Reducing the brain drain in the National Audit Office and clearing up the backlog of reports that need to be submitted in parliament are among the main priorities of the newly appointed auditor general Anthony Mifsud, who was sworn in yesterday.

The swearing-in ceremony, which was presided over by President Eddie Fenech Adami, saw the appointment of Mr Mifsud as auditor general and Charles Deguara as deputy auditor general.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition Leader Charles Mangion and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Louis Galea were among those who also attended the ceremony.

In comments to the press after the brief ceremony, Mr Mifsud said his first priority is to see what work was left pending and to start completing and closing off reports that need to be presented to parliament.

He also will focus on stopping the brain drain that is taking place at the National Audit Office as employees are attracted to jobs in the ever-growing financial sector. In fact, out of 65 employees, 15 have already left to work in the financial sector.

Dr Fenech Adami said it was a pleasure to preside over “this simple but very important ceremony”.

Mr Mifsud is the second auditor general to be sworn in and succeeds Joseph Galea, whose term of office was up more than a year ago. The government had proposed Mr Mifsud and Mr Deguara to the opposition in the summer of last year, but it was only a few weeks ago that the Malta Labour Party accepted their nominations.

Dr Fenech Adami said that the House of Representatives realised the importance of role of auditor general, who is a parliament official but independent from daily administration.

He explained that it is the role of the auditor general to scrutinise public accounts and ensure that government expenditure is done in the country’s best interests and according to the law.

The president pointed out that it is not easy for two-thirds of parliament to appoint the post of auditor general and expressed his satisfaction that Mr Mifsud was unanimously approved by parliament.

Dr Fenech Adami said that Mr Mifsud had a distinguished record in the public service, adding that he had no doubt that he is the right person for the job.

The president also praised Mr Deguara and said he had a brilliant career in the public service.

This is the first time that a deputy auditor general was appointed and, following an agreement between the government and opposition, his term of office will come into effect on 3 November.

Dr Fenech Adami explained that the difference in deadlines of terms of office between the auditor general and deputy auditor general will help prevent any vacuum when the auditor’s term is up.

“As a result, parliament will have period of time to re-appoint a new auditor general while the deputy is still in office,” he said.

Mr Mifsud was a permanent secretary at the Infrastructure and Resources Ministry.

He has been a member of the University Council for several years and is also the government representative on the Board of Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy at the University.

Mr Deguara was a permanent secretary in the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry.