Opposition Leader Adrian Delia said this evening that, in the Corinthia deal, the government is choosing to feed one mouth, rather than the mouths of many, calling the deal a ‘theft’.

Parliament was discussing the budgetary measures implementation bill. The objects and reasons of this Bill are to implement Budget measures for the financial year 2019.

Delia ripped into government over “corruption” and scandalous agreements signed over the years.

On government finances, Delia said that government’s plan is not long-term, and only tries to address loopholes and initiatives that deal with the immediate future.

The world economy effects Malta, he said, highlighting that international experts have said that the international economy has reached a plateau, and could possibly shrink. He said that government’s work is to ensure that it is taking all the necessary measures to deal with this, and to see how to address this issue.

Addressing the surplus which Malta is earning, he said that the IIP scheme must be taken into consideration, and that this government had the ability to utilise EU funds which the PN had negotiated amounting to €1.1 bn. He said that the country must be prepared, as if there is a reduction in the international economy, these sources will begin to reduce.

Compounding this matter, he said, it is clear that the EU funds for Malta will be smaller than before.

He said that basing the economy on population numbers is not sustainable due to infrastructure issues, and added that international economic issues could also affect it. This, he said, would have an impact on the GDP which is based on consumption.

He brought up the Corinthia deal, and called it theft. He said that government scrapped the Paceville master plan, adding that the major projects in the area are occurring before such a plan is in place. He said that such a situation would not occur in a serious country.

 “Instead of looking ahead and seeing what we want to do with our land, what roads will be used, what best public transportation method is used, we do nothing about this and construct one project after another without planning for them.”

He said that the Opposition believes in the tourism sector. “But to use land belonging to the Maltese people, giving it, not for social housing or to help those in need, not to build schools, but as a donation to a private individual, is not permissible.”

He highlighted than when seeing land worth over €700 million being sold for €51 million, it is nothing more than “theft from the pockets of the Maltese people, theft from the elderly, from those who struggle.” He said that this “theft” is happening in a situation where Malta’s youths cannot find places to rent to start their families.

He said that government is choosing to feed one mouth, instead of the mouths of many.

Delia also brought up the American University of Malta and the Vitals Global Healthcare deals. He said that back then government found the excuse of the land being used to build a university in order to give away virgin land in the case of AUM, arguing that it was nothing more than a land speculation exercise.

He said that Malta is paying the price for corruption. He highlighted the 2018 corruption index issued by Transparency International, and said that Malta, for the first time since this survey took place, is in the 51st place, and is in the worst spot it has ever been. “This is this government’s certificate after five years, placing worse than Botswana and Rwanda.”

“Hungary and Malta have seen their largest decline, allowing corruption to worsen,” he said, quoting the report, adding that the government is allowing corruption.  It concludes that there is a serious rule of law problem in Malta’s judiciary, he said, adding that it also mentions Pilatus Bank and the assassination of Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, and the Panama Papers scandals.

“We must understand that corruption is not a political buzzword. Corruption has a price. This price can be calculated, and was calculated by experts, who estimate it to be in the millions.”

“This government is only pro big business with particular interests. We are in favour all businesses, including the small family businesses, in favour of creating incentives for those who invest.”

“Who of those 3,000 people asking for social housing would we not be able to help with the millions being lost to corruption. Who of all those youths who are struggling with high rents, would we not be able to help with those millions which are the price of corruption.”

Speaking about Malta’s institutions, he said that Justice needs to be seen to be done. He said everyone is seeing that justice is not being done. “Justice is not being seen in our courts, as the cases are not being decided quickly. Justice is not being given efficiently. The system of judicial appointments was not effective as through the structures, government is still abusing them by appointing those that they want.”

On the Office of the Attorney General, he said there is no effort to try and fix things.