Attorney General Promises Review of Parliamentary Rules Following Public Accounts Committee Concerns

Attorney General Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin has pledged to initiate reforms to Parliament’s Standing Orders after Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle raised questions about the legal standing of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) operating rules.

During Thursday’s sitting of the Lower House, Pringle sought clarification on whether the PAC’s revised rules laid before Parliament in July are valid without formal ratification by the House.

He noted that while the Committee has been holding meetings and public hearings to enhance transparency, uncertainty persists regarding its procedural authority.

“I want to make sure that the rules guiding the Public Accounts Committee are properly constituted,” Pringle stated, adding that the current Standing Orders lack any clear provision for the PAC’s operations, which he described as a serious oversight. The Opposition Leader urged the Speaker to resolve the matter before the next scheduled PAC meeting to avoid procedural confusion.

In response, Sir Steadroy acknowledged the concern and described it as a legitimate point worthy of parliamentary review.

He reminded members that the Standing Orders, last amended in 2020, remain a “work in progress” as part of Antigua and Barbuda’s legislative evolution.

“We are a young and developing nation,” the Attorney General said. “The issue raised by the member for All Saints East and St. Luke is a valid one, and I commit to initiating a process to revisit that section examining the Hansard and ensuring we establish a system that everyone can be comfortable with.”

The forthcoming review aims to clarify the legal framework for the PAC and ensure that its oversight functions continue within a solid, constitutionally sound structure.