A proposal for Nationalist Party MPs to fork out two months’ worth of parliamentary wages to help pay for party employees’ salaries does not go far enough, MP Robert Arrigo has said.
The original suggestion, floated by former minister Jason Azzopardi on Twitter last Sunday, called on MPs to use their March and April honorarium to “help employees at Medialink”.
But Mr Arrigo yesterday took the suggestion one step further and called for each PN MP to pay three, rather than two, months’ wages. Each, he said, “should pay according to their rank”, meaning ministers would donate their entire ministerial wage rather than simply the portion they received as MPs. So too would other frontbenchers such as parliamentary secretaries or assistants.
“After all, the PN made them ministers, and paying something back would be a very good idea,” he said.
Mr Arrigo also felt newly elected MPs should be allowed to exempt themselves from contributing. “The disaster at the polls is certainly not the fault of the new MPs,” the Sliema business-man said.
Former Foreign Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said while he was happy to donate two of his paycheques to the PN, such decisions should be agreed upon collectively. “It’s the sort of thing that should be discussed as a group first, and each person should have the final say in what they do. But in principle, I like the idea.” The PN’s parliamentary group will meet tomorrow evening. It is not known whether the wage donation suggestion will be part of that meeting’s agenda, with party general secretary Paul Borg Olivier declining to comment on the issue.
Qormi MP and former parliamentary secretary Clyde Puli said he was happy to contribute his fair share, “be it through party activities, fund-raising or donations”.
He, however, stopped short of fully endorsing his colleague’s idea. “Some people have deeper pockets than others, and people have to see what they can afford. But the principle of us helping out is an excellent one.”
Dr Azzopardi has admitted he is eyeing the PN deputy leadership post with interest. So far, only newly elected MP Claudette Buttigieg has said she will contest the position.
Asked about her potential rival’s suggestion, Ms Buttigieg kept her cards close to her chest.
“I think it’s something we should discuss as a group before voicing individual opinions. We need to put our heads together and see how we can help, whether it’s through that, something else, or both. But I won’t express myself for now.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” mused Ryan Callus, the newly elected sixth district MP. He felt the issue merited further discussion within the parliamentary group.
“Everyone has to do their part,” he said, “so why not help the party in a time of need?”