Last Tuesday the Maltese community in Melbourne gave a warm welcome to the Hon. Dr Michael Frendo, Speaker of the Maltese House of Representatives, and his parliamentary delegation at a meeting held at the Maltese Centre in Parkville. The delegation was on a one-week visit to Australia as guests of the federal government.
The delegation consisted of two members from each side of the House. The two MPs from the Government side were the Hon. Dr Francis Zammit Dimech, Chairman of the Standing Committee for Foreign and European Affairs and the Hon. Mr David Agius, Government Whip. Those from the Opposition were the Hon. Dr Luciano Busuttil, a member of the Standing Committee for Foreign and European Affairs, and the Hon. Mr Joe Mizzi, Opposition Whip and spokesperson for energy, resources and oil exploration. The visiting party also included Ambassador Gaetan Naudi, Diplomatic Counsellor to the Speaker. Among those present at the meeting was the Consul General of Malta for the State Victoria, Mr Charles Mifsud.
Maltese Community Council of Victoria President, Professor Maurice Cauchi, welcomed the Speaker and the delegation to the Maltese Centre. He gave a brief history of the MCCV, an umbrella organisation of Maltese associations operating in the State of Victoria, and the Maltese Centre that was built with a lot of hard work by the Maltese community. He referred to the welfare services that the MCCV provides to the Maltese community with grants that it receives from the federal and state governments. He also talked about the MCCV library housed at the Centre which is considered to be the largest collection of books in Maltese outside Malta.
Professor Cauchi said that the Maltese Centre is used by many of the forty associations affiliated with the MCCV to hold their activities throughout the year. He said that the profile of the Maltese community in Victoria has changed significantly over the past decades. The majority of its members is now over 35 years of age. Forty-five percent of the population of Maltese in Australia reside in Victoria. We recently had the national census and the number of Malta-born Australian residents has been shrinking in recent years. However, by contrast, the numbers of the second and third generations of Maltese in Australia are on the increase.
Professor Cauchi said that the challenge for the MCCV is to keep the Maltese language, culture and traditions alive in the younger generations who are more Australian than the earlier generations. He said that, judging by the way his own grandchildren responded to a recent visit to Malta, once our youth visit and experience the Maltese islands and get a taste of what is Maltese, their love for Malta increases significantly.
In his reply Dr Frendo recalled his previous two visits to Australia, the first time in 1996, when he was Minister of Telecommunications, and ten years later as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He said that the aim of the visit was to develop closer ties and relations with the federal and state parliaments in Australia. That morning the delegation had met with the state Minister of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship as well as with the Speakers of both houses of the Victorian State Parliament, the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. Later in the week the Maltese delegation was scheduled to meet with the Speakers of the Federal Parliament in Canberra and with those of the NSW State Parliament in Sydney.
Dr Frendo said that the key message brought by the delegation is that, under the Constitution of Malta, the Maltese parliament is separate and distinct from the Executive arm of government and, therefore, the delegation represents the Parliament of Malta and not the government. He said that parliamentary delegations from many countries make similar visits to the parliaments of other countries in order to establish relationships and learn about the realities facing the countries that they visit. On this visit, the Maltese delegation was particularly keen to learn about the circumstances of the Maltese-Australian communities.
Dr Frendo said that the intention is to continue to maintain and strengthen the relationships being forged on this visit and, in this context, an invitation has been issued to their Australian counterparts to visit Malta. These relationships between the Maltese and Australian parliaments would be beneficial to the Maltese community in Australia, he said.
With regard to the involvement of the younger generation of Maltese-Australians in Maltese community life, Dr Frendo said that an important initiative, in which he had played a key role as Minister of Foreign Affairs, was the extension of Maltese citizenship to several generations of Maltese descendants born overseas. He said that this step was part of the important recognition of the more inclusive concept of Maltese nation that goes beyond that of the State. The Maltese nation extends beyond the Maltese shores and it is in everyone’s interest that we keep it alive and united.
Dr Frendo said that he hoped that, during their brief visit, the members of the delegation will be able to learn about the nature of the place, the needs of the community and the ways in which the relationship with Australia can continue to improve for the benefit of the Maltese communities.
Dr Francis Zammit Dimech spoke about the visit that the delegation had made to the Victorian Minister of Multicultural Policy and Citizenship, Mr Nick Kotsiras that morning.
