Hunters accuse ‘failed’ AD of intending on abusing referendum laws

With the Coalition Against Spring Hunting planning to hold the spring hunting referendum in March 2015, hunters’ lobby St Hubert Hunters (KSU) has insisted that if approved, the referendum would demonstrate the inadequacy of Malta’s referendum laws."

“If indoctrinated, the signatures of 10% of the voting population collected over an indefinite period of time can repeal any law passed by any government elected by the majority of the voting population,” it said.

In an open letter to members of parliament, the hunters lobby has said that the referendum petition “struggled” to collect 40,000 signatures – 34,000 voters or 10% of all eligible voters are needed to hold a referendum to abrogate a law - while conversely, the hunters opposing petition has collected “twice the number in half the time.”

“This clearly shows that a large sector of the Maltese public sees through the vile opportunism of BirdLife Malta, and is sick of their deceit. It also proves their objection to a sector of society intent on banning spring hunting (a minority activity) in order to reach their abolitionist aims,” the hunters’ lobby said.

Echoing FKNK CEO Lino Farrugia, St Huberts Hunters argued that the abrogative referendum on spring hunting would set a dangerous precedent for all minorities.

“The result of this referendum will determine the credibility of BirdLife Malta and the coalition members. It will definitely not deter the illegal element that has no respect for law, and would demonstrate the inadequacy of Malta’s referendum laws.”

“With a spring hunting referendum petition being considered and one intent on banning civil unions in the pipeline, our politicians in parliament had better take note of this precarious situation.”

In a clear reference to Alternattiva Demokratika, KSU flagged the involvement of a “failed” political party as a sore point, insisting that the party which “never exceeded 1.8% of votes throughout its existence, is intent on abusing Malta’s referendum laws."

The party is “intent on abusing our referendum laws to satisfy its abolitionist ideals and those of its newly acquired partners by repealing a law that regulates a legal activity endorsed by both democratically elected political parties,” it said.