The hallmark of the Nationalist Party-led government is seriousness in all its dealings and decisions, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.

Dr Gonzi was addressing a seminar held at Sta Lucija for PN candidates in the 10 March local council elections.

This seriousness, he added, is giving more credibility to Malta in all its international dealings.

Dr Gonzi called attention to the way his government had tackled the IT contract for Mater Dei Hospital. Despite the fact that the tender process had been ongoing for a long time and despite the fact that by 1 July the hospital building must be ready, the government has now given a concrete message that it will not tolerate abuse. Since there was a suspicion of irregularity in the IT tender, the government had stopped the tender process.

The PN leader also claimed that on the contrary, the Opposition was showing political hypocrisy and twisting facts, like it did when it sent an anonymous report to all foreign embassies and when it was again found guilty by the court for defaming a number of ministers.