Dr Zammit Dimech said that, when Malta was mentioned to the Minister, his immediate reaction was one that made them feel really proud as he described the Maltese community as a truly exemplary community and a live example of “integration” in the best sense of the term. He said that the Minister spoke about the achievements of the Maltese community that was able to achieve a lot on its own initiative without asking for too much assistance.
Dr Zammit Dimech said that hearing such words of praise for the Maltese community from someone like the Minister, who is himself of Greek origin, naturally always makes one proud. He said that, while he had heard about this before he came to Australia, it really hit him when he came to Australia to witness and feel the reality of a community that has made such a great impact with its hard work, commitment and success at the level of Maltese families residing here.
Assistance to young Maltese-Australians visiting Malta
Mr Victor Borg, MCCV Vice President, raised the issue relating to the assistance that the government and the opposition could provide to young Maltese-Australians visiting Malta, such as, by providing them with free entry or discounted entrance fees to historical places of interest. In this regard, Mr Borg mentioned the visits to Malta by groups of Maltese-Australian students that the MCCV Secretary, Mrs Edwina Mallia, has been organising over the past few years. He also mentioned the Bishop Joseph Grech Memorial Fund established earlier this year by the MCCV which will be funding scholarships every year for young Maltese-Australians who have shown an interest in the Maltese culture, language and history to visit and experience Malta first hand.
In reply Mr David Agius said that he would be happy to provide as much assistance and cooperation as he can to young Maltese-Australians visiting Malta. He said he believed that this was appropriate and something could be worked out.
Dr Zammit Dimech said that members of parliament are there to serve their constituents and to this extent they would be happy to assist those who seek their assistance. He said that it is important that, if a group of young Maltese-Australians are about to visit Malta, they should be informed of the group’s visit beforehand, so that they can facilitate the strengthening of the Maltese identity in those visiting Malta who have Maltese ascendency.
Dr Frendo said that one of the first initiatives he undertook when he became Speaker was to establish a program of engagemen
t with the community and particularly with the Maltese living overseas. He extended an invitation to any groups of Maltese-Australian students to visit the Maltese Parliament during Question Time when debate is likely to be more lively and interesting. He said that after the parliamentary sessions the students would be taken to one of the Committee meeting rooms, where they meet the Whips from both sides as well as other MPs and be given a presentation on how the Maltese Parliament operates. Dr Frendo said that it is important for these young people to understand that Malta is not just the past and a museum but Malta is alive and Parliament is a good example of this.
Lack of resources in Maltese
Mrs Frances Bonnici, Maltese Historical Association President, raised the issue of the lack of resources in Maltese, including books and DVDs, which can be used by students who are studying for the Victorian Certificate of Education exam in the Maltese language. She said that the students find it very difficult to get hold of material about Maltese history, customs and contemporary life written in Maltese. This means that they would often have to translate material that they find on the internet into Maltese, which, apart from being time-consuming, is not the best way to learn idiomatic Maltese. She said that the MHA holds activities for these students to help them understand better Maltese culture and folklore.
In reply, Mr David Agius said that he would be happy to help with providing the right resources required by students of Maltese in Australia, including DVDs. He said that there are good television facilities and expertise in Malta capable of producing high quality material. He said that it is important that the requirements are properly spelt out so that the right resources can be produced and supplied for use by students.
Mr Agius also suggested that having twin cities between Malta and Australia at local council level could also assist and should also be looked into as an additional level of assistance. He said that while there is a long distance between the two countries, the modern means of communication, particularly the internet, have made it very easy to communicate, using tools such as Skype. He said that some Maltese local councils have twin city relationships with towns and cities in China and this works very well.
Dr Luciano Busuttil said that, as a former Mayor of Hamrun, he is aware that twinning of cities is challenging and it is important that the approach to the local council in Australia is made by Maltese living in Australia.
Dr Frendo said that a history of the Maltese Parliament in Maltese will soon be available and he will arrange for a copy to be forwarded to the MCCV. He said that from 1 November 2011 and for the next twelve months a series of activities will be organised in Malta to celebrate ninety years since the establishment of the Maltese Parliament and Self-Government in Malta under the Constitution of 1921. Under this program, a history of the Maltese Parliament will be published in Maltese in workbook format specifically for use by students in schools. Well-known Maltese author Trevor Zahra will be involved in this publication, which will be sponsored by one of the Maltese banks.
