An irresponsible Budget - Joseph Muscat

Mark Piscopo

Nov 28th 2009, 07:54

@Matthew Borg
It is true that buying online one would save money but you cannot buy food online.Kindly also note that in Malta it is a fact that all prices, increase after the Budget. May I remind you Mat that apart from the increase in the utility tarrifs there was a drastic increase in the prices of gas cylinders just months before this Budget. Last year's Budget we had a drastic increase on Car licenses fees,Higher taxes on plastic bags, yacht and swimming pool licenses and Cigarette prices will rose by 0.20c per packet. Malta's wages are the lowest in the European Union with the highest inflation rate. Do you think that after 25years of Nationalist government
Malta needs a change or we stay for under 5 years under this government,?

Matthew Borg

Nov 16th 2009, 11:02

@Mark Piscopo

I agree with you that shop owners will increase prices cause of the electricity bills but I would also like to remind you that shop owners and agents also increase prices for the fun of it. For them every excuse is good to increase prices. To only way to fight it is by being smart. By being smart I am saying that we should start shopping more online rather than locally. Why should I pay 15euros for a dvd when I can buy it for 6euros online? Why do I buy food from a supermarket when there is a cheaper supermarket? etc....... If everyone was smart shops would have to lower their prices to sell......shops keep on increasing their prices cause we keep on buying from them

Matthew Borg

Nov 16th 2009, 10:55

I am a floating voter, personally I think that the budget was a good one. The only con is the new water and electricity bills, but at least I can find solutions for that by reducing wastage in electricity consumption and being smart in what kind of bulbs to use etc.... I agree with people complaining about the increase in electricity bills but please do keep in mind that we may also manage our bill.

Neville Zammit

Nov 14th 2009, 16:09

A friend of mine told me yesterday that the Fenech and Gonzi reduced 6,000,000 euros from the budget for MEPA for next year!

Surely MEPA still needs this money to operate, so where are these 6 million euros coming from next year?

Very simple. Increase its fees!

A budget without new taxes indeed!!!

Neville Zammit

Nov 14th 2009, 16:04

@Daniel Goggi
In my opinion you are right to say that enemalta buy oil in advance, not aware how if 3 mts, more or less, but the point remains that the cost of oil went down during the recession at its worst and it is a fact that the benefit of this decrease in price was not passed to the consumer.

I do not agree with you when you say that inefficiencies are few. For eg 60% of the total water supplied by water services is wasted along its way to our meters, I am not sure about the figures of enemalta by I m sure they are high. 60% is a huge rate, you recognise that, don't you?

About alternative energy I condem this government categorically for not doing anything for almost a quater of a century. The gov is try to do something now, that we are faced with this problem. This is called managment by crisis, when someone act during a crisis instead of beigh capable enough to predict such problems when they are still on our horizon so we will be ready to face them when they approach us!

Daniel Goggi

Nov 13th 2009, 23:41

@ Neville Zammit

What you say is very very true and I agree with you 100%. It is true that when prices went down the cost of electricity tarrifs were still high..

The issue however is that the government does not buy oil in real time. What I mean is: the government doesn't buy oil on a weekly basis. To my knowledge and I stand to be corrected, enemalta (not the government) buys oil on a 3 month basis or depending on consumption. This means that if enemalta buys oil say at $80 today, then irrespective of the price in two weeks time (be it $100 or $60) the oil we get is at $80. So mostly it depends on the time we buy oil rather than the current price. Also, if there are inefficiencies in the production of energy (and if I'm not mistaken there were quite a few recently) the consumer has to make up for them otherwise the corporation goes bankrupt. Unfortunately this is how I see it..

But yes I agree with your point. I also agree that we should save on energy after all its our planet we have to safeguard for future generations.

