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8 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2013 Helena Dalli hopes for 'length MIRIAM DALLI CIVIL Liberties Minister Helena Dalli looked forward to a lengthy debate on civil unions, both in parliament and outside. Addressing parliament during the second reading of the Civil Liberties Act yesterday, Dalli said she felt "extremely happy and proud" to be able to discuss the bill. "We are in no hurry to imple- ment it. Contrary to what has been said, I look forward to a lengthy debate both inside parliament and outside and I urge as many people as possible to join in the discussion," Dalli said. The minister insisted that a strong debate would reflect that Maltese society was "a nation which cared about minorities". The Civil Liberties Act, she said, was a government commitment to continue "breaking down barriers". AT RE ! G WS NE "This is not about gay rights but about human rights. We want to live in a society where every individual enjoys the same rights, with an equal access to opportunities… the point of departure being that we are all human beings," Dalli said. According to a European survey on personal discrimination, Malta was the seventh highest country in which respondents reported having faced discrimination because of their sexual orientation. "This is shameful and unacceptable," Dalli said, while adding it was deplorable that same sex couples were not given the same privileges and rights to heterosexual couples. "This is what this new civil law is aiming to amend." The minister did not hold back from berating the Opposition for "failing to put into effect the transgender bill". "And then the opposition is surprised that they aren't included on the LGBTI consulting council," Subscribe to the MaltaToday e-paper and save over 50% Read the MaltaToday and MaltaToday midweek at 5am on the morning of publication on your Desktop, Tablet or Smartphone Subscribe now to benefit from our special introductory offer! With an annual subscription you will get a FREE copy of your choice between Saviour Balzan's 'Saying It As It Is' or 'GourmetToday 100 best recipes' worth over €20. *Offer is on a first come first served basis and is subject to availability. *Books must be collected from the MediaToday offices Subscription options 1 edition: 3 months: 6 months: 12 months: €0.80 €15.00 MaltaToday and MaltaToday Midweek €28.00 MaltaToday and MaltaToday Midweek €50.00 + FREE BOOK *best value* Subscribe now at www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/maltatodayepaper she added, while urging the MPs on the opposition benches – in a motherly voice – to "grow up". Referring to the case of Joanne Cassar – who, following the election of a Labour government, retracted her case to the European Court of Human Rights after she was denied the right to marry despite having a change in gender identity legally recognised – Dalli said the Nationalist administration's failure to amend laws had caused suffering to many. On the Church's position on civil unions, Dalli said their reaction stood by their belief that marriage was solely meant to be between a man and a woman. "But this is a Civil Union and has nothing to do with religion," she said. Dalli further said that the New Ways Ministry – which attempts to build bridges between the LGBT community and the Catholic PN in fa forward MIRIAM DALLI THE Opposition's position in favour of the Civil Liberties Act was a "positive step forward" for the Nationalist Party, according to leader Simon Busuttil. Addressing the House of Representatives during the debate on civil unions yesterday, Busuttil said he was "proud" of the decision that the Nationalist parliamentary group agreed upon. "I am proud with the PN's position. It sends a clear message that our door is wide open for the gay community. It shows an important step forward which the PN has taken, a position which may be different from the one held in the past," he said. Busuttil said the Nationalist parliamentary group dedicated over four hours discussing the issue. He however lamented that it didn't have enough time to scrutinise the bill as it was placed on the House agenda a week after the bill was published. The opposition leader said it was "a pity" that the government failed PL MEP candi energy minis LABOUR MEP candidate Miriam Dalli has been engaged on a one-year contract by the Ministry for Energy and Conservation of Water. Dalli, a former ONE journalist, is being paid €33,583 for her consultancy services in the areas of communications, corporate social responsibility and stakeholder management. A spokesperson for Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi also confirmed that Dalli was entitled to a €2,000 expertise allowance, a €1,500 expense allowance, a car allowance of €4,659 and an ADSL connection capped at €815. "This one-year contract is in line with the guidelines issued by the office of the Prime Minister," the spokesperson told MaltaToday. "In contrast to the previous admin-

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