Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/638406
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2016 7 News Bonnici accuses PN of 'bullying tactics' CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 "They were nominated not because they are women but because of who they are," he said. The PN leader said he had expected Bonnici "to admit to making a mistake". "Yes, I expect him to shoul- der responsibility because he forms part of the government that thinks it is the best in Eu- rope." But Bonnici insisted that gov- ernment will go ahead with the appointment "in full respect of the Constitution." During a heated intervention, PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami insisted that the nomi- nations of Caroline Farrugia Frendo and Ingrid Zammit Young had been forced on the minister because of who they are. At one point, he argued that, as a law yer, he could "pay a high price" if the appoint- ment of Farrugia Frendo takes place. Referring to a report by Mal- taToday on Sunday, Fenech Adami challenged the minis- ter to confirm or deny that the nomination of Farrugia Frendo was a sop to her father after the Speaker had made it clear to his close associates that he was in- terested in being nominated by the government to be a mem- ber of the European Court of Auditors. PN MP Jason Azzopardi pointed out that the Cham- ber of Advocates had, in three years, never been consulted on the appointment of members of the judiciary. Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis insisted that, in the case of Farrugia Frendo, there had been no irregularities: "The government statement was about the nomination. It is the President that appoints magistrates and judges." The argument is that the oath will take place after the seven years as law yer are up, in the coming weeks. Nominations based on 'merit' Bonnici defended his nomi- nation of Zammit Young and Farrugia Frendo to the mag- istrates' bench, insisting that the decision had been based on "merit". Bonnici denied that Zammit Young's father, a known Labour supporter, was one of his can- vassers. Zammit Young had to reject the nomination within a few days when the Commission for the Administration of Justice made it clear that as chairper- son of the Employment Com- mission, she was constitution- ally barred for three years from being a magistrate. The other nomination to the judiciary was that of Farrugia Frendo, who at 33 has until March to fulfil the minimum seven years' practice required for magistrates to be constitu- tionally appointed. During the parliamentary de- bate, the Speaker excused him- self from the sitting due to his conf lict of interest in the dis- cussion. Bonnici said his nominations of Zammit Young and Farru- gia Frendo to the magistrates' bench had been inf luenced by the need to balance the gender representation of the members of the judiciary. He praised both nominees as "honest women of integrity", describing Zammit Young as an experienced law yer whilst Farrugia Frendo had proved herself as a court attorney. To date, the government has appointed 11 members of the judiciary with some of the ap- pointments attracting criti- cism for their proximity to the Labour Party. Bonnici pointed out that, despite the criticism, one of the new members of the judiciary had excelled in his work – ostensibly referring to former Labour MP Wenzu Mintoff who was appointed judge in 2014. The minister went on to add that, despite its criticism, the former PN administrations had appointed an ex-parliamentary secretary as magistrate and a Chief Justice whose brother was a member of the Cabinet. "The impression given by the opposition is that it was unac- ceptable that a law yer is ap- pointed magistrate just after seven years of practice… what the opposition failed to note was that there have been law- yers who were appointed mag- istrates as soon as the seven years were up," Bonnici said. The minister insisted it was unfair that the appointment of Farrugia Frendo was being de- picted as some sort of "scandal" when similar appointments took place in the past. Two of these magistrates, today judg- es, were aged 30 and 31 at the time. "Why is the opposition at- tacking Farrugia Frendo? Just because she happens to be the Speaker's daughter? Is this how personal attacks take place? Based on who their father or family is?" he said, suggesting that the PN was employing bul- lying tactics. The minister drew compari- sons to when former prime minister Eddie Fenech Adami had ignored the advice of the Commission for the Adminis- tration of Justice and proceed- ed to appoint Andre Camilleri as judge. However, of his own will, Camilleri turned down the appointment. Ingrid Zammit Young Caroline Farrugia Frendo