Almost 500 on-the-spot fines issued since new law, PM says

Almost 500 on-the-spot fines have been issued since the new legal framework came into force just days ago, with 95% of them already paid, Prime Minister Robert Abela has said.

"You had almost every on-the-spot fine that was issued being paid, and whoever does not pay faces consequences that are not small either, which arise from the same law," Abela said, speaking on the programme Paperscan through a telephone interview

On-the-spot fines were introduced last month in response to concerns over antisocial behaviour by tourists, particularly in Malta's busiest tourist areas. The move came after several videos surfaced on social media over the summer showing tourists bothering residents and breaking the law.

The fines apply only to non-habitual residents, a category covering anyone in Malta who is neither a Maltese citizen nor the holder of a Maltese residence document.

Fines are issued by officers from the Malta Police Force, LESA, and the Environment and Resources Authority. The amount depends on the law: fixed fines are imposed immediately, while for ranged fines, officers must impose the minimum amount.

The fine is at least €25 and can't be paid in cash. Refusing or failing to pay on the spot may lead to police seizing travel documents, including passports and ID cards, until the penalty is settled, and the person may be arrested if their identity isn't established.

The law does not remove a person's right to contest the fine, and any payment made is treated as a deposit until proceedings are concluded, with reimbursement due if the fine is later overturned.

A separate amendment allows the Principal Immigration Officer to deny a non-habitual resident entry to, or permission to remain in, Malta for up to 12 months if they fail to pay an on-the-spot fine after being convicted by a Commissioner for Justice.

Abela explained that, before the reform, a foreign visitor issued with a fine for an offence would often be notified through official channels only days or weeks later, by which time they had usually already left the country, making enforcement largely ineffective.

He recalled that the on-the-spot fines concept, first developed by former minister Byron Camilleri and continued under Minister Glenn Bedingfield, had never existed in Malta before.

He added that a separate mechanism now applies to offences carrying fines of €200 or more: such cases can also be referred to the Principal Immigration Officer, who may order the immediate removal of a person from the country if their continued presence is considered incompatible with public order, even if the fine has already been paid.

Abela gave the example of a tourist who commits such an offence with several days of their holiday remaining, only to be expelled immediately if the immigration officer deems their presence incompatible with Malta's public order.

The Prime Minister said this measure serves as a strong deterrent, noting that Malta is known for its hospitality, but that this comes with an obligation for visitors to respect the country's laws.

He also spoke of recent visits to two specialised police units, saying he had discussed with officers the importance of continued investment in their equipment and working conditions, contrasting this with what he described as under-investment before 2013, when specialised units were sometimes given second-hand equipment discarded by foreign forces.

Turning to the family court, Abela confirmed that legal notices bringing into force the bulk of the reform will be published in the coming days, specifically in the week starting tomorrow, with most provisions taking effect from 1 October and other parts following shortly after.

He described the reform, which continued work begun by former minister Jonathan Attard and is now carried forward by Minister Clifton Grima, as close to his heart, given his own background as a family lawyer.

He said it addresses the difficulties faced by families going through personal separation or divorce, particularly the effect on minor children who witness arguments, domestic violence cases, and even criminal proceedings between their parents.

Abela explained that the reform places strong emphasis on mediation, making it obligatory, while introducing legal changes to the timeframes involved and to disclosure obligations, so that couples are encouraged to reconcile or, failing that, to reach a consensual separation agreement with the help of experts engaged through the Court Services Agency.

He said the reform provides judges clearer criteria for maintenance, custody, and access decisions, emphasises domestic violence, and builds on two specialised hubs that increased victims' trust and encouraged them to come forward.

Abela defended the government's energy subsidies, noting that Malta's fuel prices are about half those in the northern EU, insisting that this stability is a deliberate strategy to combat the cost of living.

He confirmed that, from June 1, seventeen new conditions are now eligible for PGT-M testing under the IVF reform, part of the electoral manifesto, and praised Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg and Minister Rosianne Cutajar for swiftly implementing it. He acknowledged more work is needed to prevent couples from travelling abroad to become parents.

Finally, the Prime Minister addressed the ongoing public consultation on the planning appeals reform, which closes on 18 August.

He said the reform would set fixed appeal timeframes and suspend a development permit during appeals, addressing cases where families lived in properties later ruled illegal after construction.