It was ironic that the Nationalist Party, after 25 years in government, had the audacity to approach the public to make good for its own incompetence, after it left its finances in disarray for so long, Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg told Parliament last night.
This, he said during the debate on the Bill on party financing, was despite numerous warnings from Greco (the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption).
Mr Borg said some Opposition MPs, such as Chris Said, backed by its leader Simon Busuttil, were attempting to solve their party’s financial problems through the public coffers.
In order to regain credibility among its benefactors, the PN should publish its accounts for the past 25 years.
Malta had made no progress in terms of party financing for seven years
Greco had often spoken of this need – its report published last March said Malta had made no progress in terms of party financing for seven years, and no legal framework existed.
The PN had never been ready to act on this. Now, it wanted this Bill to be approved to make good for its incompetence.
Greco welcomed the fact that party financing was being given priority.
On a point of order, Dr Said challenged the government to return to the people the 28 properties it had “stolen” from them, so both parties could be on a level playing field.
Continuing, Dr Borg said the Opposition had to decide whether it wanted to allow the judicial process to take its course or whether it wanted to appoint itself judge in the property debate.
In the past the PN was not in favour of public party financing. It was only now that it was, as it had no one else to turn to. He again urged the Opposition to explain where the thousands of euro raised in TV marathons had gone.
Nationalist MP Claudio Grech intervened to invite Dr Borg to say when the PL had last published it financial statements.
Dr Borg said the PL, unlike the PN, published its accounts annually during its general conference.
Further discussion was needed, he added, but the Bill was certainly a good start as it would also give Malta credibility in international fora.