Prime Minister Robert Abela on Sunday defended the government's bill to introduce an exception to Malta's strict anti-abortion laws.

Speaking during a political activity on Sunday, Abela made reference to several reforms that were introduced over the past years, including divorce, same-sex marriage and changes to IVF laws, saying that there were always those who scaremonger and demonised the Labour party for doing so.

"Remember how they opposed the right for people of any sexual orientation to marry. Remember how they opposed it. They had said we will break families. Today we are living in a more beautiful country where everyone has the right to celebrate their love in a family, no matter the sexual orientation."

Abela said that he wanted to address the doubts and questions of people on the government's bill.

"What we are proposing is not the darkness that the conservative forces are saying it is."

"If a mother's life is at risk, of her health in grave jeopardy, we have a duty to save her life and her health."

He said that though the amendment, abortion will remain illegal and prohibited. "We are not removing any clause from the law that will result in legalising abortion. If someone tells you differently, they are not telling you the truth."

What we are doing has a correct and right aim, he said. He said: "we couldn't, in order not to raise controversy, decide to remain indifferent to the realities people face, and decide to do nothing. That wasn't a choice."

"We know that there will be few mothers who need this amendment, but even if there is just one who needs it, we have a duty to act."

The amendment will give medical professionals and mothers protection at law when a mother's life or health are in grave jeopardy, so that doctors can take clinical decisions without opening themselves up to criminal charges, he said.

He asked people to consider whether if someone they knew had a serious complication during pregnancy, where the foetus could not live, the doctor taking care of that woman should be able to take clinical decisions without criminal proceedings hanging over their heads.

"Do you believe he should have right to take a decision in favour of a mother who lives a normal life, who has a family, whose health or life is in peril during pregnancy? should we not have a law that gives the right to a professional to save her life and ensure her health? How can there be someone against protecting the health and life of a mother?"

He said that the standard practice by doctors today is that, in cases where prospective mothers have serious medical complications, is to lengthen the mother's life as long as possible, then right at the end conduct a medical intervention to save her live. Even in these cases, he said, such practice is against the law.

He said that the State Advocate had checked this practice at Mater Dei Hospital, and had found that it is not protected by law.

The advice was that if there are circumstances where doctors feel they must conduct a medical intervention, in order not to be charged in court they would have to ask the AG for immunity on a case by case basis, he said.

"We looked to our principles, to either close our eyes as others do and leave everything hidden under the carpet, or be the government that cannot do nothing in the face of injustice."

He said that the amendment places trust in medical profession. "We know it never acted capriciously and we know that they do as much as possible to save both lives. Where it is possible, that must be done. There is an obligation where possible they save both. This obligation emerges as the criminal clauses on abortion won't be touched, so that main principle remains there."

He took aim at the opposition, saying that it doesn't know what it wants. Some PN MPs said there is no need for an amendment and said that everything should be left as is, he said, while others said that an amendment is needed, but a different one to what the government proposed. "They are not agreeing on what they want. At least decide on that, is an amendment needed or not, as even on this basic point you are also not agreeing."

He slammed PN Leader Bernard Grech for his "disgusting" speech in Parliament.  You have every right not to agree, he told the PN leader. "If you want to do anything to save your seat that is up to you, but don't use women so disparagingly as you did this week."

"I expected far better from the opposition leader who is meant to lead by example. I would expect far better from someone who, like me, is the father of a daughter."

President of the Labour Party Ramona Attard spoke of the need for the reform to Malta's abortion laws. She said the exception would not apply when doctors see that the foetus can live outside the mother's womb, as at that point both would be saved. The intervention only occurs when the issue arises when the foetus cannot live on its own.

She said that the PL has listened to women and said "we are there for you". She said that the opposition is insensitive. She took aim at the opposition leader, adding that women who pass through trauma are not victims, but are survivors. Don't think you can step on women in this way. Don't underestimate us. We will not forget, and we will make you remember."