We’re still basking in the post-Eurovision glow, so to stick to the theme, here’s a resounding Nul points for the Labour Government’s system of appointments. In the same way that the Eurovision contest serves up one flamboyant act after another with singers trying to outdo each other in the stand-out stakes, Labour seems to be intent on impressing us with one ridiculous nomination after another.
The PL was elected on a wave of goodwill. Why squander it so needlessly?
When the first questionable appointments were made, I thought I’d keep my counsel and adopt a wait-and-see attitude. But when that trickle turned into a flood and practically everybody who had featured on a Labour billboard was parachuted onto a board or quango or purposely set-up vehicle, I had second thoughts.
The appointment of former Eurovision contestant William Mangion as some sort of roving-estate-at-large with the expressed mission of locating premises for Maltese bands to rehearse in, really takes the biscuit. Reports about Mangion’s appointment state that he has a one-year contract. Details about his pay were not forthcoming, but if it’s on the same lines of those of other consultants appointed for one year, it exceeds the €2,000-a-month mark.
The thing I find most worrying about these sort of appointments is not that they’re given to Labour supporters (or recent converts).
Despite much feigned indignation from Nationalist quarters, they’d still have to acknowledge the fact that during the PN’s term in office practically all relevant boards, quangos and watchmen were Nationalists. Maybe there’d be a token pale pink Labour supporter somewhere, but such appointments were few and far between, with the plum jobs being assigned to Nationalists (And no, not always on merit, or because Nationalists were brighter or better).
Since most parastatal entities and boards had been the exclusive reserve of PN supporters, it is only natural that the incoming Labour Government appoints those supporters who have been left out in the cold for so long, and who deserve to be so appointed. So it’s not a matter of political hue.
What I find ridiculous is the fact that some of the posts that are being created are totally unnecessary. They’re going to result in costly pay packets from the public purse and a duplication of roles and work.
If these sort of appointments continue to be made at the same pace, we’re going to end up with a barmy army of consultants, co-ordinators and whatnots getting paid to do something that could easily be done by the relevant department or long-established entities.
Take the Mangion appointment, for example. From what I can gather, his main remit is to locate premises where local bands can practise and perform, preferably cockroach-free and possibly sound-proofed. There were also some mutterings about band promotion, a performance space and an exhibition place.
I can’t help thinking why this should be beyond someone working in the Department for Culture? Why do we need a Band Rehearsal Space Czar to find some disused industrial lot, call in the pest control agency and have it kitted out to suit bands’ needs?
More to the point: Is this what local bands really need? From what I hear they are more concerned with the anomalous VAT situation for performers, and ensuring that royalties due to them are paid. Rehearsal space seems to fall quite far down on their list of priorities.
It’s a pity that the Labour Government hasn’t taken a more measured approach to this nomination business. One of the main reasons for the Nationalists’ fall from grace was the (correct) perception that it was government for the few by the few, with nepotism being rife and where anybody who had as much as sent one tweet in favour of the PN was rewarded.
You can’t condemn that kind of system and then resort to replicating it, as it detracts from your credibility. What’s more, it fosters resentment within the ranks of those who haven’t been awarded something from Labour’s giant party bag.
I bet there are thousands of Labour supporters wondering why they didn’t land a plum job sourcing biscuits for the party general conference, carrying out research on ideal travel destinations for the Maltese public or similar.
I doubt that the state coffers can sustain the kind of expenditure needed to make their wishes come true. While it’s impossible to avoid some measure of controversy about public appointments, the Labour Party would do well to avoid more gaffes in this regard.
The PL was elected on a wave of goodwill. Why squander it so needlessly?
cl.bon@nextgen.net.mt