Muscat hopes to see a female PM for Malta

Speaking during Parliament’s commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the first sitting of the legislative assembly following the Amery-Milner Constitution of 1921, opposition leader Joseph Muscat said that a challenge faced by Maltese society is to see more women taking part in public and political life.

Muscat said he wished to see a female Prime Minister in Malta and paid tribute to all past and present female politicians and hoped that more would participate in Maltese politics. He said that although there are some who have involved themselves in politics, Malta’s rate of female participate is the lowest in Europe.

“I believe that parliament should also commemorate the victims of 7 June who shed their blood for the rights eventually gained by the country. I am proud to be a part of this but we must remember where all this came about and pay our respects,” Muscat said.

Muscat mentioned that there were many moments of party controversy but little is mentioned about those moments of togetherness among the Maltese people adding that when both sides listened to each other, results were reaped for the benefit of the Maltese population.

Muscat thanked all past Prime Ministers as well as Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi for their commitment throughout the years for the benefit of the country.

Muscat also paid his respects to parliamentary staff and journalists, past and present, for “patiently following” everything that took place within the House.

Muscat said that the “people’s voice” should be included in parliament to scrutinise what is being done through the use of petitions and suggested that a petitions committee should be set up to recommend action when necessary.

“Politics should expand beyond the legal profession mostly present in the House of Represents and should start to include other disciplines such as social sciences, engineering and others to explore what this country needs more wholly and provide solutions,” Muscat said.

Muscat said he believed in the assembly of a constitutional convention in order to give birth to a second republic which is an inescapable challenge.

Another suggestion made by Muscat was that members involved in issues being discussed within the Public Accounts Committee should step down and being replaced by other members not involved in the same issues.

Muscat also said there should be a number of changes in the way Parliament functions including, among others, the work of committees and more resources made available within the institution.

Parliamentary proceedings should also be made fully available to the public through internet according to Muscat in a more efficient and transparent way, including attendance and publishing of all records in the shortest time possible.

Muscat said that a commissioner for standards should also be introduced to parliament in order to monitor MP behaviour, investigate, and compile publishable reports which can then be presented to the speaker.

 “We are never ready and there is plenty of work to be done… we need to lead and not follow other countries, but rather inspire and lead by example and be the best we can be,” Muscat said.