Mark Piscopo

Nov 13th 2009, 23:22

@Joe Micallef
Dr Joseph Muscat was right in saying that this was an irresponsible Budget because with the drastic increase in the water and electricity bills the majority of shop owners will increase the prices of their products as confirmed by Mr Vince Farrugia on Xarabank. MEPA will introduce new drastic tariffs on first time buyers because the government deducted 6Million subsidiary .There was a drastic increase in the prices of gas cylinders just months before this Budget. Last year's Budget we had a drastic increase on Car licenses fees,Higher taxes on plastic bags, yacht and swimming pool licenses and Cigarette prices will rose by 0.20c per packet. The Vat remained still at 18%.How can we trust DR Gonzi. Malta has the lowest wages in all European Union with the highest inflation rate.!!

Neville Zammit

Nov 13th 2009, 18:58

@Daniel Goggi The problem is that its doesn't seem that the cost of the fuel oil effect the prices proportionally. This because when oil prices have gone up the result was higher rates of electricity, so far very understandable but the fact is that when the cost of oil prices gone down the prices of the electricity was kept high (where it was when it was up) Austin Gatt said that if the price of oil goes below 80 dollars per barrel the tarrifs will go down. Eventually the prices of oil went well below 80 dollars, but the tariffs had been kept as they were before! It is irrelevant wheather we call them tax or bills, measures, tariffs ect the fact remains the same....we have to pay them. I have a feeling that the reason why the gov is increasing electricity tarrifs its not because the cost of fuel but to discourage consumption as the power station cannot supply all demand.

Daniel Goggi

Nov 13th 2009, 15:38

To all..

I don’t really get your reasoning... budget or no budget... Electricity and Water bills are something you pay depending on consumption and use. I really cannot see how a tariff for "X" amount of cents per unit is referred to as a tax it’s a bill.

I also don't know, and this applies to both parties (the PL however exponentially differs from PN versions), how so much fuss is made on something which is purely dependent on fossil fuel price - OIL Price.. If we generate electricity by burning oil and not nuclear or hydroelectric or solar or wind or geothermal or whatever it is, doesn't it stand to reason that if the Oil price goes up, so do the fees? oh and yes another point. Again some people find so hard to grasp this concept.. If we don't have a source of fresh water other than rain, we need reverse osmosis plants.. now if these consume loads of electricity.. doesn’t it affect the price of the end product if electricity goes up?? it’s like a chain reaction. What's so hard to get??? irrelevant of which govt. rules the country the prices would still go up and down!

Joe Micallef

Nov 13th 2009, 11:55

@Mark Piscopo

Not that there is any other colour! You see that is the problem - the opposition is irrelevant.

Mark Piscopo

Nov 12th 2009, 21:41

@ Mary Ann Borg

Ma tafx xinti tghid, Blue biss tara quddiemek. Taf li lgvern biegh kollox, xfadallu lgvern kollox iprivattizza bkundizzjoniet hziena ghal haddiem. Taf inti l-pagi f'Malta linqas fl- Unjoni Ewropeja bl-ghola rati tal kontijiet tad dawl u ilma. Taf inti li lgvern tieghek zied drastikament il licenzji tal karozzi. Taf int li l-gvern tieghek dahhal "parking space contribution" taxxa gdida li sofrejta jien meta bnejt il post tieghi li hija ingusta hafna ghax xorta ma jollokx parking. Taf inti li lgvern ghandu dejn ta 3.8 biljun. Taf inti li hafna familji mhux qed jlahqu mal ispejjez u lmara saret bzonn li tahdem ghax paga wahda tmur ghal l-ispejjez. Taf inti il PAR IDEJN SODI ta Gonzi tijak kemm sa jkissru familji fi frar li gej meta nibdew nircievu lkontijiet tad dawl u l-ilma bkontijiet drastikament gholjin.22 sena hlief taxxi ma ghamiltux !

Neville Zammit

Nov 12th 2009, 20:52

@Mary Ann Borg
Qed tkompli tikkonferma kemm int, bhall-apologisti tas-soltu MA GHANDEK EBDA ARGUMENT SOD BIEX TIDDEFENDI dan il-budget!

1. min fejn gibta din li DEJJEM imur zmerc fit-tbassir tieghu dwar id-deficit il-gvern tal-pn? Fejn kont qed tghix sinjura/sinjorina mill-1987 l'hawn. Ma tafx li KULL SENA kemm ilu l-gvern tal-pn il-pajjiz kellu deficit? Aqra ftit l-economic surveys tal-budgets u tara minn fejn gibta!

