The former secretary for the Ministry of Cultural Development “did not ensure” that there were strong controls in place and that careful judgment was applied when authorising six financial transactions of more than $12,000 of taxpayers’ money, states the recent Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report.

The Committee stated that the Ministry of Culture report focused on six financial transactions showing $2373 overpayment of accommodation for the Minister of Culture George “Maggie” Angene and the former secretary Anthony Turua, the purchase of a $1950 grass cutter on behalf of a casual employee for personal use and purchase of $7202 electronic equipment on behalf of the Minister for Culture for personal use.

The report further stated that there was a purchase of electronic equipment worth $2239 on behalf of the director for cultural governance for personal use, a sale of costumes to a related party for $1200 below the market value and $1000 was given as contribution for a charter flight to Atiu for the funeral of the finance manager’s father. 

According to the Public Accounts Committee, inadequate advice was provided by the former secretary Turua on the questionable and illegal nature of these transactions.

“The actions of the former secretary of MoCD resulted in two Ministers and their respective offices being implicated through their involvement with these transactions,” the PAC report said.

Minister George “Maggie” Angene, Deputy Prime Minister Albert Nicholas, Turua, who was an advisor to Minister Angene’s support office, Secretary for Culture Emile Kairua, director corporate services Ngarangi Tangaroa-Teio, finance manager Cedric Toru and Ngatuaine Maui, the director of identity, were summoned to give witness to PAC.

The PAC stated that the action of the former secretary did not demonstrate good judgement or appropriate use of public funds.

“The expenditure did not meet standards of probity and financial; prudence to withstand parliamentary and public scrutiny. The former secretary breached the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management IMFEM) Act 1995-1996.”

PAC stated that it was concerned that the former secretary did not consider the transactions to be inappropriate and took the position that the transactions could be easily addressed in-house by the ministry. It said that the transactions should have never been initiated or authorised in the first place.

The Committee has encouraged that MFEM work closely with Ministries such as the Ministry of Cultural Development and Ministerial Support Officers in strengthening their financial capacities and systems where needed.

The Committee has reiterated the obligations and responsibilities of heads of ministries and chief executives of their responsibilities under the MFEM Act of 1995-96 and for them to be well versed with the Act.