Joseph Muscat reshuffles the shadow cabinet

Joseph Muscat has reshuffled the shadow cabinet, with the Labour Parliamentary group now built around four working groups focusing on economic policy, sustainable development, social policy and home and foreign affairs.

The Labour Party said that for the first time, it has a person tasked with the drafting of the electoral programme.

Among the major changes, Charles Mangion sheds responsibility for finance and becomes main spokesman for economic development. Karmenu Vella is now responsible for finance and the drafting of the electoral programme. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca loses tourism and becomes responsible for health. Tourism has gone to Gavin Gulia. Anthony Zammit, formerly responsible for health, is now spokesman on the elderly.

There are specific responsibilities assigned for the development of each region and the allocation of direct responsibility for areas such as the university.

As before, no direct responsibility has been assigned to Alfred Sant. A party spokesman said that since Dr Sant was a former leader it was felt that he should not be assigned responsibility as spokesman for any single subject area.

The new responsibilities are as follows: (brackets show former responsibilities where there have been changes):

Joseph Muscat - Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party

ECONOMIC POLICY TEAM

Karmenu Vella - Main Spokesperson for Finance, Responsible for the Drafting of the Electoral Manifesto (former chairman of the coordinating group)

Charles Mangion - Main Spokesperson for Economic Development, Financial Services and Pensions, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (formerly spokesman for finance and chairman, PAC)

Chris Cardona - Main Spokesperson for Industry, Self Employed and Foreign Investment (formerly communications and ICT)

Gavin Gulia – Main Spokesperson for Tourism (formerly spokesman on the economy)

Michael Farrugia - Main Spokesperson for Consumer Rights, Communication and ICT, Spokesperson for the Sustainable Development of the North (formerly social policy)

Helena Dalli - Main Spokesperson for Public Service and Gender Equality

Joe Sammut - Main Spokesperson for Transport and Maritime Affairs (formerly agriculture and fisheries)

Evarist Bartolo- Main Spokesperson for Education and Civil Rights

Owen Bonnici - Spokesperson for Higher Education, University, Research and Culture (formerly youths and culture)

Gino Cauchi - Spokesperson for Civil Society, Minority Rights and Media

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY TEAM

Leo Brincat - Main Spokesperson for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Roderick Galdes- Spokesperson for Planning, Urban Development, Construction and Housing

Charles Buhagiar - Main Spokesperson for Infrastructure and Public Works, Spokesperson for the Sustainable Development of the Centre

Joe Mizzi - Main Spokesperson for Energy and Resources, Parliamentary Whip

Marlene Pullicino - Spokesperson for Utilities

Anthony Agius Decelis – Spokesperson for Agriculture and Fisheries (formerly spokesman on the elderly)

Anton Refalo - Main Spokesperson for the Sustainable Development of Gozo

Silvio Parnis - Main Spokesperson for the Sustainable Development of the South (formerly consumer affairs)

SOCIAL POLICY TEAM

Anglu Farrugia- Main Spokesperson for Employment, Quality of Life and Workers’ Rights, Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs

Chris Agius - Spokesperson for Sport and Local Organisations

Carmelo Abela - Main Spokesperson for Social Policy (formerly industry)

Justyne Caruana - Spokesperson for Family, Children and Persons with Disabilities

Marie Louise Coleiro Preca - Main Spokesperson for Health (formerly tourism)

Anthony Zammit- Spokesperson for Generational Solidarity and Bio-Ethics (formerly health)

Adrian Vassallo- Spokesperson for Patients’ Rights

HOME AND FOREIGN POLICY TEAM

George Vella - Main Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs

Luciano Busuttil - Spokesperson for European Affairs and Youth

Noel Farrugia - Spokesperson for Maltese Communities Abroad and International Development Aid

Michael Falzon - Main Spokesperson for Security and Immigration

Jose’ Herrera - Main Spokesperson for Justice

Joe Debono Grech - Main Spokesperson for Defence and Port Affairs

Stefan Buontempo - Main Spokesperson for Local Government