reforms would enable Fiji to modernise its public sector oversight and ensure the OAG can effectively carry out its mandate in the future.
He concluded by encouraging Parliament to back the Bill, which he believes will enhance Fiji’s public financial management and align the country’s auditing practices with global standards.