Justyne Caruana

Mr Abela criticised Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg for his harsh discourse during one of last week’s sessions of parliament.

Mr Abela reminded the House that the Nationalist government had proposed to legislate in favour of cohabiting couples in 1998, a promise which has yet not been kept. At this point, Mr Abela clarified that he is in favour of the traditional concept of a family. However, Mr Abela said that we can not ignore the fact that cohabiting couples and same sex couples exist and also require to be protected.

Mr Abela concluded by saying that the Opposition will vote in favour of the amendments at this stage because it wanted to show all that it was in favour of the rent reform. However, reiterating what other members from his party said previously, “the Opposition is not satisfied with the contents of the Bill and that the party will be requesting various amendments at Committee Stage”.

Labour Party MP Alfred Sant said that the Bill should have been presented in a better way considering the fact that the Bill has taken a long time to be tabled in the House. The national interest, Dr Sant asserted, requires that various contradictions taking place within the social housing sector are brought to a close once and for all.

Opposition spokesperson for the Family and Equality said that there exist various injustices, especially in regard to landlords. Dr Caruana said that before the Christmas parliamentary recess, the Committee of Social Affairs within the House saw the positive participation of Fr Charles Tabone who spoke about affordable housing. The Committee of Social Affairs is an important committee, Dr Caruana said, which should have been used as a platform in order to discuss the Bill before being presented in parliament.

Referring to various proposed amendments, Dr Caruana criticised the way in which means testing was inserted in the Bill as there was no indication of how such means testing is to be conducted and also the express reference to the Central Registry which in reality does not exist yet.

Opposition main spokesperson for Finance Charles Mangion called for an improvement to the Rent Regulation Board. The delays are creating injustices to both landlords and tenants, Dr Mangion said.

He said that he was in favour of clear legislation as clarity would decrease the possibility of ‘multiplication of interpretations’.

Opposition spokesperson for International Development Noel Farrugia also took part during yesterday’s debate characterised by the involvement of speakers hailing only from the Labour camp.

The debate continues.




Labour MPs warn of social impact of rent reform Bill
Independent (21-01-2009)
Opposition main spokesperson for Industry and Foreign Investment Carmelo Abela initiated yesterday’s continuation of the debate relating to the amendments proposed to the rent laws asserting that the Bill being debated in the House had various social implications and repercussions. Mr Abela said that the Opposition took the amendments proposed in the Bill very seriously. The amendments will eventually affect not only generations living today but also future generations, Mr Abela remarked. The protection of minorities, Mr Abela pronounced, is essential. Similarly to the parable in which Jesus left 99 sheep to search for one lost sheep, the Opposition spokesperson said that government must try to protect the interests of all, including minorities.
Mr Abela criticised Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg for his harsh discourse during one of last week’s sessions of parliament. Mr Abela reminded the House that the Nationalist government had proposed to legislate in favour of cohabiting couples in 1998, a promise which has yet not been kept. At this point, Mr Abela clarified that he is in favour of the traditional concept of a family. However, Mr Abela said that we can not ignore the fact that cohabiting couples and same sex couples exist and also require to be protected. Mr Abela concluded by saying that the Opposition will vote in favour of the amendments at this stage because it wanted to show all that it was in favour of the rent reform. However, reiterating what other members from his party said previously, “the Opposition is not satisfied with the contents of the Bill and that the party will be requesting various amendments at Committee Stage”. Labour Party MP Alfred Sant said that the Bill should have been presented in a better way considering the fact that the Bill has taken a long time to be tabled in the House. The national interest, Dr Sant asserted, requires that various contradictions taking place within the social housing sector are brought to a close once and for all. Opposition spokesperson for the Family and Equality said that there exist various injustices, especially in regard to landlords. Dr Caruana said that before the Christmas parliamentary recess, the Committee of Social Affairs within the House saw the positive participation of Fr Charles Tabone who spoke about affordable housing. The Committee of Social Affairs is an important committee, Dr Caruana said, which should have been used as a platform in order to discuss the Bill before being presented in parliament. Referring to various proposed amendments, Dr Caruana criticised the way in which means testing was inserted in the Bill as there was no indication of how such means testing is to be conducted and also the express reference to the Central Registry which in reality does not exist yet. Opposition main spokesperson for Finance Charles Mangion called for an improvement to the Rent Regulation Board. The delays are creating injustices to both landlords and tenants, Dr Mangion said. He said that he was in favour of clear legislation as clarity would decrease the possibility of ‘multiplication of interpretations’. Opposition spokesperson for International Development Noel Farrugia also took part during yesterday’s debate characterised by the involvement of speakers hailing only from the Labour camp. The debate continues.
© 2009 - Justyne Caruana