Opposition MPs Ryan Callus and Claudette Buttigieg again lambasted the government yesterday over the 28 political party clubs that belonged to the government or private individuals, which the party had “stolen” through requisition orders when in government between 1971 and 1987.
“How could the PL speak of party financing without mentioning Australia Hall, a property that cost €10 million,” Mr Callus asked, adding the government was morally corrupt.
“How could it sell a public property and receive the money?”
Only last year, the Labour Party had acquired the former Raffles Disco, which was valued at €7 million.
Mr Callus said Prime Minister Joseph Muscat withdrew an action against himself as a party leader.
He referred to an article in The Sunday Times of Malta that revealed the PL sold Australia Hall to settle its debts, saying this was an obscenity that led to the resignation of the Land Commissioner Joe Bugeja, who was never consulted on the matter.
The government sought to fool the people by arguing that Australia Hall cost €500,000.
How could Labour speak of party financing without mentioning Australia Hall?
He asked when the government-appointed architect was going to value the property, arguing that, if a couple were caught underestimated their property, the authorities would issue a bill for the difference as well as awarding penalties.
It was true that the PN had debts but it was settling them through its own efforts and not by selling public property.
A discussion on equity in party finances should only take place once the government had given unjustly acquired property back to the people.
It was shameful that properties on prime sites such as the Qormi PL club were being rented at a mere €200 per year, with the proprietors having to pay €138 in annual ground rent. These owners had been promised adequate rent.
On a point of order, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici clarified that these owners had in fact been offered higher rent commensurate with current legislation but they had not accepted.
Continuing, Mr Callus said that an increase of €52 per year was not enough and definitely not adequate.
It was also scandalous that, under a Labour government, Mepa had reduced the protection for Australia Hall from Grade 1 to Grade 2.
Nationalist MP Ċensu Galea and Labour MP Deborah Schembri also contributed to the debate.