This week in Parliament I spoke about a subject which is very close to my heart – freedom of expression, particularly freedom of the press. I was reacting to what Minister George Vella had said a few days before about the need to rein in the media. True, a few days later he clarified that the spirit and the tone of his speech was not for control of the media, but an appeal for the media to be more self-regulating. However, I felt I should point out that nobody can just ignore such slips of the tongue. This could be linked to the fact that journalists entering Dr Vella’s office were being asked to leave their mobile phones behind, a decision that was later revoked.
In my speech, I said that although I could understand the difficulty of making the switch from the Opposition benches to a government minister, one should not expect the press not to scrutinise, analyse and criticise everything the government does, especially when decisions are taken in a very controversial way. The way in which the Labour Government forced permanent secretaries to submit their resignations was a prime example of this government’s arrogance and lack of respect for ethics and regulations. No wonder ministers are simply avoiding answering parliamentary questions on this subject. `
The way this government is appointing people to boards of directors is showing in a very clear way how deceitful Labour was when it repeatedly called for “meritocracy” to win over a number of switchers. It has now re-defined “meritocracy” to simply mean “paying back those who helped Labour win power”. Nice. In fact, all those who allowed Labour to use their pictures in billboards are being rewarded in one way or another. An actor has landed a generous job at PBS just to do the work someone else is paid to do. A singer has been paid to simply find a place where bands can meet and play. Others have been made chairmen or members of various boards. Inevitably this leads one to suspect that all these people were promised a reward for making the switch.
Should we expect the media to remain mum in the face of such hypocrisy? Is this the “openness” promised by Dr Joseph Muscat prior to the last general election? This is turning out to be a really big joke.
My green job
Shadowing the Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change is indeed a pleasant challenge that I have taken up with a lot of enthusiasm. It’s true that this is a sector in which I have never worked, as opposed to a number of other sectors with which I am fairly well acquainted. However, it is also as sector that has interested since I was young. So now I really have a golden opportunity to take more than just a passing interest in the areas I will be shadowing. I know the Minister I will be shadowing has had a keen interest in this subject for a number of years and has built a good reputation for himself in the field. I have now had to hit the road running in order to get to know the subject, the stakeholders and the issues, while following what the Labour government is doing in the three main areas I will be shadowing: sustainable development, the environment and climate change.
A great team
The atmosphere within the present Nationalist parliamentary group can be described as extremely positive and very conducive to meaningful discussions. Having come out of a legislature overshadowed by few but loud negative elements within the group, it is extremely encouraging to see what a compact group has been built this time around. Dr Busuttil’s decision to involve all MPs in the shadow cabinet has ensured that everyone feels – and is – involved. The road ahead will not be an easy one to travel on but, together, we can travel faster and reach our destination more quickly.
Irrational Decisions
Election victory for the Labour Party has certainly come at a cost to our nation. One of the latest decisions taken by this government is to transfer the Valletta Monti to Ordinance Street. This will mean a spill across Republic Street, in the area between the new Parliament building and the new open-air theatre. It has now been revealed that this was a written promise to the hawkers, prior to the last election, in exchange for their support. Can you imagine what an attractive atmosphere these stalls will create in an area that should serve as the shop-window of the European Capital of Cultural in 2018? I know that in the eyes of this government this golden opportunity for the country seems nothing more than some sort of charade from the age of Wardakanta, but for God’s sake please spare us the embarrassment and stop taking irrational decisions that cause irreparable damage to our country’s reputation. Wasn’t the change of the V18 chairman enough?
Charló Bonnici is Opposition spokesman for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change
[email protected]