Though we were in the digital age of information technology, when it came to state broadcasting, Maltese living abroad were being treated as second class citizens by the Nationalist government, Leo Brincat, MLP spokesman for foreign affairs and information technology, and Helena Dalli, main spokesman for women’s rights and the public function, said.

The government, they pointed out, had neither denied nor explained why Malta was the only country with an ethnic community in Australia which was not using free air time offered to some 20 countries by the Special Broadcasting Services. This was happening when the minister responsible for information technology was also the minister responsible for the state broadcaster, the PBS.

What prevented programmes being transmitted via the internet remained a mystery, the spokesmen said. Labour in government was committed to solve the problem immediately, and its official policy was that communications with Maltese abroad would be strengthened.