Government accuses opposition of disrespect to democracy

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For years, the Nationalist administration had undermined the parliamentary democracy, even going against the will of the majority, transport minister Joe Mizzi said this evening.

In an impassioned speech, Mizzi said the Speaker had been correct in ruling a breach of privilege because "Simon Busuttil's statement had been an accusation".

"He was repeatedly ask to substantiate his allegation, but he failed to do so. And the Speaker was correct in defending this Chamber. Because this is not a courtroom... it is the country's highest institutions which you are not respection," Mizzi said.

The minister accused the Nationalists of "ripping parliamentary democracy to pieces".

"You did it from the government benches when you continued ruling without enjoying a majority and you continue to do it today from the Opposition benches, abusing of the rights which the government is giving you."

Mizzi said it was unacceptable that the Opposition MPs expected "to steamroll over everyone, expecting no one to stop you".

Mizzi said it was hypocritical of the Opposition to speak about parliamentary democracy when, from the government benches, it had tried to stop a vote of confidence in Carm Mifsud Bonnici from being taken.

"A Nationalist government that was embroiled in one corruption case after the other. Cases which I repeatedly flagged and now we are seeing the biggest scandal ever," he said, referring to the Enemalta oil scandal.

Mizzi added that he himself had been found in breach of privilege in the past, but contrary to today's Opposition, he was never given the chance to explain despite having been right.

On his part, government whip Carmelo Abela said it was the Opposition which was forcing people to lose faith in the politicians and the institutions.

Abela was replying to Mario de Marco's intervention.

He insisted that if one had to make a serious allegation, then he or she had to substantiate it. "MPs cannot go around making such claims without presenting their proof. The Prime Minister repeatedly asked Busuttil to substantiate his arguments before requesting a ruling," Abela said.

On her part, Labour MP Deborah Schembri argued that the Opposition's "political conclusion" was devoid of logic.

"What we're saying is that there shouldn't be abuse of parliamentary privilege. But the Opposition prefers walking out instead of debating," Schembri said.

She said that Busuttil simply "fired his own conclusion" and attributed it to the Prime Minister.

"This is not what freedom of expression means," she argued, insisting that allegations of political interference in police work could not be taken lightly.

Schembri also asked why Dalli had never been arraigned. "Rizzo said Dalli had not been arraigned because had been sick and abroad. So why didn't he arraign him as soon as he landed in Malta? Because that what happens to a man, who fails to pay his wife's maintenance, as soon as he arrives to Malta."

According to Schembri, if the Prime Minister had "something to hide" he would have never requested a ruling with the result that further discussions would have to take place.

Taking the floor, parliamentary secretary for justice Owen Bonnici argued that while there was nothing wrong with heated arguments, these shouldn't be allowed to degenerate.

"The Opposition has asked why action was only taken in parliament. But isn't it obvious that parliament is the highest institution and we therefore have to respect it?"

Bonnici added that rules forbidding mud-slinging, were basic rules which gentlemen should follow without the need for them to be written down.