Minister slams PN for calling qualified individuals ‘incompetent’

Family Minister Michael Farrugia has hit out at the Nationalist Party for attacking a number of individuals, “close to the Labour government”, working in different entities.

Addressing parliament, Farrugia said people were attacked “simply because they’re Labourites”.

“Is the PN suggesting that Labour supporters have no right to a promotion? Only PN supporters are qualified?” Farrugia asked, adding that no one should be dismissed because of his or her political affiliations.

“We work with everyone. We look at the qualifications and not at his or her political colour.”

The minister said he would order an inquiry after PN MP Robert Cutajar asked whether children “were paying a price” following the appointment of a new Child and Young Persons Advisory Board.

He added that Cutajar would be the first person to be spoken to by the board of inquiry.

Farrugia went on to lambast the PN for the “unfair attack” against Carmen Fearne, the mother of parliamentary secretary for health Chris Fearne.

“Carmen Fearne is a qualified teacher, a qualified social worker and a qualified councillor. She has been active in social organizations for the past 50 years. Is the PN suggesting we should discard her simply because of who her son is? I am honoured to have her chairing this board,” he added.

During his speech, Farrugia spoke of the measures adopted by the government and measures announced in Budget 2016 to help people in poverty. He said, that while the rate of people at risk of poverty has gone down among those aged under 18 and those aged between 18 and 64, the risk increased for those aged 65+. “We have increased pensions, amongst other measures, to address this issue,” Farrugia said.

As the PN continues to push for the introduction of second pillar pensions, Farrugia asked why the PN had refused to introduce them when these were proposed in 2005 and 2010.