Labour blocks reform in Malta, but sings a different tune in Europe

• While the statements made by the Government Whip in Paris on the recommendations of the Public Inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia are encouraging, it is regrettable that she was immediately attacked by figures within the Labour establishment over what she said
• It is also ironic that Labour says one thing abroad, while in Malta the same Government Whip blocked the Opposition’s Motion for the recommendations to be implemented fully and without further delay

It is ironic that, in Malta, Labour continues to refuse any debate on the implementation of the recommendations of the Public Inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and blocks the reforms being proposed by the Opposition, while abroad the Labour Government Whip declares that the Government is committed to carrying out the necessary reforms.

The Partit Nazzjonalista notes the statements made by Government Whip Naomi Cachia before the Council of Europe in Paris, in the presence of the family of murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, on the recommendations of the Public Inquiry. These statements are encouraging.

Yet only a week ago, following the jury verdict, it was the same Government Whip, Naomi Cachia, who blocked the Opposition’s Motion, resulting in Robert Abela’s Government blocking the necessary reforms. The Government refused to allow the Opposition’s Motion to be debated and voted upon during the extraordinary parliamentary sitting.

At the same time, the PN cannot ignore the fact that what Naomi Cachia said in Paris was immediately attacked by figures within the Labour establishment, including Neville Gafà, who launched a fierce attack on what he described as an “apology in Europe” made in the presence of the Caruana Galizia family. He later went further, making it clear that he was addressing the Government as a whole because Naomi Cachia forms part of the Labour Government.

Cachia was attending the session of the Council of Europe’s Committee on Legal Affairs in Paris on behalf of the Government. She also said that Daphne Caruana Galizia must not be allowed to become a victim for a second time.

The hearing is focusing precisely on the failure to implement the recommendations of the Public Inquiry which, five years on, have still not been implemented in full, including those relating to journalism. The Inquiry found the Maltese State responsible for creating a culture of impunity that led to Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination.

Naomi Cachia acknowledged that there had been institutional failures and made clear that she was in no way suggesting that all the reforms that needed to be carried out had been completed, particularly in the area of media freedom. She said that much remains to be done. She added that “a journalist murdered for her work cannot become a victim for a second time through complacency, resignation, or forgetfulness.”

These words stand in stark contrast to what Naomi Cachia’s colleagues are saying here in Malta – the clearest example being Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea, who only days ago said that he was not certain that Daphne Caruana Galizia had been killed because of her work.

The Partit Nazzjonalista calls on Robert Abela to make clear which of these positions represents the position of the Labour Government, while urging other Labour MPs to have the courage to make their voices heard and support the Partit Nazzjonalista’s call for the recommendations of the Public Inquiry to be implemented fully and as soon as possible.

This is all the more important now that the Opposition has announced that, as soon as Parliament resumes, it will present a Motion containing amendments to the law aimed at implementing these recommendations without any further delay. The Partit Nazzjonalista calls on Robert Abela to support the legislation that will be presented by the Opposition.

12.09.2026