List of parliamentary assistants announced
The government has officially announced the list of Nationalist backbenchers who will be twinned to ministries.
The appointments, of what are being called parliamentary assistants, were made after consultations held by the Prime Minister with the PN parliamentary group.
Franco Debono will be parliamentary assistant to the Prime Minister.
Frederick Azzopardi will serve in the Ministry of Gozo.
Charlo Bonnici will serve at the Ministry of the Infrastructure.
Philip Mifsud will be with the Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs.
Stephen Spiteri at the Ministry of Education.
Robert Arrigo at the Ministry of Finance.
Beppe Fenech Adami at the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs and Peter Micallef at the Ministry of Health.
Missing from the list is Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, who, according to reliable information given to timesofmalta.com yesterday, was also to have served in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Dr Jean Pierre Farrugia yesterday announced - on the Labour Party's TV station - that he had declined Dr Gonzi's invitation to serve as parliamentary assistant. He said he wished to be free to be able to offer loyal criticism of the government.
The work of the parliamentary assistants will be coordinated by group whip David Agius, who will be assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since the Foreign Minister is also Leader of the House.
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Philip Bonello
Mar 10th 2010, 20:52
We can true democracy if parliament voted by secret ballot everytime.
Henry S Pace
Mar 10th 2010, 17:34
The new approach of the PM may be will statisfy the PN Aspirants. Th Hon J P Farrugia told the PM that he would not accept any junior portfolio because this runs conflict to his, whatever it is.
I would appeal to some ' Yo-yo' MPs (elected in one election and unelected on the next) to concentrate and work for themselves and the Party because we are just three years away from a General Election
I do think that these 'Aspirant ' MPs have to think before they act. as the proverb says 'Look before you leap'
George Caruana
Mar 10th 2010, 15:08
So, instead of limiting the powers of our governing institutions, we continue to strengthen them. Instead of stirring our parliament as our institution of public debate and people representation, it becomes a tool for MP’s to fortify their interests.
Urge all readers to read my petition and sign it. Log in to
http://www.gopetition.com/online/34526.html
Alfred Fenech
Dec 2nd 2011, 11:35
Too little too late....
Jean-pierre Farrugia
Mar 10th 2010, 14:55
@Arthur Micallef: It was during a live program on One TV that we backbenchers were accused for voting for government's water & electricity tariffs by being "promoted". I had no other alternative but to there and then state the honest truth as far as I was concerned!
C. Farrugia
Mar 10th 2010, 13:20
Will somebody explain what these MPs going to be paid? Will they have an official car, driver, private secretary and the usual costly entourage? From a financial point of view are we doubling the cabinet?
C.camilleri
Mar 10th 2010, 12:57
@ Arthur Micallef
What difference does it makes where Jean Pierre Farrugia air his views? Would it have had a different meaning if he announced his decision on NET instead of ONE TV.
J. Borg
Mar 10th 2010, 12:54
Dr. JP farrugia should be commended for his decision - his honesty is not for sale!
As to those who are questioning why his decision was broadcasted on Super1....
maybe the Labour party media were the ones who were fed the news by those who have an interest - and were thus the first to raise the query with Dr. Farrugia....
N.Calleja
Mar 10th 2010, 12:37
It has already been repeated ad nauseam that the parlimentary assistants are not going to get any extra remuneration. Satisfied?
Victor Laiviera
Mar 12th 2010, 13:57
You are wrong Mr Calleja. The Prime Minister himself said that they would get an allowance which was still under discussion.
mariocamilleri
Mar 10th 2010, 12:19
LOL :)))))))))))))))) Jew insaltan jew nifred :))))))))) u lee leeee kemm qedin sewwa
John Falzon
Mar 10th 2010, 12:06
Dr. Jean Pierre Farrugia is a true gentleman and clearly the only one in the bunch who did not use the situation for personal advantage. As for the rest of the sorry lot, so much for politics for the people.
K Farrugia
Mar 10th 2010, 12:04
@Mario Bonnici
Yesterday Jean Pierre Farrugia confirmed on Super One that these new roles will not involve extra salaries/honoraries. Members of parliament (i.e. from both sides of the house) are entitled to a fixed honorary, irrespective of the parliamentary work they get involved in.
Lawrence Cardona
Mar 10th 2010, 12:03
@Artur micallef I want to remind you that at last election you nationalist voters did not elect Dr Farrugia but he was made member of parlament cause your party was unable to cope in parlament so it's usless reminding Dr Farrugia what you will do next election i'm sure 100% sure he will not be elected but he will be the only one who can say i was the only one with balls that stoped to the Prim Minister and for us maltese we should be giving our support to people like him and fot the rest i've allredy said on an other article of this same blog these would be called mini me's like the one austin myers created when he played the part of James Bond see the film and you will recognize the mini me's in parlament and to end my father allways said everyone has a prize and we will never know how much Dr Gonzi has paid or is paying for the new invented positions viva Malta republika (u il poplu ihallas)
Noel Formosa
Mar 10th 2010, 11:46
Happy to see Fredrick Azzopardi in the list...a loyal and a truly genuine MP.. Good Luck Fredrick...a living example to all...
maria falzon
Mar 10th 2010, 11:43
Can anyone enlighten us what exactly is the job description of these guys (except to stop from criticizing the govt)? What is the employment grade? Are they employed like other civil servants? What is the general public to expect from them?
James Grima
Mar 10th 2010, 11:41
@All commentors:
Are you jealous of the fine and brilliant politics our prime minister is applying?
Ludwig Flask
Mar 10th 2010, 11:39
We have so many unemployed whom are desperate for work, so many social and financial problems, and the Prime Minister twins backbenchers to ministries!
joanna farrugia
Mar 10th 2010, 11:26
now they are twisting their own words now even their actions since they got promoted.they used ppl votes to achieve what they wanted.i hope ppl will learn now
anton cassar
Mar 10th 2010, 11:17
I think that there will be more trouble for the PM......lets see who will be the first one to fall out !
Arthur Micallef
Mar 10th 2010, 11:13
May I ask Dr JP Farrugia why did he have to announce any decisions he takes on ONE TV? Is this his loyalty? Come next election we will remember him.
I. Brincat
Mar 10th 2010, 11:11
Government should announce what the cost to the tax payer, if any, will be?
Adriano Spiteri
Mar 10th 2010, 11:08
More marionettes in place.
Franco Debono as parl. assistant to PM! Hmm!
I congratulate Dr Jean Pierre Farrugia for his decision.
jason agius
Mar 10th 2010, 11:00
tkompli il kummidja Nazzjonalista !!
Mario Bonnici
Mar 10th 2010, 10:56
From 'twinning' to 'rapporteaurs', and now to 'assistants'??
Are they going to be paid? If yes, how much?