The government is proposing the appointment of a Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards who will investigate any cases of abuse of parliamentary privilege, misbehaviour or unethical behaviour by MPs.

He may also propose penalties which could include a month-long suspension from the House, although the ultimate decision will be taken by the House itself.

The proposals are being made in a White Paper launched today by Foreign Minister Tonio Borg, who is Leader of the House. The White Paper is open for public consultation for a month as from today.

The document – called The Maltese Parliament: More autonomy, more accountability – also proposes the setting up of a Parliamentary Service, for the administration of Parliament to be distinct from that of the civil service.

Dr Borg said that in contrast to other countries, the government is proposing that the new Commissioner of Standards will be appointed with the support of a minimum of two-thirds of the members of the House. He/she may serve for up to two five year terms and may not be removed unless with a similar two-thirds majority.

The White Paper also proposes and all MPs, and not just ministers, will be required to present a declaration of assets to the House.

The Commissioner will monitor the declarations; offer advice to MPs on the interpretation of the Code of Ethics on Members' behaviour and monitor and investigate the behaviour of MPs, either on his own volition or following complaints by the public.

Any MP found by the commissioner to have committed a criminal offence will be referred to the police while any breach of the Code of Ethics or abuse of Parliamentary Privilege would be referred to the House Privileges Committee. Once the commissioner's report is upheld, the Leader of the House will be obliged to present a motion in the House to censure, reprimand or suspend the MP involved.

PARLIAMENTARY SERVICE

The White Paper also provides that the administration of the House of Representatives will be totally under the Speaker of the House, who will answer to the House Business Committee. Funds will be allocated in the same manner as funds are currently allocated to the Ombudsman, and it will then be up to the Speaker to administer in the best manner, enjoying autonomy even in the award of contracts and recruitment of staff.

ACTING PRESIDENT

In other points, the White Paper says that when no one is appointed Acting President, the Speaker shall assume that office (instead of the Chief Justice as at present).

The white paper can be read in the pdf link below.