Malta's post-Independence journey has been nothing short of remarkable. We might not agree on a myriad of issues, but one thing is for certain, that Malta has come a long way since the Union Jack. We might still sometimes suffer from a 'post-colonial hangover', but by and large, this small country, with no natural resources or great connections to speak of, has managed to craft itself a respectable place on the map.

Different administrations, in their own style, have built on the previous, taking the country to the next level. Of course there have been hiccups along the way, but which journey does not come with its own challenges?

My, perhaps longwinded, introduction is essential I feel, to give a context of how Malta has developed over a very short period of time, and so did its needs. When Eddie Fenech Adami took over the administration of the country in 1987, the island lacked the infrastructure, and many other things. The vision of that administration meant that the country needed to invest in high quality amenities to be able to attract better investment, and new sectors. Tourism was also in the cross hairs, as the country looked at bettering its product offering, while also increasing volumes to sustainable levels.

Fast forward to today, and you'd think this is a different country altogether. Economic growth has gone on full throttle, yet this has meant that the population needed to explode in numbers, ferrying in hundreds of thousands of third country nationals to fill scores of jobs, while the construction boom spread across large zones which we will never get back.

The country has changed its face completely, and with it its needs. The environment today is no longer a luxury, or something we can take for granted. It is an emergency we must address with level-headed coolness if we want to pass on a liveable environment to our children.

That is why the Opposition has proposed a bill to include the enjoyment of the environment as a right which would be enshrined in the Constitution of Malta - our highest law.

Because we truly believe that new generations of Maltese, our children, ought to have the opportunity to understand what it means to grow up on a beautiful island like the Malta we know. They have the right to live in a country where their quality of life is protected, where they can spend time in beautiful places where the mind can rest, and the soul can breathe.

The current Manoel Island debate is a case in point, a perfect example of how we can translate our words into actions. The needs of the Sliema-Gzira-Msida-Pietà area have changed immensely over the past 20 years, and what perhaps was a planned project that was meant to bring a much-needed injection of high quality investment and economic buzz, is now seen in a different context.

What is sure is that the area in question needs open spaces, greenery, family areas and fresh air more than ever before.

That is why I have decided to openly support the call for Manoel Island to be returned to the people, and turned into a space for families, a much-needed breath of fresh air in one of Malta's busiest quarters.

I fully endorse the position taken by the Nationalist Party, that we should do all in our power to guarantee that Manoel Island becomes a national park. This is in the best public interest.

When there is a (political) will, there is a way. I will not bore my readers with the legalisms here, but this can be done, for the common good. It is time to reach a bipartisan agreement over this, like we did when we needed to take our country to the next level in so many fields. Our children will thank us for it.

Dr Darren Carabott is the Opposition's Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Reforms, and President of the Public Accounts Committee