Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/956412
maltatoday WEDNESDAY 21 MARCH 2018 YANNICK PACE THE Association for Former Members of Parliament has insisted that amendments to the Members of Parlia- ment Pensions Act had been dropped by parliament be- cause of sensationalism by some MPs, and the way the issue was reported in the lo- cal media. Last week the government decided to drop a Bill reform- ing the MPs' pension law af- ter the Opposition suddenly withdrew its support for the Bill. The law, which the govern- ment said was being tabled only to address anomalies in pensions for MPs, would not be able to go through without the consent of the Opposi- tion. Addressing a press confer- ence, association secretary Lino Debono said the amend- ments would affect a total of 20 former MPs. He stressed that as things stand, MPs need to have been in parliament for one legis- lature and an additional five months in order to be eligible for a pension. He said it was therefore incorrect to state the current law requires MPs to have served for two legislatures to be eligible. Debono stressed that the amendments had originally been agreed upon during the 2008 legislature, when the association had reached an agreement with then Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and with Joseph Muscat, who at the time was still Opposition leader. Despite having an agreement with both sides, the amend- ment was dropped following the controversy which erupted at the time after the cabinet decided to pay Parliamenta- ry Secretaries and Ministers honoraria over and above their wage as MPs. Following the 2013 general election, Debono said the as- sociation had met the two sides of the House once again and had found the support of both Prime Minister Muscat, and then Opposition leader Simon Busuttil. The amendments, he said, had been tabled in parliament in February 2017 and were unanimously approved at the first reading by parliament in March 2017. Debono was critical of Demo- cratic Party MPs Godfrey Far- rugia and Marlene Farrugia who were the first to object to the amendments. He argued that both MPs had not object- ed to the amendments during the last legislature, nor had they objected during the Bill's first and second readings in parliament during the current legislature. The association had also met with current Opposition leader Adrian Delia, who had also supported the amendments. "Our association, especially myself as the Secretary, would have expected Opposition leader Adrian Delia to have had the decency to inform us that the Opposition was re- treating from their commit- ment, rather than have us find out through the media," said Debono. Despite the fact that the law had been dropped by parlia- ment, Debono said the associ- ation would continue fighting in what it believed was right. Asked whether it intended to meet with the PD to discuss the way forward, Debono in- sisted that the constitutional court had ruled that there was only one Opposition, add- ing that in any case, the PD had already made its position known. Being an MP is not a normal job Debono said that he believed that many people did not ap- preciate the effect of being an MP on one's personal and family life. "When a person is elected, for five whole years, 24 hours a day, they are subjected to political work," said Debono, adding that MPs only received a pension once they reached a pensionable age. Moreover, he said there were a number of members in the association who had left their job in the public sector to run for office, and had as a result, missed out on their public-sec- tor pension. Given the time one needed to dedicate to the job, the associa- tion said it believed it was time for the job of MP in Malta to become a full-time job. Philip Sciberras controversy Referring to the controversy surrounding former judge and MP Philip Sciberras, Debono stressed there was no politi- cal interference. He acknowl- edged that the treasury had originally interpreted the law differently from the associa- tion but had then requested the opinion of the Attor- ney General, who ultimately agreed with the association. NEWS Former parliamentarians baffled by parties' U-turn on MPs' pension Association secretary Lino Debono insisted that the legal amendments had been shot down because of sensationalism in the media and called on politicians to have the courage to do what was right Approved and issued by HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. 116 Archbishop Street, Valletta VLT 1444 which is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. Licensed to conduct investment services business by the Malta Financial Services Authority. www.hsbc.com.mt/fusion (Ref No.100756 – 3/18) Because you're balancing the books and the holiday fund, you can access your business and personal banking in one place Stay in control of your life's work with Lifeview by HSBC Fusion. The combined service for your business and personal life. Find out more at hsbc.com.mt/fusion Together we thrive