The His ‘n’ Hers dressing-gowns-and-slippers approach to running the Ministry of Health
I am interested in Martin Scicluna’s opinion of the way the Minister of Health has taken his companion into his office and made her his official delegate for ministerial duties.
Mr Scicluna has spent the last few weeks telling us that it is time for a change to Labour, because the last lot didn’t do things properly.
I wonder what he would have said had Joe Cassar taken his wife to the office every day and got her to deputise for him at meetings and negotiations and forums.
The sarcastic remarks would have been endless. Malta Today would have been on fire. Super One would have the story on a loop, with that insufferable Ramona Attard – now chief of staff to Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg – stuffing her mike into Dr Cassar’s face every five seconds.
Godfrey and Marlene, the cohabiting couple who now appear to make up a two-headed hydra of a health minister, seem to think all this is perfectly fine because 1. she is a member of parliament, and 2. she is doing it on a voluntary basis, by which they mean not that he doesn’t whip her into the office against her will, but that she isn’t paid for it.
Oh, so that’s all right then.
No, it isn’t – not by any means.
The health ministry is supposed to be a professional outfit. It is a state role. Yet these two are treating it as though it’s their own personal demesne, with wifey popping down to the shop to give hubby a helping hand on the till.
It’s not your family business, Godfrey and Marlene. It’s not your dental clinic.
The press found out about this absurd situation when the health minister summoned them to a meeting he had with Tony Zarb and some other General Workers Union officials, only to then throw them out. When they turned up, they found his girlfriend there at the meeting with him, and began asking questions.
On Xarabank a couple of weeks ago, Marlene Farrugia said that the prime minister had told them he could offer them the health ministry portfolio and that they should decide which one of them would take it.
That alone should have left us gobsmacked: the fact that the prime minister did that, and the fact that Marlene felt so comfortable revealing it on television and actually saw nothing wrong. She decided that her boyfriend should have it.
Now we learn that her boyfriend is the Health Minister in name, but she is the Health Minister in reality. He sits there like a chump while she tells him what to do.
Further down you’ll find a link to a report in The Times with a video of what must rank as one of the most embarrassing press conferences ever in the history of Maltese politics. It shows you one of the reasons why, even if there were a call for applications and Marlene were recruited on merit, her involvement would be disallowed because of her intimate relationship with the cabinet minister.
Look at their behaviour: strictly speaking, she is working for him and he is the minister, which means that he should be leading the press conference while she sits mutely by his side until and if he directs her to speak. Instead she takes over, speaking before the minister does, saying the things he should be saying, and when he finally gets a word in edgeways, it’s he who is subservient to her, rather than the other way round.
And they are absolutely pathetic. What is the gist of their argument, their justification for Marlene deputising for Godfrey? “It’s a really big ministry, with the biggest national budget” – Marlene. “And with the largest number of employees, too!” – Godfrey.
In other words, health is such a big deal that one minister cannot be expected to do it alone. He needs his girlfriend to help him – a sort of ‘double minister’, if you wish, with a double desk at the office and a double bed at home.
The word ‘aides’ is not in their vocabulary or their world view, it seems. “Marlene taghti daqqa t’id lill-boyfriend,” is how they see it.
Mentalita tal-Piccolo Mondo di Don Camillo. And remember that these are the progressive ones.
And no, don’t expect the prime minister to do or say anything about it (is he back from his Italian holiday yet?). He’s the one who told them it would be all right.
Let’s not forget that he does exactly the same. His wife is already registered at the Office of the Prime Minister with her own email address, and she deputised for him on numerous occasions when the proper person to do that was Anglu Farrugia and later, Louis Grech (that’s why they were DEPUTY leaders).
Who can forget that scene with Dr Victor Calvagna at the general hospital, when the medics were expecting the Leader of the Opposition to turn up as agreed and he sent his wife instead? “Iva, illum jiena gejt!”
Unbelievable. So effing crass. No wonder they were elected – Malta has been going through something of a rather protracted ‘crass moment’ for some time now. Basically I think people just voted for those who are made in their own image.
And yes, Martin Scicluna, that includes you.
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http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130401/local/minister-orders-journalists-out.463674
http://zekzik.com/2013/04/01/kellna-ragun-marlene-hadet-over-il-ministeru-tas-sahha/
^Who let the Docs out?’
How come Michael Farrugia’s girlfriend didn’t turn up to give him a helping hand with the conference he had with Sandro Chetcuti’s developers outfit. Not very supportive, is she?
