Real-time Spending Ledger Bill and contract database among Momentum’s latest proposals

Momentum has set out a new package of proposals aimed at opening up how public money is spent and how political decisions are taken, arguing that transparency should be the default rather than something citizens have to request.

The party said its plans form part of its 2026 electoral manifesto and are intended to give the public direct, continuous access to information that is currently difficult or impossible to obtain.

One of the central measures is a proposed Public Spending Ledger Bill, which would require every euro of government expenditure to be published online in real time.

This would include tenders, invoices and final payments, all made available in a machine-readable format.

Momentum said the system would remove the need for freedom of information requests or reliance on annual reports, while also preventing the use of commercial confidentiality as a reason to withhold details on public spending.

The party is also proposing the creation of a fully searchable database of government contracts.

This would include not only the original agreements but also memoranda, side letters and any subsequent changes. According to Momentum, the aim is to allow citizens, journalists and researchers to see exactly what deals are being entered into on their behalf and how those agreements evolve over time.

A third proposal focuses on political accountability more broadly, through the introduction of what Momentum describes as a “transparency watch” website.

The platform would bring together information on politicians’ declared assets, audit findings, public appointments and any conflicts of interest, all in one place and updated in real time.

Momentum candidate Alastair Farrugia said the current system treats questions about public spending as an inconvenience rather than a right. He argued that both major parties have operated within structures that function best when scrutiny is limited.

Farrugia said the proposals are intended to shift that balance by making information readily accessible, allowing the public to follow how money is used and how decisions are made without barriers. He added that greater openness is essential if institutions are to be properly held to account and to rebuild trust among citizens.

RSS Feed Source: Independent Malta Real-time Spending Ledger Bill and contract database among Momentum’s latest proposals