Momentum says it will work on reform for an 'effective' parliament
Suggests full-time MPs, executive powers for the Standards Commissioner and the Ombudsman
The Momentum political party has called for a revamp of how parliament works, including having full-time MPs and introducing executive powers for the Standards Commissioner and the Ombudsman.
It said parliament is not fit for purpose. MPs juggle multiple jobs, committees lack the power to investigate properly, and the Standards Commissioner and Ombudsman can be ignored with impunity.
"The result is a Parliament that rubber-stamps decisions instead of scrutinising them. Both the PL and the PN benefit from this weakness. Neither has any interest in fixing it," it claimed.
It said MPs should work full-time for the people and the country, not juggle multiple jobs and interests. They should therefore work full-time in the House and have professional-level pay. They should also have strict rules on outside work and conflicts of interest.
The party said parliament also needs proper committees to investigate issues thoroughly. It said it would work for the creation of special investigation committees modelled on those in the European Parliament, with real powers to summon witnesses and demand documents.
Furthermore, it said, the Standards Commissioner and Ombudsman should be given real power, with adequate resources and funding to enforce their decisions and hold authorities to account. Currently they issue recommendations that the government simply ignores.
"Momentum in parliament will fix the structure, not just the symptoms,” party leader Arnold Cassola said in a statement.