The Nationalist Party is planning to promote legislation to grant rights to non-married couples, including gay couples.

A document currently under discussion at a meeting of the PN confess says the party cannot ignore current realities and the law should cater for the rights and responsibilities of such couples.

The documents – on the PN's basic beliefs – also says that the PN will be seeking Constitutional reform for financial autonomy to Parliament and various institutions which fall under its aegis, including the Ombudsman, the Auditor General, the Public Accounts Committee and the Permanent Commission Against Corruption.

Greater autonomy for Parliament was one of the key points insisted up on Nationalist MP Franco Debono, who earlier this month broke ranks when he abstained on an opposition motion on the Transport Minister.

The PN document also stresses that civil liberties must be strengthened in areas of individual privacy, freedom of expression and censorship.

Other points call for greater investment in education and the environment and the need to create jobs in Gozo while respecting the island's diversity.

The party underscored its view that the family remains at the core of society and says it will work to further strengthen the family. Now that divorce has been introduced, the document says, the PN remains committed to further strengthening the family while helping those whose marriage fails. It is also committed to further helping those couples who cannot have children and single-parent families.   

Speaking at the opening of the congress, PN General Secretary Paul Borg Olivier said this document placed the person at the heart of the party's policies.

Malta was going through economic, social and political changes as were other countries and the document was a renewed political vision.

"Unlike others, we have a proven track record of action," he said to applause.

Dr Borg Olivier said that while the PN was proud to be inspired by Catholic values, it was also aware of the clear distinction between church and state.

See PN document in full by clicking on the pdf below.