Auditor General Reviews Travel Expenses
Auditor General Heather Thomas has released a new report reviewing the travel, meal, and hospitality expenses of ministers, along with how these expenses are disclosed to the public.
A spokesperson said, “The review focused on whether ministries have fit- for- purpose frameworks in place to manage and publicly disclose these expenses through the government’s travel webpage. A rotational approach was used so that all ministries will be reviewed over a two-year cycle.”
“While the disclosure of ministerial travel expenses is not mandated by law, publishing this information demonstrates respect for public funds, fiscal responsibility, and accountability,” said Auditor General Thomas. “Transparency in the use of government resources – particularly for travel – is best practice, and the Public have the Right to Know.”
A spokesperson added, “The Auditor General determined that, while voluntary disclosure is commendable, some areas for improvement are required.
“The following observations were noted during the examination:
- “Expenses without appropriate support – Original receipts were not included for all travel expense claims.
- “Incomplete or inaccurate disclosures – Complete information not disclosed on the government travel webpage.
- “Inconsistent timelines – Different ministries posted travel expenses at varying times, ranging from a day or two to several weeks after travel expense claims were processed.
- “Lack of central records – Not all ministries in-scoped maintained a comprehensive and central record of ministers’ travel available for review.
- “Delegation costs excluded – Current disclosures on the government travel webpage do not include the costs of accompanying ministerial delegations.
“The Auditor General recommends the following to improve the effectiveness and transparency of ministerial travel disclosures:-
- “Establish a standardized reporting system with clear guidelines for all ministries.
- “Strengthen internal controls and training of public officers and ministers.
- “Include the full costs of the ministerial delegations in future public disclosures on the travel webpage.”
The full Report on Ministerial Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expenses follows below [PDF here]:
And no one is officially reprimanded or even fired for the poor transparency.
What are you suggesting? Accountability?
No benefit report is ever published for any of these junkets around the world to meaningless meetings and cocktail partys.
I was having my car gassed up by an attendant who i found to be very cordial, like wise i afforded him the same courtesy in return the subject came up on ministerial travel expenses paid out, he felt that he was being ripped off or if you will exploited, It did not take long for him the tell me that he thought some of the ministerial travel money was coming out of his taxes , i might add here, that he was very up set. i took the change the subject to his retirement was he pumping gas to save for that. he told me an my age i had see allot i agreed.
I asked him why in 2025 do we have to live like this , he agreed .
‘ There are thieves that walk among us in the garden of hope ‘!
I constantly refer to accountability in all its various forms , which is now become long over due from the U.B.P. days ‘A dollar spent is a dollar earned’. So may think ! You cannot play the game without rules .