The Opposition will by December announce measures that it plans to take in government to ensure meritocracy.
“I will announce a number of measures by the end of the year which the PN will bind itself to introduce from the first day in office,” Simon Busuttil said yesterday.
The Opposition leader said the measures would deal with ministerial behaviour and meritocracy, ensuring Malta was a country with opportunities for all.
Answering questions on the Nationalist Party’s radio, Dr Busuttil spoke at length about the Gaffarena scandal, saying it was just the tip of the iceberg and it was the Opposition’s duty to reveal these scandals.
The Gaffarena scandal was getting more complicated, he noted, and Mr Gaffarena had even turned to the courts to keep the owners from selling part of a Valletta property set to be expropriated by the government.
Dr Busuttil was referring to an injunction filed against the part-owners of a property on Old Mint to prevent them from selling to the government – an action that would deprive him of a large profit.
The government blamed ‘spies’ whenever something was uncovered, while if someone wanted to reveal some wrongdoing under the Nationalist administration, they were granted protection
Two deals made with Mr Gaffarena so far have cost taxpayers at least €1.65 million for the expropriation of half the property.
“The Gaffarena scandal affects taxpayers, workers and pensioners,” Dr Busuttil said, adding that the government was not helping Labourites but just the few chosen by Joseph Muscat.
During the Sunday morning interview, Dr Busuttil also spoke about the proposal to build a university at Żonqor, saying the government had not yet published the deal with Sadeen Group.
Neither had the government published its agreements with Henley and Partners and Shangai Electric, because it had something to hide, he said.
Moreover, the government blamed “spies” whenever something was uncovered, while if someone wanted to reveal some wrongdoing under the Nationalist administration they were granted protection as whistleblowers.
This was clear political discrimination, which the PN would fight.
Asked about recent rowdy clashes in Parliament during question time, Dr Busuttil said this had been going on for the past two years, since he was elected to Parliament. It was only now being made public because sittings were broadcast live on television.
It was a “culture shock” for Dr Busuttil, after nine years in the European Parliament, to be insulted and threatened when asking questions.
“I have the duty to ask questions to put pressure on the government for things to be done well,” he said adding that the government did not want to reply to the Opposition’s questions because it was not willing to be transparent.
Speaking about Saturday’s demonstration by Front Ħarsien ODZ, he said this largest-ever pro-environmental protest was a clear message to the Prime Minister.
He also referred to the encyclical of Pope Francis, who has called on everyone to do their bit for the environment.
“This encyclical came at a really good time for Malta,” Dr Busuttil said.