The headline theme of the 2014 budget is ‘Making work pay,’ and in his budget speech on Monday Finance Minister Edward Scicluna said that it is only fitting that MPs lead by example.
As from next year, Members of Parliament’s honoraria will be paid pro-rata according to their attendance in the House, Prof. Scicluna said.
But the example got off to a rather shaky start the following morning, as two quorum calls were made in Parliament after opposition whip David Agius complained that Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia was the only MP present on the government benches.
The opposition benches were not exactly brimming over either, as at the time when the quorums were called, only eight PN MPs were present.
The House was meant to be debating the government’s citizenship scheme, which will see Maltese passports being sold off for €650,000. In order for a quorum to be formed, at least 15 MPs from both sides of the House need to be present, with the onus being on the government.
A few quick calls were made in order to rally the troops, with government MPs duly making their way to the House, only to leave a minute later in order to return to a Cabinet meeting being held at the Office of the Prime Minister a stone’s throw away. Mr Agius then called for another quorum as the government benches began to empty.
He told the Speaker it’s a pity no CCTV footage existed inside the House because what he had just witnessed is "shameful". The sitting once again resumed after a few minutes.
The situation reflected a point raised by the government which reacted to a story published by The Malta Independent highlighting the absenteeism rates of MPs, particularly ministers. The government pointed out that ministers are not excused when they are on official business – whether in Malta or abroad. For an absence to be excused, it must be related to parliamentary work. The system is set to be reviewed in the near future.
But while the ministers could well be excused due to their attending the cabinet meeting, it does not alter the fact that there were no backbenchers present.
‘Highest institution in the land will be setting an example’
The Finance Minister pegged the importance of MPs setting a good example for the rest of the working population to follow.
“This government believes in accountability. Workers are expected to go to work in order to get paid. It is this government’s intention that from next year, MPs honoraria will be paid on a pro-rata basis linked to their attendance. The highest institution in the land will be setting an example,” Professor Scicluna said in his budget speech.
The previous government had rubbished the proposal when first announced in January of this year, with former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi saying that MPs should not be treated like ‘schoolchildren’.