The Nationalist Party is refusing to nominate its representative on the Lands Authority which will only serve as a rubberstamp of what is decided in Castille, the party said in a statement.

The Lands Authority was appointed today, with former judge Lino Farrugia Sacco as its chairman. He twice escaped an impeachment motion, once because Parliament rose before the motion could be discussed, and the second because a string of court action delayed the House discussion and the judge reached retirement age.

Eight of the nine representatives will be nominated by the government which will be pulling the authority’s strings, the PN said.

The authority was set up because Prime Minister Joseph Muscat thinks he can hide the Lands Department’s shortcomings, such as those that happened in the Café Premier, Gaffarena and Zonqor scandals.

The PN did its best in Parliament for the authority to be really independent, but the PM chose to be stubborn and keep strict control on it.

The PN promised that it will give the authority real independence when elected.