The AG's responsibility

I refer to the correspondence by Joe Farrugia on Give the Auditor General More Power (January 2). The special protection given to the Auditor's Office by the Constitution is not just a privilege; and the power given does not make the National Audit...

I refer to the correspondence by Joe Farrugia on Give the Auditor General More Power (January 2).

The special protection given to the Auditor's Office by the Constitution is not just a privilege; and the power given does not make the National Audit Office immune from human error.

The sense of elevating the NAO to constitutional protection lies in the fact that, as a "guardian without being guarded", the Auditor is expected to feel a graver responsibility when conducting inquiries and publishing reports. Such power should only serve as a constant reminder that a person's reputation, integrity and other basic rights are in play in the Auditor's exercise in which the citizen involved is defenceless against eventual errors and their resulting negative media campaigns.

The case referred to by Mr Farrugia is a case in point.

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