PN electoral programme published
The Nationalist Party is promising a range of tax cuts in its electoral programme, approved by the party general council on Saturday evening (the Maltese text of electoral programme can be viewed at http://www.timesofmalta.com/downloads/pn_electoral_programme.pdf ) Among them is a reduction in income tax, the removal of the departure tax, television licences and the levy on credit cards and the lifting of succession duty on residential property. Women who stay in employment or return to work will enjoy a year's tax break for every child they have.
The PN is vowing to instil more transparency and accountability in the public sector and appointments on government boards will follow a public call for applications. Proposals include appointing a special prosecutor with executive investigation and prosecution powers within the permanent commission against corruption. The commission members will be appointed following agreement between the political parties while the chairman will be appointed through an autonomous decision of the President.
The PN is promising substantial investment in education facilities and new assistance to students who read for a first degree that is not offered in Malta. It is also promising to cut down on hospital waiting lists and establish definite targets of the maximum length of time that patients should have to wait for health-related services. If the problem of waiting lists persists, government will enter into agreements with the private sector so that patients can still be given the treatment for free.
The rent laws will be amended to protect residents but do justice with owners.
Other proposals among the 353 made in the electoral programme is a reform of Mepa, a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and an increase in the production of electricity from renewable sources.
Electronically tagging will be introduced for those accused of serious crimes while out on bail awaiting trial and there will be a register of sex offenders.
A special envoy will be appointed to negotiate the repatriation of illegal immigrants with their country of origin.
Social services will be reviewed and made more personalised. The programme promises better tourist facilities, restoration of historical areas and the rebuilding of the Royal Opera House and City Gate. There will be a specialised sport school and a Mediterranean academy for music, an artists’ village and a Carnival village.
Some €130 million coming from EU funds will be used to create jobs and strengthen employee training. The Gozo ministry will be restructured and will include a new directorate to promote Gozo as a distinct tourist destination.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told the council that through these proposals, the PN was closing a chapter to start writing a new one through these new proposals.
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Christian Ellul
Feb 18th 2008, 17:40
I cannot understand why many people are sceptical about the current government. What results has the PN achieved which are not positive?
Anthony Busuttil said that why weren't these promises performed in these last 20 years? My answer to him is simply, there were much more important things to be done, things which took time. I tell you to remember the state Malta was in, in 1988 and the total undeniable work PN led governments have undertaken since than. These last 20 years the PN led government was busy giving Malta; a new airport, new general hospital, new power station, a total revamp in the road quality and infrastructure, Malta in the EU which took a lot of hard work due to Labour's persistence; PN was busy giving Malta a stable economy, upgrading the country from a practically 3rd world country to a 1st World country, busy getting undeniable large foreign investments; the Euro, above all having a country with a credible and sustainable economy which is the pivot to its growth!
Albert Gauci Cunningham
Feb 18th 2008, 15:13
I'm not going to waste anymore time on people who are all of a sudden coming out from every nook and cranny telling us how they feel "cheated" by the PN... if it's an inferior govt they want that's exactly what they're going to get... make no mistake about it.
I'd rather focus on facts like the majority...
1----The PN wants the NGOs to have a rep in MCESD ----- the MLP wants a new member who sits in the cabinet but won't say who this would be
2 The PN wants the MEPA to be under the jurisdiction of the PM therefore being central to the coutry's agenda-------MLP wants ?? No idea zilch!!
3---The PN wants to encourage other energy sources through wind farms and encouragement of env-friendly bulbs-----the MLP? they bask in humour and hysteria making fun of such initiatives and scream too littlle too late!!
...there are many other differences... but who cares anyway... we need a change right??? Yes who cares about which party has the better solutions for the future???
...as long as we can have gradiose illusions of coalitions... we can always count on the E.U to save us from any of Sant's blunders!!!
John Scerri
Feb 18th 2008, 11:17
To all those who believe they will be better off under a labour government i say: You have every right to believe so, especially if you did not experience the 22 months between 1996 and 1998 when everything was promised for the sake of winning votes.
It worked and how ... but not for long.
Those who opted for change in 1996 were lucky to have a second chance to rectify their decision.
