Special Audits by Auditor-General on Government-related Bodies

Debated in Parliament on 7 Nov 2016.

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Leon Perera asked the Minister for Finance for details on the number and rationale of special audits conducted by the Auditor-General on Government-related bodies outside of regular annual audits over the past 20 years.
The Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) typically conducts annual audits of Government Financial Statements and selective audits of public agencies, and over the past 20 years, it has carried out two special audits.
The first special audit in 1996 was on Healthcare Subsidies to verify fees and subsidy levels following a Parliamentary resolution, with findings debated in Parliament and the Government’s figures confirmed as accurate.
The second special audit in 2014 was on the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) due to serious concerns raised by its auditors, and the AGO report was subsequently debated in Parliament.
These audits were initiated in response to specific parliamentary resolutions or concerns, and their findings were presented and debated in Parliament.

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Full Transcript

Leon Perera

Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Finance (a) in the past 20 years, how many Government-related bodies have undergone a special audit by the Auditor-General outside of the regular annual audit exercises by the Auditor-General; and (b) what are the details and rationale of each case.

Heng Swee Keat

The Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) annually conducts audits of the Government Financial Statements which cover the accounts of the Ministries, Departments and Organs of State. In addition, it also carries out selective audits on a selection of public agencies which involve checks on their compliance with rules and procedures.

Besides these audits, AGO had carried out two special audits over the past 20 years.

One, the Healthcare Subsidy Audit in 1996. Following a Parliamentary resolution to verify the fees charged and healthcare subsidy provided by Government polyclinics and public hospitals, including a claim made in Parliament that "healthcare costs are hardly subsidised at all", the Select Committee on Verification of Health Care Subsidy of Government Polyclinics and Public Hospitals was formed and AGO was requested to carry out an audit to verify the Government's healthcare figures, such as fees charged, subsidy level provided.

The Government's healthcare figures were independently verified by AGO and confirmed to be free from material errors and the details of AGO's findings were tabled and debated in Parliament on 30 September 1996 and 10 October 1996 respectively.

Two, the Audit of Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) in 2014. AGO was directed to carry out an audit of AHPETC's financial year (FY) 2012 accounts following repeated and serious concerns raised by AHPETC's auditors. AHPETC's auditor submitted a disclaimer of opinion on AHPETC's financial statements for FY2011 and FY2012. The auditor also issued a qualified opinion on AHPETC's other legal and regulatory requirements, stating that AHPETC has not complied with the provisions of the Town Councils Act and Financial Rules in various respects.

AGO submitted its report on 6 February 2015 and the details of its findings were debated in Parliament on 12 and 13 February 2015.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Finance for details on the number and rationale of special audits conducted by the Auditor-General on Government-related bodies outside of regular annual audits over the past 20 years.
The Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) typically conducts annual audits of Government Financial Statements and selective audits of public agencies, and over the past 20 years, it has carried out two special audits.
The first special audit in 1996 was on Healthcare Subsidies to verify fees and subsidy levels following a Parliamentary resolution, with findings debated in Parliament and the Government’s figures confirmed as accurate.
The second special audit in 2014 was on the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) due to serious concerns raised by its auditors, and the AGO report was subsequently debated in Parliament.
These audits were initiated in response to specific parliamentary resolutions or concerns, and their findings were presented and debated in Parliament.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Special Audits by Auditor-General on Government-related Bodies | PAPERCUTS

Special Audits by Auditor-General on Government-related Bodies

Debated in Parliament on 7 Nov 2016.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Finance for details on the number and rationale of special audits conducted by the Auditor-General on Government-related bodies outside of regular annual audits over the past 20 years.
The Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) typically conducts annual audits of Government Financial Statements and selective audits of public agencies, and over the past 20 years, it has carried out two special audits.
The first special audit in 1996 was on Healthcare Subsidies to verify fees and subsidy levels following a Parliamentary resolution, with findings debated in Parliament and the Government’s figures confirmed as accurate.
The second special audit in 2014 was on the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) due to serious concerns raised by its auditors, and the AGO report was subsequently debated in Parliament.
These audits were initiated in response to specific parliamentary resolutions or concerns, and their findings were presented and debated in Parliament.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Leon Perera

Heng Swee Keat

Besides these audits, AGO had carried out two special audits over the past 20 years.

AGO submitted its report on 6 February 2015 and the details of its findings were debated in Parliament on 12 and 13 February 2015.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Finance for details on the number and rationale of special audits conducted by the Auditor-General on Government-related bodies outside of regular annual audits over the past 20 years.
The Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) typically conducts annual audits of Government Financial Statements and selective audits of public agencies, and over the past 20 years, it has carried out two special audits.
The first special audit in 1996 was on Healthcare Subsidies to verify fees and subsidy levels following a Parliamentary resolution, with findings debated in Parliament and the Government’s figures confirmed as accurate.
The second special audit in 2014 was on the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) due to serious concerns raised by its auditors, and the AGO report was subsequently debated in Parliament.
These audits were initiated in response to specific parliamentary resolutions or concerns, and their findings were presented and debated in Parliament.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Special Audits by Auditor-General on Government-related Bodies

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Leon Perera

Heng Swee Keat

Summary

Questions Identified

Special Audits by Auditor-General on Government-related Bodies

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Leon Perera

Heng Swee Keat

Summary

Questions Identified