A government proposal to substantially increase the honoraria paid out to MPs has left many on both sides of the House in a quandary, not knowing whether to accept it or not.

A random sample of MPs polled by The Times yesterday drew mixed reactions, with several Labour MPs refusing the increase, some Nationalist MPs defending it and many from both sides still undecided.

The proposal will see MPs receiving an annual increase of €7,000 to their honoraria, which currently stands at €19,112. Officially, the increase only came to light this week when the issue was raised in a parliamentary question.

The Labour MPs who refused the increase said they were doing so out of solidarity with hard-pressed families, who only received a weekly wage increase of €1.16 for next year.

Labour MP Helena Dalli said she would renounce the honoraria increase and agreed with a parliamentary-managed fund for charity financed by this money.

However, three Nationalist MPs – whip David Agius, Francis Zammit Dimech and Charlò Bonnici – said the increase was justified. “It is the remuneration that makes sense today for the work parliamentarians are expected to do. Even so, MPs are still much less compensated than employees in the private sector, MEPs and MPs in parliaments abroad,” Mr Agius said, insisting there were several Labour MPs whose income depended on their parliamentary work who had pushed for such an increase.

Labour MP Stefan Buontempo said he had not yet decided what to do but was “seriously considering” accepting the increase because his parliamentary job took up most of his time despite being an architect by profession.

Similar sentiments were expressed by fellow party MP Chris Agius, who said Parliament was his only source of income. Another Labour MP, Carmelo Abela, said he was still evaluating his options although he acknowledged that “politically, a refusal would go down well” with the electorate.

Labour MPs Michael Falzon, Michael Farrugia and Roderick Galdes were also undecided on the issue. Dr Farrugia went one step further saying he would follow the line adopted by the majority.

None of the Nationalist MPs polled said they would renounce the increase but backbencher and former minister Louis Deguara insisted he only heard about it on the news on Thursday. “I don’t know what I will do but I do not feel it is the right moment for such an increase,” Dr Deguara said.

Nationalist MP Jean-Pierre Farrugia hinted at a sense of injustice at the focus afforded to the honoraria MPs received, as opposed to the salary given to eight parliamentary assistants appointed earlier this year by the government to help ministers carry out their duties.

As yet noncommittal on the proposed increase, Dr Farrugia said he had no problem in refusing it.

“However, the primary focus should be on the eight parliamentary assistants who are paid like committee chairmen and enjoy free mobile phone usage. Some do not even attend Parliament most of the time, which makes me ask what they have done to justify their appointment,” he said.

Fellow Nationalist MPs Jesmond Mugliett and Karl Gouder would not comment on their actions, insisting the matter had not yet been discussed by the parliamentary group while Gozitan MP Frederick Azzopardi had not yet made up his mind.

Former parliamentary secretary Edwin Vassallo insisted that whether he accepted the increase or not, and what he would do with the money, was “a private matter”. Labour MP Joe Debono Grech also declined to comment on his decision, saying no one had called him when he lost his job under a Nationalist government.

The proposal, approved by Cabinet in May 2008, also sees Cabinet members receive extra remuneration as MPs, over and above their income as ministers and parliamentary secretaries.

Labour leader Joseph Muscat, who under the proposal will also receive an extra MP salary in addition to his remuneration as Opposition Leader, has refused the increase of €27,000 annually. None of the Cabinet members, who will be receiving an extra €600 per week, has publicly declared whether they would refuse the increase.

When announcing his decision on Thursday Dr Muscat said Labour MPs were free to decide what was best for them and their families.

Will they accept the extra money?

Yes
David Agius (PN)
Francis Zammit Dimech (PN)
Charlò Bonnici (PN)

No
Owen Bonnici (PL)
Leo Brincat (PL)
Gino Cauchi (PL)
Helena Dalli (PL)
Anglu Farrugia (PL)
Charles Mangion (PL)
Joe Mizzi (PL)

Undecided
Frederick Azzopardi (PN)
Jesmond Mugliett (PN)
Edwin Vassallo (PN)
Jean Pierre Farrugia (PN)
Karl Gouder (PN)
Louis Deguara (PN)
Carmelo Abela (PL)
Chris Agius (PL)
Stefan Buontempo (PL)
Michael Falzon (PL)
Michael Farrugia (PL)
Roderick Galdes (PL)
Joe Debono Grech (PL)

ksansone@timesofmalta.com