Abela pledges to halt developments under appeal in first 100 days

Prime Minister Robert Abela has pledged to introduce the planning appeal reform legislation in his first 100 days in government as the Labour Party's Parliamentary Group held its first meeting following the general election.

The meeting was held at the National Labour Centre following the electoral process, which led to the election of 42 Labour Party candidates. 

The prime minister is fresh off a new mandate after the Labour Party won an unprecedented fourth term in government at the end of last month.

The party's manifesto includes a pledge which was outlined during the election campaign on planning appeals, stating that the priority in the field of planning is to have a fair and predictable process for everyone, and that in the first months of the legislature, the government will begin the legislative process so that no new development or construction may commence while the permit is still subject to appeal proceedings.

Opening the meeting, the Prime Minister and Labour leader said the Parliamentary Group has an important part to play in delivering the electoral manifesto, Int Malta. 

He said a Labour government has more than 1,000 proposals to carry out, and that in the first 100 days, it will keep giving a clear sign of how much of what was promised will be delivered for the good of the Maltese and Gozitans.

Abela listed, among other things, the direction already given at the first Cabinet meeting to give people more peace of mind on matters affecting different parts of society, laws to strengthen equality, and other needed reforms, including in the field of IVF. 

He said that with the team of ministers, parliamentary secretaries and MPs, and aware of the strong trust the people have placed in this government, work will go on within the frame of Vision Malta 2050, with a focus on quality of life and the wellbeing of families as promised through the wellbeing index, a leading proposal in the manifesto.

During the meeting, Naomi Cachia was appointed Government Whip, while Fleur Abela will serve as Deputy Whip. 

The Parliamentary Group met ahead of the official opening of Parliament, when the elected candidates will take their oath of office in the House of Representatives at a ceremony scheduled for Saturday morning