Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday quashed speculation that he will try to change the law in order to derail the planned spring hunting referendum.

Making it clear once again that he was in favour of spring hunting, he said there were constitutional tools the electorate could use and a prime minister could not stop a referendum.

The Coalition Against Spring Hunting has collected enough signatures under law to call a referendum on the question of spring hunting, which could lead to a ban.

Busuttil is again sitting on the fence, as he did with civil union

The hunters’ federation has countered with its own petition calling for an amendment in the law to stop national votes from impinging on ‘minority freedoms’.

When asked recently whether his government was considering changing the law as demanded by the hunters, Dr Muscat was vague, saying he would wait for the petition and insisting spring hunting must continue to be practised irrespective of whether a referendum was held.

Yesterday, he accused Opposition leader Simon Busuttil of lacking leadership on the hunting issue. “He is again sitting on the fence, as he did with civil union,” the Prime Minister said.

Dr Muscat said that while stating the obvious – that the people would make the final decision – the PN was not saying where it stood on spring hunting.

Addressing a political activity in Birkirkara yesterday, Dr Muscat urged those who were jobless and were seeking work to take the opportunities offered by the Employment and Training Corporation.

He said the government was going to be firmer with those who repeatedly refused job opportunities. It would not continue to let people register for jobs which did not exist, such as petrol attendants.

On fuel price stability, Dr Muscat said that trends showed that international fuel prices would continue to go up this year and the price locked by the government should be beneficial to the public.