Updated 3.30pm with PN proposals
The Prime Minister has asked MP Glenn Bedingfield to coordinate a process for the drawing up of proposals to update Parliament’s standing orders.
Standing orders are parliament's written rules and have the force of law.
In a statement, the Labour Party said the government had a mandate to continue to modernise the country’s parliamentary system and the implementation of the standing orders was one way how Parliament can become more efficient, effective and modern.
The PL said that the "comprehensive" proposals that would be drafted would then be discussed by the party's parliamentary group.
In a reaction, PN whip Robert Cutajar said he was pleased to learn about the reform process, but that such a reform needed to involve both sides of the House, not just one.
PN assistant whip Paula Mifsud Bonnici noted that the PN had, last May, made several suggestions which could be included in a reform of standing orders.
Among those PN proposals:
- A weekly Prime Minister's questions session
- Increased sessions dedicated to debating Opposition motions, from one every three to six months to one every other week.
- Setting up a Permanent Committee for Justice Affairs, led by an Opposition chair but with a government majority
- Administrative aid for Opposition members and backbenchers
- Set up a committee for the updating of standing orders
- Offer childcare services close to parliament, for MPs, parliamentary staff and other workers
- Establish a rule requiring Ombudsman reports to be debated in plenary within a stipulated timeframe