Labour, AD criticise termination of energy rebate

The Malta Labour Party and Alternattiva Demokratika yesterday separately criticised the government's decision to end the rebate scheme on energy-efficient domestic appliances rebate on May 31.

The scheme enabled consumers to request a 20 per cent - up to €116.46 (Lm50) - discount on energy-efficient domestic appliances.

The political parties said the eco refund scheme rewards consumers who take environment-conscious decisions when choosing products.

Labour environment spokesman Roderick Galdes said the government's decision had surprised the MLP because, before the election, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had spoken as a defender of the environment.

The MLP was against the government's decision which, he said, went against the promotion of energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly products.

Mr Galdes referred to an electoral promises in the Nationalist Party's electoral manifesto where the PN had promised to continue the rebate scheme on energy-efficient appliances. The decision went against this promise. The government was giving a very bad example on sustainability.

AD's spokesman on sustainable development, Carmel Cacopardo strongly criticised the government's decision to halt the scheme. AD was now waiting to see how the government intended to keep its environment promises.

The AD spokesman on industry, energy and innovation, Ralph Cassar, said Malta had to meet international commitments on pollution and that the scheme was helping in this regard.

Fielding questions during a press conference yesterday morning, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said the government is seriously considering a request for the scheme to be extended again until the trade fair.

He said the scheme was meant to bring about a change in consumer attitude and even a change in the mentality of importers and it was successful in reaching this aim.

The government was concentrating on energy-saving lamps to bring about a change in mentality in this sector.