Dr Frendo said that students should be made aware of the Maltese Parliament’s website at www.parlament.mt which contains a lot of documentation in Maltese.
Council for Maltese Living Abroad and Maltese Cultural Institute
Dr Edwin Borg-Manché, MCCV Public Relations Officer, raised the issue of the establishment of the Council for Maltese Living Abroad and the Maltese Cultural Institute that were announced at the Convention of Maltese Living Abroad held in Malta in March 2010. He said that following the conclusion of the community consultation that the Minister of Foreign Affairs had conducted earlier this year, there has not been any communication on whether and what progress has been achieved in setting up these two new institutions. He expressed the hope that the bill that is eventually introduced before the Maltese Parliament will be supported by both sides.
In response to this issue, Mr David Agius said that, as parliamentary assistant in the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Government Whip, he is aware that a lot of work had been done in the past weeks, but he would leave it to the Minister of Foreign Affairs who will be visiting Australia to provide the latest news regarding the establishment of the two institutions.
Mr Joe Mizzi confirmed that the Opposition is in favour of the proposal and will be doing its part to support the relevant legislation.
Dr Frendo said that, when the government introduces the relevant bill establishing the Council in Parliament, one should bear in mind that 95 percent of legislation is passed without a vote and by consensus. He said that this means that, while there is discussion and debate, which is a good thing, the level of consensus in the Maltese parliament is very high. Dr Frendo said that, although it is not in his remit to say so, he expects the bill setting up the Council to be passed by consensus.
Presentations
At the end of the meeting Dr Frendo presented Professor Cauchi with copies of his speech he delivered earlier this year on the occasion of the ‘Sette Giugno’ Commemoration, two in Maltese and one in English. He also presented a book in English on the history of the Maltese Parliament.
Professor Cauchi presented each member of the delegation with a copy of his book Under One Umbrella: A History of the Maltese Community Council of Victoria 1958-2008.
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{vsig_c}0|1-oct2011-mccv-exec-with-delegation.jpg| The delegation with the MCCV Executive Committee. From left: Mr Gejtu Deguara, Mrs Marilyn Pace, Dr Francis Zammit Dimech, Prof. Maurice Cauchi, Dr Edwin Borg-Manché, Dr Michael Frendo, Mrs Edwina Mallia, Dr Luciano Busuttil, Mr Joe Mizzi, Consul General Mr Charles Mifsud, Mr Victor Borg, Mrs Rosemary Attard, Ambassador Gaetan Naudi, Mr David Agius. [Photo: Nino Xerri]|{/vsig_c}
{vsig_c}0|2-oct2011-speaker-mfrendo-address-melb-comm.jpg| The Speaker, Dr Michael Frendo, addresses the meeting. [Photo: Nino Xerri] |{/vsig_c}
{vsig_c}0|3-oct2011-fzdimech-mp-address-melb-comm.jpg| Dr Francis Zammit Dimech addresses the meeting. [Photo: Nino Xerri] |{/vsig_c}
{vsig_c}0|4-oct2011-joe-mizzi-mp-address-melb-comm.jpg|Mr Joe Mizzi addresses the meeting. [Photo: Nino Xerri]|{/vsig_c}
{vsig_c}0|5-oct2011-david-agius-mp-address-melb-comm.jpg|Mr David Agius addresses the meeting. [Photo: Nino Xerri] |{/vsig_c}
{vsig_c}0|6-oct2011-lbusuttil-mp-address-melb-comm.jpg|Dr Luciano Busuttil addresses the meeting. [Photo: Nino Xerri]|{/vsig_c}
{vsig_c}0|7-oct2011-speaker-presents-book-to-mccv.jpg|The Speaker, Dr Michael Frendo presents a book on the History of the Maltese Parliament to Prof. Maurice Cauchi. [Photo: Nino Xerri] |{/vsig_c}
{vsig_c}0|8-oct2011-cauchi-presents-mccv-book.jpg|Prof. Maurice Cauchi (left) presents copies of the book on the history of the MCCV to members of the delegation. [Photo: Nino Xerri]|{/vsig_c}