Joe Debono Grech walks out of public consultation

The former Labour minister Joe Debono Grech, now a backbencher, walked out of a governmental public consultation in Gozo, after learning that he was not to be seated at the head table with the minister.

The government is currently rolling out a roadshow for every single minister and parliamentary secretary around Malta and Gozo, fielding questions from the public on their work and performance.

The fiery veteran Debono Grech was recently appointed the Gozo Ministry’s consultant on public works.

The decision, taken by the Office of the Prime Minister, will mean that the 74-year-old MP gets paid extra over his parliamentary honorarium and pension. The Gozo Ministry confirmed he has been recruited as a consultant with a salary of “under €12,000 annually”.

MaltaToday has learnt that during the public consultation meeting that was to be led by Gozo minister Anton Refalo, Debono Grech learned that he was not to be placed at the head table.

During the public consultation meetings, an MP is always invited to participate and take part in the debate, but to do so from the seats reserved for the public.

When Debono Grech realised that he would be seated with the public, he left the meeting and, as organisers told this newspaper, could not be traced.

Debono Grech served as minister in the Mintoff and Sant governments, his responsibilities including agriculture and transport.