The government and the Opposition have agreed on the need to create the post of Standards Commissioner and a Standing Committee on Standards in Public Life.

In Parliament yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech praised MPs from both sides of the House who worked together in a spirit of cooperation in the Select Committee to draft the Bill. They were Foreign Minister George Vella, Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana and Nationalist MPs Francis Zammit Dimech and Ryan Callus.

Mr Grech said the Commissioner would report on any breach of the code of ethics by ministers, parliamentary secretaries and all those in positions of trust. This would send a very strong message to the highest institutions to respect the electorate, which had put their faith in their elected representatives.

Dr Zammit Dimech said the original motion had been presented by the Leader of the Opposition because not all ministers and parliamentary secretaries had been declaring their assets accurately.

The motion had also covered the employment of relatives in governmental roles.

He was pleased that after several meetings the Bill was unanimously agreed upon and approved by both parliamentary groups. He expressed hope it would be published and discussed right away so that it could come into force immediately.