I can just see Michelle (it’s such a big job running the country, miskin) turning up at a European summit meeting – aw orrejt David (Cameron) today I came, you know, now Malta all is ours.
With a cabinet larger than the size of a football squad, do we also need to have volunteers?
Pay peanuts, get monkeys.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Miskin, qisu l-pastizz taghha.
Qisu!
Shall we wait for an explanation from Musumeci and Debono? The former boasting so much about the new muviment…faqqaw Facebook wara r-rizultat.
“If it walks like a duck and quaks like a duck it must be a duck.”
Here is Debono’s line of thought on this subject, there were other comments yesterday which were removed:
mark borg
Yesterday, 20:18
Hallijhom ha jkomplu jindannaw u jibku Ms Farrugia…..ma ghandix dubju li se tghamel xghol siewi hafna biex tirrangaw id dizastru li sibtu .good luck.
mark borg
Yesterday, 20:13
Tajba din ,veru ma tista terbah qatt ma certu nies tal Pn. mela ghax dawn partners hawn min irid qishu jikundannahom,mela skont inthom la dritt ghal Divorzju ma ghandhu jkollhu persuna u issa l-anqas Partner !
mark borg
Yesterday, 18:51
ray she was appointed by THE PRIME MINISTER as he enphasised several times, Backbenchers will be given an active role .PLEASE NOTE : MALTA TGHANA LKOLL U HADD MA HU IRRELEVANTI !
mark borg
Yesterday, 18:42
its different Luigi ,she was elected by the people . UNLIKE THE 4 PN CANDIDATES LI SE JKUNU FIL PARLAMENT BLEMENDA TAL KOSTITUZJONI .GHAX TAL PN FEJN JAQBILLHOM JUZAWHA IL KOSTITUZJONI FAVURIJHOM . ARA 1981 GHADHOM JIBKU SAL LUM GHAX IL LABOUR IGVERNA SJKONT IL KOSTITUZJONI GHAX TELLGHA AKTAR SIGGIJIET.
mark borg
Yesterday, 17:17
ha ha hha PN moaning is just music to my ears .
mark borg
Yesterday, 17:02
@all Pn moaners
flok ghadkhom tnewwhu wara it tkaxkira kolossali li qlajtu …..mhux ahjar tiffukaw naqra fuq min se jmexxi il Partit fallut li ghandkhom ( jew ahjar li baqa minnhu) ? . Jew tghamlu xi gabra ? PS .Tajba din tipretendu il ministru lanqas dritt ta laqa privata ma jista jkollhu .fejn kontu inthom ezempju f 10 snin ta rebus go enemalta? nahseb ma Aust kull minuta kienu il gurnalisti
mark borg
Yesterday, 17:13
ehe this is what 54 percent of the maltese voted for . taf fejn hi it trasparenza ? fkul dipartiment dizastru li hallejtu tal Pn qed it trasparenza ..ibda mil mater dei u spicca fil famuza enemalta ….issa staporti hemm u ghalxejn qed tinharaq u tibki ….snin kbar ghandek….ibdew billi tghamlu gabra !
Volunteer Ministers?
Is this the cabinet of a government led by the Scientology movement?
How totally embarrassing.
Bilfors trid tkun il-mara jew il-habiba tal-ministru biex tkun voluntiera?
Jekk le, nithajjar inwaqqaf bhal VOLSERV tal-Mater Dei biex nghinu ftit.
Tipprovdi ftit coaching, Ciccio:?
The last line is priceless:
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-04-01/news/-you-can-get-out-now-we-will-send-the-press-release-later-minister-1303150592/
Guess who’s protecting her investment. If she can’t be on cabinet, she’ll still get her house(s) in order.
They will take turns at ‘running’ the ministry, while the other half (part-time minister) takes care of his / her private practice.
This is in line with the modern practice of a work-life balance where some offices introduced the concept of job sharing. However, in this particular case, it is more of a public office – private practice balance.
All of us medics and dentists who know them both had been betting as to how long this would take to happen….they didn’t keep us waiting long.
Well if this volunteer work takes off, will we get mothers helping around , partners taking over appointments and standing in for the minister when too busy reading nonsensities written by their new perm secs.
Don’t forget Anton Refalo with his wife Michelina at the Gozo ministry. What was it about pitchforks?
The funniest part in The Times clip was her referring to him as “Onorevoli Ministru” and he to her as “Doctor Marlene”. It sounded like the preamble to a sex game.
Two for the price of one.
