Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said today that in the past politics would depend on politicians, yet politics is beginning to be led by citizens initiatives, where a single person can bring about the biggest of changes.
"Our job as politicians is to be the vehicle for change, to provide a platform to citizens to lead these changes".
Prime Minister Muscat, speaking at a political event in Luqa, said that if politicians are not careful they could become irrelevant within the whole concept of leading a country.
His entire speech today revolved around change, mentioning how far Malta has come since the divorce referendum, where international media reported the event using tongue in cheek styles, to the introduction of gay adoption, which was reported internationally with a sense of surprise.
He recounted a story from the PL leadership race, where he was chosen to lead the PL. He said that when he first mentioned divorce, he could see the sense of shock in some PL members eyes when he mentioned the idea.
On the topic of gay adoption, the Prime Minister said that he understands there are those out there who still have their reservations about the issue, "But change is not easy". He recounted a story of a male couple who recently adopted a baby. This "Maltese baby, he said, had a disability and was passed over by 50 couples. "I don't judge these couples, only they know their situation. But this gay couple came along and adopted her. This baby had two roads in front of her. One where she would have to live in an institute, and the other with a loving family to care for her". He said that this was the story that had removed any concerns he had left from his mind.
Turning to other countries in the EU, Dr Muscat spoke about the recent vote in Italy, which led to Prime Minister Renzi's resignation and said that the vote which led to this surrounded reducing the number of seats in Parliament and reducing the bureaucratic process involved in passing laws. This, he explained, was something that would most likely have passed in Malta. He praised the Maltese people for their capacity for change.
The Prime Minister also expressed his condolences for the family members of those in Turkey who were killed in the recent attack.
Malta removes 'torture' of conversion therapy
Social Dialogue Minister Helena Dalli also addressed the activity, and said that government has always remained close and in touch with the people.
She mentioned the bill recently passed by Parliament banning conversion therapy, and said that Malta removed this "torture".
She said that yesterday was International Human Rights Day, and said that government will be setting up an independent Committee for Human Rights falling under Parliament. The PN, she said, was in government for many years and never did this. "Former Judge Joseph Said Pullicino had gone to different PN Ministers suggesting it".
She said that the person running this committee will need to be elected through a two-thirds Parliamentary majority.
She also said that the Cohabitation bill will finalise this coming week.
PN reaction
The PN, in reaction, said that the change over the past three and a half years was felt by those lining their pockets with commissions, direct orders and corrupt contracts.
They said that change was felt by those who opened secret companies in Panama, by those who would receive personal cheques from contractors, by taking payments for medical visas etc. For other people, the only change felt is that today they work in precarious conditions, that injustice is being done, and that they are spending hours in traffic.