Meeting Bougainville’s co-produced reporting expectations

ABSTRACT

Using the theory of indigenous alternatives, this paper considers whether the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) complies with Bougainville’s co-produced financial reporting expectations. Textual analysis of the indigenous-led state audit reports from 2008 to 2013 shows that the ABG’s financial statements were disclaimed. The study considers how the deployment of indigenous alternative mechanisms may help improve reporting outcomes of the ABG.

IMPACT

Co-produced policies arranged in the aftermath of jurisdictions that have just endured civil wars may be well-intentioned but their impact may count for little if pedestrian processes, such as financial reporting and the rendering of accountability by an autonomous government, do not meet co-produced reporting expectations. This paper highlights how financial statements of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) from 2008 to 2013 did not meet those reporting expectations. The inability of the ABG to provide an account of its activities appears to undermine calls for Bougainville’s independence.

KEYWORDS:

• Accountability
• Autonomous Bougainville Government
• co-production reporting expectations
• theory of indigenous alternatives