[WATCH] Planning Authority’s sensitivity to people’s concerns absent, says AD chairperson

A well-functioning good governance system entails not only that people’s objections be allowed to be aired, but that they be given weight and consideration by the relevant institutions, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo said.

Cocopardo, speaking after a conference on good governance in Malta and the European Union organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Ceratonia, said that institutional “responsiveness” in Malta was absent, evidenced by the recent non-consideration of the over 4,000 complaints submitted to the Planning Authority over the subsequently approved db Project in Pembroke.

“When it comes to issues of good governance in Malta, planning is one which is hot on the agenda right now, but there are others,” Cacopardo said.

“George Hyzler, who will be Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, has a lot of work to do,” he noted, highlighting that one of the things which would have to be dealt with is controlling lobbying involving MPs.

“Lobbying means influencing people who take decisions. It is important for us to know why decisions are taken - if it is to serve the people, or to serve particular interests,” he said, “Politics is for serving people and improving their lives, not for the economy and not for the generation of money.”

“Good governance entails that things are done transparently, and that people’s complaints are addressed.”

Cacopardo went on to back a consideration by academic Godfrey Pirotta that one of the biggest causes of clientelism in Malta is the form of electoral system the country uses.

“The system can be adjusted in such a way as to limit clientelism in an administration, but there is resistance to this,” Cacopardo added.

Financial support for the event came from the European Parliament and the Green European Foundation.