Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1514428
THE PN has failed to file a parliamentary mo- tion asking Rosianne Cutajar to return money she earned from a phantom job despite an- nouncing it in November. Opposition leader Bernard Grech had said the party would be filing a motion following a damning report by the National Audit Office (NAO). The NAO report revealed that the former Labour MP's contract with the Institute for Tourism Studies (ITS) had been "illegitimate and breached regulations". Furthermore, the decision to engage Cutajar was taken by then tourism minister Konrad Mizzi with the com- placency of the ITS CEO behind the school board's back. However, despite the announcement last No- vember, no motion has yet been presented by the Opposition in parliament amid internal bickering over its futility. Replying to questions by this newspaper on whether the PN has backtracked on Grech's initial statement, a spokesperson said, "the mo- tion is going to be presented in the foreseeable future." No timeframe was indicated. Early in December, MaltaToday had revealed how the proposed motion had caused a stir in- side the PN parliamentary group, with several MPs concerned it would backfire and put them in a bad light. Questions had been raised about the absence of Nationalist MPs from their ordinary place of work with the public service despite being paid their full wages. Meanwhile, MPs present at a parliamenta- ry group meeting last Tuesday, who spoke on condition of anonymity to be able to speak free- ly, told this newspaper that the motion was not even discussed. "We don't know where we stand on it as a party. There had been internal debate on it at the start, but now most of us are in the dark on what will happen," an MP said. But party insiders insist Grech is adamant on presenting the motion, despite the internal op- position. "Grech has told those opposed to the motion they must straighten out their affairs as it will be filed whether they like it or not," an MP told this newspaper. MPs detail 'fiery' parliamentary group meeting The MP also said that during Tuesday's meet- ing, an "agitated" Bernard Grech and several MPs clashed over an introductory address by the party leader. "He kicked off the meeting by saying we should be more present and closer to people," the MP stated. "Several of those present took umbrage with what was said. I mean we are constantly speaking and discussing a range of issues, but we find no support from the party structures." Another MP echoed the previous MP's state- ments, saying the party chooses to focus on niche subjects which people "have little interest in." "I do understand that the party has to focus on rule of law and good governance, but out there, people are interested on the rising cost of living and ever-increasing prices," the MP said. Another MP said the party seems to be out of touch with bread-and-butter issues, and this ends up harming it politically. "From a purely political standpoint, we need to be in touch and aware of these concerns, and start speaking out more on them, or else we will not be electable," the MP said. One of the issues raised during the meeting was the fact that the party media does not al- ways invite its own MPs to speak about policies. On the other hand, another MP who spoke to MaltaToday played down the claims, saying it was a normal discussion where different ideas were debated. 8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 JANUARY 2024 NEWS KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt PN yet to file Rosianne Cutajar parliamentary motion Bernard Grech announced in November MPs detail 'fiery' Tuesday meeting as Grech and MPs clash over party's 'out of touch' strategy in dealing with bread-and-butter issues CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Although an unlikely choice for the health portfolio, Delia is expected to bring some energy into the sec- tor previously shadowed by Stephen Spiteri. On Saturday, Grech responded to the Prime Minister's reshuffle a week earlier by shifting around some port- folios. Most MPs retained their pre- vious responsibilities. Other significant appointments in- cluded those of newcomers Darren Carabott and Graham Bencini, both elected for the first time to parlia- ment in 2022. Carabott is now shadow minister for home affairs, security and re- forms, a portfolio previously shad- owed by Joe Giglio. Carabott also retains his role as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. Graham Bencini's appointment as shadow minister for finance also came as a surprise. Bencini previous- ly shadowed sport and broadcast- ing. He now takes over the finance portfolio from Jerome Caruana Cilia in what appears to be an attempt to try and inject more fire power when going up against Finance Minister Clyde Caruana. Giglio takes over the infrastructure and capital projects portfolio in what appears to be a demotion in his re- sponsibilities, while Stephen Spiteri will now shadow social policy. The PN's new shadow cabinet is as follows: Robert Cutajar - Shadow minister for Self Employed, Small Enterprises and Cooperatives. He will also serve as whip and secretary to the PN par- liamentary group. Paula Mifsud Bonnici - Assistant whip and shadow minister for active ageing. David Agius - Deputy Speaker and shadow minister for EU funds and sport. Darren Carabott - Public Ac- counts Committee Chairman and shadow minister for home affairs, security and reforms. Janice Abela Chetcuti - Shadow minister for consumer rights and an- imal rights. Karol Aquilina - Shadow minister for justice. Graziella Attard Previ - Shadow minister for equality, civil rights and child rights. Charles Azzopardi - Shadow min- ister for hobbies (hunting and trap- ping included) and lifelong learning. Ivan Bartolo - Shadow minister for social accommodation, pensions and the fight against poverty. Ivan J Bartolo - Shadow minister for work and the creation of new economic sectors. Graham Bencini - Shadow minis- ter for finance. Toni Bezzina - Shadow minister for agriculture and fisheries. Bernice Bonello - Shadow min- ister for youths and the creation of new spaces. Eve Borg Bonello - Shadow min- ister for climate change and public cleansing. Alex Borg - Shadow minister for Gozo. Rebekah Borg - Shadow minister for the environment. Albert Buttigieg - Shadow minis- ter for family and social security. Claudette Buttigieg - Shadow minister for public administration, public broadcasting and the fight against diabetes. Ryan Callus - Shadow minister for energy, research and innovation. Jerome Caruana Cilia - Shadow minister for economy and enterprise. Ivan Castillo - Shadow minister for the maritime sector, social dialogue and the fight against the rising cost of living. Mario de Marco - Shadow minis- ter for tourism. Adrian Delia - Shadow minister for health. Beppe Fenech Adami - Shadow minister for foreign affairs, European affairs and commerce. Graziella Galea - Shadow minister for inclusion and the voluntary sec- tor. Joe Giglio - Shadow minister for infrastructure and capital projects. Carm Mifsud Bonnici - Shadow minister for constitutional reforms and human rights. Chris Said - Shadow minister for quality of life and local governments. Mark Anthony Sammut - Shadow minister for transport and mobility. Justin Schembri - Shadow min- ister for education and vocational training. Stephen Spiteri - Shadow minister for social policy. Ian Vassallo - Shadow minister for primary healthcare and mental health. Julie Zahra - Shadow minister for national heritage, arts and culture. Stanley Zammit - Shadow minis- ter for planning and lands. Darren Carabott is new shadow minister for home affairs