Ministers Owen Bonnici and Joe Mizzi, as well as Labour MP Joe Debono Grech, have denied Opposition charges of government corruption.

Answering claims on Monday by justice shadow minister Beppe Fenech Adami, they also listed corruption cases that they said had occurred during past PN administrations.

Dr Fenech Adami had claimed the government has not only failed in its fight against corruption but condoned corruption, as in the case of the tampered Enemalta smart meters, which cost the corporation millions of euros.

This sent a message to honest citizens that it was worth stealing and bribing people because the government nearly became their accomplice, providing a way out.

Mr Debono Grech said corruption was rife during the previous administration. The PN knew it and did nothing about it.

In the case of VAT evasion, the previous government had decided to refer the cases to the courts. The perpetrators were jailed but the government recouped nothing, because the amounts remained due.

It is the duty of each MP to be on the look-out for corruption

He said this was not the intention of this government, which wanted to eliminate corruption and do it properly.

He called on Dr Fenech Adami not to make scenes: if he suspected corruption among government MPs, he should report it to the Speaker. It was the duty of each MP to be on the look-out for corruption in the common interest of society.

However, allegations that were not based on facts did nothing but harm.

Dealing with rumours regarding his personal post in Gozo (as consultant to the Gozo Ministry) Mr Debono Grech said that it was not true that he was getting paid between €6,000 and €12,000.

He had told the Prime Minister he would refuse payment and would work for free in the interests of the party.

The only thing he had gained was a car for personal use during his trips to and from Gozo. Although no incident of corruption in Gozo had yet been uncovered, on occasion he had found some confusion in the management, he said.

Mr Debono Grech reiterated he was against corruption and all those who committed it.

Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said he was offended by the allegations made by Dr Fenech Adami with respect to suspected corruption under his watch.

It was truly ironic that the PN was complaining now, when corruption was abundant under the previous administration and they intentionally did nothing about it.

It was during their time, he said, that the police, Enemalta, Transport Malta and even the courts were full of corruption.

He referred to the allegation made by Dr Fenech Adami, that a former Labour employee, now a Transport Malta official, had given a piece of land close to the Grand Harbour to a company by direct order.

This land was a goldmine that would generate €10 million a year, the PN deputy leader had said.

Mr Mizzi assured Dr Fenech Adami that there was no corruption involved because he had personally overseen the whole procedure. The Opposition had a right to discuss and even complain about the issue of direct orders, but they should not try to tarnish anyone with allegations of corruption when there was no evidence of it, because there was no corruption whatsoever.

He accused the Opposition of spreading false news to deter investment.

The government made use of the same procedure used by the previous administration in 12 other projects. It was the Opposition, when in government, that had created the procedure. Ironically enough, at the time no one complained.

“Nor would the Opposition have cause for complaint now because there will be no corruption under my responsibility,” he said.

The government was trying to be on the ball all the time with the intention of doing things in the common interest.

In fact, the government had given the land to the company because it saw that it was going to create jobs and give an opportunity for students to further their studies through an apprenticeship. There was no other intention behind the direct order.

On the other hand, Mr Mizzi said, when he tried to shed light on previous corruption incidents, the Opposition, in government at the time, tried on more than one occasion to discredit and silence him.

He said the previous government only told him to go to the police and never did anything about it themselves, when they had the duty to do so.

Mr Mizzi asked how come the police and the courts become infested with corrupt people. Moreover, there were other occasions when suspicion was raised on what was probably corruption in the buying and selling of oil, but even this one got covered up.

He said in his attempts to uncover numerous corruption incidents he was always silenced and people were sent over to remove the evidence and shred files.

It was only when names and identity card numbers were offered that the Opposition was taken seriously.

Winding up the debate, Dr Bonnici criticised the Opposition for its negative stance on every issue, not least in trying to humiliate respectful individuals who collaborated with the government in the course of their duties.

The government was determined to create more jobs, fostering economic growth and reviving a country that had passed through a period of fatigue.

This was leading to new investments and a positive economic climate.

He also referred to the tampering of smart meters, saying the government had made use of a Legal Notice, which came into force during a Nationalist administration, to embark on scheme under which 400 individuals came forward to give information.

They were paying all their dues with interest and a fine, resulting in €10 million in revenue recovery for Enemalta.

The Legal Notice under the Commission against Corruption Act of 1988 gave discretionary powers to the Attorney General to give immunity to individuals who gave information on corruption and were ready to testify in court.

He said private secretaries to former Nationalist ministers had admitted to corrupt practices under oath.

Dr Bonnici called on all MPs to remain united in their fight against corruption. The motion was unanimously approved.