Public officials to declare for 2003

PUBLIC OFFICIALS like politicians, judges and directors of State companies, do not have to declare their assets/interests held in 2002 but only for 2003. So said the Integrity Commission yesterday in a press advertisement. The notice retracted a previous press announcement made by the Commission on March 12 which said declarants had to file for 2002. Yesterday the body stated: “The Integrity Commission now wishes to advise that based on advice it has since received, persons in public life are not required to file Declarations and Statements of Registrable Interests for the year 2002.”

The notice said anyone holding public office since December 12, 2003, had to file a declaration for assets/interests held in 2003. The deadline for filing is August 15. For assets/interests held this year, declarants have to file by May 31, 2005. Meanwhile, the Opposition in the Senate has filed a private motion calling for tightening of the Integrity in Public Life Act 2000. The three-year delay in approving Regulations to effect the Act has meant that for that period, public officials have so far escaped having to declare their assets/interests. The motion stated the Commission under the Act had no power require persons to declare their assets/interests held in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002.