David Pisani, PRO, Żminijietna - Voice of the Left, Valletta
Government should subsidise gas
Żminijietna - Voice of the Left is really concerned about the increase in the price of gas. We believe that the government should take necessary measures against such increases.
The price of gas cylinders has increased by 37 per cent, and this will lead to big difficulties for thousands of families who are already overburdened with cost-of-living increases and steep rises in water and electricity bills. Żminijietna supports the General Workers' Union, Union Ħaddiema Maqgħudin and the Forum of Trade Unions in their appeal to the government to be more sensitive in its decisions over the price of gas.
Instead of resorting to neo-liberal ideology which will further increase social inequalities, the government should keep gas prices low and affordable through subsidies.
Its financial arguments are hardly credible, when the same government forfeits finance through decisions such as the privatisation of revenue-generating entities, the sale of public land to developers at cheap prices, and the subsidisation of companies with no social concern, such as the car park operators at Mater Dei Hospital.
The government's neo-liberal attitude runs contrary to its own rhetoric for a social Europe.
Popular Stories
In Discussion
7 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
J S Borg
Apr 14th 2009, 22:54
Considering that money grows on trees I agree with the proposers, moreover I would suggest that the government should subsidise evreything and I would dare to suggest even we should subsidize sports cars, speed boats and why not drinks and entertainment?
Tim Ripard
Apr 14th 2009, 17:16
And where does the money to subsidise gas prices come from ? Taxes, DUUUUHHHHHH! Your socialist reasoning is so dumb! You expect big brother government to support you because you can't support yourself. Get off your butt and work!
c.camilleri
Apr 14th 2009, 16:14
You still live in the past. Look what subsidies have done to East European countries. Subsidies mean more taxes to all even those who economise on the use of gas.
wenzu vella
Apr 14th 2009, 14:53
Hi David,
Subsidies never fixed anything, but differed the inevitable, and with a greater cost.
Remember there's no such thing as a free lunch, especially from a government that is already over committed with nearly e4 billion in debt.
Wish you luck........
Alexander Morana
Apr 14th 2009, 14:50
Mr. Pisani, if the Malta Government had to subside gas I can assure that there will no be a deficit of over 200 million Euros in this year's public expenditures. Albeit what you and your socialists ilk’s can afford freely what comes out of your mouths and your rear ends.
J Martinelli
Apr 14th 2009, 14:31
Subsidies only serve to give the illusion that the price of the commodity is lower than it actually is. This leads to wasteful consumption.
Subsidies are OUT in whatever shape or form. Either way, they come from consumers' pockets whether in the form of taxes or paying the market price of the commodities.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Apr 14th 2009, 12:50
The Government raised elecricity and water costs claiming that this would safeguard the environment
On the other hand, gas is one of the cleanest fuels available.
Shades of hypocrisy?