Report by the Auditor General on Government-appointed bodies

The Auditor General, Mr Charles Deguara, today presented this Report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Carmelo Abela. The Report by the Auditor General on Government-appointed bodies consolidates the extensive analysis conducted across all Ministries, covering boards, committees, commissions, councils, tribunals and other similar entities within the public sector. As part of the audit, data on 462 Government-appointed bodies, comprising a total of 3,901 members, was collected and analysed. 

This assignment made reference to the Manual for setting the categorisation, classification and remuneration of Government-appointed Bodies and Committees, effective as from 1 January 2017. This Manual was primarily intended to regulate and harmonise the remuneration to members under a unified structure, as well as to introduce a different procedure for assessment and approval. It also required justifications to be provided for the setting up of new Government-appointed bodies, to ensure that public funds are utilised efficiently.

Amongst others, the objectives of this audit were to assess compliance against the applicable criteria stipulated in the Manual, such as that the categorisation and classification were in accordance with the foregoing, that no unauthorised disbursements of public funds were effected and that the Ministries complied with the requirement to submit the necessary documentation.    Following the audit exercise, recommendations were addressed to the Cabinet Office, given its key role in the management of all the Government-appointed bodies across the public sector. Other recommendations were made to the Ministries in respect of identified instances of non-compliance with the prescribed criteria. The Report also includes a summarised version of the feedback received. The Manual which was revised in July 2026, and eventually even presented to the House of Representatives, reflects various recommendations featured in this Report, and a number of Ministries confirmed their intention to address the observations identified.

To view the report (.pdf) please follow this link