Cabinet discusses rent law reforms

The Cabinet has just devoted a session to discussing the draft White Paper on the rent law reforms, Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina said in reaction to Alternattiva Demokratika's accusations that the government was dragging its feet on the issue.

The ministry has been asked to finalise social and economic impact assessments and then go back to the Cabinet, Ms Cristina said.

The ministry had finalised the draft White Paper in mid-November, she said, adding that a memo of the sort required several lengthy discussions.

"One major difficulty remains the impossibility of full social and economic impact assessments because of the lack of relevant data," Ms Cristina said, adding that the results of the 2005 population census, which should be out in a few weeks, would provide the necessary details.

A census on commercial property has also been commissioned by the Competitiveness and Communications Ministry, she said, explaining that "other countries have gone through reforms that are not easy to implement and we are looking at what has happened there to avoid any pitfalls".

In a reaction to accusations by AD chairman Harry Vassallo that she was unable to keep her promises to have a White Paper published, Ms Cristina said his statements were "full of inaccuracies uttered in the Green Party's attempt to earn kudos on an issue that has now become its major political platform".

Dr Vassallo had his statements regarding the ministry's ongoing work "all muddled up", she insisted.

He had also branded the government's approach to rent reform "half-baked", saying it was shameful that the government did not keep its numerous promises to present a White Paper.

"There is nothing half-baked about the government's approach towards reform in the rent laws. Nor is there any shameful procrastination," Ms Cristina insisted.

"On the contrary, the government has always said that, while it is committed to reform, it will implement it with responsibility in a move towards eliminating injustices in the current system.

"I strongly suspect that this was not the result of genuine error on the part of AD, but simply an effort to discredit the government's commitment and an attempt to gloss over his party's failure to collect the necessary number of signatures needed to hold the much-vaunted referendum," Ms Cristina continued.

"How ironical that AD should 'revive' its campaign on the rent laws reform just a few days after Cabinet devoted almost a whole session to discussing the draft White Paper I presented," Ms Cristina added.

She maintained that it was irresponsible to propose categorical reforms, without having a full and true picture of facts as they are.

AD, for example, was suggesting that the inheritance of leases be abolished, except in the case of spouses. "It is the easiest proposal to come up with, but is AD in full knowledge of the implications of such a reform? I believe not."

While it is undoubtedly true that landlords should enjoy their rights to their property - and some have been deprived of these for a long time - the social implications of any move cannot be ignored, Ms Cristina said.

Even where the government will take on the responsibility to ease the burdens on landlords, it is necessary to be aware of the economic implications on the country, she continued.

Ms Cristina asked AD which sector, other than the landlords, they had discussed their proposals with?

"It is so easy to put a proposal down on paper as AD is doing. But it is a very different kettle of fish when, as a government, you must ensure that reform is carried out sensibly and with responsibility, which is what the government is doing."