“There is a need for reforms regarding the Honoraria payment of Members of Parliament which would depend of their attendance expect for cases when they are excused due to parliamentary work, sickness and other extraneous matters.”

This proposal, along with others, was announced by Joseph Muscat during a press conference at the Pesidential Palace in Valletta. On the same line of thought, Joseph Muscat said that a new Government will be publishing online attendence records of Members of Parliament for public scrutiny.

Joseph Muscat also added that a new Government will not be giving any pay rise and therefore the pay of the Prime Minister, Ministers and Parliamentary Secretary should be the same as it was at the begining of the last legislation before the unannounced pay increase.

The Labour Leader said that the offices of the Ombudsman, General Auditor and the Electoral Commisioner will be entrusted to establish a remuneration mechanism, from the Prime Minister downwards. Joseph Muscat emphasised the need for more checks and balances on politicians and therefore the law of prescription relating to corruption charges vis-a-vis politicians has to be repealed.

The leader of the Labour Party also talked about the introduction of the Whistle Blower Act, where the law will be different from that proposed by the present government. “This law will see that it will protect all those, including public officials and companies, who may have information, to come forward without fear so that an investigation can be carried out.” Joseph Muscat said that this law is meant to protect even those that come out with information dating back to previous years, contrary to what is being proposed today, where the law will come into effect after it has been approved.

Joseph Muscat also talked about improvements in the code of ethics for chairpersons and members of authority boards and public entities so that conflicts of interest can be immediately identified. The Labour Leader also announced that a Commissioner for Parliamentary Standards, appointed by parliament, will be introduced. Who, in an independent way will scrutinise the behaviour of members of parliament, including cabinet members. He will be responsible to ensure that their work and all their financial interests will be declared and to investigate, as he deems necessary, any discrepancies and to report directly to the speaker of the house and to publish his report.

Two other proposals were also announced, one regarding petitions and the other regarding a committee for Economic and Monetary Affairs where the Labour Leader said that the rights of the citizen to petition parliament will be strengthened. These petitions will be discussed by a petitions committee and where necessary to propose them for inclusion on the House Agenda.

Regarding the committee for Economic and Monetary Affairs Joseph Muscat said that the Governor of the Central Bank should be invited on a regular basis to give his opinion on government policies, so that intrainstitutional accountability can be strengthened.

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