Minister Austin Gatt has managed to secure a third strike by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who has once again been constrained to take action against him in view of the arrogant political policies adopted by the Minister, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando (JPO) told di-ve.com.

Independent MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando reiterated that Dr Gatt has adopted the same arrogant way of doing politics since he was first entrusted with a ministry. “He has always employed a political stance where he neither discusses nor informs the government of what’s going on but instead concocts behind the government’s back,” JPO said, going on to say that he welcomes the decision of the Prime Minister to shelf another project Minister Austin Gatt was working on as this was only leading to further embarrassment for the government.

JPO insisted that the motion put forward by the opposition should be discussed as it reflects the wishes of the majority of the House.  The Labour Party (PL) motion asks for the halt of the privatisation of 34 public car parks, currently run by licensed parking attendants. This was further backed by the comments of the Nationalist Party's (PN) Whip David Agius, who held that numerous constituents have complained about the idea of privatising public car parks. "Giving public land to private entities reeks of abuse of power and is another clear example of Austin Gatt's arrogant conduct," JPO said.

With the issue of the privatisation of public car parks, Minister Gatt has achieved a hat trick of situations that led the Prime Minister to take decisive action against him. The other two instances were the transferring of Enemalta to the Ministry of Tonio Fenech over the BWSC scandal and the removal of the public transport portfolio from Austin Gatt’s responsibilities after the issues experienced with the introduction of Arriva.

di-ve.com also took the comments of the Government's Whip and Group Secretary David Agius, who said that matters surrounding the Opposition’s motion will be discussed in the House Business Committee Meeting scheduled for tomorrow afternoon and held behind closed doors.

In what was deemed a humiliating effort last Monday, Dr Austin Gatt announced that he was withdrawing the call for tenders for the 10-year concessions of the 34 public car park sites to private entities.

Maverick MP Franco Debono has stated in Parliament that he will amend the Opposition motion to a no confidence vote in Minister Austin Gatt.