Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg has rejected Prime Minister Robert Abela's claim that the PN is "anti-equality", insisting that the Opposition's decision to walk out of Parliament during the vote on the Bill establishing a National Commission for Human Rights and Equality was aimed at defending the concerns raised by civil society organisations, rather than opposing the principle of equality.
Speaking to journalists after a Chamber of Commerce meeting, Borg was asked to respond to Abela's recent comments. Borg described the Prime Minister's accusation as untrue, arguing that the Opposition had instead stood "on the side of those who wanted a voice but did not have one."
He said that 26 non-governmental organisations from across different sectors of Maltese society had publicly expressed concern over what they described as a lack of consultation by the government before presenting the legislation.
Among the organisations raising concerns, Borg mentioned the Richmond Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Malta Insurance Association, the Malta Chamber of Pharmacists and the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM), among others.
He stressed that the PN was not calling for the Bill to be scrapped but rather amended following proper consultation.
"We were clear. We are not saying the Bill is bad or that it should be scrapped. We are saying it should be brought in line through consultation and discussion so that it can be presented in the best possible way," Borg said.
He added that once the necessary consultation had taken place and the concerns raised by stakeholders had been addressed, the Nationalist Party would be prepared to vote in favour of the legislation.
Borg also rejected suggestions that the PN was opposed to equality.
"We have no issue with equality. Far from it," he said, pointing to his parliamentary speech in which he acknowledged the need for Malta to establish a National Commission for Human Rights and Equality.
He noted that Malta remains one of only a small number of countries without such a commission, saying the PN recognises both the need for the institution and the importance of introducing it.
However, Borg criticised the government's approach, arguing that it should not steamroll legislation through Parliament without engaging with stakeholders.
He said the concerns raised by the 26 NGOs should not have been ignored, maintaining that broader consultation would ensure the legislation better addresses the issues identified by civil society and serves the interests of the Maltese and Gozitan public.