The government yesterday relegated the opposition-proposed Permanent Committee on Family Affairs to a parliamentary sub-committee within the Social Affairs Committee focusing on the family.
Speaking during the debate on the motion proposing structures to safeguard and strengthen the family, Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg said the government agreed with the main thrust of the opposition’s motion but preferred that, instead of a parliamentary committee, this would take the form of a sub-committee under the aegis of the SAC.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the sub-committee he was proposing would have the same structure and functions as that proposed by the opposition, with its own analysts on the causes of marriage breakdowns and their impact within the family. The sub-committee could be formed from MPs who were not necessarily members of the Social Affairs Committee.
Dr Borg agreed with the proposed remit of looking into the legal framework of the family and recommended that the sub-committee should draft a family-friendly Bill to strengthen the family. It could also look into legislation which discriminated against children.
During the referendum campaign, both sides had emphasised the importance of a strong family giving stability to society. Where families failed, society had to suffer the consequences.
It was the duty of the state to protect the family, particularly those who were vulnerable in an extra-marital relationship. The state had a duty to protect children’s interests. The Maltese legal framework provided for such protection, although there could be instances where this could be strengthened.
Dr Borg said that for many years he had defended family cases in court. Developments had been achieved with family cases being heard separately from others in the civil court, and also with the setting up of the Family Court which had been a PN electoral proposal. This included the mediation process which the state provided free of charge. The government had also introduced the system of video-conferencing where children were protected from testifying to marital conflict.
The minister praised the members of the Social Affairs Committee for the initiatives and work they had carried out. The committee had published a number of reports which delved into family matters and consultation. Other reports were still being compiled. Published reports included a report on cohabitation and on fatherlessness in the family.
He said he had been involved in the first constitutional case on the adoption of children born out of wedlock. As minister he had also moved amendments removing discrimination against such children in cases of inheritance and birth registration.
Dr Borg said it was the ambition of every politician to introduce or approve measures and legislation that were sustained by different political administrations.