Konrad Mizzi’s appointment an ‘insult’- Simon Busuttil

A day after the government announced a major reshuffle to the Cabinet – which amongst numerous changes included the decision to place the health sector under the portfolio of Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi – PN Leader Simon Busuttil has hit out at the prime minister and Konrad Mizzi, branding the latter's appointment as an “insult”.

Energy minister Konrad Mizzi was yesterday appointed as health and energy minister, with Labour MP Chris Fearne appointed as parliamentary secretary for health.

“Konrad Mizzi’s appointment is insulting. This is the same man who endorsed the government’s plan to permanently anchor an LNG terminal at Delimara – and now the prime minister is trusting him with Malta’s health sector.”

“The health ministry was already stretched out before the reshuffle. It can only get worse now,” Busuttil said while insisting that the two ministries should never have been placed under one remit of responsibility.

Addressing the party faithful at Ghajniselem, Busuttil accused Mizzi of adopting a “divisive and arrogant” approach, branding his decision to “steam-roll” over the Marsaxlokk and Birzebbugia residents a clear reminder.

“The energy minister has already shown an arrogant approach when he decided to steamroll over the opposition and the residents in deciding to put a huge risk at Delimara. We are doubtful whether the opposition can strike consensus with Konrad Mizzi in charge of the ministry,” Busuttil argued.

While insisting that the reshuffle should not have been carried just one year into the government’s legislature, the PN Leader argued that the reshuffle killed off the Labour Party’s mantra of ‘Malta Taghna Lkoll’ (Malta for All).

Busuttil said that Godrey Farrugia – who yesterday tendered his resignation as health minister – exposed Joseph Muscat’s “deceit” and that it was a clear example that Malta is not really for all.

“Instead,” Busuttil argued, “the reshuffle is clear that the prime minister does not trust Godfrey Farrugia. It has exposed Muscat’s deceit and has shed light on how the government used and disposed of Farrugia and Franco Mercieca.”

“The reshuffle and Godfrey Farrugia’s resignation is a clear proof that Malta Taghna Lkoll failed. The party’s battle cry of a progressive and a liberal movement has suffered an equal fate – it was a gimmick and an electoral lie,” Busuttil said while drawing comparisons with the Labour Party’s failed 2003 European Union partnership endorsement.

Busuttil insisted that even ministers feel that they cannot work with the prime minister.

In a dig at the Labour Party’s pledge to deliver ‘Malta’s best cabinet’, the PN leader argued that the reshuffle flew in the face of Muscat’s promise. Now, the new Cabinet, according to the prime minister’s yardstick is “second best”.

“Rather than giving an explanation for the reshuffle, the prime minister is instead posing for photos. The prime minister’s decision not to face the media is an act of cowardice,” he said.

On Karmenu Vella’s nomination for European Commissioner, the PN Leader argued that he was neither informed nor consulted by Vella’s nomination, but instead merely presented with a fait accompli.

“I hope that this government does not pretend the opposition’s cooperation. The opposition’s cooperation can no longer be taken for granted but instead, the government has to work hard for it,” he argued.

Turning his attention on the appointment of Michael Falzon who will be responsible for planning, he expressed his wish that he would not turn MEPA into  a “political tool” – a feat which according to Simon Busuttil is ever-prevalent “especially after the board’s decision on the contentious LNG terminal.”

“Not only did the government change the composition of the MEPA board, but in writing a letter to the MEPA board, the prime minister also put undue political pressure on an independent entity,” he said.