The Nationalist Party will, before the end of this year, launch a package of good governance measures that would set the standards for a new Nationalist government, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said today.
Speaking during an interview on Radio 101, he said the standards would include the publication of important contracts signed by the government, the fair distribution of government property, good use of public funds and scrutiny over public appointments.
“We want to offer an alternative government. We are not perfect but we can be a better government. The people will have a clear choice between a Muscat government, which has already become dirty, and a Nationalist government which used its time in Opposition to change and come up with new ideas to again lead the country forward.”
Dr Busuttil said that the country was facing daily scandals, the biggest being the favours the government was paying because of the promises made before the election to buy votes.
“This is corruption… Rather than defending what is right, the Prime Minister has become a Gaffarena family ally and together they have united against the Nationalist Party… But we will keep on doing our duty. These scandals and dangerous liaisons with dubious characters are disgusting the people and making them angry.”
Dr Busuttil challenged the Prime Minister to take immediate action to stop implementing the “politics of obligations”, paying for the votes it had bought.
“Does he have the will, courage and moral authority to take up this challenge,” he asked as he set Dr Muscat a list of challenges.
These included retrieving Gaffarena’s petrol station permit, revoking the Old Mint Street property deal, removing lands and Mepa from the Prime Minister’s responsibilities, taking action against Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon by dismissing him or requesting his resignation and taking action against former police inspector Daniel Zammit, his brother Roderick, a serving police inspector, and their father Ray, the former acting commissioner who was now the acting director of prisons and head of Wardens’ Agency.
Dr Busuttil referred to a story in today’s The Sunday Times which showed that the government had been preparing to buy Palazzo Verdelin in spite of the Home Affairs Minister’s denials, including in Parliament.
This showed that the minister had lied in Parliament apart from the fact that the Opposition also wanted to know if Dr Falzon had also been involved, he said.
Dr Busuttil also referred to the proposed development at Zonqor saying the Prime Minister had confirmed to Malta Today there would still be development in the area.
“Is this government that listens not listening?... Our position remains clear. We are against the development of parts of Zonqor and will continue to fight this by all means available at law.
“Zonqor belongs to us all and we should defend it,” he said.