Prosy points (38)

Labour's draft plans on industry and on health are now on line. They were drafted with the help of professionals and experts in the two areas, briefed to stay realistic with proposals but still to plan for a radical change in the way things are done.

In industry we need to send a signal that we believe in a future for this sector in Malta. We must start by giving full attention to those enterprises and their leaders who are already here, giving proof of their commitment to making Malta work.

In the health sector we need a drive to make effective delivery happen. On waiting lists for medical checks and operations, on good follow through in the provision of primary health services, on the supply of medicines and their pricing, things have been allowed to slide too far, too long. The Tal-Qroqq hospital looms as a logistical and financial monster.

Labour's draft plans will be discussed with a wide range of experts and organisations.

International oil prices are not set by the Gonzi administration. They knew that this year there would be a consistent upward press on oil prices. They failed to take corrective action to stabilise internal prices through hedging. There is more to it though. Why is it that recent data show that oil price rises are having a bigger inflationary effect on Malta than on other European economies? The fact that our economic system is so open and so small hardly seems the answer. Nor does the fact that we depend so much on oil for our water supply cover the problem. In past years, we have failed to run a policy that promoted energy conservation in all areas where that is feasible. We are now paying for this. I am not being partisan when I claim that the Gonzi administration carries a huge responsibility for this failure.

If, in June 2007, the decision is taken from Brussels and Valletta to replace the lira with the euro, then it is crystal clear that there can be no turning back. But it is the responsibility of the opposition to publicise its opinion on the matter.

We fully agree that EU membership implies Malta must change over to the euro. However, it should do so at the right time. It must satisfy the criteria set by the EU; additionally, it must satisfy criteria that will allow the Maltese people to benefit most and to suffer least from the currency transition. The latter must mean that the best time for the change is when our economy has climbed out of its current stagnation, say by hitting growth rates of four per cent annually. According to Lawrence Gonzi's own estimations this will not have happened by 2008. He projects at best growth of under two per cent by that year. Therefore converting the lira to the euro on January 1, 2008 is not the right decision. Let this be made known, so that the responsibility for the decision taken will lie squarely on the administration that makes that decision.

By now, it would be ludicrous to describe questions asked about the state of play over Smart City as some act of national sabotage. It's about time we get some hard data. Like: Who is conducting the negotiations with Tecom, apart from the minister for investments and whatever, helped by his private secretary? Is it true that during the negotiations, Malta Enterprise and all its works were given the cold shoulder? What exactly are the future timelines for the project? Are the negotiations with Tecom over the Maltacom privatisation ultimately falling into the lap of the same people who are negotiating with Tecom over the Smart City project? Is it true that the latter includes, apart from a hotel, provision for that staple of Maltese real estate developments, proposals for luxury apartments situated in what could become prime coastline sites? All these questions just for starters.

On the obligations to be assumed by the Central Bank of Malta when the eurozone starts operating here, we have not heard the last word. Surely, more needs to be said and analysed. What was shocking about the performance of the Central Bank governor last week before the Parliamentary Accounts Committee was his admission that, initially, he did not have a clue about the financial obligations the Central Bank would incur as part of the eurozone. They only began to research this matter when the argument arose about how Maltese money supply would penalise the Central Bank in its transactions with the European Central Bank once the lira became the euro. Still, it was curious to note how some rushed to claim that the governor had exposed the "canard" about the obligations that his Bank would be taking up...

Gozo is a region: we must again change the electoral boundaries so that all Gozitans can vote in one district. That has suddenly become the mantra of Prime Minister Gonzi and his acolyte, PN secretary general Joe Saliba. Nothing could be more hypocritical. In all the government has done these last years, the concept of Gozo as a region has been totally undermined. All Dr Gonzi wants to do is to also dismantle the election boundaries set by the Electoral Commission. They are the fairest for all parties that we have had during the last 30 years, since 1976 to be exact.

The activities organised during the last International Book Day demonstrated that books still have drawing power. I attended three of the many activities held: at Labour's National Centre, where a mini book fair was held; at the Phoenicia ballroom, where Agenda organised a huge book sale; and at St James Cavalier, where various book related activities were kept going daylong. In all three events, book lovers congregated in good numbers.