Watch: Ministers take oath of office in Valletta ceremony, speak of challenges they will face

The new Cabinet of Ministers was sworn in this morning.

The list of ministers and parliamentary secretaries was announced on Wednesday evening following a string of meetings the Prime Minister had with individual MPs.

Many will be retaining the position they held in the past legislature, while others have been given new responsibilities.

The ceremony is being presided by President Myriam Spiteri Debono, in the presence of Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti and State Attorney Chris Soler.

After the ceremony some ministers spoke of the challenges they will be facing in their role.

 

Home and Security Minister Glenn Bedingfield said he is inheriting the same issues that were present in previous terms. He said we have made great progress in this respect and had no doubt that the country will continue moving forward.

Equality and Civil Rights Minister Rosianne Curajar spoke about IVF legislation which needs to be upgraded to give better assistance to couples. She said that reforming the IVF law is her first task. She said she looked forward to facing the challenges her ministry will offer. She said that although there are challenges, these never scared her and she has the energy to tackle them accordingly. 

 

Accommodation and Lands Minister Owen Bonnici said he will be using all the experience he accumulated in 13 years of service to the country to tackle the issues pertaining to his portfolio.

He said it is a big honour to serve the country, and he aims to enter this new commitment with humility. He named housing as one of the biggest challenges that society faces today. He said that his first target as minister in this legislature is to be sure that whoever wishes to purchase property will receive help that will be received in an efficient way, and that this will come into play by implementing the electoral promises of this sector. 

 

New Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela said the government’s priorities in his sector are listed in the Vision 2050, which include the importance of focusing on better quality tourists. Speaking to The Malta Independent about the main challenges of his new role, he said that while tourism in Malta is performing  well, the government’s priority is to continue improving yhe quality of the country’s tourism product.

Economy Minister Silvio Schembri said he looks forward to continue working to transform the economy, enabling the government to raise its income so as to be able to distribute wealth better. He said that he will be working to reduce bureaucracy.

He also said he wants to make the economy more ‘modern’ especially where digitalisation is concerned, including the introduction of more automation. He said that one of the biggest challenges that Malta’s economy faces is making sure that the country is attractive to investment. These are challenges that were faced during the pandemic, as well as during times of war. Schembri said that the fact that we are a country without much resources makes it more difficult to bring investment and continue growing the economy in a sustainable way. That being said, he said that these are challenges that the ministry has already experienced and so they know how to overcome them. 

Parliamentary Secretary for animal welfare Alicia Bugeja Said said she was very pleased to have been entrusted with the responsibility for animal welfare, a portfolio that is particularly close to her heart and which now falls under the Environment ministry.

She said she has several targets she hopes to achieve, including the opening of the new animal hospital and the commencement of works on the rehoming centre promised in the electoral manifesto. “I always look forward to working for the good of Malta and for the welfare of all animals,” she said.

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said the people have given the Labour Party another mandate to govern and the first big target is the presentation of the budget in October which will be the first step to implement the PL’s manifesto. He said that the Ministry of Finance makes sure that it delivers in terms of resources in order to fulfil their promises. 

Youth Minister Omar Farrugia described his new role as one centred on action, saying that the government must continue listening to young people and providing them with every possible opportunity to thrive in Malta. 

At the same time, he said that the government must continue protecting and strenghtening citizens’ wellbeing and quality of life, placing these at the forefront of its priorities. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the electoral manifesto does not remain merely a document on paper, but it is implemented  through concrete action so that Maltese and Gozitan citizens can continue moving forward.

Farrugia also noted  that although he is the youngest Cabinet memeber in Malta’s history, although honoured, this comes with an even greater sense of responsibility to represent the Maltese and Gozitan people in the best possible way during the legislature ahead.

Parliamentary secretary Deo Debattista said that his main priority is elderly people. We want to arrive at a point when you look forward to become an elderly person.

Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon said that the most important thing is that his ministry remains open to everyone who needs help. He said that there are a long list of challenges that his ministry faces. “We’ve done a lot, and we’ll continue to do more,” Falzon said. 

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri said that he has various challenges to look forward to, including the expansion of the Mgarr Harbour and the introduction of new vessels to the Gozo Channel. He said his priority is expanding connectivity between the two islands, and he believes that the next 5 years will see a “very important boost” in such connectivity. He also said he is very proud that the Prime Minister entrusted him with the Gozo portfolio, especially since he himself in Gozitan.

Mobility Minister Chris Bonett said that his priorities were made clear during the electoral campaign, emphasising  the need to transform the way people move around the country.

He pointed to the Malta in Motion initiative, saying that voters had endorsed the proposal and that the government must now turn it into a reality.

He added that Malta should also strive to make its maritime and aviation sectors among the best in Europe, if not the world.

Energy Minister Miriam Dalli described her appointment as a continuation of the work she has already been carrying out, as well as an opportunity to build further on the progress achieved in recent years.

She noted that several projects are already underway across a number of key areas, including energy, water, open spaces and national parks. She also highlighted the regeneration of the Grand Harbour, where consultations have already begun.

Dalli said that over the next five years the government should begin to see the results of work carried out across these various pillars. She added that while challenges will always arise, her approach to challenges is to view each one as an opportunity.

Planning Minister Jonathan Attard said the appointment reflects a great deal of trust, which he accepts with humility and a strong sense of commitment.

He said he looks forward to continuing to prioritise the sector entrusted to him while ensuring that the government’s electoral manifesto is fully implemented.

Attard said his commitment is to deliver on everything proposed by the Labour Party during the election campaign and to ensure that the manifesto is transformed into the government’s programme of work.

“Everyone knows that we keep our word,” he said, adding that he will do everything possible to ensure the government’s commitments in his sectors are fulfilled.

Inclusion Minister Julia Farrugia said it was to her great satisfaction that she will resume her work on the voluntary sector. She said that she is honoured to serve again in this “very important” portfolio. She also said that she did her homework on what her priorities will be going forward, and she will be meeting with her workers to start implementing the electoral manifesto. 

Local Government Minister Alison Zerafa Civelli said the appointment represents a continuation of hard work and dedication in the service of the Maltese and Gozitan people. 

Having already been responsible for local councils, she said she intends to continue working closely with them, stressing that mayors and councillors are best placed to understand the needs of their localities.

With greater responsibilities, she said she will continue providing local councils with the necessary tools to improve and beautify communities, with the ultimate aim of enhancing the quality of life for the Maltese families living in these communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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