The government is objecting to the terms of reference of a probe by the Auditor General into allegations that the General Workers’ Union leased parts of its premises in breach of a public contract, this newspaper has learnt.
According to an agreement approved by Parliament in 1997, the GWU can only rent out parts of its offices in Valletta to companies in which it has a 51 per cent shareholding.
Last February Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi claimed that this agreement had been breached, as the GWU had leased part of its premises to the government utility billing agency ARMS Limited.
He and PN MP Ryan Callus filed a request, through the Public Accounts Committee, for the Auditor General to look into their claim.
The government’s frame of mind is to act with impunity and try to conceal its behaviour
Minutes of the PAC meeting held on February 25 confirm that the request was accepted, with Justice Minister Owen Bonnici saying the findings would be debated once the report is tabled in Parliament.
However, Dr Bonnici is now objecting to the fact that the terms of reference of the investigation were not discussed and agreed upon in the PAC. He raised this point in an e-mail sent to PAC chairman Tonio Fenech a few days ago and seen by this newspaper.
Failure of the two sides to reach an agreement could mean the issue going to a vote – and government members forming a majority.
Meanwhile sources said the probe had nevertheless stalled, as the Land Department is refusing to hand over the file with details of the lease to the National Audit Office.
Contacted for his reaction, Dr Azzopardi lashed out at the government, accusing it of trying to avoid any form of public scrutiny.
“In spite of all its pledges on transparency and accountability, the government’s frame of mind is to act with impunity and try to conceal its behaviour by preventing the truth from coming out,” he said.
He said the government’s attitude was similar to its refusal to allow the Ombudsman to investigate the claims of unfair treatment in army promotions.
Dr Bonnici, he added, had already tried to mislead the PAC in the past by refusing to publish the citizenship scheme contract. He accused the government of stifling the NAO.
Questions sent to the Justice Ministry were left unanswered by the time of writing.