PN MP Tonio Fenech was recently appointed Chairman of the Commonwealth Association for Public Accounts Committees (CAPAC), aimed at ensuring that all Commonwealth countries benefit from strong and independent public accounts or equivalent committees to sustain and promote the highest principles of public finance.

Speaking to this newspaper about his appointment, Mr Fenech said: “In my role as Chairman I will be responsible for steering this newly formed association to reach the objectives set out by our statute including determining the state of play of PACs in Commonwealth countries, advocating the independence of PACs and proactively encouraging governments to develop a good working relationship with their PACs and defining standards of good practice to assist PACs in being effective, independent and transparent in their work.”

Hr continued: “The Association will seek to provide continuous training to PAC members, support peer reviews and carry out other functions including the widening of the membership base to as many Commonwealth countries as possible”.

During CHOGM 2013 the Heads of Government emphasised through declaration 46 the need for stronger and more independent PAC’s around the Commonwealth.

Mr Fenech quoted declaration 46 – “Heads of Government further reaffirmed that strong and independent Parliamentary oversight plays an important role in preserving the trust of citizens in the integrity of government, through Public Accounts Committees that are effective, independent and transparent”.

Building on the momentum created by CHOGM 2013 declaration, last year an informal group of countries established a steering committee (of which Mr Fenech was co-Chair) to establish a constitution that would create CAPAC.

“The Committee is fundamental to achieving these aims.  This is an Association in its inception and widespread across the various continents in which the Commonwealth is present”. He described PACs participation as being instrumental for CAPAC to achieve their aims.

“The Committee is the Executive, initially we will be supported by CPA UK which sponsored the creation of this Association.  The Committee will have to deal with issues such as funding, secretariat etc”.

“It is an honour that I have been selected to the Chair, indeed it was unexpected.   However the role I have played in the past months to establish this Association was acknowledged by all does present who felt that it was only natural that I would be asked to lead this newly borne Association in its first steps”.

He thanked the Maltese Speaker of the House for his support in hosting the recent 5th Westminister Workshop in Malta as well as Maltese PAC members who supported his candidature. He also thanked the Prime Minister for his support in this venture and for recognising “this is an opportunity to work together in a bi-partisan fashion to see Malta contribute toward the establishment of the Association, and also thanked the Opposition leader”. 

He said that government has offered to host the Association in Malta and support its operations.