[WALES] The Presiding Officer of the Welsh Parliament has identified irregularities in the Wales Audit Office’s financial reporting. The Office is reponsible for checking for irregularities in the government’s financial reporting. The irregularities relate to departure costs (payouts) to ex-staff members. This finding is one of several negative incidents the Office has endured over the last 12 months. (Source: WalesOnline)

[MALTA] The Malta Worker’s Party (UHM) has included in its 2015 “People’s Social Vision” a vow to strengthen the role of the nation’s Auditor-General. The UHM plans to improve government transparency by giving the Auditor-General the power to refer cases of potential abuse of public funds to the police and have recommendations upheld, in line with the current powers of the Ombudsman. (Source: The Malta Independent Online)

[CANADA] The Canadian Government has commenced the search for a new national Auditor-General to commence in mid-2011. The job description calls for a candidate with “integrity, tact, and sound judgment” who is a ”team player” with a ”constructive approach.” (Source: Montreal Gazette)

[INDIA] The Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) of India has found that 2G radio spectrum licenses were granted to companies that did not meet the legislated minimum standards. Companies were given a one hour window of opportunity to apply for licenses which was foudn to unduly favour companies that had received advanced notification from the Department of Telecom. (Source: The Times of India)

[UNITED KINGDOM] Three months since its election, the UK Government has disbanded the Audit Commission. The Commission’s role was to ensure local governments were providing value for money services. Councils will now be able to select their financial auditor and the National Audit Office will have oversight of the audit program. (Source: Los Angeles Sentinel)

[TASMANIA] The Acting Attorney-General of Tasmania Michelle O’Byrne announced the appointment of former Victorian judge Murray Kellam QC as Chief Commissioner of the new Integrity Commission. The Tasmanian Auditor-General, Ombudsman and State Services Commission will all serve on the Commission’s board. The Commission has annual funding of $2.9 million for its investigative, education and advisory roles. (Source: The Mercury).

[NEW SOUTH WALES] In a recent report, the Auditor-General of New South Wales, Peter Achterstraat, recommended greater use of home detention following a 25 per cent drop in use in the past five years. In proposing home detention as a cheaper alternative to jail sentences that is less likely to result in re-offending, Achterstraat also suggested that field visits and drug tests be increased. This recommendation has been implemented. (Source: Daily Telegraph)

[SOUTH KOREA] South Korea’s President, Lee Myung-bak, has selected the Auditor-General equivalent to be the nation’s next Prime Minister. Kim Hwang-sik is the head of the Board of Audit and Inspection and has previously been a Supreme Court judge. The President’s integrity has recently been questioned after a series of misconduct allegations related to public officials. (Source: The Australian)

[UNITED KINGDOM] The UK National Audit Office has found that the Department of Education underspent its schools capital budget by £350m over the last five years in Northern Ireland. The lack of spending was attributed to delays in planning and land purchases, and legal challenges. (Source: BBC)

[THAILAND] Two senior auditors are in dispute over who should be the next Auditor-General of Thailand. After Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka’s legislated term as Auditor-General ended recently, Pisit Leelavachiropas was appointed acting Auditor-General, a role which Jaruvan dismissed. Jaruvan intends to stay on in  the role as Auditor-General. (Source: Bangkok Post).