Campaign launch
Today we launch the campaign Ġustizzja għal Artna to resist the unprecedented threat facing our environment, quality of life and democracy. The Government’s legislative package seeks to dismantle all planning safeguards currently in place.
More information is available at www.gustizzjartna.org
Groups across Malta and Gozo are invited to join by emailing [email protected]. NGOs, residents, students, workers, and farmers – all non-partisan groups aligned with the campaign – are welcome to participate.
Government’s attempted power grab
At the end of July, Government attempted to rush through two planning bills:
- Bill 143: Hand dictatorial powers to the Planning Authority, render local plans useless, and open the door to destructive development nationwide.
- Bill 144: Pretend to reform the appeals process while stripping people of the right to challenge Planning Authority decisions, blocking access to justice and removing Courts’ power to revoke permits.
Public resistance pauses the bills
Only timely intervention by organisations, communities and individuals stopped these plans temporarily. Widespread public anger forced Government to pause their passage.
The threat remains
The so-called consultation process closing on 7 September 2025 is a smokescreen designed to weaken public resistance. These structurally rotten Bills, written to serve developers and corrupt authorities, cannot be salvaged.
At the same time, Government published three draft legal notices that would grant blanket amnesties for planning and environmental illegalities – regardless of scale or location.
Campaign demands
We demand:
- Immediate withdrawal of the draft bills and legal notices. Consultation cannot happen on legislation that is flawed, malicious, and beyond repair.
- Urgent suspension of works on developments approved by the Planning Authority while an appeal is ongoing, through an amendment to existing law.
- Publication of a White Paper to launch genuine consultation on the planning reforms Malta truly needs.
Season of resistance
Ġustizzja għal Artna is launching a season of people’s resistance against this assault on our right to live in a country not ruled by greed. Details of upcoming initiatives and actions will be announced soon.
Organisations supporting the campaign
- BirdLife Malta
- Din l-Art Ħelwa
- Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar
- Friends of the Earth Malta
- Front Żgħażagħ għall-Ambjent
- Għawdix
- Moviment Graffitti
- Nature Trust – FEE Malta
- Ramblers Association
- Wirt Għawdex
Read the Press Release in Maltese.