The Speaker of the House has no authority to investigate the declarations of assets presented by members of Parliament, he told this newsroom.

There are two declarations of assets, one by all members of Parliament which are due to be filed by April 30, and another by Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries who are to submit a separate declaration of assets, which includes their yearly earnings, to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Cabinet members had until the end of March to submit this second declaration, however publication is at the discretion of Dr Muscat.

The problem with declarations of assets submitted up until today, however, is that there is no obligation for any investigation as to whether everything is declared and whether the information submitted is done so correctly, the Speaker explained. Members of Parliament, according to code of
ethics for MPs, must present their declarations annually at the time established by the Speaker of the House, and the deadline this year is April 30.

Speaker Anglu Farrugia explained that the incoming Standards in Public Life Bill will see a quantum leap in this regard, with the appointment of the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life who, the Speaker said, would require a two-thirds Parliamentary majority to be appointed. The Bill is currently in the second reading stage in Parliament.

The Commissioner, shall have the power to examine, and if necessary verify, such declarations relating to income, assets or other interest or benefits of whatever nature of persons to whom this Act applies who are under a duty to file such declarations as may be provided under this or any other law.

The Commissioner will also have the power to investigate on his initiative or on the written allegation of any person any matter alleged to be in breach of any statutory or any ethical duty of any person to whom this Act applies.

In an exclusive interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday in early January, Speaker Anglu Farrugia said that he will be provided with a copy of income tax returns presented to the Inland Revenue Department by each and every Member of Parliament in order to ensure that their tax returns can be cross-referenced with the declarations of assets they present to Parliament.

Dr Farrugia had told this newsroom, during that interview, that in the event that an MP’s declaration of assets presented to Parliament was not compatible with the income tax return presented to the Inland Revenue Department by that same MP, the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life – who will be appointed as soon as the Standards in Public Life Bill comes into force – will have the right to investigate.