Legislators pass revised State Audit Law

The revised Law on State Audit was approved with 87.85% of deputies in favour on the 28th working day of the 13th National Assembly’s (NA) ninth session on June 24.

Legislators pass revised State Audit Law (Photo: VNA)

The law, with nine chapters and 73 articles, stipulates the function, rights, obligations, organisation and operation of the State Auditing Agency, its leaders and auditors, as well as agencies, organisations and individuals related to the work.

According to the verification of the NA Standing Committee (NASC), deputies had two separate views on the term of office of the State Auditor General: some agreed with keeping the tenure of the State Auditor at seven years while others claimed that it should last for five years, as the regular term of the NA.

The NASC asked for votes from the lawmakers, and the result showed that 79.23% of the delegates agreed on the second option - the working term of the General State Auditor is five years, and he or she can be re-elected for no more than two terms.

Regarding mandatory audit reports, some legislators suggested that audit reports should be compulsory only when approved the NASC or when executive bodies, relevant ministries, the Ministry of Public Security and the court define the wrong doings.

In response, the NASC argued that this regulation aimed to raise observance of audited units while increasing the responsibility of State auditors in making conclusions and suggestions in their reports.

Moreover, as regulated in the Constitution, the State Audit Office is established by the National Assembly, operates independently, abides only by the law, and audits the management and use of public finances and assets. Its reports are without any interfere from any agency, and State auditors have full responsibility on their reports. Therefore, suggestions that audit reports should be approved by the NASC are contrary to the Constitution’s spirit.

The same day, a draft Law on Information Security was tabled for discussion at the NA.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)