Environment Minister to unveil Transparency Register by the end of the month

Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia said yesterday that he would be unveiling his ministry’s Transparency Register by the end of the month.

had reported that Farrugia would start publishing a register of all meetings he has with stakeholders, in a move aimed at promoting transparency and good governance. Meetings between his head of secretariat and stakeholders will also be logged and published.

While all meetings will be logged, the move is most crucial when it comes to the planning sector.

As minister responsible for planning, Farrugia will have meetings with lobbyists and other stakeholders, including NGOs.

Last week, Standards Commissioner George Hyzler proposed that all ministries should have their own transparency register.

His proposal for a Lobbying Act would also see the introduction of a Lobbyists’ Register and a Code of Conduct for Lobbyists.

Hyzler is also proposing that all ministers, parliamentary secretaries and some other designated public officials should be barred from acting as lobbyists for a specified period after they cease to hold office.

In a tweet yesterday, Minister Farrugia said he looked forward to unveiling the Transparency Register by the end of March. “I am committed to promoting the highest level of transparency and good governance by logging and publishing my meetings with lobbyists in environment and planning,” Farrugia said.