The Labour Party said that the Nationalist Party's statement on a parliamentary bill to reform Malta's tax system "is filled with misrepresentations and distortion of facts."

"This draft bill does not reward tax evaders, but introduces a strong legal instrument for the State to recover accrued funds more effectively and transparently, while strengthening enforcement and encouraging voluntary compliance," the PL said.

The party said that the Opposition's position "shows that it remains stuck in a mentality of punishment and fear - a mentality that when the PN was in Governemnt led citizens and businesses to be imprisoned on tax and VAT cases, without any proportion or fairness."

The PL said that the Government is offering a modern, balanced and responsible legal framework that encourages voluntary compliance, enables an effective recovery of public funds, introduces tougher penalties for abusers of public trust, and keep strong enforcement against those who ignore their obligations to society.

"The PN's criticism lacks any moral authority. Opposition Leader Bernard Grech himself has been involved in a case of tax evasion, and the Nationalist Party has not entered his accounts to the Electoral Commission for more than five years - this shows a serious lack of transparency and respect for the law," the PL said.

The PL said that the Government remains committed to strengthening the rule of law, safeguarding the public interest, and offering concrete reforms that serve the common good. "Bill 142 is an important step towards a fairer, more efficient and sustainable tax system."

"The Government expects a serious and constructive debate in Parliament, and looks forward to this reform being approved in the interest of society as a whole," the PL said.