THE ROLE OF JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL

Transcript:THE ROLE OF JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL:
THE ROLE OF JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF PARLIAMENT (JSCFMP) Presented by Mbuyiselo Hlekiso (Committee Researcher) Date: 24 February 2023 Background Mandate Functions Key Issues on Committee Operation Core Objectives and Committee Legislated Activities Statutory Duties – Public Audit Act Non Statutory Duties PRESENTATION OUTLINE Background Establishment & Mandate Legislative Functions of the JSCFMP Key Issues on Committee Operation Core Objectives of Parliament and Committee Activities Statutory Duties of the Committee Prescribed by Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act of 2009 as Amended 1 BACKGROUND Parliamentary oversight function is one of the cornerstones of democracy and indicator of good governance Legislatures exercise their oversight prerogative depending upon the existence of legal framework that guarantees their powers and independence within the political system The oversight concept encompasses many aspects including – political, administrative, financial, ethical, legal and strategic elements. Oversight detects and prevents abuse, illegally and unconstitutional conduct by the executive authority and the accounting officers Importantly, the core function of oversight is to protect the right and liberty of the citizens. 2 UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE JSCFMP versus THE POA The mandate of the JSCFMP is to maintain oversight of the financial management of Parliament considering instructions issued by the Executive Authority and consider the annual report tabled and referred by the Speaker to the Committee. The JSCFMP is also responsible for performing any other functions specified in the FMPPLA or by the rules of Parliament, or consistent with the object of the Act. The mandate of the Parliamentary Oversight Authority was to put in place an appropriate system of governance by which Parliament is managed and controlled in support and furtherance of its strategies and policies to ensure an effective and efficient Parliament. POA was also responsible for interpreting and overseeing the implementation of policy formulated by Parliament administration and determined the actual level of services, and overseeing the Parliamentary service through reports by the Secretary to Parliament. The POA was established by the Rules: Its establishment is prescribed in the Joint Rules of Parliament The POA functions – was responsible for all governance matters such as directing, planning, and determining resource requirements as well as reporting on operations 3 Key Issues on Committee Operation Lack of regulations on Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act of 2009. Regulations are an important tools to hold the executive accountable JSCFMP focused on financial matters, as