2. gonzi naqqas id-deficit! Min ghamlu d-deficit? Jekk gonzi nizzel id-deficit (anki jekk ghal sentejn biss ghax illum rega sploda u l-famuzi finanzi fis-sod illum kulhadd jaf li ma huma fis-sod xejn), illum deficit enormi rega ghandna. Mela tajjeb xi hadd jigi jkisser dar u wara jirrangahhielek BI FLUSEK u minn fuq jippretendi grazzi! Ghax gonzi hekk ghamel, l-ewwel kissru pajjiz bid-dejn u d-deficit hu u l-hero ta qablu, wara prova jirrangah billi ghabba l-poplu b'ruxxmata taxxi u minn fuq tippretendu l-grazzi!

Neville Zammit

Nov 12th 2009, 20:52

3. Kultant niskanta bil-medjokrita ta certi nies u l-fanatizmu li biex jiddefendu l-partit ta qalbhom jaslu biex jghaddu kummenti li iwaqqaw ghac-cajt lil min jghamilhom. Ara x'ghandu x'jaqsam l-argument tal-kamra tal-banju ma tmexxija ta pajjiz li taffetwe l-futur ta eluf kbar ta nies!

Neville Zammit

Nov 12th 2009, 20:48

4. Doom & Gloom? Ma kontx kapaci tmeri dan il-fatt u minflok irrepetejt frazi li dejjem treddnu u teqirdu biha. Mela nsejt zmien l-oppozizzjoni nazzjonalista - hemm il-veru kaz ta doom & gloom!

Dwar l-assocjament tieghek ta Joseph u l-bozza ma fhimtx xi trid tghid!

David Attard

Nov 12th 2009, 17:12

@ Joe Bugeja

I might be young but am sure wise to know the diffrence how many times now have we heard these comments to hide the reality of the presents I suggest you start living now and wake up from your dreams the ones that left you in the past as if you had to ake a list of what happening now your list would be as double. In fairytales people like you would be called puppets living in a dream refusing to wake up ou have their own mind to think with

Mary Ann Borg

Nov 12th 2009, 14:58

1. Jista l-ministru jkun kredibbli meta jghid li d-deficit ser ikun l-istess bhall-din is-sena, jekk dan il-gvern DEJJEM mar zmerc fit-tbassir tieghu dwar i-deficit? .... u zmerc mhux bi ftit tafux!
DIN MINN FEJN GIBTA LI DEJJEM MAR ZMERC? FL-EWWEL SNIEN PN ID-DEFICIT TELA' GHAX BIDDILNA MINN SISTEMA KOMUNISTA/SOCJALISTA GHAL WAHDA MODERNA U L-GVERN PN INVESTA F'MITJAR, ILMA, TELEFONIJA, POWER STATION ETC.

2. Jekk id-deficit ta dis-sena u s-sena d-diehla qed isiru minhabba r-ricessjoni, allura id-deficits li kellna kull sena mill-1987 l'hawn (kemm ilu l-pn fil-gvern) ghaliex saru, habba liema ricessjoni saru? GONZI GIE MFAHHAR MILL EU GHAL KEMM IRNEXXILU JNAQQAS ID-DEFICIT FI FTIT ZMIEN

3. kemm nistghu nemmnu lil ministru Tonio Fenech li l-ekonomija s-sena d-diehla ser tiekber 1% jekk is-sena l-ohra qal li ser ikollna tkabbir ta 2% izda minflok kellna tnaqqis ta 2%? ANKE JEKK TAQLA KAMRA TAL-BANJU D-DAR TMUR ZMERC AHSEB U ARA PAJJIZ SHIH

4. Ghal min qed jiftahar bil-budget, jista xi hadd jiggarantixxi li t-taxxi li nistennew li jinbidlu jew jizdiedu, dan isir fil-budget li jmiss u mhux matul is-sena, baxx baxx? SOLTU DOOM&GLOOM

Milli jidher il-bravi li tant huma konvinti mill-budget ta gonzipn m'ghandomx twegiba ghal dawn l-erba mistoqsijiet! LE, JOSEPH IL-BOZZA!!