YES Go ahead - go for change just for the sake of changing - Try and find out for yourselves what it means to go for something blindfolded with the hope of it ending up to your liking. you will most probably regret your decision but it will be too late . this is no time for protest votes. this is time for all to certify that notwithstanding the fact that much more has to be done it is better to keep all the good we as a nation have achieved , improve what needs to be improved and seeks new frontiers to move forward with determination.
starting from scratch with a new beginning will only take us back in time. think twice , you might only have one chance this time.
david Camilleri
Feb 18th 2008, 10:23
"restoration and the rebuilding of the Royal Opera House and City Gate” How long is this is going to take to start, another 20 YEARS?
I read, Gonzi wanted to build the new Parliament instead of the Opera House 2 YEARS ago. What happened to that proposal? Shelved like so many others?
These proposals will be false promises by the PN. Its time for them to sit on the opposition benches, I don’t believe them any more.
Victor Laiviera
Feb 17th 2008, 22:18
A list of 353 (almost one a day!) vague clichés and pious hopes.
It is obviously cobbled together to trry and be all things to all men.
It will not fool anybody.
Anthony Busuttil
Feb 17th 2008, 16:10
How about looking at it this way, guys? Why should there be 353 things needing doing after virtually 20 years in government? Is it something to boast of?
And yes, there is something about VAT. PN is proposing to negotiate with the other members of the EU what it has been saying is not permissible. And then they accuse Labour of reopening negotiations.
Karl Abela
Feb 17th 2008, 11:50
Mr Mangion, we appreciate your comments however I struggle to find the point of your remarks. All your questions have been replied to by the PM a long time ago, and that is exactly the pity with most MLP supporters. They never hear what the others have to say because Alfred Sant's talk is the only thing they want to listen to. At least you had the decency of taking a look at the PN electoral programme. Now to your questions. Tax cuts WERE introduced in the last two budgets and the economy responded to them, hence these further tax measures. These measures have been created to further boost the economy which was the case in the past two years, so the talk about cost to the economy is not valid here. Tax benefits are not an issue to win elections, so I ask myself why is the MLP promising to drastically reduce the surcharge? Why are you not questioning that as well Mr. Mangion? Healthcare has been confirmed to remain free un the PN, plus greater improvements to cater better for a Maltese folk that deserves the best.
The issue here remains that the MLP policy is based on the assumption that our society is an inferior one, while PN's policies and measures push our nation's capabilities to the limit because there is confidence in our people... a people of just 400,000 that is producing miracles that makes other larger countries simply jealous.This is one electoral programme that makes us look forward to some good times!
John Scerri
Feb 17th 2008, 10:26
As usual sceptics always doubt the known facts and instill more doubt about the future to mislead voters. The MLP is an expert in this type of strategy.
Mr. Mangion's final comment was 'tax benefits are not an issue to win elections' . True, I agree. Mr Mangion, people are more mature and want to look at the whole package .
That is why it is not enough for MLP to say that the surcharge will be reduced. What about electricity and water bills and meter charges?
Is the MLP going to increase these , reduce them, leave them as they are . For clarity's sake the MLP must be more clear about what it is proposing especially after having so many years at its disposal to study, consult, propose, change, improve and come out with a concrete credible 'misprint free' electoral programme. People do not like to find out about hidden agendas and it is much better to spell out the whole truth and let the electorate decide. People who are wondering to whome they should cast their vote are still waiting to hear something credible from MLP.
Claude Licari
Feb 17th 2008, 09:50
Mr Mangion,
If you had to read the article well, you would see that tax is not the only issue of this programme. There is education, corruption, MEPA, hospital waiting lists, Mediterranean academy, etc
mario zammit
Feb 17th 2008, 09:35
I agree with Mr. Mangion that ,"people are more mature than that". Of course people can notice the difference between the electoral programms of the two main parties. This is because the one presented by the PN is simply fabulous.
Martin Mangion
Feb 17th 2008, 02:06
While I must agree that any tax cuts are welcomed - I question - why were these tax benefits not introduced during the last budget? How much are these benefits going to cost? How will these measures be funded? Will there be any other hidden replacement taxes? What about VAT - Will it remain at 18%? What about health care - will it remain free? I remember in the past when the Nationalist party offered zero income tax as part of an election campaign with a negative impact. It seems that the PN do not learn from their own mistakes. Tax benefits are not an issue to win elections - People are more mature than that.