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€0.90 WEDNESDAY EDITION WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT EDITORIAL - PAGE 12 WEDNESDAY • 23 OCTOBER 2013 • ISSUE 337 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY National Statistics Office targeted by finance minister PACE ROSS SAYS HE IS NOT BEING PRESSURED THE Finance Minister and the National Statistics Office director general Michael Pace Ross refused to comment over the minister's request to investigate why the NSO published incorrect data on the country's Gross Domestic Product. Yesterday, finance minister Edward Scicluna asked the chairman of the Malta Statistics Authority (MSA) – the independent regulator for official national statistics – to investigate what led to the National Statistics Office to miscalculate the country's GDP. The request followed Scicluna's outburst during Monday's MCESD meeting in which he accused the NSO of issuing misleading information on economic data. In uncustomary manner, Scicluna showed his irritation at what he described as "misinformation on economic data" and blamed this on the way NSO releases information to the press. "Today, one particular newspaper reported that inflation had increased, however in reality, inflation is at its lowest rate in a very long time. In August, inflation stood at 0.6%, however for some reason the NSO highlights the moving average instead of the latest rate of inflation. It's like going to a doctor to check your blood pressure and instead of being told what your blood pressure is at the moment, you are given an average of the past year," Scicluna said. CONTINUES ON PAGE 11 Government surprised at ultra-positive reception to civil union bill THE government Yesterday Minis understood to be ister Helena Dalli overwhelmed by illustrated in the positive recepsome detail the tion and lack of obthinking behind jection to the civil the civil union union proposal, bill: quoting variunveiled Monday. ous scientific reThis perception ports to underline was reinforced by the need to bring Helena Dalli is piloting the civil union bill the Maltese Roman Malta at par with Catholic Church, other countries. which took a surprisingly meek stand This will be the second major social against the civil union proposal. reform in three years. In 2011, divorce The Nationalist Party proved unwill- was introduced after a majority voted in ing to oppose the proposed bill outright, favour of its introduction. issuing a statement in support of the No referendum was held this time bill. However, PN sources told Malta- round. Yet most polls still show that Today that the Opposition will propose a majority opposes civil unions on an amendments aimed at distinguishing equal footing with marriage, and this civil union from the institution of mar- opposition increases vis-a-vis the rights riage. of gay couples to adopt children. SEE PARLIAMENTARY REPORT ON PAGES 8,9; EDITORIAL PAGE 12 Edward Scicluna (right) hit out at the National Statistics Office run by Michael Pace Ross (above) De Marco does not envisage major amendment to civil unions bill THE Opposition will tion said it would be movnot table amendments ing amendments so that to the draft civil unions the Marriage Act would bill which will "alter" or not apply to civil unions, change any of the rights because the two were difgranted by the bill, howferent. ever it will make amendThe brief statement folments to make a clear lowed a parliamentary distinction between the group meeting, and the Mario de Marco marriage act and the party explained said that civil unions legislation. in line with its electoral PN deputy leader Mario programme, it was in fade Marco told MaltaToday that al- vour of civil unions for same sex couthough the party has not yet dis- ples. cussed the amendments, he does not Without explaining what the envisage "substantial" changes to the amendments are, the PN pointed out draft law. that it would seek consensus on its On Monday, Civil Liberties minis- proposals. ter Helena Dalli cautiously welcomed Speaking to MaltaToday, the minthe Opposition's decision to back the ister said that she "expected" the PN government's proposed legislation on to back the bill since it concerned civil unions. strengthening the rights of a minorAlso on Monday, the PN said it "was ity. prepared to vote in favour" of the bill, The bill is expected to be approved however it would move amendments. and enforced by the end of the year, In a cryptic statement, the opposi- Dalli told MaltaToday. mt online poll DO YOU AGREE WITH THE PROPOSED CIVIL UNIONS BILL? YES: as is and including adoption rights YES: but without the right to adopt NO: I'm against legalising same-sex relationships To vote access www.maltatoday.com.mt CHRISTMAS MARKETS 8-13 December 11-16 December BAVARIA RHINE VALLEY From From €472 €489 per person in triple* Visitng: Wurzburg, Nuremberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Regensburg & Frankfurt 4, St. Publius Street, Floriana FRN1443, Malta E W: hamiltontravel.com.mt T: 21241292 / 21249543 / 21235878 F: 21226430 per person in triple* Visiting: Cologne, Dortmund, Bonn, Dusseldorf & Wiesbaden Newspaper post JURGEN BALZAN

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