Restoring Trust in Politics

Proposals for good governance: a proactive PN.

1. Democratic scrutiny

• Two-thirds majority in Parliament for important appointments – e.g. the President.

• Allow Maltese citizens in other EU countries to vote in general elections in Malta through distance voting.

• Propositive referenda [to propose a law] to allow citizens to propose new laws, subject to collection of the necessary signatures.

• MPs can choose to dedicate all their time to parliamentary duties and be adequately compensated for renouncing their main occupation.

• MPs will not be appointed to the boards of public authorities or ‘positions of trust’ within the government.

2. Transparency

• Publish all agreements and contracts entered into by the government and inform the public on all government decisions affecting the use of public money and public property.

• Change the Freedom of Information Act for greater transparency.

• Publish more detailed ministerial declaration of assets and restore the obligation for MPs and PSs to declare their spousal assets. 3. Ethical behaviour

• Unless already enacted, the first law by a new PN administration would establish the parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in Public Life.

• Preclude MPs from recruiting business partners or relatives in their secretariats, public boards or positions of trust.

• Prohibit members of government from accepting gifts valued at more than €150 where these create an obligation. If the amount is exceeded but the gift does not create an obligation it must still be registered with the Commissioner for Standards of Public Life.

• Introduce a legal obligation to ensure MPs report abuse by other MPs to the authorities immediately or face criminal punishment.

4. Public appointments

• Two-thirds majority rule in Parliament for the appointment of positions of high public office, e.g. civil service head, police commissioner, army commander, Central Bank governor and members of constitutional bodies, such as the Broadcasting Authority.

• Adopt proposals of the [Giovanni] Bonello Commission to ensure an independent selection process for the judiciary.

• An individual cannot hold a position on more than one public board and cannot serve more than a maximum of two consecu­tive terms.

• Prohibit top party officials from holding a ‘position of trust’.

• Adopt equality mainstreaming measures to achieve full equality, 50 per cent female representation, in public appointments. 5. Proper use of public funds.

• Ministers, parliamentary secretaries and high-ranking public officials to travel abroad in economy class.

• No spouses and children to accompany ministers abroad paid by public funds.

• Ban the prime minister and ministers from using their personal car as an official car for their financial gain.

6. Media and public broadcasting

• Legally require media organisations of political organisations to respect balance.

• Remove criminal libel.

• Remove parliamentary immunity from civil libel so MPs can no longer make defamatory statements in Parliament against others knowing they enjoy immunity.

7. Public communications

• Publish an annual report of public expenditure on government adverts.

• Respect the distinction between the govern­ment and political party in public activities.

8. Organisations working for social dialogue and civil society

• Strengthen the MCESD structure by entrenching its autonomy.

• Introduce a package of measures to support the work of civil society organisations.

9. Citizens’ rights

• Ensure citizens are well served. The citizens’ rights ministry would liaise with other minis­tries to put an end to situations where people are sent on a wild goose chase from one department to another.

• Enshrine the citizen’s right to good public administration in the Constitution.

10. Respecting the rule of law

• Require, in the interests of equitable social and economic development, that all laws are routinely vetted for their impact on the poor.

• All laws regularly vetted for their environmental impact before being presented to Parliament.