Labour government to allow Auditor General reopen past cases

A Labour government would provide the Auditor General with more power and resources in order to carry out his work and investigate in depth those cases where individuals summoned would have refused to collaborate.

Moreover, the Auditor General would have the power to reopen and investigate past cases which would have been shelved because of lack of collaboration by main witnesses.

Addressing the press in front of the Auditor General's office in Floriana, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said that this was another of his party's proposals to ensure good governance and accountability.

"There is the need for the Auditor General to obtain more power to delve into cases. This also means further accountability and guaranteeing taxpayers value for their money," Muscat said.

Asked what he would to ensure that recommendations made by the Auditor General are taken on board by the ministries, Muscat said that every year following the publishing of the auditor's annual general report, a future government would issue a formal reply that would address the shortcomings raised and what steps and timeframe would be taken to address them.

"We do not expect to see the auditor general reporting that everything is perfect but we would take on board his recommendations and act on them," Muscat said.

"Year after year we have seen the auditor general pointing out the same shortcomings and government failing to explain why these kept happening." Muscat also referred to the criticism raised by the Auditor General with regard to the the VAT department, where, he said, government failed to address the issue.

Asked whether chairpersons of public entities should be appointed by a parliamentary committee, Muscat said he agreed that chairpersons of public regulators undergo parliamentary scrutiny.

Quizzed on the energy plan, Muscat reiterated that power stations were factories generating cancer and asthma.

Asked to say whether he was aware that a daily rent for a gas ship cost €120,000, Muscat said that the energy plan factored all costs. He went on to ask whether government knew how much an offshore LNG terminal costs.