The Nationalist Party would only take a stand on the proposed motor sport racetrack once information on its siting was available, a spokesman said.
“The Opposition supports the building of a racetrack for motor sport enthusiasts. However, we have no indication as yet where the government would allow it to be built,” the spokesman said.
Some days ago, PN leader Simon Busuttil was challenged by Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola to withdraw his support for the track, insisting this was inconsistent with what the party had been saying in recent months about use of ODZ land for the proposed university at Żonqor Point, in Marsacala.
Dr Busuttil last year warned the government it would have to steamroll over the PN if it did not back down on the Żonqor project.
A call for expressions of interest for a “recreational and educational motor sport park” was made in September and Sports Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius would not exclude the track being built on ODZ land.
Dr Cassola insisted this was the ultimate test for Dr Busuttil to prove he was truly against the use of ODZ land and questioned why Opposition Whip David Agius was present when the parliamentary secretary made his comments on the racetrack.
The PN spokesman said that, while the party would be waiting for more details before reacting, it would take into account commitments on the environment that had been “clearly spelt out by party leader Simon Busuttil”.
The PN’s second general convention, being held between tomorrow and Sunday, will focus on the environment. Themed, Idea Ambjent, it would be highlighting the importance of taking a more “holistic approach” towards the environment, something the Labour government was not doing, shadow environment minister Marthese Portelli said.
Dr Busuttil was on record statting that the PN considered the environment a priority, Dr Portelli added.
When the government announced the planned private university would be split into two locations, with a campus at Żonqor Point and another at Cospicua’s Dock One, the PN had said it was a “pity” that the only solution was to resort to a smaller footprint of ODZ land, which remained a matter of “serious concern”.
The deadline for submission of expressions of interest is Wednesday.