In the Media

The Times
14th March, 2008

Positive reactions to new Cabinet
Matthew Xuereb and Claudia Callejaf

The make-up of the new Cabinet, sworn in on Wednesday, has been largely welcomed by constituted bodies and NGOs.

Firm hand for the environment

Din l-Art Helwa vice president Martin Scicluna welcomed the Prime Minister's decision to place the environment under his wing but said he needed to better understand how the new system would work as issues directly linked to the environment fell under different ministries.

By keeping the environment and the long overdue reform of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority within his portfolio, Dr Gonzi was "taking on a formidable task".

"What is less clear is how the division of other elements of the environment - such as climate change, alternative energy sources as well as the transport and pollution problem - appear to be split between the ministries of Austin Gatt (Communications and National Projects) and George Pullicino (Resources and Rural Affairs).

"So how will it actually work out in practice? It looks untidy at first glance but obviously needs clarification," he said.

BirdLife Malta executive director Tolga Temuge had the same reaction as he pointed out that issues such as national parks, afforestation, the countryside and waste management were directly linked to the environment but "surprisingly" fell under Mr Pullicino's ministry.

The Prime Minister's decision to keep environment and tourism as part of his portfolio was a wise strategy, Mr Temuge said.

"If managed successfully it may not only safeguard and improve Malta's natural environment but also, over time, change the profile of tourism and thus tourists visiting the island."

Gaia Foundation director Rudolf Ragonesi agreed saying the foundation looked positively upon the inclusion of tourism in Dr Gonzi's portfolio "since tourism and environmental development must be seen as being two sides of the same coin."

Dr Gonzi's decision to retain environment sent a strong message to the whole government regarding its importance and indicated a vision that the environment actually underpins all other sectors.

Unlike Mr Scicluna and Mr Temuge, he believed it made sense that climate change was linked to the Ministry of Resources, since the greatest inroads that could be made here are resources related.

It also made sense to link animal welfare to a Ministry for Rural Affairs, since animal husbandry is a main focal point in animal welfare.

Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) spokesman Astrid Vella was "very pleased" with the fact that the Prime Minister retained the environment "because it takes a very strong hand to sort out the extremely complicated situation at Mepa and by his first measure to suspend the issuing of permits, the Prime Minister has already shown he means business," she said. FAA now hoped that the amendments to the Development Planning Act would be ratified by Parliament without delay and would be followed by other reforms to give the public its rights at Mepa, as well as giving adequate protection to the countryside and architectural heritage.

She added that, since environment-related issues fell under the ministries of Mr Pullicino and Dr Gatt, dialogue between the two ministries and NGOs would be very important.

Experience for health

The president of the Medical Association of Malta, Martin Balzan, said Social Policy Minister John Dalli's experience in finance and negotiations with unions, along with the experience of a doctor, parliamentary secretary for health Joe Cassar and a nurse, Mario Galea, as PS for the elderly and community care, was a "balanced mix" for the health sector.

Dr Balzan said the sector was facing several financial difficulties and Minister Dalli's experience and skills would prove helpful. On a negative note, Dr Balzan said Mr Dalli's portfolio was extremely vast and one had to wait and see how work would be distributed. Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses Paul Pace said the union was very pleased to see a nurse, Mr Galea, as parliamentary secretary within that portfolio, adding that he understands what the nursing profession entails. The appointment of a parliamentary secretary for health rather than a health minister was "interesting" but could also be "unhealthy" because discussions would always have to be referred to the minister for a final decision.

"The health sector is complicated, dynamic and problematic and this can be an added complication for us in terms of discussions.

"It is a new concept.

"We would have preferred discussing directly with the minister but we have to see how it will work and the logistics of this office," he said. He said that "as soon as the honeymoon is over, we will get down to working on a manpower plan for the health sector" in a bid to solve the human resources problem it is facing.

Tourism: 'Things will get done'

Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association president Josef Formosa Gauci said Dr Gonzi's decision to keep tourism in his own portfolio was a sign of acceptance on the part of the government of the importance of tourism. MHRA did not consider the fact that there is no specific Tourism Ministry as a negative move.

"Tourism impacts a lot of ministries, so the fact that you've got the 'tourism ministry' under the Prime Minister's portfolio means that, if things need to get done by other ministries, they will definitely get done," he said.

The MHRA will work closely with newly appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Mario de Marco. When certain decisions have to be taken or be implemented faster, the association would refer to Dr Gonzi.

The MHRA believes the success of tourism is dependent on three factors: Accessibility, marketing and product. "The marketing we're getting right, we've improved on accessibility and the product is becoming more and more important and is one of the key challenges we have ahead of us," he said.

Getting the product right depends on the state of the environment and in finding a balance between sustainable tourism growth and development and looking after our environment. The fact that the PM will be responsible for both would make it much easier to work on getting the right balance.

Speaking about the input of former Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, he said that, although there were the occasional issues that were to be expected, "at the end of the day, especially during the last year, he worked very hard and he and the MHRA worked very closely to ensure that 2007 was a record year."

The right mix

Union Haddiema Maghqudin secretary general Gejtu Vella praised the "business minded" Cabinet that is introducing the idea of a one-stop-shop with fewer ministers with more responsibilities, avoiding the "passing the buck" experiences in past legislatures.

"There is the right mix of seasoned politicians and new people full of energy and determination. The UHM believes new blood is very positive because we are sure we will be listened to," he said.

It was also positive that the Prime Minister retained the tourism ministry under his wing and appointed a parliamentary secretary focused on this field. Similarly positive was a parliamentary secretary for health who, along with a "technocrat minister like John Dalli" will be able to take "strategic actions which are very business-minded and results-oriented".

On his part, General Workers' Union secretary general Tony Zarb repeated what the union told Dr Gonzi in its congratulatory message on his appointment - that the union was prepared to work with everyone who respects it and its members.

The union hoped all the ministers and parliamentary secretaries chosen by the Prime Minister will "serve the country and its citizens" and added: "We hope that no minister will undermine the union while it is carrying out its duties."

Natural choice for the economy

Martin Galea, president of the Federation of Industry said he was pleased with the formation of the Cabinet and the choice of Tonio Fenech as Minister of Finance, Economy and Investment especially since the FOI had a good working relationship with him.

FOI believed industry ought to be given priority by this new minister who "has a very good track record and makes a very credible minister".

The director general of the Malta Employers' Association, Joseph Farrugia agreed Mr Fenech will do a good job in his new post, adding that he believed Mr Fenech was "the choice given his past performance during the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development meetings and that he was the under-study to the Prime Minister in the lead up to the euro adoption".

While the MEA was generally satisfied with the make-up of the Cabinet, some ministers may be somewhat overburdened. This meant they would have to depend more on their team and that the role of parliamentary secretary was being given additional weight.

In the past legislature, the appointment of a parliamentary secretary for small and medium enterprises had worked well yet this post was not retained.

Other than that, he believed that by having young candidates and fresh blood in the Cabinet, the government retained its youthful vigour.

A teacher for education

The Malta Union of Teachers expressed satisfaction that the new Education Minister, Dolores Cristina, is a former teacher and thus, according to president John Bencini, would be able to better understand the teaching profession. Mr Bencini said Ms Cristina had been successful in the last legislature in the field of social services and he had no doubt she would continue to improve on the education system.

The biggest challenge, Mr Bencini said, is continuing to improve on what has already been achieved and targeting children who are lagging behind.