Justice Minister says ‘bullying tactics’ prompted Opposition’s criticism of magisterial nominations

Justice Minister Owen Bonnici has defended his nomination of Zammit Young and Caroline Farrugia Frendo to the bench, insisting that the decision had been based on “merit”.

Zammit Young had to turn down the nomination within a few days when the Commission for the Administration of Justice said that, as chairperson of the Employment Commission, she could be constitutionally barred for the time from being a magistrate.  

The other nomination to the judiciary was that of Caroline Farrugia Frendo, who at 33 has until March to fulfil the minimum seven years’ practice required for sitting magistrates to be constitutionally appointed. She is the daughter of Speaker Anglu Farrugia, a former Labour deputy leader.

During the parliamentary debate, the Speaker excused himself from the sitting due to the conflict of interest in the discussion.

Bonnici said his nominations of Zammit Young and Farrugia Frendo to the Cabinet had been influenced by the need to balance the gender representation of the members of the judiciary.

He praised both nominees as “honest women of integrity”, describing Zammit Young as an experienced lawyer whilst Farrugia Frendo had proved herself as a court attorney.

To date, the government has appointed 11 members of the judiciary with some of the appointments attracting criticism for their proximity to the Labour Party. Bonnici pointed out that, despite the criticism, one of the new members of the judiciary had excelled in his work – ostensibly referring to former Labour MP Wenzu Mintoff who was appointed judge in 2014.

The minister went on to add that, despite its criticism, the former PN administrations had appointed an ex-parliamentary secretary as magistrate and a Chief Justice whose brother was a member of the Cabinet.

“The impression given by the opposition is that it was unacceptable that a lawyer is appointed magistrate just after seven years of practice … what the opposition failed to note was that there have been lawyers who were appointed magistrates as soon as the seven years were up,” Bonnici said.

The minister insisted it was unfair that the appointment of Farrugia Frendo was being depicted as some sort of “scandal” when similar appointments took place in the past. Two of these magistrates, today judges, were aged 30 and 31 at the time.

“Why is the opposition attacking Farrugia Frendo? Just because she happens to be the Speaker’s daughter? Is this how personal attacks take place? Based on who their father of family is?” he said, suggesting that the PN was employing bullying tactics.

The minister drew comparisons to when former prime minister Eddie Fenech Adami had ignored the advice of the Commission for the Administration of Justice and proceeded to appointed Andre Camilleri as judge. However, out of his own will, Camilleri withdrew the appointment.

Following the doubts cast by the judiciary watchdog on Zammit Young’s nomination, the lawyer withdrew her nomination as well.

Bonnici denied that Zammit Young’s father, a known Labour supporter, was one of his canvassers. He also said that Zammit Young’s €75,000 GO payout