Neville Zammit

Nov 12th 2009, 13:37

Id-deficit li ghandna u li ser jerga jkollna s-sena li gejja l-ministru qal li minhabba r-ricessjoni.

Jista xi hadd jilluminani u jwegibni dan l-erba mistoqsijiet?

1. Jista l-ministru jkun kredibbli meta jghid li d-deficit ser ikun l-istess bhall-din is-sena, jekk dan il-gvern DEJJEM mar zmerc fit-tbassir tieghu dwar i-deficit? .... u zmerc mhux bi ftit tafux!

2. Jekk id-deficit ta dis-sena u s-sena d-diehla qed isiru minhabba r-ricessjoni, allura id-deficits li kellna kull sena mill-1987 l'hawn (kemm ilu l-pn fil-gvern) ghaliex saru, habba liema ricessjoni saru?

3. kemm nistghu nemmnu lil ministru Tonio Fenech li l-ekonomija s-sena d-diehla ser tiekber 1% jekk is-sena l-ohra qal li ser ikollna tkabbir ta 2% izda minflok kellna tnaqqis ta 2%?

4. Ghal min qed jiftahar bil-budget, jista xi hadd jiggarantixxi li t-taxxi li nistennew li jinbidlu jew jizdiedu, dan isir fil-budget li jmiss u mhux matul is-sena, baxx baxx?

Milli jidher il-bravi li tant huma konvinti mill-budget ta gonzipn m'ghandomx twegiba ghal dawn l-erba mistoqsijiet!

JGalea

Nov 12th 2009, 01:11

Il passat mhuwiex gugarell, u nemmen li wasal iz zmien li il PL jibda jiftah l arkivji tieghu, u jsir xoghol siewi dwar x gara fis 70's, u 80's, kemm fit tajjeb, u kemm hazin, biex tinqata darba ghal dejjem din il political spinn minn esponenti tal PN, li ghalihom huwa essenzjali li jiksbu il voti billi jimpresjonaw lilna iz zaghzah. Dak iz zmien wasal, u naf li ir rota bdiet iddur.
@Albert Gauci Cunningham:
Albert is one of those moderate youths, whom I admire. He is a model for all those who stand up for their rights. As him I come from a politically mixed family, and as a moderate, ma hsibtiex darbtejn biex nara f liema direzzjoni miexi il pajjiz. Unfortinatly the PN today is not the PN of 25 years ago. All of you have to admitt... Ghalekk idecidejt li ninghaqqad mal moviment progressiv li beda jinbena madwarna.
And for this reason, this nation has to stand up for his rights.

Iva wasal zmien il fatti... So people a little advice... Grow up a bit, jekk irridu li ninghaqdu flimkien ghal vera gejjieni ahjar ghal pajjizna!!!
Sahha, u grazzi hbieb.

JGalea

Nov 12th 2009, 00:50

I feel really astonished reading all these comments...
People here seem happy with the situation out there. And what about this budget? Believe me, it is full of promises, and retoric... Now Mr. Minister its time to get in action. Sincerament I'm a bit skeptic about promises. Just look at the 1998, 2003, and 2008 general elections... Il problema ta certa sezjoni ta maltin, hija li naraw kollox sabih, ta partit, u l ikrah ta l iehor.
Xbajtu to demonise the PL?
Xbajtu tfahhru it taxxi li gejjin fuqna?
Xbajtu tixtiqu il hazin lil haddiehor?
Tafu li f Malta ghandna iktar mill 15% tal popolazjoni tghix fil faqar?
Xbajtu tghaddu in nies biz zmien?
@Martinelli:
My friend, I followed your comments... Sincerament inti bniedem li taf tiddibatti, izda jonqsok xi haga... To bring in practice dak li tghid... In practice tfisser li tigi hawn Malta, u tmiss ir realta.
Proset... Kulhadd haqqu il proset. Titkellmu bit ton taz zejt. Issa ara jekk m ahniex ser inqablu dak iz zmien ma tal lum. Iva mal PN sar progress, but time is ripe for a change. The past is there to learn, mhux li nuzawh bhala arma, biex nahbu ir realta.

