Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1521306
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 MAY 2024 OPINION/ MEP 2024 Q&A Frank Camilleri Chris Fearne: Mr Clean and Mr Smart Frank Camilleri is a company director and holds an MBA from Queen's University Belfast CHRIS Fearne, the former health min- ister in charge of Malta's hospitals al- ways played the part of Mr Clean and Mr Smart in the Vitals saga. He did so until Magistrate Gabriella Vella, who was tasked with the mag- isterial inquiry into the hospitals deal, caught up with him. Like most of the other Cabinet mem- bers, ex ministers and the former prime minister, Fearne was shocked by the recommendations of the inquiry and being Mr Clean he threatened to resign. Prime Minister Robert Abela very obligingly insisted that he will not accept Fearne's resignation. But Mr Clean did actually resign and he was applauded by many for doing so. What all failed to realise is that Chris Fearne did not resign on the basis of any obligation in principle to do so, as so many naively assumed, including many PN lame ducks. One needs to consider the fact that Fearne simply had no alternative but to resign. He knew that if he dared go to Brussels as Malta's nominee for the European Commission there was the real possibility that he would be re- turning back in disgrace. His position would become untenable, both nation- ally and internationally. It is the Brus- sels ticket that eventually pulled him down and not any democratic 'princi- ple'. On the basis of the magisterial in- quiry, Fearne stands charged with fraud and fraudulent gain, serious charges that cannot be brushed off easily for a man in his position. But Fearne must also be credited with the title Mr Smart. He was smart enough though to keep his name out of the limelight through- out the hospitals deal saga. The machi- nations of the deal were the brainchild of Joseph Muscat, Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri. They were the prime movers, which always made me won- der 'where' Chris Fearne had been dur- ing all this time. As Health Minister and a member of the Cabinet, he must have had access to the negotiations taking place and if not, he must have asked who the inves- tors taking over three public hospitals were. He was in parliament when year af- ter year millions of euros were being voted in the budget estimates when everybody knew these funds were not justifiable since there was nothing to show for them. From the onset, when he was still parliamentary secretary for health un- der then health minister Konrad Miz- zi, Mr Clean must have known that the new owners had absolutely no experi- ence in running hospitals. How can he not? He must have seen the hospitals contract being redacted and rendered almost meaningless when presented in parliament. Fearne claims he was kept out of the loop on the contractual arrangements with Vitals and then Steward, pointing his finger at Konrad Mizzi who con- tinued to negotiate behind his back. Nonetheless, it was Fearne who in 2018 triumphantly hailed the new in- vestors, Steward Health Care, as the "real deal". But he played it smart up to the point when the magisterial inquiry reached its conclusions. Suddenly he found himself in the limelight and this sur- prised many. Yes, Mr Clean and Mr Smart was caught with his pants down and while many could not believe why he was charged, others started asking the ob- vious questions: How can anyone be around so much and not knowing so much or at least realising what was go- ing on? How could anyone allow his col- leagues to get so blatantly rich and keep himself out of the fray? If he really wanted to be known in history as Mr Clean, Fearne should have resigned from health minister forthwith and seek new pastures. Instead he soldiered on until the magistrate recommended criminal charges be issued against him. It all boils down to the famous ex- pression Fearne himself pronounced so enthusiastically in front of all the media and for which he will be re- membered in history when the Stew- ard transfer took place: 'The real deal' Presumption of innocence until found guilty must prevail in a court of law. But the public has the right to pre- sume guilt unless Fearne is acquitted. The magisterial inquiry has given Fearne the opportunity to prove his in- nocence. The ball is in his court after all. A l ex Ag i u s S a l i ba Labour Party candidate for the MEP election Is the European Union relevant to the Maltese? Key areas which I believe must be addressed by the European Union in the next five years are increased economic uncertainty due to external shocks such as the war in Ukraine, the implementation of the European Green Deal and labour shortages. Furthermore, due to the increasing globalisation, matters which impact economic competitiveness are better addressed at European and inter- national level to ensure a level playing field between countries. These include workers' and consumers' rights and environmental protection. These matters impact our daily lives thus, yes, the European Union is indeed very relevant to all Europeans, including the Maltese. Regrettably European institutions tend to measure success based on macro-economic barometers and indicators, which may not always fairly reflect the daily realities faced by ordinary citizens. This mismatch is caus- ing increasing disenfranchisement in the EU and has led to increasing support for far-right parties and other extremists, including in Malta. I give the electors my word that I will do my utmost to make the EU deliver where and when it matters for them, and that I will ensure that their sentiment is voiced loud and clearly in the European Parliament. The Maltese electorate is motivated by issues which are local and often partisan, does this not make it more difficult for you to campaign? Despite the artificial attempts of the PN and its supporters to dirty this election with mud-slinging about irrelevant local partisan affairs, I have focussed my campaign on five key pledges on which I intend to deliver in the next five years. These are: Safeguards against excessive profits in essential consumables and services; protection of Maltese identity, culture and heritage; digital rights to safeguard consum- ers and minors; workers' rights, especially their right for unhindered rest in their free time; quality of life of vulnerable and disad- vantaged groups, especially in the fields of healthcare, pensions, education, housing, telecommunications and employment. Legal safeguards are key to achieve this, and I will work on better protections for per- sons with disabilities and awareness about our mental health. These pledges build on the work done dur- ing the last five years. I believe that better results may be achieved by focussing on a few specific areas. By putting pen to paper to these pledges I am providing the electorate a yardstick with which to measure whether I will deliver for them during the next five years. Malta has a small representation in the European Parliament, can we be influential? The European Parliament does not work along country lines. A country or group of countries may impose their will over other, less populous countries. But in parliament, like minded politicians from various coun- tries join forces to push forward initiatives for the benefit of all Europeans. MEPs who are more active have an outsized role in pushing forward these initiatives, and thus have greater influence in setting parliament's agenda. My election to the role of Vice-Pres- ident of the Socialists and Democrats Group is testament to this. More energetic MEPs are in a better position to ensure that the proposed intiatives do not negatively impact the electorate they represent. MEPs may also take administrative and legal action to safeguard the rights of their electorate. During the last five years I have used these tools for the benefit of the Maltese wherever possible. I requested the European Commission to investigate unfair, artificial increases in food prices, and the European Ombudsman to stop the Commision from recruiting an individual who does not speak Maltese for its office in Malta. Why are you so motivated to stand as a member of the European parliament? I have always believed that politicians who work diligently and vigorously may make an appreciable contribution towards improving our quality of life and well-being. During my first legislature, I embarked on various campaigns and measures which address the needs of workers, consumers, patients, chil- dren and vulnerable cohorts. These included campaigns for the benefit of a wide spectrum of society such as the common charger for digital devices and the Right to Disconnect and initiatives for the benefit of specific co- horts, such as to ensure equal rights and op- portunities for persons with disabilities and those on the autism spectrum. Some initia- tives, such as the introduction of regulations to protect children from unsafe toys and to provide adequate compensation for cancel- lations and delays in the travelling sector, are not yet completed. Other initiatives in the pipeline include improving the affordabil- ity and availability of medicine and healthy food, which is particularly relevant for Malta, and measures to protect vulnerable house- holds from energy poverty. I am determined to continue my unfinished work in the next legislature