Irrelevant as to how sugared the divorce referendum question is, it will still be asking the people whether they wanted marriage to become non-binding, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this morning.
Speaking at a political dialogue in Attard, attended by, amongst other, Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando – a front liner for the introduction of divorce legislation in Malta, Dr Gonzi said that his reply was a clear no.
“I respect that there are others who have a different opinion. But why shouldn’t the question be simple,” he asked
Dr Gonzi was referring to the Opposition leader’s refusal of his proposal for a simple yes/no to divorce question in the referendum.
The Labour leader had proposed will that the people be asked whether they agreed with the key elements of the divorce Bill before Parliament, including making divorce available only to couples who would have been separated or living apart for four years.
Labour’s proposal also enjoys the support of Dr Pullicino Orlando, giving it a Parliamentary majority.
Dr Gonzi this morning referred to his letter to Dr Muscat some days ago in which he appealed for consensus on the question.
“Dr Muscat’s reply was no,” the Prime Minister said.
He said that the Labour leader had a right to reply in the negative but his duty was to open the people’s eyes to the situation.
He said that while the country previously had a bill we could have been debated in Parliament, it no longer did.
“Will Parliament now not have the chance to debate divorce?
“Will we be genuine and clear with the people?
“Until now, marriage in Malta had been permanent. Someone is now telling us this should no longer be the case.
“Irrelevant as to how ow sugared the question is, it remains on whether the people wanted marriage to become courtship, non-binding.”
Dr Gonzi said that he was very worried with the question Dr Muscat was proposing and said he would explain at the opportune moment as to why the people should be extremely careful.
He criticised the opposition for believing that the government would hold the referendum on such a sensitive matter a week before the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.
“This is such a serious matter for our families that I would not play any such games under any circumstances.”
He said that while Dr Muscat accepted his proposal of May 28 he did not accept his invitation to discuss the question and seek national consensus.
“We will continue to say no to divorce and yes for the family. It is our belief,” Dr Gonzi said to applause.
Dr Pullicino Orlando, who had joined in the applause throughout the activity, stopped clapping when the Prime Minister spoke about the divorce issue.
EMPLOYMENT
The Prime Minister also referred to employment and said that contrary to what was happening in other EU countries, Malta’s economy was progressing and employment was being created with close to 19,000 people taking on a full time job for the first time in the past three years
These included university and MCAST students as well as women.
Malta, he said, had the biggest increase in jobs in the EU and the fourth biggest percentage drop in unemployment.