Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/195525
4 News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2013 Silence reigns as PN mulls over civil union legislation CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 One MP singled out as a vocal conservative and possible opponent on gay unions – Jason Azzopardi – was also unwilling to comment. "We're still discussing it internally, to the contrary of Labour's MPs who will not be discussing it." But that's a moot point: Labour had already pledged civil unions in its 2013 manifesto so it is debatable as to what kind of discussion the partyin-government requires. If anything, it's the PN response to civil unions that the public is waiting for. And a possible clue of the Nationalist mindframe is from Claudette Buttigieg, who shadows civil liberties. "Who is the government trying to fool? The truth is that it has no cour- age to call this a marriage," she said of the civil unions bill, which will amend the Civil Code to give same-sex and opposite-sex couples not contracted by the marriage rite, the same rights and obligations, as well as the legal recourse to dissolve their union. The government's official line is that its mandate is to introduce civil unions, not gay marriage. But Buttigieg does not buy into this, aware that Labour wants to keep the words 'gay' and 'marriage' as far away as possible. "The government is afraid to refer to civil unions as marriage. It is simply trying to please its conservative following. By not referring to it as a 'marriage', it avoids having to admit to them that a civil union and a mar- riage are, effectively, the same thing," she said. The MP claims that even the LGBT community are not happy with the term 'civil union'. "The LGBT community believes that by not referring to the bill as a marriage, it is a case of almost being given full rights, just so as not to be given those full rights." Despite having styled herself as an ideal interlocutor with the gay vote – she is after all, a member of the Eurovision glitterati who has represented Malta – she herself does not divulge her own position on the matter. "The matter is very delicate, and we are treating it accordingly," Buttigieg said. "I don't think that it is correct to give my position as things are still not clear-cut. What is clear is that this is a bill which needs to be taken very seriously. We will be seeking legal advice on the matter and will be meeting in the coming days to discuss the matter thoroughly." And that is the kind of indecisiveness, not to mention political silence, that has observers suspecting the PN is still uncomfortable about jettisoning its conservative inheritance. "The Nationalist Party is at the crossroads again," wrote former PN information director Frank Psaila in his blog. "The civil union bill is a big test for the party. It cannot afford to get it wrong… the party's leadership will, as expected, come under intense pressure from party officials, and MPs, not least from its own grassroots, to take a firm stand against the proposed bill. "I trust the party will not rush into taking a decision which, as happened with the divorce issue, comes to regret." Additional reporting Tim Attard Montalto and Miriam Dalli Action for Breast Cancer Foundation chairwoman passes away ONE of the founders of the Malta Hospice Movement passed away yesterday morning. Helen Muscat, 57, was an active promoter of breast cancer awareness and has helped organise several activities and events in bid to educate the public about breast cancer. She was also the chairperson of the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation. Muscat worked as a nurse in both Malta and the UK and has been at the forefront of a number of causes and campaigns. As an organisation, the ACBF worked hard in providing the necessary support to women suffering from breast cancer. Last year, the foundation also donated equipment to the breast clinic at Mater Dei Hospital. Muscat believed in helping women throughout their journey, from beginning to end. "We want to help women in their journey. We are on that journey ourselves. We know that it can be difficult and there are several hiccups on the way. But I feel honoured and happy to be able to help out," Muscat repeatedly said.