Simon Busuttil told supporters the PN had to be there for “genuine Labourites” as he paid tribute to former Labour MP Marlene Farrugia.
The PN leader saluted Dr Farrugia, who is now an independent MP, for the courage she showed in Parliament, saying she represented genuine Labourites betrayed by the government.
“We have to be there for genuine Labourites betrayed by Joseph Muscat… We have to be a party for all Maltese not just Nationalists,” Dr Busuttil told supporters gathered at PN headquarters for the unveiling of proposals on good governance.
He presided over the official launch of a discussion document outlining more than 100 proposals aimed at strengthening democracy, ensuring the independence of public institutions, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
Describing the document as “a breakthrough” and “radical”, Dr Busuttil said it was meant to win back people’s trust in politicians and politics. The document delivers the change people wanted, he added.
“We have a choice in the next election; we can compete with Joseph Muscat by being as, or more corrupt than him or by being correct. I refuse to win by being dirty,” the Opposition leader said.
In a speech that ran through the document’s salient points, Dr Busuttil also challenged the Prime Minister to withdraw the appeal filed by the government in response to a constitutional court case that had awarded the PN two extra seats as a result of mistakes in the counting process in the 2013 election.
DOCUMENT TO 'RESTORE TRUST IN POLITICS'
A clash of mentalities will decide the next election, determining whether citizens want to continue on the path this government has chosen or opt for a government of principles, according to the Opposition leader.
The promised proposals for good governance launched today would guide the next PN government from day one, Simon Busuttil told The Sunday Times of Malta, stressing the aim was “to restore trust in politics”.
PN leader Simon Busuttil.Dr Busuttil said he was clearly setting himself apart from the politics of the Labour Party because “it reflects the real change people want”.
Pressed on whether this was a real reflection of people’s sentiment or whether Labour’s stand of a strong economy was what people cared about, Dr Busuttil said this divide would determine the next election.
“Joseph Muscat will clearly be buying votes – promising this or that – while I’m saying that buying votes is not the way to go. Then we’ll see who wins. This will be the key electoral test,” Dr Busuttil said.
“If I fail it would mean I am betting on the wrong horse, but I really believe the Maltese are shrewd and intelligent and make the right choice at the end of the day – like when they kicked us out of office despite a strong economy,” he added.
He said the Opposition’s good governance document included measures aimed at addressing the alleged corruption, fraud, conflict of interest, incompetence, irregularities, clientelism, nepotism and discriminatory practices in government.
Joseph Muscat will clearly be buying votes, while I’m saying that buying votes is not the way to go
While acknowledging that some governance failings have stemmed from the previous PN administration, Dr Busuttil stressed that it was now a reinvigorated party guided by strong principles.
Specific measures in the document address recent scandals involving government MPs, as well as past dirt dished out on former PN ministers and parliamentary secretaries.
“We need to address the erosion of values. We need to restore the gel that keeps us together.
“There will always be those who just look at their own pocket, but there are also those who always want to do better,” he insisted.
Tasked on the implementation and assessment of these proposals, Dr Busuttil said the document was being presented two years before the next general election so public feedback would be integrated into the document where necessary.
The proposed citizens’ rights ministry is also explained, dispelling the notion it would compete with the Ombudsman’s duties. The document stresses the aim is to ensure citizens are given adequate services from public administration in the first place, before resorting to complaints.
The 10 proposals and selected highlights
Democratic scrutiny
• Two-thirds majority in Parliament for important appointments – e.g. the President.
• Allow Maltese citizens in other EU countries to vote in general elections in Malta through distance voting.
• Propositive referenda [to propose a law] to allow citizens to propose new laws, subject to collection of the necessary signatures.
• MPs can choose to dedicate all their time to parliamentary duties and be adequately compensated for renouncing their main occupation.
• MPs will not be appointed to the boards of public authorities or ‘positions of trust’ within the government.
Transparency
• Publish all agreements and contracts entered into by the government and inform the public on all government decisions affecting the use of public money and public property.
• Change the Freedom of Information Act for greater transparency.
• Publish more detailed ministerial declaration of assets and restore the obligation for MPs and PSs to declare their spousal assets.
Ethical behaviour
• Unless already enacted, the first law by a new PN administration would establish the parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in Public Life.
• Preclude MPs from recruiting business partners or relatives in their secretariats, public boards or positions of trust.
• Prohibit members of government from accepting gifts valued at more than €150 where these create an obligation. If the amount is exceeded but the gift does not create an obligation it must still be registered with the Commissioner for Standards of Public Life.
• Introduce a legal obligation to ensure MPs report abuse by other MPs to the authorities immediately or face criminal punishment.
Public appointments
• Two-thirds majority rule in Parliament for the appointment of positions of high public office, e.g. civil service head, police commissioner, army commander, Central Bank governor and members of constitutional bodies, such as the Broadcasting Authority.
• Adopt proposals of the [Giovanni] Bonello Commission to ensure an independent selection process for the judiciary.
• An individual cannot hold a position on more than one public board and cannot serve more than a maximum of two consecutive terms.
• Prohibit top party officials from holding a ‘position of trust’.
• Adopt equality mainstreaming measures to achieve full equality, 50 per cent female representation, in public appointments.
Proper use of public funds
• Ministers, parliamentary secretaries and high-ranking public officials to travel abroad in economy class.
• No spouses and children to accompany ministers abroad paid by public funds.
• Ban the prime minister and ministers from using their personal car as an official car for their financial gain.
Media and public broadcasting
• Legally require media organisations of political organisations to respect balance.
• Remove criminal libel.
• Remove parliamentary immunity from civil libel so MPs can no longer make defamatory statements in Parliament against others knowing they enjoy immunity.
Public communications
• Publish an annual report of public expenditure on government adverts.
• Respect the distinction between the government and political party in public activities.
Organisations working for social dialogue and civil society
• Strengthen the MCESD structure by entrenching its autonomy.
• Introduce a package of measures to support the work of civil society organisations.
Citizens’ rights
• Ensure citizens are well served. The citizens’ rights ministry would liaise with other ministries to put an end to situations where people are sent on a wild goose chase from one department to another.
• Enshrine the citizen’s right to good public administration in the Constitution.
Respecting the rule of law
• Require, in the interests of equitable social and economic development, that all laws are routinely vetted for their impact on the poor.
• All laws regularly vetted for their environmental impact before being presented to Parliament.
10 problems
1. Lack of respect for the rule of law.
2. Unequal treatment and discrimination.
3. Lack of transparency.
4. Lack of accountability.
5. Unethical behaviour and conflicts of interest.
6. Nepotism, favouritism and clientelism.
7. Misuse of public funds, property or other assets.
8. Abuse of power and corruption.
9. Uncertainty of democratic outcomes.
10. Weak public administration.