Constructive Review of the 2013 General State Budget contributes to accountability
Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Díli, May 5th, 2015
Constructive Review of the 2013 General State Budget contributes to accountability
Yesterday the National Parliament of Timor-Leste reviewed and debated the General Account of the 2013 State Budget. The plenary considered the report of the National Parliament’s Commission on Public Finances [Commission C], incorporating the recommendations of the Appeal Court. At the conclusion of the plenary the General Account of the 2013 State Budget was approved unanimously and recommendations within the Commission C report were acknowledged.
In his opening remarks yesterday morning Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo strongly endorsed the review process noting that it was vital for “democratic consolidation in our country and for enhancing governance accountability.” He assured the members of National Parliament that the Government is very serious about the importance of reporting and said “we want to ensure that the efficient and transparent management of public monies is not an aspiration but rather a reality that is strongly imbued in Timor-Leste’s governing tradition.”
The process yesterday was rigorous and constructive. It was appreciated by Members of Parliament that many of the recommendations tabled in previous reports have already been adopted.
Recommendations of Commission C included requests for presentation of figures in a way that facilitates analysis, justifications for differences between budgeted and actual expenditure, the introduction of mechanisms to reduce and review spending, stricter controls on collection and recording cash revenue and more legal guidelines for autonomous funds.
Spokesperson for the Government, Minister of State Agio Pereira noted “the Government and National Parliament have worked together to prioritize the transparent and accountable use of Timor-Leste’s Public Finances. Recommendations of the National Parliament’s Commission C report were received openly with all those assembled united in a mission to identify and remedy our weaknesses and strengthen our systems so that the citizens of Timor-Leste are properly served by their Government.”
