Gatt denies lying to Parliament

Muscat.Pat

Dec 3rd 2008, 08:03

I think only those who are on PN.s gravy train have the interest and knowhow to argue the diference between a tax and a tariff!

lgalea

Dec 2nd 2008, 23:30

Joe Vella
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariff , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax
"A tariff is a tax imposed on goods when they are moved across a political boundary.....Tax, tariff and trade rules in modern times are usually set together because of their common impact on industrial policy, investment policy, and agricultural policy."

Satisfied Mr vella?

A.Gauci Cunningham

Dec 2nd 2008, 21:33

@Joe Vella---I respect your Nationalist opinion...I voted PN in the last two elections and the referendum, but do you really think we're all silly mules with cabbages for brains?? Call it tariff or call it tax, people are going to start paying for something which when a former PM of the MLP came up with all hell broke loose and the Pieta Nationalist gurus were all around the place shedding tears and shouting "tlift il-boxxla Socjali" to Dr.Sant.....

Now we pay according to how much we consume according to your seemingly ingeniuos discovery, so please do tell all of us greedy, fools how I (or anybody alse for that matter!!!) am supposed to save on my water coming out of the flushing!! Leaving mounts of human droppings gather until I flush the toilet?? Throw my toilet to buy another one of these new ones which waste less?? throw my toilet away and go to the Local latrines when nature calls??

Respect everyone's intelligence....................this is another tax, a tax we will be paying to cover for incompetence and inefficiency!!

CEAgis

Dec 2nd 2008, 16:56

NITKELLMU AMIBIGU BIEX MA JIFHEMNA HADD.

Kliem il -parlamentari u l-avukati

Joe Vella

Dec 2nd 2008, 15:30

@ P. Schembri

If you recall Alfred Sant and the MLP wanted to Tax you so that you could close your door so that no one would peak into your bedroom. So please do not talk about taxes, or shall I remember you how many Taxes Alfred Sant and the MLP brought in, not proposed, in a short time of 22 nonths.

I would have called that a Tax and not a Tariff; even perhaps you would have wanted to put half a door up. lol

P. Schembri, in life nothing comes free. I rather pay a tariff than a Tax. AT least I know exactly what I am paying for and could complain if the services are not provided for. Perhaps you prefer the times when the shortage of water and electricity where the norm and not the exception.

P.Schembri

Dec 2nd 2008, 14:51

@J.Vella. I admire you for putting your head in the hangman's noose (metaphically of course)! Why not tell this to the Maltese people the difference between tariff and tax! As if it matters when the Maltese are already bending under the weight of taxes and tariffs! I think the next tariff (tax) will be a meter in the bedroom. Watch out your speed limit! Ooops I shouldn't have said that. Might give the Finance Minister some ideas!

Joe Vella

Dec 2nd 2008, 12:58

@ Marcello Savona

A Tariff in the context that it is used I believe it is asssociated with the usage of a commodity and on consumption of that commodity.

So the less one use the less one pays, and the more one use the more one pays generally speaking. Is some countries it is also refered to as a fee. The more traditional use of a Tariff is when countries impose tariff on imported goods

A Tax is a tax, you pay it regardless what.

mario mifsud

Dec 2nd 2008, 11:39

rampant arrogance without any sign of stopping

Phil Humphries

Dec 2nd 2008, 11:26

So, if I understand Parliamentspeak correctly, not telling someone that you intend to tax the people means that you do, and anyone who didn't understand that must be ignorant.
If politicians cannot understand the langauge spoken in Parliament, then what are the electorate to make of anything said in the house?
Am I alone in thinking that such behaviour brings democracy into question?

Jonathan Borg

Dec 2nd 2008, 10:23

A timeless classic:

"It's not my fault if Dr Muscat hasn't yet learnt how to choose his words when speaking in Parliament," concluded Dr Gatt."

Best case interpretation "I choose my words carefully to avoid answering a direct question".
Worst case interpretation "I lie to avoid answering a direct question"

So, the paradox here is that while vehemently denying he lied to Parliament, I can't tell whether he is "choosing his words carefully to avoid answering the direct question", or "lying to avoid answering the direct question."

Either way, thank you for clarifying that, Honorable Minister.

Ray Woods

Dec 2nd 2008, 10:08

The continuing imposition of new and increased taxes is not only a direct penalty on its ciitizens - but will act as a further deterrent to foreign purchasers of property. This will further impact on the jobs and tourism market as that income wil be lost.
Ray Woods
www.maltabuyproperty.co.uk

philip pace

Dec 2nd 2008, 09:45

Is this a top case of BENDING the truth?

lgalea

Dec 2nd 2008, 09:42

"The tax in fact will be levied, as Dr Gatt himself announced in Parliament recently, and water users might have to pay extra due to EU-imposed deadlines that the government has missed, The Times recently reported."

Agostino Pio has now confirmed that the people were lied to and taken for a ride prior to the referendum as he has now clearly stated that the eu-tax on sewage is to be imposed on eu orders.

Marcello Savona

Dec 2nd 2008, 09:36

Dr. Gatt,, with all due respect, can you please explain to us people the difference between a tax and a tariff..... In my opinion does this mean that a tax you have to pay for it by force, and a tariff, you can do without paying it ? Can you please clear your position on this issue!