ANTIGUA | Parliamentary Oversight in Crisis: Opposition Calls for Public Accounts Committee Reform

ST. JOHN'S,  Antigua, December 12, 2024 - A contentious debate over democratic accountability erupted in Parliament yesterday as Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle launched a scathing critique of the Public Accounts Committee's (PAC) dysfunction during his Budget response.

At the heart of the controversy lies a structural gridlock that has effectively paralyzed one of Parliament's key oversight mechanisms. The current committee, chaired by Pringle himself, comprises three government ministers—Melford Nicholas (St John's City East), Maria Browne (St John's Rural East), and Daryll Matthew (St John's Rural South)—alongside two Opposition members, including Barbuda MP Trevor Walker.

While government MPs attempted to defend the existing structure by citing constitutional mandates, an Observer media investigation revealed that Section 98 of the Constitution imposes only one specific requirement: the inclusion of a Barbuda representative. The composition of the remaining membership is left to the House of Representatives' discretion.

In a bold proposal to break the deadlock, Pringle called for a reconfiguration of the committee's makeup, suggesting a shift to three opposition members and two government representatives. His reasoning cut to the core of democratic oversight: "How can that make sense?" he challenged, highlighting the paradox of having ministers scrutinize their own ministries. "You're asking ministers who are managing [these same] ministries to have oversight over themselves."

The dysfunction appears deeply rooted, with Pringle noting that confusion over the PAC's proper operation dates back to 2002. Across multiple administrations—from Sir Lester Bird's leadership through Baldwin Spencer's tenure—the committee has consistently fallen short of its mandate. Under current Prime Minister Gaston Browne's administration, the committee has reportedly managed only "one or two meetings."

Prime Minister Browne, who briefly chaired the PAC during his stint as Opposition Leader in December 2012, dismissed structural concerns, framing the issue as one of coordination. "What is required is some level of coordination and cooperation between the government members and the two members on the other side," Browne maintained, suggesting that Pringle should take the initiative in arranging meetings.

However, Pringle's rebuttal exposed a deeper institutional malaise. Despite working through official channels via the Clerk of Parliament to coordinate meetings, the committee has repeatedly failed to achieve quorum. In a particularly telling incident, even Barbuda MP Trevor Walker's journey from the sister isle proved futile due to government members' absence.

The parliamentary standoff takes on added significance in light of recent warnings from Director of Audit Dean Evanson, who has advocated for strengthened committee oversight of government finances. An Observer media investigation into the committee's historical performance revealed a troubling pattern of inactivity. Reports available on the Organization of American States website covering 2008, 2009, and 2012 explicitly state that no official meetings with the required quorum were held during those years.

The investigation's scope was limited by documentation gaps, as subsequent annual reports from the Audit Department have been notably silent on interactions with the Public Accounts Committee. This opacity in reporting, combined with the current gridlock, raises serious questions about the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight in safeguarding public finances.

The continuing impasse over the PAC's composition and functionality stands as a stark reminder of the challenges facing democratic institutions in their quest to maintain effective checks and balances on executive power.

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