The House of Representatives on Tuesday night discussed the proposed Voluntary Organisations Act.

Noel Farrugia, MLP spokesman for agriculture, said that one will always find some kind of voluntary organisation, even in the smallest of Maltese villages. He himself had started one such group, called the Assocjazzjoni Sport Muturi (the Motorsport Association), which over the last 22 years has given enthusiasts an opportunity to pursue their hobby in a safe location, out of earshot of both rural and urban dwellers.

People who work with voluntary organisations miss out on overtime and other money-earning opportunities, give up their free time, family time or even study time, and do battle with ever-increasing costs in order to give their contribution to society. And in this respect, the Bill lacks something important – an analysis of how funds could be generated in a more active manner.

With ever-changing technology, organisations need to update their equipment fairly regularly in the same way “a band club needs to get new instruments… and tennis racquets and motorcycle tyres need to be changed from time to time.” Mr Farrugia recalled how he had also founded an association to organise sport activities for visually-impaired persons, but had to fold it due to lack of financial and institutional support.

The selflessness of volunteers was praised by Labour social affairs spokesman Karl Chircop: “There are hundreds of NGOs that conduct useful work, and about whom we hear practically nothing – they are the silent government.” These organisations are run by people who do not expect any sort of remuneration, reaping satisfaction from helping those in need.

The work of voluntary organisations is priceless. Band clubs, for example, do not just provide a musical education – they also gather youngsters under their wings, keeping them away from wayward paths. Dr Chircop said that the Maltese are also an artistic people who value national heritage and history. Through the organisation of musical concerts and other cultural events by non-profit organisations, tourists are attracted to Malta, helping keep 40,000 workers employed.

The MLP spokesman said that other NGOs perform a direct social contribution by fighting for the rights of workers, farmers and fishermen. However, a rotten apple will badly affect its neighbours; NGOs need to be regulated and should be required to register with the government so as to eliminate any doubts on the process by which funds are collected and operated. If not, such organisations should be made to publicly state – on their advertising and fund-raising material – that they have opted out of the registration scheme.

Opposition spokesperson Helena Dalli said that providing a legal framework for NGOs recognises the very important work these groups are carrying out. Ms Dalli highlighted the useful function served by voluntary associations when it came to health promotion. She said that many women told her that had it not been for the Breast Cancer Support Group they would have not gone for screening.

Ms Dalli also praised football nurseries, saying that faced by rampant obesity and the minimal amount of sport practised in government schools, the nurseries were at least managing to pull youngsters away from their television sets and computers to do some exercise.

Moreover, she hates it when government squanders cash on badly constructed roads, when such money could at least help nurseries re-surface their gravel pitches, making them safer for children.

Money was also needed, said the spokesperson, to provide NGOs with premises.

PN MP Franco Galea concurred, saying that the rise of NGOs signals the corresponding rise of citizen power. “While people cherish the power of their vote, they yearn for more participation, and will fight for this right.”

Allaying fears of interference, Mr Galea said that the proposed Bill will not intervene in the way NGOs are operated, but will help them shift themselves onto a solid, transparent foundation, helping them to fulfil their duties towards the society that provides them with funds.

Mr Galea stressed on this obligation towards society, saying that the account books of NGOs should be made available to the public at large, and that penalties for organisations which abuse of public trust should be much more severe than those proposed in the Bill.

Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina observed how the Maltese public always donates generously to the coffers of voluntary organisations, and said that NGOs must remember that their funds remain public, and that they need to show how the money is being used.

Ms Cristina said that the government also pays Lm780,000 in financial aid to NGOs, but does so on an output-based system, requiring proof of amount and of quality of services rendered by the voluntary organisations.

Public-private partnerships are sought and instituted by government, by purchasing services from NGOs – in the same way that Fr Dijonisju Mintoff’s Peace Lab is remunerated for carrying out its work with immigrants.

The ministry cannot provide premises for the many hundreds of NGOs which have requested them, said Ms Cristina, but instead Lm10,000 have been paid to the Malta Resources Authority so that space may be made available to NGOs against booking.

A boardroom has also been set up at the NGO commissioner’s office in Floriana for the same purpose.

Minister Cristina drew her speech to a close by saying that the enactment of the office of NGO commissioner will raise the profile of the sector, and give it a stronger voice.

The commissioner will also act as a source of guidance and information, and will be engaged after consultation with the parliamentary committee for social affairs.