A root-and-branch reform of the Government Property Department is Deborah Schembri’s “immediate priority” as she settles down in her new job.
The parliamentary secretary was handed two hot potatoes when the Prime Minister chose her to replace Michael Falzon in the wake of the Auditor General’s findings on the Mark Gaffarena scandal.
Her portfolio includes the planning authority and the Government Property Department, both at the heart of controversy.
Dr Schembri yesterday said the property department would be transformed into an independent authority as outlined by the Prime Minister last Wednesday.
“It is a challenge but one that I will be relishing since it gives me the chance to drive change and not simply influence it,” she said.
The property department is expected to undergo an overhaul after it was implicated in a web of intrigue that saw businessman Mark Gaffarena collude with top officials to obtain cash and land worth €3.4 million for half a property worth €944,000.
It is a challenge but one that I will be relishing since it gives me the chance to drive change and not simply influence it
The deal was probed by the National Audit Office, which concluded that parliamentary secretary Michael Falzon also colluded to the benefit of Mr Gaffarena.
The department has been temporarily put under the administration of a board led by Judge Lawrence Quintano and many transactions have been frozen. The police were also ordered to ensure no files and documents left the building.
Dr Schembri said she met Judge Quintano and the Police Commissioner last Friday. Employees had been locked out of their offices on Thursday as the police secured the building at Auberge de Baviere. They were allowed in on Friday.
“I will leave it up to the board to determine how the day-to-day affairs will be managed but I was told the files are now under lock and key,” she said.
But Dr Schembri will also have to oversee the implementation of the planning authority demerger after the laws setting up the two distinct authorities – one for planning and another for the environment – were approved by Parliament last year.
She said it was too early for her to comment any further as she awaited briefings on the different aspects of her portfolio.
“I was given a proper handover by Dr Falzon last Friday. He has been a gentleman,” she said.
Describing her first day at the office as “interesting”, she said it was the first time she got to see things from the inside.
Dr Schembri shot to fame in 2010 when she spearheaded the pro-divorce campaign with success. She went on to contest the election with the Labour Party in 2013 and made it to Parliament in a casual election.