But in the meantime, the PM says the government will continue the same work they've been doing for the past four years. Only this time, there won't be an auditor general to make the checks and balances.
Yesterday the Senate blocked the bill that would appoint the deputy, Maria Rodriguez, as acting auditor general. The general consensus was that they didn't believe such an important role should be offered for only four months, even in an acting capacity.
Well the PM says that even though the post remains vacant, they're not rushing the process, and will use the four month period to find someone new.
Here's what he told us today.
Courtney Menzies:
"What happens now? The country is without an auditor general."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I think that's a question you need to ask those senators that voted against it. I can't understand their logic, it's a flawed logic. The point is, we don't have an auditor general, we wanted to appoint a temporary one once we advertise and have people come in and apply for that post, looking at either in house or outside of the service. But we do recognize also that it is a very specialized skill and we may need to pay them more than what it pays. I think you have to ask the geniuses that voted against that because we're without an auditor general and the work of the government continues."
Reporter:
"It was only for four months, why just four months?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"They wanted it for two years. I mean, we believe that in four months, we've already advertised, we felt that it was enough time. If we had put a year they would tell us a year is too long. We're trying to have just the amount of time necessary to be able to advertise and interview and get somebody proper and fit for the post of auditor general."
Courtney Menzies:
"Senator Peyrefitte pointed out that that was the same reason that Ms Bradley's contract was extended and during that time period, you guys were still unable to find a replacement."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"And?"
Courtney Menzies:
"Well, what's to guarantee after the four months one would have been found?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"There's only one way to find out."
Courtney Menzies:
"So now what happens? Do you try to put a rush on it?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Absolutely not. We're going to go through the four month period and when we find an auditor general that's adequate then we will proceed."
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