The Labour Party pretended to be “honest and transparent” but recent stories in the media were showing otherwise, Nationalist Party deputy leader Simon Busuttil said.

He referred to the audio recording where General Workers’ Union general secretary Tony Zarb is heard suggesting that the union would give a push to companies friendly with the union when it came to government tenders.

Dr Busuttil said this came only a few days after PL former deputy leader Anġlu Farrugia told The Sunday Times that Labour was getting uncomfortably close to contractors.

“Here is the proof of corruption and lack of seriousness... He (Mr Zarb) must shoulder responsibility and resign,” he said, adding that the PL was “morally bankrupt”.

Dr Busuttil was speaking during a PN activity in Żebbuġ during which the subject of healthcare was discussed.

He said that, in order for healthcare to remain free, the county’s finances had to remain sound.

“So long as there is the Nationalist Party in government and, so long as there are secure finances, then healthcare will remain for free,” he said.

Nowadays people preferred to go to the state hospital when they had a serious health problem. This was thanks to the Nationalist government that, in a sense, had placed the private sector at a disadvantage.

Problems, such as waiting lists, were being addressed by cooperating with the private sector. The government ensured that people’s taxes were used wisely, he said.

“You can promise everything to everyone but can only deliver if you maintain sound finances,” he said.

He said that the PN had 10 health-related electoral proposals that had to be seen in the context of what had already been achieved.