PN’s environment as constitutional right bill has ‘serious shortcomings’, PL
Sports federations, associations express 'reservations' as Parliament prepares to debate proposal
The governing Labour Party said that the opposition’s bill that would give the environment constitutional protection has “serious shortcomings”.
“After two years of presenting a bill to amend the Constitution on the environment, the Nationalist Party realised that what it presented to Parliament contains serious shortcomings,” a PL statement said.
“Sports federations and associations representing local traditions and hobbies, as well as employers' associations and legal experts, have already publicly spoken about the consequences this bill may have on various sectors of society”.
They said legal experts have also come out against the bill.
In recent days, the Federation of Arms Collectors and Target Shooters, the Association of Arms Collectors and Target Shooters, the Malta Shooting Sport Federation, the Motorsports Association, and the Malta Development Association have all stated their reservations about the bill.
The Malta Football Association also raised concerns saying the proposals are well-intentioned, but clauses in the amendment could be abused to the detriment of sporting activities.
“The Malta FA therefore respectfully calls upon the Members of the House of Representatives to ensure that no mechanism is enacted which may be applied in an abusive or disproportionate manner,” an MFA statement said.
The Malta Premier League association echoed the MFA's concerns, saying no mechanisms that are open to abuse and detrimental to sporting activities should be introduced.
The Nationalist Party announced that they are proposing the constitutional amendment on Monday.
The new law would mean giving the environment the highest level of protection under the supreme law of the land, the PN said
Today (Thursday), parliament will debate and vote on the PN’s proposals.
In a statement on Thursday, the Labour Party said it agrees with the greater protection of the environment.
“A Labour Government will remain consistent in its support for the strengthening of environmental laws”.
“This will continue to be done in a planned manner, and not in a rushed manner as the Nationalist Party is doing,” the PL said.
They said that the constitutional amendment was done in an “amateurish way” risking “unwanted consequences”.
“The fact that it had to be voluntary organisations and civil society, together with the Government, to explain the serious shortcomings in this Bill, further undermines the credibility of the Opposition,” they said.