Government appeals for consensus on shipyards privatisation
The government in a statement this evening appealed for consensus on the privatisation of Malta Shipyards and urged the Labour Party not to continue to try to turn this into a partisan issue.
The government said Labour leader Joseph Muscat was misinterpreting what the Prime Minister declared when he announced the privatisation of Malta Shipyards.
On the same day that the privatisation process was announced, Dr Gonzi had said that the Finance Minister had been directed to start talks with the GWU, and the union was therefore invited for a meeting, due next Friday, the government pointed out.
Dr Muscat was saying that the MLP had questions on the privatisation. Yet the Prime Minister had already declared that a detailed statement would be given in Parliament, when the government would be able to reply to any questions since it wanted to achieve national consensus.
Dr Gonzi had also appealed to all social forces to make a success of the privatisation exercise in the interest of the country and the workers.
The government said it was was therefore appealing to the opposition not to continue turning the privatisation exercise into a partisan game.
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R. Spagnol
Jun 23rd 2008, 11:35
Election ghosts are lurking around trying to re-establish the "Flimkien kollox possibli" slogan. This is already happening after a few months in government. For the Nationalists that meant that first they would take serious decisions alone and then when the milk is spilt, for the sake of the awaiting families, pretend to be seeking consensus with the other third parties. More than that, Gonzi is now trying to shift the burden of his fouls onto the opposition leader by continuing with the same old lie of the "partisan issue". That time is over dear Dr.Gonzi, fortunately enough the opposition had showed its clear position about discussion earlier than you, in such an arrogant way, turned down the GWU appeal to set up a task force,
Chris Micallef
Jun 23rd 2008, 07:55
After the arrogant way the minority Government imposed its decision on the future of the dockyards without any prior consultation with the GWU and the Opposition, now it is appealing for consensus. The Dockyard is a national issue and its solution should have been by national consultation from day one. Dr Gonzi should stop being led by his nose by the bulldozing politics of Austin Gatt.
Francis Attard
Jun 23rd 2008, 07:49
I suggest that Dr.Joseph Muscat and his labour colleagues in the European Parliament propose an amendment to the relative law so that the Drydocks will continue to get state subsidies.
ALBERT FENECH
Jun 23rd 2008, 07:10
Well, if this is the way all the parties and factions concerned are going to handle the Malta Shipyards in crisis - what hope is there for ST Malta? What hope indeed for Malta as a whole? Until the Government understands and appreciates that their wafer-thin majority is not a carte blanche to proceed willy-nilly, matters are going to stagnate like this. The other day new leaders Dr. Joseph Muscat of the MLP and Dr. Arnold Cassola of the AD met and discussed. However, the main point was that the Number One votes of the two parties that met EXCEEDED the Number One votes acutally achieved by the Government. Surely, that must serve as some sort of message to Dr. Gonzi?
laurence schembri
Jun 23rd 2008, 00:58
Quite extraordinary! Lawrence Gonzi is asking for consensus and at the same time he accuses the opposition of partisan games.
May I ask? Who started the game?
If you decided on the matter without consultation, why ask for a consensus now?
You have a one seat majority, so it won`t be that hard to legislate and carry on with the selling of the dockyard.
Or, is there an alternative reason? Like, when hundreds of men loose their livelihood, Lawrence Gonzi can turn around and say to them ``Oh well even the opposition agreed with government``.....tricks of the trade.
d.attard
Jun 22nd 2008, 23:25
Privatisation is by nature a very complex transaction when a multitude of developments will happen each day. For Government to obtain best results it will need to get the opposition on board to prove to all interested investors of repute that there is national consensus on the process, objectives and selection process. This will obtain best results for all stakeholders and requires effective ongoing interaction between Government and opposition.
To suggest that this interaction can happen through some statement/Q&A session in parliament is weak communication (at least) and raises questions as to why Government is so anxious to keep cards to chest.
In the meantime 1700 families are passing through a nightmare or thereabouts.
Government please get your act together and stop playing games for the benefit of the national good.
Silvan Cutajar
Jun 22nd 2008, 22:13
A consensus can be reached if one is willing to sit down and discuss. Government says privatisation is decided already and then expects everyone to agree. As far as I know to achieve consensus one discusses before the decision is already taken. This is really an arrogant approach taken by Government!
I personally disagree with certain privatisations. mainly HSBC. The ownership has already made more profits than it paid for the investment! A good investment indeed. So whilst we are paying surcharge that could have been covered by Government income from mid-Med Bank, now HSBC makes these profits instead of us the tax payers!
Paul Schembri
Jun 22nd 2008, 21:34
Who are you trying to kid, Hon. Prime Minister? Didn't the Opposition Leader offer you his full cooperation on this issue, and you unilaterally decided to sell the Drydocks? It's hypocrisy of the first order asking the Opposition not to the turn this important issue into a partisan game.