Special parliamentary procedure for Divorce Bill under consideration

The government and the opposition are holding talks on the procedure to be followed for the Divorce Bill to become law. The voting procedure will not be affected.

The Bill was given a first reading on Wednesday and is expected to be published in the Government Gazette today or early next week.

The talks were revealed this morning in comments given on the PBS breakfast show Bongu by David Agius, whip of the Nationalist parliamentary group, and Joe Mizzi, whip of the Opposition group.

Mr Mizzi explained that parliament was heading into uncharted waters in that there was never a situation in recent history where a private member’s motion was set to become law.

He said the potential problem could crop up in the committee stage of the proceedings, when the Bill will be considered line by line, and amendments may be moved.

Standing Orders provide that except in the case of Money Bills, all Bills would be considered by the Standing Committee for the Consideration of Bills. The Bill is presided by a Nationalist MP and the committee normally only has two MPs from each side as members.

Since the Divorce Bill is the result of a private member’s motion, it is being piloted by MPs from the government and the opposition, and has been subjected to a referendum,  the government and the opposition are considering having the committee presided by the Speaker.

Since many MPs have expressed divergent views on divorce, there is also the possibility that all MPs would be given the opportunity to attend and participate in the meetings of the committee.

MPs will be asked to submit any proposed amendments well in advanced, so that they may be circulated to all MPs and experts. 

Voting on the Bill will take place as normal.

Mr Agius pointed out that in the committee, MPs can also call and hear experts, and there is therefore the possibility of involvement by representatives of both the Yes and the No camps.

“We are doing our best for the law to be enacted smoothly,” Mr Mizzi said.

“My appeal to the public is to give us time so that the best law is enacted, in line with the outcome of the referendum and in the best interests of the electorate,” Mr Agius added.