Government must change attitude even in Parliament

The Partit Nazzjonalista hopes that in the coming days, the Government will adopt a more mature and serious approach towards the Opposition and, most importantly, towards Parliament. The Opposition will continue to demand absolute transparency and seriousness, particularly to ensure that necessary changes are implemented immediately for Parliament to function more effectively.

This statement was made during a press conference outside the Parliament building, where MPs Robert Cutajar and Paula Mifsud Bonnici, the Opposition's Whip and Assistant Whip, addressed the media. The press conference took place as the House of Representatives reconvenes after the summer recess.

With Ian Borg now serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House— the third in this legislature— the Partit Nazzjonalista expects the Government to act on proposals submitted by the Opposition since July 2022. Among these proposals are:

• A bill to include the environment in Malta’s Constitution as a fundamental human right.
• Measures to reduce food waste.

Other proposals include:

1. The Maltese Parliament should dedicate a Prime Minister's Question Time once a week, based on the practice in the House of Commons.

2. Parliamentary questions should be answered immediately, as there are currently 832 unanswered questions from Opposition MPs.

3. Opposition motions should be discussed more frequently, with a dedicated day or session every two weeks, alternating with the Government. Currently, Opposition can only present up to two draft laws per year, and the Government has not presented the First Reading of 14 Opposition motions.

4. A Permanent Parliamentary Committee for Justice should be established and chaired by an Opposition-nominated Chairperson, with a Government majority.

5. A childcare service should be provided near the Parliament building, benefiting MPs, staff, and police stationed there.

6. Reports submitted by the Ombudsman to Parliament should be discussed in the Plenary within an agreed timeframe.

The Nationalist Opposition also insists that the Government must improve the behavior of some Ministers and Deputies in Parliament, emphasizing that the Maltese and Gozitan people expect and deserve better. The Government has an obligation to show respect to the highest institution in the country with the seriousness it demands.