AD calls for amendments to Standards in Public Life Bill

Parliament this evening will commence the debate on the Bill dealing with Standards in Public Life, announced Deputy Chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika Carmel Cacopardo.

“After the Select Committee of the House of Representatives had presented its final report on the subject, it was expected that the Government should have dealt with the matter much sooner,” Cacopardo added, noting that it has been two years since the Bill was presented.

The Alternattiva Demokratika, while commenting that the Bill is a move in the right direction on the present situation, insisted in a statement that substantial improvements are still required in the proposals put forward by the Bill.

“It is particularly essential that regulatory measures dealing with the lobbying of politicians in both formal and informal meetings are introduced. The Bill as presented ignores lobbying completed and does not attempt its regulation,” the Green Party said.

Cacopardo added that it is now essential that Parliament deals expeditiously with the Bill and approves it, while making amendments, as soon as possible.

“There were many cases and instances during the past two years which could have been investigated had such legislation been in place. It is hence essential that the Bill is improved and approved in the shortest possible time, as well as that the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life is appointed as soon as possible,” he said. “It is to be emphasised that the Bill proposes that the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life not only investigates the conduct of Members of Parliament and Ministers but also the conduct of persons of trust appointed by the administration. These should realise that even they are accountable,” concluded Carmel Cacopardo.