Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt's claim that he had forgotten to declare a Swiss bank account dented his credibility, PL leader Joseph Muscat said this morning.

Saying that "a Swiss bank account is not something you just happen to forget," the PL leader poked holes in Dr Gatt's most recent, "panicked" statements.

The minister's version of events changed every time he told it, Dr Muscat said during a One TV programme filmed live in Siggiewi.

"First he said he wouldn't comment because of the police investigation, but then he spoke at length. He said he could vaguely remember meeting (oil trader) George Farrugia on a couple of occasions about constituency-related matters, but then yesterday said they met every three months and discussed oil storage, but never oil purchases. The difference is semantic," Dr Muscat said.

Dr Muscat likened Dr Gatt's case to that of former PN MP Lino Gauci Borda, who he said had not declared assets and been forced to resign his parliamentary seat under Dr Gonzi's predecessor, Eddie Fenech Adami.

He said a Labour government would pass laws concerning corruption - specifically a whistleblower act and a party financing law. It would also remove time-barring in cases of political corruption - before Parliament's summer recess.

Speaking about Air Malta, Dr Muscat likened it to a "national lung" and said the PL saw the airline as a key part in Malta's economic plan.

"Contrast that with the PN programme, which doesn't even make a single mention of Air Malta," he said.

Labour would place Air Malta under the Tourism Ministry's remit, he said, and encourage the airline to look towards bigger markets, "either south or in synergy with other airlines in different continents".

He also arched an eyebrow at Government claims about the airline's bank balance, saying "I hope all the facts and figures are being laid out on the table".

Police conditions would also improve under the PL, he said, although members of the force would also be made more accountable, with CCTV throughout police lock-ups and taped interrogations.

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