A delegation from the Gibraltar Parliament and the Gibraltar Audit Office attended the Sixth Overseas Territories Forum on Oversight of Public Finances and Governance held at Westminster last month. The Forum has issued a summary of findings setting out areas of concern and focus. 

Roy Clinton MP the GSD Shadow Minister for Public Finance stated the following: 

“The forum, which has met for a number of years, enables UK Overseas Territories to discuss and share their experiences in respect of the oversight of public finance. The summary of findings sets outs the forum’s main thoughts as to areas of importance such as Scrutiny, Independence of National Audit Offices, Good Governance and other challenges which are common to all. 

“Gibraltar in not having a Public Accounts Committee to enable proper scrutiny and follow up of audit reports in depth is sadly alone in the Forum. This is something that I have brought to Parliament by way of motion twice now and twice been defeated by the GSLP/Liberals who remain entrenched in avoiding proper scrutiny. 

“I and the GSD will continue to press on this matter which should be beyond party politics and simply be a matter of good governance.”