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Saunders was also joined by Tracey Parker, Clerk, Turks & Caicos Islands House of Assembly, Sandra Stephens – Malcolm – Auditor General, Turks and Caicos Islands National Audit Office and elected member for Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill Samuel Been.
The forum, which brings together leaders from various Overseas Territories, served as a platform for Saunders to advocate for modernized governance frameworks and to share his vision for the economic autonomy of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Although no longer serving as the minister of finance, Saunders remains deeply committed to influencing public policy and governance, particularly in the areas of financial oversight and good governance, as he prepares for the upcoming elections as an at-large candidate.
During the forum, Saunders emphasized the importance of aligning TCI’s Public Financial Management Framework with the current realities and needs of the Islands.
He noted, “The first step is having a more progressive Public Financial Management Framework agreement with the UK along with an updated Public Financial Management Ordinance, which together reflects the Turks & Caicos Islands of today, and not the Turks & Caicos Islands of 2012 when we got the last constitution.”
Saunders underscored that the TCI has evolved significantly since 2012, achieving numerous milestones that necessitate a governance structure capable of supporting future growth and self-governance ambitions.
At the core of Saunders’ advocacy at the forum was the call for enhanced good governance practices. He highlighted the need for mechanisms that mandate governmental accountability, specifically through the House of Assembly (HOA).
He is proposing that the government be required to respond to any issues brought to it by the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a role traditionally held by a member of the Opposition.
“While we are the Government, it is the right thing to do,” Saunders stated, stressing that such reforms would ultimately strengthen the oversight capabilities of the Opposition, thereby bolstering overall governance standards in TCI.
Collaboration with other Overseas Territories featured prominently in Saunders’ discourse at the forum. He described the importance of sharing best practices and learning from each other’s experiences, highlighting the recent collaboration between two territories in the Caribbean region to develop a Public Financial Management Manual.
Although Saunders had not yet reviewed this manual, he expressed optimism about its potential benefits for the TCI, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in fostering robust financial management frameworks.
Reflecting on his tenure as Minister of Finance, Saunders identified the timely completion of audits for government departments and statutory bodies as a critical challenge. He noted that while the Auditor General and the Leader of the Opposition have statutory roles in overseeing audits, he saw it as his responsibility to ensure that the government obtained value for its budget allocations. Saunders’ proactive approach in monitoring audit issues across departments underscores his commitment to ensuring that taxpayer money is managed effectively. He argued that addressing internal processes that delay the hiring of auditors and ensuring audits are completed on schedule would be essential steps forward.
Looking ahead, Saunders outlined a comprehensive strategy for addressing audit-related challenges, which includes completing all scheduled audits by the third quarter of the financial year and incorporating key findings into the mid-year updates to the HOA. He also proposed that departments and statutory bodies act swiftly to address risk items identified in audits, particularly those that do not require additional funding, to enhance financial oversight and governance.
“Unless under exceptional circumstances, all risk items that were flagged in audits should be closed off within 18-24 months of the close of the financial year to which the risk items relate,” Saunders stated, emphasizing the need for timely action to prevent recurrent governance challenges.
As an at-large candidate in the upcoming elections, Saunders aims to leverage his experience and insights from international forums to advocate for improved governance in TCI. He expressed confidence in his ability to balance his campaign commitments with his responsibilities as a Member of Parliament, noting that his efforts in the HOA are fundamentally aligned with his campaign promises.
“I don’t need to balance my campaign commitments with my responsibilities as a member of the House of Assembly; because whatever I do in the House of Assembly, I do it for the benefit of the people of the Turks & Caicos Islands,” Saunders remarked.
Transparency and accountability, Saunders argued, are the bedrock of effective public financial management. He stressed that government must be accountable to the public in its management of taxpayer money and that transparency is essential for maintaining public trust.
He reiterated the critical role of the PAC, led by the Leader of the Opposition, in ensuring that audit findings are brought to the attention of the HOA and the public. He also proposed exploring ways to mandate government responses to PAC-raised issues, further strengthening the accountability framework.
Saunders’ participation in the forum and his advocacy for progressive governance reforms reflect his broader vision for the TCI’s future. He articulated a clear path toward economic governance that prioritizes greater autonomy over spending and budgeting, particularly in capital expenditures. Ultimately, Saunders envisions full autonomy over the governance of the TCI, which he believes can only be achieved through independence.
The Sixth Overseas Territories Forum provided Saunders with an opportunity not only to advocate for immediate governance improvements but also to outline his long-term vision for TCI’s economic and political future. His engagement at the forum, coupled with his ongoing commitment to public service, positions Saunders as a key advocate for the evolution of TCI’s governance structures, making him a significant figure in the upcoming elections.
As TCI continues to navigate its path toward greater self-governance, Saunders’ contributions at the forum underscore the importance of continuous dialogue, collaboration, and the implementation of best practices across the Overseas Territories. His efforts to promote a more responsive and transparent governance framework reflect a deep commitment to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and their aspirations for a future marked by autonomy and accountability.