Peter Bonnici

Nov 11th 2009, 23:57

@ C Camilleri, Dak hu l-punt. Ebda gvern qatt ma tagha xejn ghal xejn. Servizzi socjali jhallashom il-poplu. Imma kien il PN fil gvern li DEJJEM naqqas l-income tax, u baqa izid is-servizzi socjali. Jew ilek rieqed dan l-ahhar 20 sena?

Mary Ann Borg

Nov 11th 2009, 21:34

@Mark Piscopo: I like your 'all maltese people have a high IQ and would not be tricked By Dr Tonio Fenech!! ' Is this why Labour has been in opposition for 22 years less 22 months? What you call 'serious cases' are nothing but silly allegations and the result of a ploy by people who have an interest in having betting shops all over the country abetted by PL that is ever-so-ready to join any bandwagon that attacks the government. Labour may have succeeded once by politically killing Michael Frendo or a while, but not this time.
TF has taken Malta Today and other bodies, including PL officials to court. Not so the Zebbug mayor who may have some very interesting stories yet to tell.

Mark Piscopo

Nov 11th 2009, 21:14

In Malta it is a fact that all prices, utility tariffs increase after the Budget. It was a very irresponsible Budget because Dr Tonio Fenech did not mention the drastic increase in the water and electricity bill in two months time.Hope that all PN bloggers who are seeing this budget as a positive one would also comment next February after they open their first water and electricity bill. Our Wages are the lowest in the European Union.The tariffs of Mepa would increase drastically which would give a blow to first time buyers. Kindly note that the majority of all maltese people have a high IQ and would not be tricked By Dr Tonio Fenech!! Dr Tonio Fenech did not reduce the drastic increase in car licenses introduced last year. We have the lowest wages in the European Union with one of the highest inflation rates which surpassed the increase of our wages.Dr Tonio Fenech did not remove the parking space contribution tax.The Finance Minister is embroiled in two serious cases, one of which is in clear breach of the codes of Ethics, as well as an even more serious list of allegations concerning works at his villa in Balzan ,

Mary Ann Borg

Nov 11th 2009, 20:55

One Lejber supporter here wrote: 'miskin thassartu il-bierah jghid dan id-diskors waqt il-mistoqsijiet tal-gurnalisti. ' That just shows that TF was prepared to face the press. How about Joseph who made a fast exit as soon as he finished his short 'budget irresponsabli' speech?. You may have pitied TF for facing the journalists, and I thank you for your kind thoughts, but what do you call someone who actually runs away from journalists' questions? More than just the logical answer to this question there's something else....when you ask the press to come and report what you have to say you need to also play your part of the game and answer their questions. This, Joseph did not do and it just shows that there was a lot of arrogance in this scenario. 'Listen to what I have to tell you but I won't listen to what you have to ask me'. New Labour you say? The typical smirk of Muscat hiding behind the 'Malta Today' in Parliament also shows that he has absolutely no respect towards one of the highest institutions of the country. Much like his predecessors who used to treat Parliament like a boxing ring.

c.camilleri

Nov 11th 2009, 20:32

@ peter bonnici

Ghandek ragun, veru insejt insemmi l-income tax u National Insurance. Forsi ghaliex kienu tnehhew mill PN f-87 jew sejjer zbaljat?

Joe Bugeja.

