Opposition accuses government of ‘hindering’ audit

After the government said the Auditor General should widen its investigation into ministerial interference at the Privatisation Unit by including practices adopted by the PN administration in the appointment of consultants, the Opposition has accused the government of trying to "hinder" the Auditor General's investigation.

Yesterday, the Nationalist MPs sitting on the Public Accounts Committee formally asked the Auditor General to investigate the selection process which led to the choice of a legal firm to provide consultancy services to the Privatisation Unit.

"This is only the government's attempt to hinder the PAC and the Auditor General from doing the audit requested," the Opposition said, referring specifically to the Chris Cardona case.

It went on to "categorically deny" that there ever was "ministerial interference" to change a decision given by the Privatisaton Unit under the PN administration.

The Opposition added that, irrespective of the Labour MPs' request, the National Audit Office already carries out a yearly audit of direct orders.

"Such an audit is carried out without the need of a request by PAC members. The report for 2012 has already been prepared, presented to the committee and discussed. All this goes on to show that the government are only interested in hindering the Auditor General's work," the PN said.

Economy Minister Chris Cardona has been accused of having instructed the Privatisation Unit on which legal firm to choose in a recent competitive process for legal consultancy in the pre-drafting, adjudication, negotiations and final agreements of an expression of interest for the granting of two new casino licences.

Cardona said his actions stemmed from a political decision to change the criteria on which contracts were awarded.