It has been 13 years since former PN MP Franco Debono proposed a major justice and constitutional reform to Parliament.

It was one of the most wide-ranging legislative moves by a backbencher in recent Maltese history, and many of his proposals have since been implemented or are being discussed by the government.

Here’s a look back at some of Debono’s major proposals.

-A two-thirds majority for presidential appointments (implemented)

-Investment in hydrogen as the energy of the future (being discussed)

-A bill on political party financing (implemented)

-Specialised inquiring magistrates who focus solely on investigations (implemented)

-Separation between the investigative and prosecution functions of the police (partially implemented through a reform of the Attorney General’s office)

-A revision of the eligibility criteria and methods of appointment of court experts

-The right to legal assistance during police interrogation (implemented)

-Reision of the role of the Attorney General (implemented)

-Reform of criminal procedures, including acts o renvoi (rinviji) (being discussed)

-The establishment of a Drug Court (implemented)

-Transferring the power for Security Service interception warrants from ministers to investigative authorities

-Abolishment of criminal libel (implemented)

This is a reminder of the legislative power that individual MPs can wield, even from the backbenches. Although MPs often act as ancillaries of their political parties, they have immense individual power in terms of pushing for legislative change. Unfortunately, few actually utilise this power.