Not a government that listens, says Busuttil

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil has accused the Labour government, elected on the promise of being “a government that listens,” of turning a deaf ear to the concerns of the people.

Making reference to Muscat’s confirmation, made to the MaltaToday, that developments were still planned for Zonqor point, he asked “is this government that listens not listening?”

Speaking during an interview on Radio 101, Busuttil threw down the gauntlet to Muscat, questioning whether he had the moral authority to retrieve Gaffarena’s petrol station permit, revoke the Old Mint Street property deal, remove the lands department and MEPA from the Prime Minister’s portfolio, dismiss Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon and take action against former police inspector Daniel Zammit, his brother Roderick, also a serving police inspector and their father Ray - former acting commissioner and now acting director of prisons and head of Wardens’ Agency. Inspector Zammit had been prosecuting a murder case against the husband of Marco Gaffarena's daughter still serves in the police force, in spite of being found to have been a business partner of Gaffarena's. The inquiry by retired judge Michael Mallia had described the Gaffarenas as being business partners with shady characters, yet no action had been taken, said the PN leader.

Busuttil added that the Home Affairs Minister had lied to parliament when he denied that government had been preparing to buy Palazzo Verdelin.

The Opposition leader announced that the Nationalist Party will be launching a package of good governance measures to set the standards for future Nationalist governments, before the end of this year, in response to what he described as daily corruption scandals.

The measures would include the publication of important contracts signed by the government, fair distribution of government property, good use of public funds and scrutiny over public appointments, he said.

Busutiil explained that he wanted to offer an alternative, better, government than that currently in office. “The people will have a clear choice between a Muscat government, which has already become dirty, and a Nationalist government which used its time in Opposition to change and come up with new ideas to again lead the country forward.”

Busuttil pointed to scandals about favours which he said the government was paying because of the vote-buying promises it had made before the election.

Accusing the government of being corrupt, Busuttil described the Prime Minister as having become a “Gaffarena family ally...united against the Nationalist Party”

“These scandals and dangerous liaisons with dubious characters are disgusting the people and making them angry.”

The opposition leader called on the Prime Minister put a stop to the “politics of obligations”, in which it paid for the votes it had bought, by granting favours.

Making reference to the Muscat’s confirmation to the MaltaToday that developments were still planned for Zonqor point, he asked “is this government that listens not listening?.Our position remains clear. We are against the development of parts of Zonqor and will continue to fight this by all means available at law. Zonqor belongs to us all and we should defend it.”