Mr Lilo responded to Transparency's criticism that a government backbencher was appointed to chair the Public Accounts Committee.

Prime Minister Lilo says that the responsibility of appointing the chair belonged to the Speaker of Parliament, meaning that "any objections need to be directed at the speaker."

Mr Lilo also says the fact that a government backbencher is the committee chair "doesn't take away the responsibility of the members of the committee to scrutinize government budgets."