Nov 11th 2009, 19:45

Sure li nirrispondik Joeanne Farrugia, f Jannar. I have a feeling ta kemm nies ser jigu jgergru... Ftakru haga... Vera li hadd ma jiehu pjacir min ftit iross ic cintorin. We are living in a benestant country, u jejdu sew li l iktar persuna li tgerger hi dik li ma jonqosha xejn...
Meta naqra certa comments, vera nara kemm is sur Joe Muscat ihossu jealous.
@Albert Gauci Cunningham:
Nammirak, but you're still young.
Don't let them fool you, bhal ma ghamlu maghna il haddiema kull meta kien hemm gvern socjalista. Ahsibha sew, u ghamel ezami tal kuxjenza, u tara kif Dr. Gonzi ghandu 100 ragun. The PN is the natural party of everyone ibda minn haddiema, u spicca minn manegers... MLP is simply NOT. Harsu ftit lejn nies bhall Mike Seychell, and others... Nahseb qedt kollox.
Least we forget the 1970's-1980's dictatorships. U ghalekk ghandna nirringrazjaw il PN ghal hajja well being li qeghdin nghixu ahna, u wliedna.
Tinsewx li ahna qedin fuq il blog grazzi tat teknologija, u zvilupp tal edukazjoni, moghtija minn amministrazjoni bilghaqal nazjonalista.
Ghamlu ezami tal kuxjenza, u taraw.

Joseph Borg

Nov 11th 2009, 19:27

@PN fanatics

BUDGET HAS NOT RAISED TAXES??????

do you live in Malta? did you hear about the electricity and water charges going up again soon? or are you living in gonzipn wonderland?

J.Camilleri

Nov 11th 2009, 18:32

@M Pace - jaqaw jaghtik xi discount tajjeb dal-gvern fuq il-kontijiet x'taqbez ghalih.
Kemm infakkrek illi la l-bully beef u aqqas it-tuna ma' waqaf jigi fil-pajjiz ... xi hadd qed jieklu bilfors !

Peter Bonnici

Nov 11th 2009, 18:18

@ Kurt Mifsud. Forsi JM issa minbarra Marisa Micallef, idahhal xi fortune teller mat-team biex tghidlu il-prezzijiet taz-zejt x'ha jkunu 3 snin ohra.

@ C camilleri. Insejt tnizzel l-income tax u National Insurance!! Imma halliha, ghax donnok nizzilt biss dak li jaqbel lilek. Apparti min hekk, l-Industrial Estates bdew fis 60's, tant u hekk illi Dowty u De La Rue kienu min ta l-ewwel fabbriki kbar li fethu dak iz-zmien. L-irhama komemorattiva f'Bulebel ghada hemm, jekk trid mur araha. Il-Banek, kulhadd jaf li iz zewg banek diga kienu joperaw imma Mintoff innazzjonalizzhom, ghax ried kontroll shih fuq is settur bankarju. Fil kaz tan National Bank it-'take-over' kien tal-misthija.
U l-universita??. Jekk ma kontx tmur skola tal gvern kien jiddiskrimina kontrik u iwahhlek 20punt, biex il-ftit postijiet (u mhux l-eluf bhal-lum) kienu jimtlew min nies mghazula.

Hasra li mal lista tieghek ma stajtx tnizzel affarijiet bhal :
Sistema ta TELEFON (li tahdem)
ILMA f'kul dar,
DAWL minghajr qtuh (KULJUM ghal xhur shah)
PACI
U XOGHOL !!! Mintoff stess ammetta meta kien PM li Malta ma kelliex problema ta flus, imma fil-holqien ta' postijiet tax-xoghol. Ghaliex? ghax kien imexxi gvern bla idejat, u bla visjoni. U ghalhekk Il-Labour ilu das-snin kolla ikkastigat.

Neville Zammit

Nov 11th 2009, 18:16

Ejja nitkellmu fuq il-budget tal-lum u mhux ta 30 sena ilu!

Id-deficit li ghandna u li ser jerga jkollna s-sena li gejja l-ministru qal li minhabba r-ricessjoni.

Jista xi hadd jilluminani u jwegibni dan l-erba mistoqsijiet?

1. Jista l-ministru jkun kredibbli meta jghid li d-deficit ser ikun l-istess bhall-din is-sena, jekk dan il-gvern DEJJEM mar zmerc fit-tbassir tieghu dwar i-deficit? .... u zmerc mhux bi ftit tafux!

