Justyne Caruana named chairperson of Consideration of Bills Committee

Former Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana has been named as the new chairperson of the Consideration of Bills Committee.

She will be replacing Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, who has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary for EU funds within the new Robert Abela Cabinet.

Caruana resigned last week after it was revealed that her husband, former Deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta had travelled abroad with Yorgen Fenech, who is accused of complicity in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

In other appointments, newlyelected Labour MP Jean Claude Micallef was named president of Parliament’s Economic and Finance Affairs Committee instead of Clayton Bartolo, who is now a parliamentary secretary.

Former Energy Minister Joe Mizzi was appointed president of the Environment and Development Planning Committee instead of Alex Muscat, who was also given a post as parliamentary secretary.

Former Parliamentary Secretary Anthony Agius Decelis was appointed president of the Family Affairs Committee and succeeds Rosianne Cutajar. He was also appointed head of the Public Appointments Committee, previously led by Robert Abela.

Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo was appointed president of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee instead of Carmelo Abela.

Glen Bedingfield was named as a member of the House Business Committee in view of the fact that he is the new government whip. Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi was appointed member of the National Audit Committee instead of Robert Abela.

Bedingfield also replaced Abela as a member on the Public Accounts Committee. Bedingfield was appointed head of the Inter-Parliamentary Union delegation instead of Byron Camilleri and Jean Claude Micallef head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean Union instead of Bedingfield.