Muscat makes proposals for 'new political season'

Labour leadership candidate Joseph Muscat yesterday published a set of proposals which he said could launch a new political season and make Malta "the best in Europe".

His vision was to see Maltese society becoming the most dynamic in Europe, achieving the highest environmental, economic and social standards and allowing space for everyone to succeed.

For a new political season to dawn, the opposition, which represented half the people, needed to be respected and consulted throughout the legislature.

Political discrimination needed to be replaced by meritocracy, he said, adding that the government should implement the decisions of the Tribunal Against Injustices and of the Ombudsman.

State broadcasting should be reformed so that it could guarantee balance and win respect and a Joint Parliamentary Committee should be formed to plan and manage the use of EU Structural Funds granted to Malta.

Party funding laws should be introduced to ensure transparency in this sector. The Electoral Law should be updated to current realities and a law should be enacted to control government activities during an electoral campaign, to avoid abuse.

The MLP, when in government, should have the following priorities:

For the environment, it should aim for the highest European standards, with priority being given to reducing pollution, sustainable development, a climate change strategy and investment in clean energy.

In education, a national consensus should be sought for measures to ensure that all students have basic skills, as well as to achieve and surpass the Lisbon Strategy targets.

In economic affairs, every incentive should be given for growth, while safeguarding consumer rights. Measures could include tax cuts, reduction of bureaucracy and government-induced costs, sustainable public expenditure and incentives for job creation.

Dr Muscat said social justice should remain a Labour priority so that everybody could benefit from economic growth, and so living standards could rise for all sectors.

Job creation and full employment had to be a priority and working conditions, even those of non-unionised workers, had to be protected. There needed to be a proper balance between work and family.

Public health care services had to be the best, free, and with the accent placed on preventive care.

Dr Muscat said civil rights needed to be strengthened, not least the rights of minorities. Information technology needed to be accessible to all, and access to the internet should be considered as a basic right.

Malta needed to have ongoing dialogue between civil society, NGOs and local councils, with the role of the councils for sustainable development being strengthened. The councils could be given a role in making recommendations before laws were approved by Parliament.

Malta also needed to spend more on cultural appreciation and sports.