The Labour Party has accused Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi of publicly expressing no confidence in Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono.

Labour spokesman Anton Refalo said Dr Gonzi announced that Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said was in charge of an office, which would help businesses and NGOs access EU funds, even though this had been announced by Mrs Debono on July 3, 2008.

Dr Refalo said that, in her announcement, Mrs Debono had declared the office was one of her ministry's priorities from the beginning of the legislature.

The announcement by Dr Gonzi was a clear message that he and his ministers were moving to sideline Mrs Debono, Dr Refalo argued.

In reply, the Nationalist Party said that while the government was busy stimulating the economy and improving tourism, Labour was trying to discredit all initiatives that would benefit Gozo.

The PN stopped short of commenting on the accusations that Mrs Debono was being marginalised.

Dr Refalo hoped the government's decision to classify the whole of Gozo as a tourism zone would not mean shop owners would be required to pay the higher tariffs applicable for such zones, even if they decided not to extend their opening hours. Labour felt such a step was not a planned measure to generate jobs but a reaction to complaints by some businesses after action was taken over their opening hours.

The PN replied that even in initiatives aimed at generating work and boost jobs, Labour chose to be partisan and divisive. Instead of working with the government for Gozo to make a leap of quality, Labour was trying to hinder and sow doubts, the PN added.