Increase in government shortfall

Leo Cassar

Jun 27th 2009, 12:42

Joe Vella:

I didn't ask you when they were proposed. I said that you didn't know that the sewerage tax was implemented last December. Know the difference or what?

They were proposed by the MLP in 1997 but NEVER implemented. On the other hand, this administration implemented them. If you don’t know the difference between a proposal and actual implementation then you shouldn’t be arguing.

Doublespeak doesn't work anymore.

Galea. L

Jun 27th 2009, 08:57

Joe Vella
People can start to believe in Gonzi when he will be able to borrow from outside Malta at 0% rate for five years and a mere .5% after 5 year interest rate as Labour used to do. When Gonzi is borrowing from the Maltese citizens it is like taking money from one pocket to put into another pocket where you still have to return it and more after the expiry time when you have to borrow again to pay it back because you did not invest it properly. Do you remember the parable of Our Lord about the owner who gave some talents to his servants to take care of because he was going away? Gonzi is like the servant who was given a talent and put it under the floor slabs instead of investing it properly. He ended up like Gonzi is going to end up come next election. He has already received his warning three weeks ago, but his arrogance is such that he didn't take any notice of it.

Joe Vella

Jun 26th 2009, 21:53

@ Leonard Cassar

The sewage tax together with the Taxxa fuq kull bieb were proposed by the Lejber Government in 1997.

If Malta's finances were pretty pokey, how do you explain Malta's acceptance to adopt the Euro?

@ P. Schembri

The opposition duty is not just to constructive criticism but to offer alternatives and show the electorate that it is a Government in waiting. If you note, I did say constructive criticism; hopefully Joseph Muscat and the PL Gloom and Doom Moaners will discover what constructive criticism is.

It is also funny when Joseph Muscat and his gang on Gloom and Doom Moaners are ready to quote Euro Stat statistics when it suits them and are quick to disregard them as being partisan when it suits them.

Hypocrisy in the first grade indeed. Shame.

Leonard Cassar

Jun 26th 2009, 17:22

To Joe Vella (who doesn’t know that a sewerage tax was introduced in December 2008) What on earth are you rambling about? You mean the Government stocks that have been issued? There is a world recession but our local finances were pretty pokey to start with – this recession simply pushed them closer to the edge. And then the government needs more financing. I just hope that this financing/refinancing is used in a diligent way and not blown in the wind.

P. Schembri

Jun 26th 2009, 16:39

@J. Vella. Since when has the opposition has to offer solutions when it's not in government? It's the duty of the opposition to criticise and keeps the government on its toes. The opposition is doing its duty. The government isn't. And the Eurostat is proving that. This country is going to the dogs, and you know, the Government knows it, and it can't do anything about it, because it hasn't the will and the power to do anything about it!

P. Schembri

Jun 26th 2009, 16:36

@J. Vella. Hi there. Where have you been these last two day? Wasn't it the EU that issued a warning against the Government because of its deficit? Wasn't Joseph Muscat who told an EU official to ease off Malta regarding the deficit? What we are saying here is that the Government is trying to close the stable after the horse has bolted. Wasn't it the same Governent for the last 20-25 years who mismanaged our country's finances, and now we'll be paying for that? How dare you call us Gloom and Doom, when all this was brought upon us by your dear Party. Remember, we have a deficit running close to Euro300 million and a debt of nearly Euro 4 billion! We're on the edge of bankrupty brought on by your party in government and none other. Hope the EU pities us, and maybe we'll pass with a slap on the hand!

Joe Vella

Jun 26th 2009, 14:38

@ All PL Gloom and Doom Moaners

Don't worry a bit. All Government dept is financed internally unlike the days of the MLP/PL days. It is a show of trust that the Maltese people have in the Government Of the day, which trust didn't have when the MLP/PL were in Government.

It is also a boost for the economy since interest paid goes in the boots of Maltese citizens ans as such more purchasing power.

Joseph Muscat, the PL and all the PL Gloom and doom Moaners cannot have it both ways. From one side of their mouth they say the Government should be spending more , and from the other side they say the deficit is to large. Get of the Fence and tell us all what you all would have done differently in this time of World recession?

P. Schembri

Jun 26th 2009, 13:35

@Edward Fenech. If you believe the PN spin of Alfred Sant's Lm150 million debt, then you believe everything my friend. If Labour won the election in 2008, we would have ended up in the same situation Dr. Alfred Sant was, an heir to debt incurred by the former administration. But this time, it's the same party who's reaping what it sowed!

Graham Crocker

Jun 26th 2009, 13:03

Edward Fenech, you speak as though there was an international recession when Dr Sant was in power.

Edward Fenech

Jun 26th 2009, 12:36

Debt has increased by Eur 457 million = Lm 196 million liri from May 2008 to May 2009.

Alfred Sant's record of Lm 150 has been beaten!

Nigel Lawrence

Jun 26th 2009, 12:28

At this rate, GonziPN will soon bankrupt this country.

J.Cassar

Jun 26th 2009, 11:37

Bleak figures indeed. If we do not stop the haemorrage, we risk killing the welfare state. Health, pensions, education, and social benfits policies need to be updated to reflect these realities. Most important, we need to provide a strong safety net for those who are weak in our society. We are no longer a colony and no one owes us a living. We either solve our own problems sensibly, or risk becoming a third world country.

J. Cassar