Independent MP Marlene Farrugia voted with the Opposition once more during the Parliamentary committee debate on the  Environment Protection Bill this evening.

The vote was over an Opposition amendment for the State of the Environment Report to be compiled by the  Commissioner for the Environment within the Office of the Ombudsman and then discussed in Parliament. 

The government did not agree. Environment Minister Leo Brincat argued that the technical people who drafted such reports so far should continue doing so. This report, he said, was not about policy or planning.  Prior to being submitted to Parliament the report will be analysed by the Ombudsman’s office.  Then, Parliament would debate the report and the Ombudsman’s opinion.

At Dr Farrugia's request the vote was taken with each MP standing to declare his vote. This, she said, was a vote about transparency and accountability.

A division was called where the government voted against the proposal while the Opposition and Dr Farrugia voted in favour. The vote was 35 against and 25 in favour.