PM rules out stopping referendum, critcises Busuttil's position

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this evening quashed speculation that he will try to change the law in order to derail the planned spring hunting referendum. Making it clear that he is in favour of spring hunting he said that there were constitutional tools that the electorate could use and a prime minister could not stop a referendum. At the same time he accused Opposition leader Simon Busuttil of lack of leadership, saying he was sitting on the fence as he had done in the case of civil unions. The PN, he said, was saying the obvious on the referendum but was not saying where it stood on spring hunting. Addressing a political activity in Birkirkara, Dr Muscat urged those who are jobless and are seeking work to take the opportunities offered by the ETC. He said that the government was going to be firm with those who repeatedly refused job opportunities. He said that the government would not continue to let people register for jobs which do not exist. On fuel price stability Dr Muscat said that trends showed that international fuel prices would continue to rise this year and the price locked by the government should be beneficial to the public.