‘Where’s your calculator?’ Delia challenges Finance Minister on government costs

In a heated exchange during yesterday’s parliamentary session, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech challenged Finance Minister Clyde Caruana to whip out his calculator, questioning the government’s spending habits. The tense moment left the House buzzing, with MPs on both sides exchanging whispers and raised eyebrows.

Delia’s Calculations: A Closer Look

Grech, also known as ‘Delia’ in local political circles, zeroed in on the government’s spending on consultancy fees, which have skyrocketed since Labour took office in 2013. According to his calculations, the government has spent over €150 million on consultants in the past eight years. He quipped, “Where’s your calculator, Minister? We need to check if these numbers add up.”

Grech’s figures, sourced from parliamentary questions, show that in 2020 alone, the government spent €20.5 million on consultancy services. This is a significant increase from the €3.5 million spent in 2013, the first year of the Labour administration.

Government’s Response: Necessary Expenditure

Caruana, however, defended the government’s spending, arguing that these consultants bring valuable expertise to help Malta navigate complex global challenges. He maintained that the increase in spending reflects the government’s commitment to attracting top talent to drive Malta’s economic growth.

Caruana pointed out that many of these consultants are involved in high-profile projects, such as the Malta-Gozo tunnel and the Smart City project in Ħal Far, which he believes will have significant long-term benefits for the Maltese economy.

Public Reaction: A Mixed Bag

Reactions from the public have been mixed, with some supporting Grech’s call for transparency and others backing Caruana’s stance on the need for expert advice. A quick straw poll on social media revealed that many Maltese are concerned about the rising consultancy fees but also understand the need for specialist input.

One commenter, Joe from Msida, said, “We need to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. While we should be mindful of how our tax money is spent, we also need to attract the best brains to help us move forward.” Another, Maria from Żebbuġ, agreed, “I’m all for transparency, but we can’t do everything ourselves. Sometimes, you need to bring in experts.”

However, others were more critical. Lisa from Sliema commented, “€150 million in eight years? That’s a lot of money. We deserve to know exactly where it’s going and what we’re getting in return.”

: The Push for Transparency

Grech has promised to keep the pressure on, vowing to continue pushing for more transparency and accountability in government spending. He plans to table more parliamentary questions and possibly even a motion to discuss the issue further.

Caruana, meanwhile, has invited Grech to discuss the matter further, expressing his willingness to engage in a constructive dialogue to address any concerns the Opposition may have.

As the political debate continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the Maltese public is watching closely, eager to see how this story of numbers and accountability will play out.