As government, we had promised a constant and effective process of consultation throughout the legislature. In order to carry out this promise, government set in motion, for the first time, a Parliamentary Secretariat focused on Public Dialogue and Information. We immediately strengthened the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development to serve as a focal point for consultation with all our social partners and established MEUSAC as a one-stop contact point for everything dealing with EU information, consultation and funding.
An intensive consultation programme kicked off in the first few weeks of this legislature, targeting the widest possible spectrum of society. We launched consultation processes regarding the local councils’ reform, the national policy for youths, the eco-Gozo project, the rent law and public transport reforms.
A year and a half into the legislature, we’re still at it with dedication and determination. The concept of public consultation has not only been strengthened but has become an integral part of the way government carries out its work.
During the past months the Parliamentary Secretariat for Public Dialogue and Information never lost its drive to consult and to listen to the social partners, the commercial sector and the general public. This has been carried out through various official fora, public dialogues and one to one meetings. It has been one long and wide consultation process.
We are in the middle of another consultation process, launched a few days ago, with a series of public dialogue meetings with all ministers and parliamentary secretaries. We are touring the country listening to what the people have to say. During these meetings, ministers and parliamentary secretaries are having the opportunity to speak about the work that is being carried out and the budget measures pertaining to the particular ministries. However, centre stage is being always reserved to the general public, who is participating in encouraging – at times, surprising – numbers.
Those present have the opportunity to put forward suggestions and questions related to the subjects debated while ministers and parliamentary secretaries are engaging in this healthy and interactive exercise. The strong public participation has so far resulted in all meetings exceeding their scheduled 90-minute frame, which in itself is testimony to the success of this latest public dialogue drive.
This series of meetings will end next week. The Naxxar Civic Centre and Birgu Vaults are the venues for this week’s two meetings while the last dialogue will be with the Prime Minister at Castille next week, for which we’re inviting all those with questions to ask and matters to raise, to come and talk directly with the prime minister.
This consultation process follows the successful pre-budget discussions, where we brought all social partners together to discuss the best possible budget for our country. The positive reaction to the budget is undoubtedly a feather in the government’s cap as, despite the difficult global economic conditions, we presented a forward-looking budget that instead of introducing taxes, injects enthusiasm in all sectors.
The positive reaction to this year’s budget is the fruit of intense and wide consultation with all social partners within the MCESD. It is the result of a common effort by all.
We are determined to keep moving in this direction so as to always have the general public and all constituted bodies informed, on board and participative in every decision taken. We have promised full consultation and that’s what we will keep delivering. It is time to look ahead, with enthusiasm, and work together with one common aim – to make Malta a better country for us all.
Chris Said is parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister