25 Feb 2005

PNG committee queries appointment of auditor general

2:11 pm on 25 February 2005

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee has queried the appointment of George Sullimann as the Auditor General of Papua New Guinea.

The National newspaper reports the PAC screened the list of candidates and sent its recommendation to the National Executive Council, but Mr Sulliman's name was not on that list.

Under the Constitution, the Committee is required to be consulted by the NEC in the appointment of the Auditor General.

A government source said of at least 12 applicants, five names were sent to the PAC for its consideration.

The PAC selected its candidate, and notified the NEC.

The NEC met and appointed Mr Sulliman to the post, apparently ignoring the recommendation of the PAC.

It is understood the PAC chairman, MP John Hickey, has sent a letter to the Prime Minister expressing his disappointment about the whole process.