The Auditor General should have his powers strengthened ¿ with attacks from Government only serving to demonstrate that he is doing his job properly.

That was the message from the United Bermuda Party's John Barritt as he set out his vision for a more accountable and transparent political system in Bermuda last night.

Veteran Auditor General Larry Dennis has served as the Island's independent financial watchdog under both United Bermuda Party and Progressive Labour Party Governments.

He has come under fire from the PLP since it won power in 1998 with allegations of pro-UBP bias, racism, and even criminal behaviour levelled at him over reports critical of Government.

This week, Mr. Dennis initiated legal action against Minister of Labour and Immigration Derrick Burgess, who accused him of getting away with handling stolen goods in relation to leaks to the media of Police case files on the Bermuda Housing Corporation allegations.

Mr. Dennis has branded the comments libelous, and instructed his lawyer to take action.

Backing Mr. Dennis as he addressed Sandy's Rotary Club last night, Mr. Barritt said the UBP would strengthen his office and independence. He pointed out that late PLP leader Frederick Wade once described Mr. Dennis as "the Opposition's civil servant" when his party was in Opposition.

"He's an important man for keeping the Government in check. I don't remember him ever back then (when the PLP was in Opposition) being labelled a racist or a criminal. That's his job. That's what we want. When I was in Government the effect of his work caused us all to mumble from time to time because he was a pain in the butt," said Mr. Barritt.

He pointed out the BHC scandal is is said to have cost the taxpayer $8 million, with costs for Government projects such as the new Berkeley Institute and the Sylvia Richardson care facility coming in way higher than original forecasts.

Under a United Bermuda Party Government, said Mr. Barritt, the bi-partisan membership and role of the Legislature's Public Accounts Committee would be strengthened so it could work more closely with the office of the Auditor General to monitor Government spending and the awarding of contracts.

"Right now, that committee is headed by the Opposition spokesman for finance ...but it's such a small committee that if Government members choose not to attend a a meeting, it cannot meet," he told Rotarians.

The rules for the way Parliament conducts itself have barely been updated in 40 years, he claimed, with the Island lagging behind other jurisdictions in this respect. he therefore listed further party pledges as including:

? The introduction of Integrity in Public Office legislation to create an Integrity Commission that would set minimum standards for disclosure by parliamentarians of financial dealings.

?Defining corrupt practices by parliamentarians and civil servants.

4 Adopting a Code of Conduct for all parliamentary members.

? Establishing absentee ballots for any registered voter off-island at election time

4 Giving people the right to initiate a referendum on any issue of national importance, such as independence, where 20 percent of registered voters request a national vote by way of a petition.

Mr. Barritt said the UBP would also introduce fixed-term elections, implement a Freedom of Information Act and uphold the right of public servants to speak out without fear through a Whistleblower's Act.