PN reinstates anti-corruption bills, removing money clauses
The PN has re-introduced in Parliament its 12th Anti-Corruption Bill, this time divided into two groups, one of which includes 11 Bills. which have no reference to the Money Bill.
Earlier this week, the government refused to put the Bills on the agenda, saying that they had elements of a Money Bill and therefore had to be presented by a minister with the approval of the -President. This was confirmed in a ruling issued by the Speaker on Tuesday.
The Bills are aimed at fighting corruption and implementing the recommendations made by the public inquiry Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Opposition Leader Bernard Grech today re-introduced the Bill, this time divided into two groups, one of which is certainly not a ‘money bill’ as claimed by the government, he said.
“The government has been delaying the discussion of these bills, even calling them a ‘gimmick’,” Grech said, addressing the absence of Parliament from Prime Minister Robert Abela.
Grech called for a discussion without further delay, adding that the interest of the PN is to fight corruption and crime.
He said that the first package includes 11 of the Bills proposed by the PN. The second includes the proposal to appoint a special investigating magistrate on corruption. The magistrate will not need approval to initiate any corruption investigations.