Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1276949
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 AUGUST 2020 NEWS JAMES DEBONO A new code of ethics proposed by Standards Commission- er George Hyzler will make it obligatory for government ministers to log any meeting or communication with NGOs and lobbies in which new laws or policies are discussed, in a transparency register. But meetings with both reli- gious entities and political par- ties in which new policies and laws are discussed, will not have to be logged in the new registry. Contacted by MaltaToday, Hyzler explained that this ex- emption does not apply to cases where political parties or re- ligious entities communicate with a minister concerning de- velopment permits, the zoning of land, concessions of pub- lic land, and the use of public funds, land and other resources. But ministers will be under no obligation to minute and record meetings with religious groups and political parties which may have a direct bearing on poli- cy-making and pending legisla- tion. "The proposed exemption for political parties and religious entities stems from the public nature of these entities, which tend to communicate with gov- ernment openly, and normally publicize their positions and proposals as part of their func- tions," Hyzler said. But the decision to exempt political parties and religious organizations from lobbying rules is not a final one. "Following the publication of the consultation paper on lobbying by my office, I have received feedback from vari- ous entities and organisations, including on this question, and shall be compiling and issuing a report which shall address all proposals and feedback." The new rules make it obliga- tory for politicians to record any meeting with lobbyists in which public policies and changes to the law are discussed. This also applies to commu- nication with regards to finan- cial support and any agreement involving public funds or con- cessions of public land or other resources. The transparency register, which will be freely accessible to the public, will include the names of all those attending these meetings and the date and location of such meeting and also any decisions taken, or commitments made through the communication. Minutes will also be kept of these meet- ings. The obligation to register is not limited to formal meetings but also covers communication by email and WhatsApp. The Commissioner may still withhold information in the Transparency Register from the public if the publication of any information could have "serious adverse effects on the financial interests of the state, the national economy, or the business of any person." Nationalist MP Jason Azzo- pardi is proposing a new law making it illegal for public offi- cials to use private communica- tion means in the discharge of their duties. The law would criminalise the use of "unofficial or unau- thorised electronic resources" by public officials in the course of their duty. The crime would carry with it a prison sentence of between one and eight years. Azzopardi's initiative comes on the back of criticism that had been levelled at former prime minister Joseph Muscat, who used a private email domain in the discharge of official duties. Muscat's use of his private email had also been the sub- ject of criticism by the Auditor General since it could not be scrutinised. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Hyzler's code says ministers have to log meetings when laws and policies are discussed, not when meeting parties and religious entities, except when public funds and planning rules are discussed Lobbying by parties and church exempted from transparency rules Commissioner for Standards in Public Life George Hyzler Cases 1035 Local 876 Active 351 Recoveries 675 Deaths 9 Swabs 139,979 LATEST COVID-19 www.maltatoday.com.mt/covid19 COVID-19 cases increased by over 150 in one week 40 new cases of COVID-19 were registered overnight yesterday, with Malta's total cases climbing to 1,035. They follow on from a total of 49 cases registered on Friday. That brings the total up to 351 active cases, with zero new recov- eries. The new cases included six linked to an English-language school cluster, four cases from the Paceville cluster, seven cases traced back to a confirmation party, four family contacts of a previously-known case, and two imported cases. The rest are sporadic. Since the start of the pandemic in March, 675 people have recovered from the virus and nine pa- tients have died. In the past 24 hours, 1,548 swab tests were carried out, with a grand total of 139,979 tests having been carried out so far on the island. Government is facing growing criticism over its handling of the situation in the face of the latest surge of cases and the authorities' reluctance to ban mass events. New rules now limit the organi- sation of outdoor mass events to a maximum of 300 people and a maximum of 100 people if held indoors. A €50 fine has also been intro- duced for those who do not wear a face mask in shops, on public transport and the Gozo ferry.