Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday called Labour’s proposal to separate the environment from the planning process as “very strange” and he implied ulterior motives.

We have nothing to fear on corruption as we have a track record on fighting it

“For some strange reason Labour wants to relegate the environment in the planning process. How can one do that? Are we going to have another Lorry Sant,” he asked, referring to the former Labour minister who was found guilty of corruption in relation to development permits in the early 1980s.

Dr Gonzi said the Government believed the environment must be given a leading role when it came to the issue of building permits and separating these roles did not make any sense. He said that through its proposals Labour wanted to take the country back to when politicians used to decide on and abuse building permits.

Expressing his personal opinion against permits being granted in outside development zones, Dr Gonzi said the policy could not be put in a straightjacket as there were instances, such as when agricultural developments were involved, when ODZ permits became necessary.

He said the PN wanted to continue to incentivise people to invest in old buildings particularly in village cores, adding that specific schemes had already been launched.

The PN was also proposing to lower tax on rental income so that more people could rent out their properties and declare the income.

The PN’s electoral programme, Dr Gonzi said, showed the party was full of fresh ideas to provide a further leap forward in quality.

Despite the campaign reaching almost half way, Labour had still not presented its electoral programme, he remarked. With regard to corruption allegations, Dr Gonzi said it was the PN that had fought corruption.

Before they were elected in 1996, Labour used to tarnish everyone with corruption claims but then Prime Minister Alfred Sant had admitted no proof had been found.

“We have nothing to fear on corruption as we have a track record on fighting it. Labour doesn’t,” Dr Gonzi said to resounding applause.