DCM addresses Principal Auditor's report in Parliament

The Deputy Chief Minister opened Parliament by praising Fabian Picardo’s exposition on the Principal Auditor’s report for 2018/19, calling it exhaustive and forensic.

Joseph Garcia said the report was laid in Parliament by an Officer of the House and it was therefore appropriate for the Government to respond by way of a motion in the same chamber.

He claims this sort of criticism of an audit and the ensuing debate are commonly seen in the UK, Australia and other Commonwealth territories, and demonstrate the good health of Gibraltar’s democracy.

Dr Garcia said there were four factors that set this audit apart from others.

Dr Garcia said that auditors locally have, over many years, made very similar observations about certain issues, whether the GSLP Liberals or the GSD were in government. 

The Deputy Chief Minister accused the Opposition of highlighting criticism in the latest report when the same negative assessments were being made 25 years ago.

He finished by claiming the GSD’s current approach carries the potential cost of undermining Gibraltar’s system of governance.