A piecemeal approach towards standards in public life

An article in MaltaToday focused on revolving door practices in Malta, its title reminding me of the Gorillaz’s single Amarillo, reaffirming my conviction that this administration’s approach towards further accountability is somehow piecemeal (though positive, and the effort and hard work is to be applauded.)

In his article, MaltaToday editor Matthew Vella implies that former finance minister Tonio Fenech seems to have taken advantage of his previous position as soon as his party moved into Opposition, by serving as a director on a number of companies and entities close to the finance industry. Likewise, a few years ago, Joe Borg, former European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, caused quite a stir when he joined a public relations consultancy firm that lobbies on maritime issues.

I am foursquare behind any legislative initiative to stop revolving door practices which are meant to ban politicians from serving companies they have dealt with closely while in office. I can’t imagine United States President Barack Obama working for the auto industry in the light of the unpopular though successful auto-bailout fathered by his administration. Instead, his office recently said that the President is exploring ways of joining the academic staff at Columbia University once his second term is over.

Back in Malta and, rightly so, Tonio Fenech defends his position by stating that none of his activities are in conflict with his new parliamentary duties, now that he is shadowing foreign affairs. He also says Maltese laws do not give ministers transitional allowances to prevent the so-called ‘revolving doors’ mechanism. True, this form of abuse and conflict is not legally regulated and as of today, politicians can cosy up with their future employers, lobby for well-paid jobs in time before their retirement from public service to ‘scratch my back while I scratch yours’ while in office.

It is also true that in this day and age, our country is still managed by part-time MPs with a job or two on the side, when they should be totally focused on serving the people and their constituents. 

In spite of his doings, many will agree with Fenech’s remark that there should be a mechanism to ensure that MPs who lose their seat should receive a severance package. We cannot expect politicians to give up their lucrative careers if they are not compensated fairly. Democracy and accountability come at a price. They are expensive and many are not ready to foot the bill.

After 25 years of the previous government’s tenure, there was an awakening for higher standards. The PN’s attitude back then remained unchanged, unaltered and dismissed. The Panama case has left a negative impact on the government; however, in terms of good governance, the first three years of this administration were characterised by a number of actions meant to cultivate a culture of high ethical standards in public life.

Good governance has been high on the agenda; leading the way was the abolishment of prescription in political corruption cases, which abrogates the right of politicians to use prescription when charged with corruption. One can also mention the Whistleblowers’ Act, the Financing of the Political Parties Act and the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life Bill, the latter still a work in progress.

Labour has opted for a piecemeal approach on good governance. I would have preferred an integrated approach in which new legislation satisfies the people’s call for accountability; good governance and transparency should have been introduced at one go, packaged with the much needed introduction of full-time MPs and other measures meant to strengthen Parliament. This would have served as a platform for a new generation of politicians moving into the political arena to serve without divided loyalties, that between public service on one hand and their personal careers on the other, totally focused on running and managing the country. The time for full-time politicians, fairly compensated to attract the best people and above all preventing lobbying, corporate influence and revolving door practices, has come.

Aaron Farrugia is a Labour Party candidate on the first electoral district