PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Transparency is not a privilege; it is a right, a duty, and the cornerstone of democracy – Speaker of the House of Representatives

“Transparency is not a privilege; it is a right, a duty, and the cornerstone of democracy,"stated Speaker Anġlu Farrugia when this morning he welcomed distinguished experts to the 3rd Meeting of Experts under the LEGSAI initiative at the Parliament of Malta, highlighting the indispensable role of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) as guardians of public accountability, ensuring that governance is conducted with integrity and financial prudence.

Speaker Farrugia emphasised that the legal frameworks protecting SAIs must be continuously reinforced to withstand external pressures and safeguard their independence. He noted that this meeting provides a critical opportunity for experts to collaborate on best practices, develop a repository of legal safeguards, and establish a maturity model to assess and enhance SAIs' legal resilience, which efforts will contribute to strengthening institutions globally, ensuring that financial oversight remains robust and effective.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives underscored Parliament's unwavering commitment to upholding the independence of oversight institutions. He affirmed that Parliament has taken decisive actions to protect SAIs from undue influence, ensuring they can operate without interference or obstruction, stating that independence is not something to be granted—it is something to be safeguarded, nurtured, and defended.

Concluding his address Speaker Farrugia commended the experts for their dedication, expressing confidence that their discussions would lead to meaningful reforms that reinforce financial oversight, governance standards, and public trust worldwide.