2. Jekk id-deficit ta dis-sena u s-sena d-diehla qed isiru minhabba r-ricessjoni, allura id-deficits li kellna kull sena mill-1987 l'hawn (kemm ilu l-pn fil-gvern) ghaliex saru, habba liema ricessjoni saru?

3. kemm nistghu nemmnu lil ministru Tonio Fenech li l-ekonomija s-sena d-diehla ser tiekber 1% jekk is-sena l-ohra qal li ser ikollna tkabbir ta 2% izda minflok kellna tnaqqis ta 2%?

4. Ghal min qed jiftahar bil-budget, jista xi hadd jiggarantixxi li t-taxxi li nistennew li jinbidlu jew jizdiedu, dan isir fil-budget li jmiss u mhux matul is-sena, baxx baxx?

GiovDEMartino@all lejburisti

Nov 11th 2009, 17:58

Kif haraqkom il-bagit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lill-marid hallih jitqalleb nghidu bil-Malti. Tqallbu, tqallbu.

rodnick abdilla

Nov 11th 2009, 17:19

Tiftakru kemm kienu jitkazaw in-Nazzjonalisti meta l-gvern Laburista gieli kien jimpjega tobba barranin? X'ma qalux? Problemi dwar komunikazzjoni maghhom minhabba l-lingwa jew prattici medici differenti? Kollox kienu qalghu. Il-PN tela' fil-gvern fl-1987. Tahsbu li spiccaw it-tobba barranin?



F'Mejju 1993 kien hemm 50 tabib barrani.

F'Ottubru 1995 kien hemm 53 tabib barrani.

F'Marzu 2002 kien hemm 58 tabib barrani.

F’Novembru 2004 kien hemm 60 tabib barrani.

F’Ottubru 2009 kien hemm 66 tabib barrani.

Jekk kien hazin li kellna tobba barranin taht il-Labour, kif taht il-PN it-tobba barranin zdiedu?

u qed nghid dan biex norikom li intom tal pn dak li huwa tghakom tajjeb imma ta haddiehor mor qares u hazin

Joe Micallef

Nov 11th 2009, 16:52

@ joanna farrugia

Don't worry! It seems there is going to be ample time for those pledges, because given Joe's performance so far he is on track to achieve the impossible, that is, loose the next general election!

A.Gauci Cunningham

Nov 11th 2009, 15:44

@Giuseppe Galea----Yours is truly the typical village mentality thanks to which both the Parties on this island think they can rule supreme!! Since when has a budget become a "rebha" for a party and a "telfa" for another?? The budget , especially this one, will be judged when we have the results of all these "investments" in hand, when we have tangible proof that the money was well spent and projects kept to a particular target and when we see an upsurge in consumer spending/confidence and FDI coming towards our island. The people in general on the other hand (except for a few blinfolded, pro-Gonzi zealots like Mr.Galea!) are holding their breath to see what the price of utilities is before declaring this budget to be another "Rebha Nazzjonalista". The utter pettiness some people enjoy magnifying through such comments is truly dumbfounding!!!

Mike Magri

Nov 11th 2009, 14:58

Guys.. In my honest openion, i think that first of all, a good number of items mentioned by the Minister in his Three Hour Looooooong, Tedious and Weary Bugdget Speech for 2010, ARE Actually, regular Departimental`s internal administrative and managerial polices, and NOT necessarily `budget items`. However, WORST of all is the fact of the HIDING from us all of the ACTUAL rise of the Utilities` tariffs in January 2010. IF Enemalta and W.S.C. really expect to collect a STAGGERING 85 MILLION Euro from our pockets as already indicated by Minister Gatt in Nov. 7th, then FORGET IT ALL... AS THAT IS A REALLY HUGE, HUGE WHOLE IN OUR POCKETS... Meaning, `ADDIO` once and for all, not only for this Rhetoric budget and whatever little benefit one might get from any measure of it, BUT worst of all, is our present ALREADY DANGEREOUSLY THREATENED style of living, OR WHATEVER IS LEFT OF IT, thanks to GonziPN`s Regime...