50% discount.
What amateurs. This story is so incredible, at first I thought that it was an April fool’s joke.
Pierre Portelli made reference to it this morning in his tv programme and asked what the reaction would have been had Joe Cassar appointed his wife to help him when PN were in government.
It seems Mr. Portelli does not know about these as he made no mention of them:
http://daphnecaruanagalizia.com/2013/03/michelle-muscatgov-mt/
http://daphnecaruanagalizia.com/2013/03/the-minister-for-gozo-has-employed-his-wife/
from the PSMC (Public Service Management Code);
7.1.6.3. Consonant with professional ethics, it is the practice to avoid having in the same unit, members of the same family or persons with business ties where this relationship can impinge on their official duties and may cause a potential conflict of interest.
The so-called ‘journalists’ at MaltaToday are referring to them as husband and wife in their attempt to justify this ridiculous situation.
The bottom line is: if Godfrey Farrugia was not able to cope with a large ministry why did he accept to become Minister?
Imagine Marlene at an EU level conference: “The Minister, my partner, has sent me because he has a large ministry to take care of and can’t cope alone. He’s also a licensed fireworks-maker (just like me) and does some ‘voluntary’ house and clinic visits as a family doctor.’
Ergajna morna mitt sena lura – ir-ragel il-breadwinner u l-mara miskina tahdem iktar minnu imma bla paga, ghaliex dak hu id-dover tal-mara, anzi din harget mill-kcina.
I would like guidance from my Principal Permanent Secretary – Mr Mario Cutajar – whether or not I, as a civil servant, can take my partner with me to work. She is as capable as my office colleagues, and is ready to work voluntarily.
The “moviment” has not realised yet that it is in charge of governing this island and are expected to behave as representatives of the people. Apparently showing real professionalism, abiding by the code of ethics and behaving as statesmen is not for them. They never had any plan of actually taking “real” decisions to run a country and it has not really crossed their minds that they will be summoned to do so at some point in this legislature. Instead “nillapazzaw b’dak li nsibu” seems to be the mantra across the playing field.
Nestor Laviera reporting on the muddled affair of the Farrugias in the MT refers to them as husband and wife. Daqs missieru gawp dan Nestor.
From the fruits they produce, will you know them.
Since Marlene Farrugia has now been officially appointed as the Health Minister’s deputy, shouldn’t she shut down her private business too?
When the PN was in government, we used to hear comments from the opposition such as “JOBS FOR THE BOYS’ U ‘HBIEB TA’ L-HBIEB’.
With PL in government now it is ‘JOBS FOR THE BOYS, WIVES and PARTNERS’.
Maybe in the coming days we would add SONS, DAUGHTERS, UNCLES and AUNTS.
For the ‘HBIEB TA’ L-HBIEB’, each ministry in the new PL government seems to be creating new positions to accommodate Il-HBIEB kollha.
Bundy, sing it one more time “Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse”.
You forgot cousins, nieces and nephews, then friends and friends of friends.
How much will all these appointments cost the exchequer? At this rate we’ll be turning red again – red as in the red, money wise – (for those who may need help with the English language).
Very very unprofessional!
Is this Labour’s new way of doing things?
No, it’s Labour’s OLD way of doing things.
Reactionon timesofmalta.com
A. Borg
Today, 07:49
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. We have to wait and see the results. If they succeed in cutting down the waiting list and all the free medicines will be available I would recommend even their relatives to give a helping hand!
M Spiteri
Today, 08:37
mhux hekk……….bil kugini …u hekk jista jkun l pets ukoll………..hallina
Il-gvern taghna u naghmlu li rridu.
Knowing the Maltese women’s “housewife mohha biex tidher” mentality, if Michelle Muscat and Farrugia’s girlfriend set this trend, all the Ministers’ wives and girlfriends will follow suit.
Each Ministry will have a “volunteer Stepford wife” buzzing around him. And Hu go Kif Frank will take up a volunteer mum biex tixtrilu il-pastizzi u t-tuna toast. Vera Malta taghhom.
Voluntary Stepford wife/hubby checking what the spouse to is really up to during the day. I’m getting the impression that Marlene doesn’t really trust Godfrey.
“Basically I think people just voted for those who are made in their own image.”
This is the line which summarises the election result. This is the majority of the Maltese voters today: petty, frivolous, egoistic, self-centred and with a lack of moral values.
Very true.
Ministry in tandem
Oh dear…and this comes from the people who found fault with the previous government at all times. I wonder, will the couple put the blame on each other now if pills are out of stock, or if there are huge waiting-lists at Mater Dei?
