Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today described the former environment minister, George Pullicino, as the worst minister the previous government had as part of its Cabinet formation, citing his mismanagement in the environment sector as a reason.

Dr Muscat made these harsh remarks in the light of the Auditor General’s report on Wasteserv, issued last week, which found that millions of euros more than were initially planned were spent on certain projects, such as the waste management recycling plant and the family park in Marsascala, which is adjacent to the plant.

Dr Muscat said that Mr Pullicino has a lot to answer to on the NAO’s report.

He slammed the PN for pinning the blame on having had to spend a great amount on funds on the recycling plant to keep up with today’s technology.

Turning to the PN’s MEP election campaign slogan, Malta Ahjar, Dr Muscat thanked the PN leader, Simon Busuttil for emerging with this slogan which meant that Malta is better off after a year of a PL government. Dr Muscat cited a number of PL government pledges which have been implemented such as an increase in stipends, the energy tariffs and free childcare.

Dr Muscat was being interviewed on One radio by head of One News Aleander Balzan.

The PL today launched its 'Positive energy' slogan for the MEP elections to kick off its MEP campaign which wil be followed by a rally being held at Birgu – a Labour Party stronghold – at 7.30pm.

On the PL’s slogan, he insisted that no government ever emerged victorious in the MEP elections saying that the government is the underdog once again, same as he had said prior to the March general election.

“This is not about starting with a 36,000-vote advantage but both political parties start on a level playing field.

“Our aim is to improve the country bearing in mind our children’s future, meaning that our children can feel secure remaining in Malta without having to go abroad to seek better pastures”.

He said that the government was focusing all its energy on implementing its pre-election pledges “and one requires a lot of energy to do this”.

He said "we would not be engaging in attacks towards the Opposition since we have enough to sell to the people on the good we have done so far and that is what our slogan stands for".

On the government’s message it conveyed on equality, through the implementation of the Civil Union Bill, Dr Muscat said that there were individuals who were surprised that the government implemented certain pledges during the first year in office, and the Civil Union Bill is no exception.

Dr Muscat said that the Opposition failed to take a stand on the issue by abstaining.

He said that the Opposition’s stand uncovered “a lack of unity within the PN” instead of depicting that it is unified, as it tried to portray by abstaining on the Civil Union Bill.

“We consulted, spoke clear enough prior to the election on the issue, including issuing questionnaires on the matter, so why would one need to wait to implement a pledge," he said.

“If one says that Maltese society was not ready for this, he or she is underestimating the people.

“It is unacceptable for a politician to say who is ready or not for such a change,” he added.

On the fact the Opposition abstained, Dr Muscat said that one could not wash his hands from certain issues and one has to take a stand, whether it is uncomfortable or not for a politician to do so.

On spring hunting, he said that “we have a pledge to implement and those who do not breach the rules have nothing to fear over the fact that there is stiffer enforcement regulations in this sector”.

Dr Muscat said that due to some isolated cases where hunters breached the rules, he said that this should not convey a message that all of the hunters are breaking the rules either.

Questioned how the reduction in energy tariffs will bring about a better economy and strengthen businesses, Dr Muscat said that people will have more spending power to either save it or spend it on other priorities they have always wanted to have a spare buck or two in order to be able to do so.

On Enemalta, he reiterated that the future of corporation employees is safe, especially now that the government has engaged on a number of projects in the sector as part of its election pledge, despite the fact that “some tried to send out a feeling of insecurity”. He was referring to media reports quoting Enemalta workers who felt they could end up working abroad as a result of certain changes or losing an amount in annual allowances.  He said that the string of internal talks being held at Enemalta will bear fruit.

The Malta Independent had reported that a string of talks were held in the presence of Enemalta's chairman and CEO with workers working in certin divisions.

On the economy, he said that a PL government doubled the economy to the surprise of many, adding that tourism helped boost the economy, while this government also brought about a feel-good factor among entrepreneurs who now know that the government is leaving them work without creating any obstacles such as some form of hidden taxes like other previous governments imposed in the past when VAT was increased a few days only after a general election.

Turning to migration, he said that the government’s strategy is that of not being a “defeatist-thinking one”.

Dr Muscat said that during this year, “without blowing our horns, we have ensured that certain migrants have found a better future in other countries.”

When asked why this was not publicised, he said that if this was done, it would attract more migrant flows to Malta.

Dr Muscat reiterated that unaccompanied children should never be kept in detention and the fact that this government has called for such children not to be detained was the way this government implemented its politics, bearing in mind the human aspect.

On the sister island of Gozo, Dr Muscat said that “we are doing our utmost to possibly transfer to Gozo all government back-office work to create jobs there.

“Another aspect is injecting more funds in the island’s economy and that is being done through the free Gozo Channel ferry crossing weekends, among other initiatives.”

He pointed out that hotel owners who were thinking of closing down during wintertime or shoulder months can now remain open for business as a result of a string of government initiatives to boost local tourism.

Dr Muscat said that the government is studying the prospect of an airstrip while highlighting that a study related to the development of a bridge connecting the two islands is also in the process but the end result is that "we will do what is best for the island".

On out-of-stock medicines, Dr Muscat said that the government is working towards addressing such issues, adding the number of out-of-stock medicines reduced under a PL government.

Dr Muscat said that former Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia had worked to see that patients are not left to be treated in corridors as much as possible through the opening of new wards to host inpatients.