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2007 Assessment

Timor-Leste: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Timor-Leste: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Budget Processes
Indicators		Score
37	Can the legislature provide input to the national budget?	83
38	Can citizens access the national budgetary process?	67
39	In law, is there a separate legislative committee which provides oversight of public funds?	0
40	Is the legislative committee overseeing the expenditure of public funds effective?	0

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Can the legislature provide input to the national budget?

37a: In law, the legislature can amend the budget.

Score:

YES

Comments: Parliament can monitor and amend the budget within a 6-month period.

References: Interview with Dr. Francisco Guterres, head of TIDS and currently appointed as secretary of defense, at his office, on 2 August 2007

37b: In practice, significant public expenditures require legislative approval.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: All significant government expenditures (defined as any project costing more than 1% of the total national budget), must be approved by the legislature. This includes defense and secret programs, which may be debated in closed hearings. 50 Score Criteria: Most significant government expenditures (as defined) are approved by the legislature, but some exceptions to this rule exist. This may include defense programs, an executive\'s personal budget, or other expenses. 0 Score Criteria: The legislature does not have the power to approve or disapprove large portions of the government budget, or the legislature does not exercise this power in a meaningful way.$

Comments:

References: Interview with Dr. Francisco Guterres, head of TIDS and currently appointed as secretary of defense, at his office, on 2 August 2007

Peer Review Comments: In practice, decree laws can be passed with budgetary implications that do not require legislative approval.

37c: In practice, the legislature has sufficient capacity to monitor the budget process and provide input or changes.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview with Dr. Francisco Guterres, head of TIDS and currently appointed as secretary of defense, at his office, on 2 August 2007

Can citizens access the national budgetary process?

38a: In practice, the national budgetary process is conducted in a transparent manner in the debating stage (i.e. before final approval).

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview with Dr. Francisco Guterres, head of TIDS and currently appointed as secretary of defense, at his office, on 2 August 2007

38b: In practice, citizens provide input at budget hearings.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview with Dr. Francisco Guterres, head of TIDS and currently appointed as secretary of defense, at his office, on 2 August 2007

Peer Review Comments: Given illiteracy, poor communications etc., it is difficult for most citizens to pro-actively engage with policymakers.

38c: In practice, citizens can access itemized budget allocations.

Score:

100

Comments: The costs associated with internet access are very high for the average citizen. Illiteracy also plays a role.

References: Interview with Dr. Francisco Guterres, head of TIDS and currently appointed as secretary of defense, at his office, on 2 August 2007

In law, is there a separate legislative committee which provides oversight of public funds?

39: In law, is there a separate legislative committee which provides oversight of public funds?

Score:

YES

Comments: There should be an audit court.

References: Interview with Dr. Francisco Guterres, head of TIDS and currently appointed as secretary of defense, at his office, on 2 August 2007

Peer Review Comments: Constitution, Section 145 (State Budget) 1. The State Budget shall be prepared by the Government and approved by the National Parliament. 2. The Budget law shall provide, based on efficiency and effectiveness, a breakdown of the revenues and expenditures of the State, as well as preclude the existence of secret appropriations and funds. 3. The execution of the Budget shall be monitored by the High Administrative, Tax and Audit Court and by the National Parliament.

However, The High Tax and Audit Court responsible for external audit does not yet exist, and the capacity to create it will not exist for several years to come.

Peer Review Comments: There is a Parliamentary Commission responsible for budgetary matters. That said, after the budget approval process this Commission has never requested reports from ministries on their spending.

Is the legislative committee overseeing the expenditure of public funds effective?

40a: In practice, department heads regularly submit reports to this committee.

Score:

100

Comments: There should be an audit court. The finance department is used to compile the expenditure tracks of the ministries.

References: Interview with Dr. Francisco Guterres, head of TIDS and currently appointed as secretary of defense, at his office, on 2 August 2007

40b: In practice, the committee acts in a non-partisan manner with members of opposition parties serving on the committee in an equitable fashion.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The committee is comprised of legislators from both the ruling party (or parties) and opposition parties in a roughly equitable distribution. All members of the committee -- including opposition party members -- are able to fully participate in the activities of the committee and influence the committee\'s work to roughly the same extent as any other member of the committee. 50 Score Criteria: The committee is comprised of legislators from both the ruling party (or parties) and opposition parties although the ruling party has a disproportionate share of committee seats. The chairperson of the committee may be overly influential and curb other members\' ability to shape the committee's activities. 0 Score Criteria: The committee is dominated by legislators of the ruling party and/or the committee chairperson. Opposition legislators serving on the committee have in practice no way to influence the work of the committee.$

Comments: There should be an audit court.

References: Interview with Dr. Francisco Guterres, head of TIDS and currently appointed as secretary of defense, at his office, on 2 August 2007

40c: In practice, this committee is protected from political interference.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: This committee operates independently of the political process, without incentive or pressure to render favorable judgments on politically sensitive issues. Investigations are rarely praised or criticized by political figures. 50 Score Criteria: This committee is usually independent but is sometimes influenced by negative or positive political incentives. This may include public praise or criticism by the government. 0 Score Criteria: This committee is commonly influenced by personal or political forces or incentives. This may include conflicting family relationships, professional partnerships, or other personal loyalties that ultimately influence the committee\'s behavior and decision-making. Negative incentives may include threats, harassment or other abuses of power by the government.$

Comments: There should be an audit court. No committee has been established.

References: Interview with Dr. Francisco Guterres, head of TIDS and currently appointed as secretary of defense, at his office, on 2 August 2007

40d: In practice, when necessary, this committee initiates independent investigations into financial irregularities.

Score:

100

Comments: There should be an audit court.

References: Interview with Dr. Francisco Guterres, head of TIDS and currently appointed as secretary of defense, at his office, on 2 August 2007