Antigua and Barbuda’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will meet again on 10 July following a disrupted first sitting marked by complaints over late documentation and procedural confusion.

Wednesday’s session, chaired by Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle, ended prematurely when members raised concerns over an unexpected agenda circulated just hours before the meeting.

Government MPs Melford Nicholas, Anthony Smith Jr., Daryll Matthew, and Barbuda MP Trevor Walker said the last-minute changes hindered their ability to effectively review public spending. Director of Audit Dean Evanson also admitted receiving the revised agenda only that morning.

Matthew challenged the Director over the timing, warning it undermined proper scrutiny. Evanson acknowledged the tight timeline, noting the meeting could have run into the evening had all agenda items been discussed.

Walker also stressed the importance of receiving printed financial statements and audit reports to support informed decision-making.

Further complications arose over the committee’s operational rules. Nicholas and Matthew argued that the PAC’s procedures—submitted to Parliament in July 2024—should first have been reviewed by a special committee before formal adoption.

The PAC is constitutionally mandated to hold the government accountable for public finances but has faced ongoing challenges with scheduling and quorum.