The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the publication of the Legal Notice establishing White Rocks as a National Park. This will enable the site to be protected and safeguarded with the aim of giving public access, recreational use and conservation the highest priority, with the Project Green agency responsible for the administration of the Park.
This continues with the promise that the parks and public gardens that have been created in recent years will be given protection through legal amendments to safeguard them from any future development.
This step signifies not only the beginning of the fulfillment of another promise from the electoral manifesto, but continues with the commitment shown so that in the first five weeks of Parliamentary work in this legislature, the Government pushes forward seven main reforms, which were triggered or came into effect in their entirety before Parliament’s break for the summer vacation, which reforms Prime Minister Robert Abela had indicated as a priority for the Government when he was addressing Parliament during his response to the address of the President of the Republic at the opening of the 15th legislature.
In recent days, Parliament approved amendments to the Constitution to consider disability a protected characteristic under the highest law of the country, while the Government brought to third reading a draft law aimed at establishing the National Commission for Human Rights and Equality.
It has also triggered the parliamentary procedure to have a fairer planning process in our country, with the first reading of the draft law through which no new development or construction can begin until the permit is still under appeal, and clear timelines are introduced to provide greater certainty to the parties concerned. This parliamentary process runs pari passu with the public consultation period.
The first reading of the draft law was also presented with the aim of strengthening the legislative framework of the voluntary sector, to, among other things, reduce bureaucracy for voluntary organisations and assist their work, which is so important for a strong and inclusive society.
In recent days, the commencement notice was published to bring into force two laws that will continue to enhance the lives of persons with disability: the Personal Autonomy Act and the Protection of Adults in Situations of Vulnerability Act.
Through a Legal Notice, the list of genetic conditions eligible for Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorders, better known as PGT-M, has been expanded, another step that confirms the Government’s full commitment to showing more empathy with those going through the IVF process.
Finally, in the last few hours, Parliament approved two other bills that further strengthen the rule of law through greater independence, transparency and access to justice. These include a new and independent system for appointments to the Specialised Administrative Tribunals, which also marks the fulfilment of another electoral promise, and greater scrutiny of the Attorney General’s decisions when deciding, in accordance with criminal law, not to prosecute.
