Abela promises 'major' legal reforms in Labour’s first 100 days

Prime Minister Robert Abela said "major" legal changes will be introduced in Malta during the Labour Party’s first 100 days in office.

The changes include planning law reforms which will ensure that no development can continue while an appeal is underway. Appeals will also have to be concluded within a set timeframe, while respondents may receive financial compensation if an appeal is rejected.

Abela spoke on the final day of the Labour Party’s Extraordinary General Conference, held following the general election to confirm the party’s leader and deputy leaders.

The conference confirmed Abela as leader, Ian Borg as deputy leader for parliamentary affairs, and Alex Agius Saliba as deputy leader for party affairs following a vote within the PL.

Abela also pledged to protect parks and open spaces by granting them absolute protection, ensuring that the land can never be developed.

He said the changes will target those who need them most, including reforms to IVF legislation, strengthened rights for people with disabilities, and the protection of human rights.

Abela thanked the crowd for choosing him as their leader, saying that leading the country forward has been the greatest honour and privilege of his life.

“The fourth win is not the end,” Abela said. “It is only the beginning. Labour has a lot more to give, my friends, and I give you my word that we will work as hard as we can.”

Abela also noted that a pilot project offering free swimming lessons for children, one of Labour’s campaign promises, will soon begin in Cottonera, while preparatory work on a Secure Care Facility for adolescents is nearing completion.

Abela explained that while the economy will remain a priority, with the aim of keeping Malta’s economy among the strongest in Europe, the focus of this legislature will be on improving people’s quality of life and ensuring that progress continues in a new way.

“This movement must stand beside every Maltese and Gozitan person at every stage of their life. We will be with you every step of the way and no one will ever be alone,” Abela said.

Agius Saliba also addressed the event, thanking party members for their vote and saying it has filled him with the courage to work even harder for the PL.

He insisted that the party must remain as close to the people as it was throughout the election, calling for the PL Headquarters doors to remain open to everyone.

In his speech, Borg thanked Abela for the trust he has always shown in him and praised the party for its continued unity.

“We saw Malta change and we changed it,” Borg said.

Although the conference closes today, Borg stressed that the party’s work starts again on Friday morning. He said the Maltese people do not want to watch the PL celebrate, but to see it work hard and deliver results.