Frankie goes to Italy

During the Christmas and New Year period, the government continued trying to run the three-legged race in the iniquitous world of 24-hour news, Facebook, blogs and tweets. Keeping the pace is much harder now than it ever was before.

... it was caught out surreptitiously and extravagantly awarding itself a pay rise while telling people that they must make sacrifices and accept a paltry salary increase- Helena Dalli

In the meantime, the Nationalist Party and state media cover up the government messes declaring that we are “breaking records” in every other “news” item. A record in sales, a record in tourism, a record in investment, a record in most areas. What we never hear from these founts of news are reports on the record in confusion and instability plaguing this Administration.

Instead, those in charge of government spin resort to purposely confound issues. For instance, on the splitting up of the justice and home affairs portfolios, we heard a lot about deadlines, which, probably, only existed in the minds of those wanting to make government MP Franco Debono appear a fool. How dare he give the Prime Minister an ultimatum! The Prime Minister would appear weak if he gives in. By implication – as if it crossed anyone’s mind that the Prime Minister will speak on the issue before the strokes of midnight on December 31 – he will appear strong by not budging.

In whose interest were these rumours being spread then?

Even the fact that Dr Debono went for a three-day break to Italy became top news material. Why did he go? Will he come back? Has he thrown in the towel? Will he be here before midnight on Saturday? I wouldn’t have been surprised to see a headline: If not, will his plane turn into a pumpkin?

Give him a break. But, no, rumour and malice from his own home quarters will continue to be stirred, news leads will continue to be fed to other media houses, until, hopefully for some, this MP calls it a day.

Should he give up? I don’t think so. But that can’t mean much to my detractors, coming from an MP on the opposite side of the divide (I probably sound like the PN sympathising with Dom Mintoff in 1998).

Nevertheless, facts remain facts: Dr Debono was proven right in many instances, albeit many realised this in hindsight because they were concentrating on the manner used to change things rather than the substance.

Dr Debono was very clear in his argument about the separation of home affairs from justice. It also appears that the Prime Minister is in agreement with this. So what is the problem?

It is evident that the pledge to split up the justice and home affairs portfolios was made when Dr Debono was reluctant – for the reasons he has been giving; remember he also presented a Bill to Parliament that addressed this matter – to support the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry’s budgetary vote.

Another issue that continues to show the disarray the PN is in surfaced last week. And before rushing to pour scorn, a little sombre reflection would not hurt anyone. This new banana skin comes in the form of the Greco (the Council of Europe group of states against corruption) report.

It is revealed that the Bills presented by the Maltese government dealing with the trading of influence, corruption of judges and party financing do not follow Greco’s recommendations. Dr Debono says that his Bill on party financing, meets all the recommendations made by Greco. So the government is sent back to the drawing board on a party financing Bill (drafted by the Attorney General’s Office), when work is in progress on a Bill that is up to the Greco expectations.

Which Bill is the government actually supporting? The Attorney General’s, which is not in line with the Greco recommendations, or Dr Debono’s, which is closer to Greco specifications?

There are many things that Labour does not agree with in the Bill Greco was sent and it is clear – from the Greco comments – that the government left various loopholes to suit its needs. But, as has become the practice, the opposition and the public only get to know of things when the government is reprimanded by world or European institutions. So much for transparency!

We therefore start 2012 with the tireless Dr Debono in the midst of another important issue, painted by some media quarters as a controversy. This is because the government refuses to be straightforward and, in its bid to hide things, ends up with egg on its face every time.

We therefore start 2012 with the tireless Franco Debono in the midst of another important issue, painted by some media quarters as a controversy. This is because the government refuses to be straightforward and in its bid to hide things, ends up with egg on its face every time. Just like it did when it was caught out surreptitiously and extravagantly awarding itself an extra pay packet while telling people that they must make sacrifices and accept a paltry wage increase.

Then, in an effort to kill important issues which really affect our lives, we are fed Frankie goes to Italy stories and ultimatum myths. But last Friday’s reshuffle continues to prove – if proof were needed – that Franco Debono was right all the way. Obviously, his school report has nothing to do with this; pity he dug it up and waved it about.

helenadalli@gmail.com

Dr Dalli is shadow minister for the public service, government investments and gender equality.