“It’s not my fault. It’s Marlene’s.” “Ask Godfrey. He’s responsible.”
If Marlene has such a thirst for voluntary work, I’m sure she will find more apt roles she could assume in our society.
Free dental care for the needy, perhaps.
Jien intija x’taghmel jekk tigi taghmili voluntary work id-dar – l-ewwel ma tista tibda mill-hgieg.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Clear-guidelines-preferable-Marlene-Farrugia-20130401
There is one clear guide line and it leads you straight out of your hubby’s office, Marlene.
She probably intends to be his personal secretary answering the phone , like:
Klijent: “Helow, Marlene?”
Marlene: “Iva min hemm?”
Klijent: “Jien Lippu ta’ Pacikka ta’ Bazza’ l-art!”
Marlene: “X’inqala Lipp?”
Klijent: “ U ghax omm il-kugina tal-mara ta’ hija qieghda l-ipstur tax-xjuh u jixtiequ kieku …tuf ent… fursi jzummuwha naqr’ ohra”
Marlene: “X’jisimha Lipp?”
Klijent: “Il-mara ta’ hija, Pina”
Marlene:”Mhux il-mara ta’ huk Lipp! Iz-zija tal-mara ta’ huk!”
Klijent: “Issa sew!! Ma tufhiex ?? Kintu murtu ghalija bil-vann biex tivvuta”
Marlene: “Ara Lipp , ibatli l-isem u n-numru tal-ID card taghha ma’ Guzi x-xufier ta’ Godfrey, u nara x’nista’ nirranga”
Klijent: “Orrajt Marlene , sellili ghar-rugol”
Hallihom imsieken! Lanqas doctors and nurses ma jistaw jilghabu fil-paci.
Dear Daphne,
They might be getting the idea from here:
http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2011/09/07/mps-pay-3m-in-salaries-to-family-members/
http://www.taghnalkoll.com/?p=342
“Both Godfrey and Marlene Farrugia admitted that they had discussed who of them should accept the position of minister, if elected to parliament, in the months preceding the election. Marlene Farrugia confirmed that Muscat had informed the couple that they could not be both in Labour’s new cabinet, and put to them the choice of which one would be appointed to a ministerial position.”
I thought I had seen this somewhere reported (not sure if it was The Times or Malta Independent) but it was subsequently removed …
Very nice from dear Joseph to discuss this ministerial appointment with the couple in the months before the election – that must have given them some time to decide who’s who and to prepare themselves to “hit the ground running”
Taf x’nahseb li qaghdu jaghmlu jilghabu l-UNO biex min jirbah isir hu ministru. Jew inkella j’ghollu mhux is-sold issa imma l-euro.
This happens ONLY in Malta.
What a bunch of amateurs.
Amateurism at its lowest level, with a good dose of arrogance. I am just wondering what the foreign embassies in Malta are reporting to their capitals about the new government.
I would be afraid to even guess.
Your comment reminds me of my days at RAOC HQ when regular reports were sent to the War Office (UK) regarding the political scene in Malta. Those were the pre-Independence days and I can say this much – the reports were particularly frank, accurate and certainly not complimentary as far as the Malta Labour Party was concerned.
Fifty years later the same comments could be carbon copied and the date fast forwarded to 2013.
Nothing much has changed in the Labour Party. If any, they got worse.
What foreign diplomats are sending back to their respective countries cannot possibly do much good for relations and much less for encouraging their nationals to come and invest in Malta.
I would like to dedicate this song to those who voted Labour for change.
How grossly unethical. What happens when the love birds quarrel and need time away from each other or is this a relationship where one pulls the strings and the other submits unconditionally? Whatever, this is one big farce. Iva possibli dawn in nies daqshekk injoranti?
This is proof that doctors should be doctors and not try to play at being politicians.
It kind of reminds me of another very typical delusion that is, most probably, only relevant to me on this page:
I always look on in pity at the successful lawyer who had always entertained ‘just opening a little restaurant’ once he/she retires, thinking it would be a walk in the park.
Predictably, these restaurants always fail. The best restaurants are owned by people who started as dishwashers or waiters and worked their way up. Being good in one profession does not make you fit for another.
Is Marlene helping him because she considers him incompetent to run the Ministry of Health on his own? Or……
What a set-back for Malta after 25 years. How sad to see disregard of ethics, sheer ignorance and arrogance return so promptly and which such intensity!