AD challenges government to address rent laws, public transport

Alternattiva Demokratika has hit out at the government for failing to tackle the reform in rent laws and the dire situation in public transport in its pre-budget document.

The Green party held a press conference yesterday to highlight its disappointment at what it termed as the government's misguided priorities.

"Once again, the government has missed an opportunity to address, at least partially, the grave injustice of the controlled rent laws," AD chairman Harry Vassallo said. It was obvious, he added, that the White Paper on this subject, promised by Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina over two years ago, had never been drawn up.

"The government has not been truthful in this matter and has treated people who have suffered for over six decades with shameful deceit. After 20 years in government, it is a complete scandal that the promise of a reform, made in 1987, has never been fulfilled," he said.

Edward Fenech, spokesman for finance and the economy, said that in its budget proposals AD had challenged the government to start, from this budget, providing financial compensation to owners of controlled-rent properties.

AD had specifically proposed that from next year the government should provide compensation of one-third of the fair value of rent of such properties.

In the absence of any reform, this compensation should be increased to two-thirds in 2009 and full compensation should be granted in 2010.

"The government has completely ignored our proposal, and has not had the courage to make alternative suggestions. The opposition's silence on this issue is equally shameful," Mr Fenech said.

On public transport, Dr Vassallo said the Transport Ministry's biggest scandal was the minister's complete inability to address the disgraceful situation in public transport. After four years, the ministry had introduced no changes in this sector, except for an increase in tariffs.

Dr Vassallo said the public transport system, with the influx of tourists in summer, was collapsing; the queues on the bus stops in tourist areas were causing major brand damage to Malta's tourist product and causing frustration among locals.

"It is a scandal that the pre-budget document does not even mention public transport," he added. While both the government and the opposition were choosing to ignore these two issues, AD would continue to pursue its efforts to enforce a referendum on rent reform

In its electoral manifesto, AD would also pledge a reform in the public transport sector that would include the elimination of the present monopoly.

"This government, that has effectively been in power for two decades, has failed miserably to tackle these issues... We challenge the government to address both issues in October when the budget is presented," Dr Vassallo said.