Watch: Abela pledges consultation on planning reforms as activists protest

Updated 9.18pm

Prime Minister Robert Abela has said a consultation process will take place on controversial new planning laws presented in parliament last week, amid pressure from demonstrators outside parliament.

Abela was speaking to journalists outside parliament when activists and members of the public gathered to voice their opposition to the proposed changes.

Just as the Prime Minister was explaining that the parliamentary process had only just begun, activist Andre Callus interrupted, saying: “You didn’t consult us. We have been asking for two years and you didn’t speak to us. Now it’s in parliament.”

Callus is a member of the NGO Moviment Graffitti, a long-standing and outspoken environmental group.

In response, Abela said he would meet with Moviment Graffitti as part of the consultation process.

“I will meet with Graffitti too. Meaning the parliamentary process will not conclude until we have spoken to people,” he said.

Abela justified the absence of public consultation by referencing Planning Authority CEO Johann Buttigieg, who spoke alongside Planning Minister Clint Camilleri in a press briefing earlier on Monday. 

One of the reasons why there was no public consultation process on sweeping revisions to planning laws was to “prevent speculation,” Buttigieg claimed on Monday.

Abela insisted there was still enough time for the public to be heard.

“There is still enough time in the process to ensure that they can hear from NGOs, civil society and the people through the parliamentary process,” Abela said. “We want there to be a wide discussion.”

Callus then asked the Prime Minister: “But you met with the developers?”

Abela did not respond to Callus’s question directly. Instead, he said his loyalty was “always with the people wholeheartedly.”

He also defended the government's decision to present the legislation to parliament before conducting formal public consultation.

“It is a misrepresentation that I am not open to consultation. I am open to consultation. If there are people who want to start the consultation today, we will do it,” said the Prime Minister.

“But now, when it is in parliament? And when will it be?” asked a growing number of protesters who had joined Callus.

Abela repeated multiple times that consultation would take place.

Second clash

As Abela left the building he was met once again by Callus, who was helping prepare for the protest outside Parliament. 

Callus told the PM he felt “sickened” when he saw the laws, and that he had spokem with a lawyer to ensure he understood the proposals clearly.

He repeated that Graffiti had tried to meet with Abela for the past two years but to no avail. Abela stressed: “Yes, now we will discuss.”

The interaction ended quickly, however, with Callus saying the laws were not just about reforming appeals but about reforming the planning system in its entirety, at which point Abela patted Callus on the arm and walked away.

As the prime minister walked away, Callus said, “Don’t tell me we aren’t understanding this.”

Sweeping changes

Two bills are currently being debated: Bill No. 143 of 2025, which amends the Development Planning Act (Chapter 552), and Bill No. 144 of 2025, which reforms the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal Act.

Bill 143 proposes over two dozen changes to existing planning laws, including measures to allow the Planning Authority to revoke permits, limit compensation payments, and increase enforcement against illegal development.

The government says the law aims to provide “greater legal clarity and planning efficiency.” One of the most significant changes allows permits to be revoked or reprocessed in cases involving fraud, public safety concerns or material errors.

The bill also gives the Planning Board the power to restart the planning process if serious faults are identified in how a permit was granted.

Bill 144 proposes a revamp of how planning and environmental appeals are handled, promising a more independent, efficient, and digital tribunal system. It introduces clearer procedures for appointing and removing tribunal members and aims to align with international standards of administrative justice.

Last week, Moviment Graffitti described the proposed laws as “a developer’s wish list” and “dismantling nearly all remaining legal safeguards.”

An event was held on Monday afternoon in protest against the two bills.

'Abela should withdraw bill': Alex Borg

In a Facebook post Monday evening, PN leadership candidate Alex Borg said Abela should "immediately" withdraw the bills and open a "broad consultation process" to ensure the reforms favoured the public. 

"Our country needs a Prime Minister who listens to people and not one who berates and attacks those who disagree with him", Borg said.

"Robert Abela tried to steamroll over everyone but was stopped by those who truly care about the national interest."