Claudia Calleja
Gonzi sets 'responsible' tone for budget
Social Policy Minister John Dalli making a point during a gathering at the PN club in Lija with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi applauding yesterday.
The Prime Minister yesterday set the tone for today's budget, stressing the need for "responsibility" throughout his address at a party activity.
The theme for the 2009 budget, to be announced this evening, will be responsibility, sustainability and solidarity, he said.
He described the budget as "one of the most important", underscoring that it comes in the midst of the global financial crisis and is the first since the adoption of the euro last January.
"The scenario in which this budget was drawn up was completely unpredictable five years ago and even a year ago... This is a time to show responsibility and postponing decisions is not the solution," Dr Gonzi said during a gathering at the Lija Nationalist Party club.
He addressed the criticism made by social partners of the new water and electricity tariffs, saying the government feels it has a responsibility to keep the economy stable by attracting investment, generating employment and remaining competitive as well as ensuring that the environment is better respected.
The budget, he said, will seek the sustainability of education, the economy and the environment and will practise solidarity with those who needed assistance - such as the 30,000 families who are exempt from the water and electricity surcharge.
Dr Gonzi stressed that Malta, the smallest EU country, had not pulled through the global financial crisis just months after it changed from the lira to the euro through pure coincidence.
Using his favourite tempest analogy, he emphasised his party's belief in the Maltese people: "We know how to sail through storms and don't only fare well in calm seas... The waves are out there but we can sail through them," he said in a message of "courage" when looking towards the future.
Ironically, courage was also the theme picked up by Labour leader Joseph Muscat who yesterday dubbed a national protest against the water and electricity tariffs a "national manifestation of courage", which will be held on Sunday. Dr Gonzi said the country's long-term interests were to be safeguarded irrespective of political belief.
"This is no time for shenanigans, empty rhetoric or manifestations that lead us nowhere," Dr Gonzi said in a reference to the planned national protest.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
6 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
apgrech
Nov 3rd 2008, 22:23
Responsible???? Dr Gonzi must be kidding.
If he calls it an irresponsible budget he'd be telling the truth.
We're in for tough life courtesy of the inefficiency of this government.
Carm Vella Diacono
Nov 3rd 2008, 22:06
Very very worrying, I thought that the PM was going to admit that he's wrong and democratic consultation should not be managed in that way. This is a complete disaster where arrogance wins over the democratic process which made the people give power to PN.
P.Schembri, please respect our intelligence. All members in the MCESD have agreed that power rater were never so high and that they will automatically cause a catastrophe. Our two pm's (Austin and Lawrence) have totally ignored matters of discussions. Obviously they want us, the taxpayers, to make good for their incompetence.
A national manifestation is the people's last attempt to make the government aware of how he is behaving. This is serious, we're being swallowed by a sickening democratic system where we are faced with commenters like P.Schembri who is always willing to attack whoever criticise his party!!
J cassar castaldi
Nov 3rd 2008, 22:05
A poor budget. At this rate of income tax reduction it would take a hundred years to achieve what this government promised before the last election. What courage? If Gonzi was courageous he would have faced the problems he has created and not turn to us to pay for his mistakes. It is not just a manifestation that is required. Who is not good to govern should make way. Oh by the way and what about the looks of the difidati back benchers. Their expressions behind Gonzi and Tonio speak for themselves.
l Galea
Nov 3rd 2008, 16:42
"This is no time for shenanigans, empty rhetoric or manifestations that lead us nowhere," Dr Gonzi said in a reference to the planned national protest."
Then you should get out of Government Gonzipn, because you fit the description perfectly.
Joseoh Dalli
Nov 3rd 2008, 16:36
Hehe
Fejn hu Eddie Fenech Adami u n-Nisa kollha li hargu bil-Borom fuq rashom?
"This is no time for shenanigans, empty rhetoric or manifestations that lead us nowhere," Dr Gonzi said in a reference to the planned national protest.
P.Schembri
Nov 3rd 2008, 15:19
"This is no time for shenanigans, empty rhetoric or manifestations that lead us nowhere," Dr Gonzi said in a reference to the planned national protest."
Of course that's because it isn't labour in Government. If labour was in Government,
"This is the time for manifestations to destabilise the government."