Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:24 pm on 14 March 2018.
May I thank those Members who have paid tribute to Huw Vaughan Thomas for the important work that he has done in restoring the role of the Auditor General for Wales? The importance of the role is reflected in the legislation that has been passed by this Assembly, the 2013 Act, which establishes the independence of the Auditor General for Wales and ensures that the appointment, although an appointment by Her Majesty, does go through independent processes in the Finance Committee and other committees of this Assembly, and ultimately comes before the Assembly as a whole for approval for nomination to Her Majesty. I look forward as Chair of the Finance Committee, and I'm sure that all Members are also looking forward, to seeing a new auditor general with so much experience, as has already been outlined by David Melding. Independence of view, freedom of thought and the strength to stand up when necessary against governments and other public authorities in Wales—that's what an auditor general needs to do, and I'm pleased to seek the Assembly's support for this nomination made today.