Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/212250
€1.20 maltatoday YOUR FIRST READ AND FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT RCC • THE CASTILLE NOTES PART 2 • PAGES 16-17 Download the MaltaToday App now SUNDAY • 17 NOVEMBER 2013 • ISSUE 732 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY Gay lobby's stark warning to PN in rowdy meeting over civil unions' bill 'Don't touch our rights' A rowdy meeting between Opposition leader Simon Busuttil and the gay lobby turned sour this week, when the PN informed them they would be pushing amendments to the civil unions' bill without divulging what the amendments will be. Busuttil met Malta Gay Rights Movement coordinator Gabi CalleA MaltaToday survey has confirmed that ja and human rights lawyer Neil a majority of respondents favour civil unFalzon, of Aditus Foundation, who ions, but without adoption rights. authored the civil unions' bill; toThose who favour civil unions with gether with PN equality spokesperadoption rights represent 24.7% of reson Claudette Buttigieg and MEP spondents, who are however overshadcandidate Therese Commodini owed by opponents of civil unions for Cachia. same and opposite-sex couples (26%) and A PN source described the outthose who agree with civil unions but come of the meeting as "nothing don't want gay couples to adopt (45%). short of disastrous". "The party wants to amend the law 24.7% Agree with entire law but didn't want to explain exactly what these changes will be. They 45.2% Agree but not with gay had to fend off accusations that Place 26c adoption Stamp here they are going to dilute the bill, and the meeting ended on a sour note. 26.3% No, I disagree There was a good deal of shouting," ay MaltaTod the party source said. 3.8% Don't know Vjal ir-Rihan Contacted yesterday, Gabi Calleja 9016 San Gwann, SGN Simon Busuttil has been warned by gay rights' groups that attempts to dilute confirmed the meeting they had at the civil unions' bill to pacify PN voters will further endanger the party's the PN offices but refrained from SEE FULL SURVEY PAGE 7 frayed relationship with the gay vote commenting on MaltaToday's account of the disagreements between the two sides. "They did not present Muscat makes his gay vote entirely. any tangible amendments… there sources that Busuttil and Buttigieg "It was a bad meeting. The gay way to the Chamber of the that any amendments that touched House of them To make a donation was nothing concrete and it is still were at pains to explain that the PN lobby was actually warning Representatives: although his Budget were trying the rights in the law would be met "At one point, the MPs Phone: was welcomed unclear what kind of amendments had to show their own conservative not to touch anything that wouldby the majority of respondents, a conserva- by a public statement against the to explain that they had 5150 2050: €5 his €30 million 5160 2050:will present." she said. they €10 electorate they were treading care- dilute the rights in the law, and toldcitizenship sale has been given a tive electorate to respect. They Opposition," the party source told 2050: €25 5180 resounding the down MaltaToday was told by other fully on the civil unions' bill. them off for having already lost thumbswere told in no uncertain terms MaltaToday. SMS 5061 7379: € 2.33 5061 8096: € 4.66 5061 9205: €11.65 SPRING HUNTING REFERENDUM, A REALITY Alternatively, you can donate via paypal on our website: www.birdlifemalta.org Less than 10,000 signatures needed to vote spring hunting out Help us stop this! maltatoday WITH less than 10,000 signatures required to reach the 34,000 target for the requested number to call for a referendum, MaltaToday has decided to do its little part for the campaign. This week, over 30,000 households will be receiving an info sheet which they can fill in and sign, to call for a referendum calling for the abolition of spring hunting. Households are being asked to affix a 26c stamp and send in the signatures before next Monday (27 November). If successful, this would be the first abrogative referendum organised and piloted by civil society. All previous referenda were initiated by the government. The move would therefore be a historical first. The coalition against spring hunting believes that the majority will vote for an abolition of spring hunting in Malta and Gozo. It is now up to Maltese voters to sign the petition and make sure that it is posted as soon as possible and before the week is out, so that it reaches our offices - time is of the essence. A referendum at the earlier possible occasion would give voters their say on spring hunting. JFK 50 years since his assassination PAGES 8-9 Newspaper post Photography: David Tipling/Nature Picture Library Majority still finds gay adoption a troubling concept