[WATCH] Labour • New government cabinet appointed

Parliamentary Secretary Jose Herrera is only member not to shake Prime Minister's hand.

It was a snub that nobody could ignore: the man who at one time was shadow justice minister, Jose Herrera, did not shake his prime minister's hand when he was swore in as parliamentary secretary for culture and local governance. Maybe this is what Joseph Muscat meant when he said that not everyone will be happy with his choice for Cabinet ministers.

But all in all, this is a large Cabinet - 15 ministers and seven parliamentary secretaries, putting an end to super-ministries and a greater diversification of portfolios.

Former MEP Louis Grech was the first to be appointed, occupying the role of deputy prime minister and minster for EU Affairs as well as the implementation of Labour's electoral programme.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat will be retaining responsibility of areas such as MEPA, lands, planning, policy-making, and coordination of priorities - giving him ownership of the separation of planning and environment inside MEPA, and not over into the hands of the environment minister.

George Vella, Karmenu Vella, and Evarist Bartolo were given the posts they last had in 1996 - respectively, foreign affairs, tourism and education, with employment added to Bartolo's portfolio. Leo Brincat was appointed minister for sustainable development, the environment, and climate change, which gives a new dimension to Malta's role in the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Bartolo will also be tasked with childcare, formerly within the social policy ministry; while Brincat will be responsible for waste-management.

Former Labour whip Joe Mizzi was appointed tranport and infrastructure minister.

Gozitan Labour politician Anton Refalo was appointed as Minister for Gozo, and Helena Dalli was appointed minister for social dialogue, consumer affairs and civil liberties.

Chris Cardona was appointed minister for the economy, investment, and small enterprise.

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca was appointed minister for the family and social solidarity, while newly-elected MP Manuel Mallia was appointed minister for home affairs and national security, in what is a new appellation for the minister responsible for police.

In what is a curious addition, Mallia will also be responsible for public broadcasting - which was previously split between the education and investments portfolios; and takes in hand defence and the AFM, and immigration. Traditionally, defence matters were under the Prime Minister's responsibility.

Additonally, his new parliamentary secretary Owen Bonnici will be responsible for justice: exactly a year since the former justice and home affairs ministry had been split up by Lawrence Gonzi into two separate ministries.

Former MEP and economist Edward Scicluna was appointed finance minister.

Two newcomers to the Labour line-up, Konrad Mizzi and Godfrey Farrugia, were appointed minister for energy and water conservation, and health, respectively. Mizzi will also be responsible for oil exploration, the Malta Resources Authority, Enemalta, and the Water Services Corporation.

Michael Farrugia was appointed parliamentary secretary for planning and simplification of administrative processes, undoubtedly having to take on the government's bureacracy; while the House's youngest MP, Ian Borg, at 27, is parliamentary secretary for the 2017 EU presidency and EU funds.

Stefan Buontempo, on the other hand, was appointed parliamentary secretary for research, innovation, youth and sport. Roderick Galdes was appointed parliamentary secretary for agriculture, fisheries and animal rights. Edward Zammit Lewis was appointed parliamentary secretary for competitiveness and economic growth, while Franco Mercieca was appointed parliamentary secretary for the rights of the disabled and active ageing.

avatar
A worthwhile cabinet ready to work with the people for the people and in the interests of the people. What a far cry from previous years where a smaller cabinet was in place to keep everything and anything for the CLIKKA and none for the people; where they voted themselves a € 500 weekly raise and for 3 years they did not even inform their own backbenchers, who received nothing; appointing their own relatives to top positions to maintain absolute power. The English saying states "Absolute Power Corrupts".
avatar
How dishonest of you to be doing your sums now. Maybe Gonzipn opted for a small cabinett so that each had a Bigger slice of the CAKES. The man in the street had been doing their sums for the last 5 years. Some bought a new car and they were robbed VAT on the registration. We have all been doing our sums when we receive our Water & Elec bills, and so on.
avatar
Difference is sur Mignun that gonzo hid it from his own back benchers for 3 whole years ... Maybe that was the real reason for a smaller cabinet , bigger wages in their own pockets ...
avatar
yes most probably it comes to the same amount..but at least you have more ministers so the work can be divided and the 600/500 was taken behind the back of every one including the PN parlamentaries
avatar
With the 500 honoraria retrieved, Our New Prime Minister managed to make a bigger cabinet !!!! Well Done
avatar
Dear Editor, I am honoured and privilaged that the Prime Minister has faith in me by appointing me Parliamentary Secretary for Culture and Local Councils. I will reciprocate this faith with hard work for the country. The lack of shaking hands with the Prime Minister during the swearing in cermony was an inadverted mistake which I regret. Jose Herrera
avatar
Dear Editor, I am honoured and privilaged that the Prime Minister has faith in me by appointing me Parliamentary Secretary for Culture and Local Councils. I will reciprocate this faith with hard work for the country. The lack of shaking hands with the Prime Minister during the swearing in cermony was an inadverted mistake which I regret. Jose Herrera
avatar
@il-mignun. What does the €500 honoraria PER WEEK + all the other perks have to do with distribution of Ministries and doing away with super ministries and super arrogance. It is clear you have not learnt the lesson given by the absolute majority of the electorate and as long as there are people like you in the PN it will never never renew itself - it is another form of arrogance.
avatar
NICE CABINATE JOE YOU ARE PLAYING YOUR PACK OF CARDS CORRECTLY, BRING IN THE OLD ONES AND GET RID OF THEM AFTER THE FIRST YEAR...WELL DONE.
avatar
Dear Editor, how long will it take for the top picture to be properly rotated back!!!
avatar
From a cabinet of Eight Ministers and Two Parliamentary Secretaries to Thirteen Ministers and Three Parliamentary Secretaries......and the PL were ashamed because of the €500 honoraria! Would somebody make some sums to