A very busy consultation programme has marked the first five months of this legislature. Public consultation encompassing the widest possible spectrum is a priority for the government, so much so that a Parliamentary Secretariat for Public Dialogue and Information has been established within the Office of the Prime Minister. It is the remit of this secretariat to see that the consultation process is continuous and far reaching.
During my first months in tenure I have striven to reinforce the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development and re-establish the Malta EU Steering and Action Committee, which serve as national consultation fora on matters of high importance. We have strengthened the structure of the MCESD and the council is now meeting more regularly to discuss economic and social matters of national importance with the social partners.
MEUSAC has been re-launched with a new scope. Apart from providing a forum for consultation about proposed EU legislation, it will disseminate information about the European Union with a particular emphasis on how to get the best out of our membership vis-à-vis project funding. MEUSAC will also go to local councils and help them compile applications for project funding.
My secretariat has also launched a consultation process which will lead to the local councils reform. During this process I am holding meetings with all local councils, NGO’s, unions, the public and all other interested sectors. We are also receiving proposals via our website, free-phone, post and e-mail.
In the near future we will embark on a consultation process with several commercial sectors with the aim of reducing the regulation burden and bureaucracy that hinder these particular segments of society.
My secretariat is not the only initiator of consultation. The Finance, Economy and Investment Ministry has launched the pre-budget document which in itself is the result of a number of consultation meetings. The document will serve as a stepping stone towards more consultation that will eventually lead to the 2009 budget. This ministry was also involved in consultation about vehicles’ registration tax, the result of which has been published in the pre-budget document.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Youths and Sports is conducting a consultation process about the National Policy for Youths. The process will culminate in a national conference that will discuss the draft legislation which by then will have been prepared by the parliamentary committee set up for this task.
The Gozo Ministry has launched a consultation process aimed at formulating a strategy that will see Gozo embrace the concept of eco-island, thus ensuring sustainable development on Gozo.
The rent law is being reformed by the Social Policy Ministry, which has launched a white paper on the government’s proposals. The aim of the ministry is to implement change in a way that is as fair as possible in the context of what is possible and what the country can afford. As in the other cases, the public is being given a number of opportunities to put forward concerns and proposals in order to enhance this very important development.
The Infrastructure, Transport and Communication Ministry has launched a consultation process which will lead to a reform in public transport. The aim of the government is to have an environmentally and financially sustainable modern and integrated public transport system by 2015. It is our goal that the reformed structure will really cater for the public’s needs and eliminate the problems that are hampering the present system.
The setting up of a parliamentary committee to discuss the strengthening of democracy and transparency in Malta and the Freedom of Information Act are two further important steps towards ensuring that this legislature is governed by consultation and towards guaranteeing a very important role to the public in the running of the country.
This clearly demonstrates the government’s commitment to consult before taking important decisions. It also confirms the government’s belief in the concept of subsidiarity through which we will put the individual at the centre of the decision making process. We believe in the ability of our country and its people and we are reaching out to the people to join us in achieving our goals. The government has a clear vision. Through these consultation processes we are ensuring that it will become the vision of each and every one of us.
Chris Said is parliamentary secretary for public
dialogue and information