The PN has again filed in Parliament its 12 Bills aimed at fighting corruption, this time split into two groups, one of which includes 11 Bills that do not have any reference to money Bills.

Earlier this week, the government refused to put the Bills on the agenda, saying that these had elements of a money Bill and thus had to be presented by a minister with the President’s approval. This was confirmed in a ruling given by the Speaker on Tuesday.

The Bills are aimed at fighting corruption and implementing the recommendations made by the Daphne Caruana Galizia public inquiry.

Today, Opposition leader Bernard Grech once again presented the Bills, this time split into two groups, one of which is surely not a ‘money bill’ as claimed by the government, he said.

“The government has long delayed the discussion of these bills, even calling it a ‘gimmick’,” said Grech, addressing Prime Minister Robert Abela who was absent from Parliament.

Grech appealed for a discussion without further delay, adding that the PN’s interest is to fight corruption and criminality.

He said the first package includes 11 of the PN’s proposed Bills. The second includes the proposal to appoint a special inquiring magistrate on corruption. The magistrate would not need approval to start any corruption investigations.