AD calls for full-time MPs and salary tagged to attendance

Alternattiva Demokratika has put forward a number of proposals to the Ombudsman, the General Auditor and the Chief Electoral Commissioner in which they have proposed, amongst other things, full-time MPs, as well as an end to the honoraria for ministers and MPs.

Instead, they would be paid a salary that is in part a flat sum, with the rest linked to actual attendance in parliament for committee and plenary work.

AD Chairperson, Arnold Cassola, was speaking at a press conference alongside his deputy Carmel Cacopardo outside Castille in Valletta. He said that, whilst not illegal, it was “unethical” for MPs to hold on to their part-time jobs whilst serving in parliament. He said that the part-time nature of the Maltese parliament did not allow for a system of “constant scrutinizing”.

“A full-time parliament will provide a better and more efficient parliament. After all, the role of the persons elected to parliament should be, first and foremost, to serve those who elected them. In Malta, we have a parliament which works on a part-time basis and that is simply not right” he said.

Cassola is of the opinion that the attendance record of parliamentarians and ministers should be reflected in their salary, whilst putting forward his belief that “any person travelling on parliamentary duty should travel in economy class and should not be put up at hotels with more than a four-star rating. These are all forms of excessive spending for the country," he said.

Cassola added that MPs should not receive unfair benefits as a result of parliamentary position.

“Persons elected to parliament should receive the same benefits that every other citizen receives. They should be entitled to receive a National Insurance contributory pension, as opposed to the honoraria system which is currently in place. Furthermore, they certainly should not be allowed to receive a pension if they are still serving as parliamentarians or ministers,” he said.

Cassola said that AD had also proposed that parliamentary sittings should be held at more family-friendly times, allowing for more women to participate more.