‘Stop paying MPs’ allowances into personal accounts’
November 7, 2024 9:59 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
Compiled by Adorina Massing.
The Vanuatu Association of Non-Government Organizations (VANGO) is demanding that the government ceased paying the allowances of the Members of Parliament (MPs) into their private accounts.
“MP allowances are paid into personal bank accounts and are the only public funds that are not accountable. These allowances were increased by 60% in 2023. Currently, the 2024 national budget reports a VT260 million cost to the Vanuatu people for MP allowances.
“Lack of MP reporting represents a non-transparent leakage of public funds that comes from the people,” VANGO stressed in a petition to the Parliament.
The Speaker, Leader of Opposition, Leader of Government Business and some MPs have received copies of the petition yesterday.
VANGO urged the government to establish trust accounts for MP allowances and publish transparent, annual reports detailing each MP’s expenditures.
“VANGO understands through the Parliamentary Clerk and Parliament’s website that a proposed Bill No.10 to amend the members’ expenses and allowances is listed for debate. Our efforts to obtain a copy of all proposed bills and subsidiary legislation have been successful to date, despite the public right to information.
“We are aware of information that the proposed bill, if passed, may increase MPs allowances by 100% from VT5 million to VT10 million. If passed, this would represent a doubling of costs to the public purse, yet without any public accounting of how these funds are being allocated and spent.
“The proposed increase could also be better served addressing rising youth unemployment, declining education and health services, and transport connectivity challenges,” stressed VANGO.
In its petition, the umbrella organization for more than 100 civil society organizations (CSOs) also demands that any proposed amendments to the members’ expenses and allowances must be deferred to allow time for proper public consultation, and to include a clear justification.
VANGO requested the Parliament to direct the Auditor-General to issue a public report accounting for the 13th legislature MP allowance expenditure to date.
The Chairman of VANGO and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Transparency International Vanuatu (TIV), Dr. Willie Tokon, said that there was supposed to be a peaceful march from Fatumaru Bay, along the Lini Highway to the Parliament House, where the petition should be delivered to the speaker.
He said the march did not take place because, despite applying for a permit for the peaceful march, they were told that their application was misplaced after seven days and two reviews at VANSEC.
Director-General of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Leith Veremiato said that according to procedure, to apply for a permit for a parade, an application has to be submitted to request and assess security support before it can be sent to the ministry to be sign by the minister.
“We have been approached by VANGO seeking approval for their parade but we still have not received anything to this day,” he said. “…our minister is very enthusiastic and looks forward to receive this petition.”
“The petition is self-explanatory. Our leaders need to be transparent, accountable and serious about their obligations to the people. Let us stop increasing allowances that go directly to MPs personal bank accounts”, Chairman Tokon added.
