Opposition returns to Parliament, tensions remain high
The Opposition returns to Parliament and question time turns nasty as MPs from both sides of the House engage themselves in shouting match.
2 October 2013, 12:00am
Jurgen Balzan
Jurgen Balzan
2 min read
Nationalist MPs today returned to the Opposition benches after yesterday's walk out, however tensions did relent as Parliamentary Secretary Owen Bonnici was answering a question in place of the absent Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
Bonnici was replying to a question posed by Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi on whether the Cabinet code of ethics allowed any waivers to government ministers. However, the parliamentary secretary for justice chose to make reference to the €500 wage increase the former Nationalist government had approved and later retracted.
While Bonnici failed to explain the Prime Minister's absence, MPs from both sides of the House engaged in a shouting match, with transport minister claiming that Bonnici had a right to reply as he pleased.
Bonnici's stinging reply attracted a strong reaction from the Opposition benches and led to PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami to pose an additional question on the ministerial declaration of assets.
"Is it right for a minister (Manuel Mallia) to declare to be in possession of €500,000 in cash which he claimed derived from the sale of property and then be caught lying after it transpired that no sale of property took place? Is it right for the deputy prime minister (Louis Grech) to fail to declare a bank account in Belgium in which he holds up to €120,000? Is it bright to have another minister declare that he had a loan of €800,000 but declared minimum wage income.I expect a straight answer," Fenech Adami said.
As tensions were running high, Bonnici said the ministerial declaration of assets was important, however it was also important to highlight the fact that former PN minister Austin had forgot about a Swiss bank account, or how ministers took a pay rise behind the people's back
"Questions should be asked when ministers fail to make a declaration of assets. What should be scrutinised is why did a minister forget to declare a Swiss bank account. I know the truth hurts,"Bonnici quipped, without making any reference to the deputy prime minister Louis Grech's failure to declare his foreign account.
As the decibel levels rose, the Speaker of the House reprimanded Bonnici and struggled to restore order in the House.
"I am speaking to you Honourable Bonnici. When I address you please answer," Farrugia warned Bonnici.
Bonnici went on to explain that a revised version of the Cabinet code of ethics has been drafted and in the coming days, the revised code of ethics will be published for consultation.
Jurgen Balzan was a MaltaToday reported from 2011 to 2017.
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No one can question the fact that Anglu Farrugia is the best speaker Malta has ever had! Unbiased and neutral. Well done Mr Speaker!
Jeffrey Camilleri •
At last we have a strong opposition and means what it says. PN gives an example to Labour how you should be in opposition . PN should be in government and Labour will not have any hussle.
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Opposition returns to parliament; tensions remain high. Ostra x'tensjoni ghandi! Tergghux taghmluha please, ghax ma niflahx ghal ohra.
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We the vast majority of Maltese don't care about the ministerial declaration of assets.What all of you have is only for a short time."till you die".
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Dr. Busuttil : you can apparently teach a new dog old tricks!
Dr. Busuttil ought to be reminded that these are not the eighties, 36,000 votes are more than a clear mandate, in favour of L P to steer the country out of the corrupt practises so rampant under the P N to the extent that they found it necessary to destroy every record of works in almost every ministry.
This is a whole new scenario now Dr. Busuttil, yes go ahead take the issue to Brussels, these are the people you are seeking to make an impact upon, I strongly believe, that this will be the very institution that will let you down. The E U wants stability and economic growth in its member countries.
Dr. Busuttil you may be trying to follow your past leaders example of how to divide and eventually rule, but aren't you going a bit too fast, you will soon run out of ideas at this rate, and then?