Conclusion: Guys.. Budget and ALL... Come next January, thanks to the expected Savage Increase of the Utilities, more middle class families are surely going to hit UNDER the Poverty Line, in detriment to their present style of living......

WHAT A SHAME......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C. Lia

Nov 11th 2009, 14:34

Joe Muscat harab l'hemm biex ma jghid xejn li ma jkunx approvat l-ewwel mill-konsulenti tieghu, jigifieri r-rispota tal-budget li se nisimghu se tkun mhux ir-risposta tal-Kap ta' l-Oppozizzjoni izda r-risposta ta` Marisa Micallef Leyson & Co. Fi fti kliem mhux kapaci jwiegeb wahdu. Dan jaspira li jsir PM?

Tal-biki, u aktar tal-biki l-fatt li Dr. George Abela setgha kien leader hu, bniedem kapacissimu.

joanna farrugia

Nov 11th 2009, 13:30

@ joe bugeja wara dik il lista kollha li minn ghalik waqajt tac cajt lil pl zomm f'mohhok li jekk nibdew il lista tal pn specjalment tal weghdi mhux imwaqqta ibqa cert li ma tispicca qatt.insejt insemmi kemm haddiema tilfu xogholhom taht il gvern tieghek u int tahseb li nies emmnu kollox f'dan il budget?issa jekk int ragel ejja f'jannar u ghid l-istess wara pero li nies ikunu rcejvew il kontijiet il godda tad dawl u ilma.zamm lil gonzipn jghid kemm ha jghollew?beza nahseb ghax issa raxx il bzar f'ghajnejn il poplu u hemm minn ghama imma mhux kulhadd ibqa cert sur bugeja.ohra l-incetiv li qal li ha jghati hu ta darba wahda biss u trid troddu 8 darbiet aktar.nispera li nisma minghandek f'jannar.

M Pace

Nov 11th 2009, 13:29

Le il-PL (ghax issa qed nisthu nghidu MLP jew Socjalisti) milux ghoxrin sena fl-oppozizzjoni!! Ghaxar snin ilu kien fil-gvern u l-budgets tieghu kieni jfissru Taxxi, kontijiet m'ghola s-sema, taxxi fuq il-medicini ta' l-sptar, etc, etc. Tant kien fjask li kien is-salvatur ta' Malta li reggha tefaghhom fl-oppozizzjoni!! Imma dan donnu li kullhadd qed jinsieh!! Fjask qabel in-1987 , fjask bejn in-1996 u in-1998!! Viva t-tonn taz-zejt u l-bully beef!!!!

Mark Galea

Nov 11th 2009, 12:59

------ /---------------------------------\
/ o o \ >| Budget tat-Tonn taz-Zejt |
\ --- / \---------------------------------/
x

c.camilleri

Nov 11th 2009, 12:51

@ joe bugeja

Nixtieq inkompli fejn hallejt int ta x'ghamel l-MLP fil gvern

Children Allowances
Pensjonijiet
Minimum Wage
Paga l-istess ghal mara u ragel
Bonus
Sptarijiet b'xejn
Health centers miftuhin 24-7
Housing Estates
Home Ownership
Air Malta
EneMalta
Mid-Med
BOV
Skola obligatorja sa sittax il sena
Vot ta tmintax
Vot lin-nisa
Universita accesibli anki ghal tfal tal-haddiem
Maternity leave
Fabriki bl-ghexieren mil Germanja
Ta bidu ghal industrial estates
Dar il-Mediterran ghal konferenzi
Leave
Sick leave
Inkompli?
Qtajt nifsi nghid, min jixtieq izid mal lista merhba bih.

Ejja inkunu aktar kredibbli u niftakru kollox u mhux x'jaqbel lilna biss.

Mark Galea

Nov 11th 2009, 12:31

@All
these blogs have created a new term ...
- Budget tat-Tonn taz-Zejt -
in reference to old MLP 'responsible' budgets.

Hope this term will not be forgotten ...

Mario Bonnici

Nov 11th 2009, 12:22

@Joe Bugeja

Sur Bugeja, jekk joghgobkom biddlu naqra d-diska. Dejjem l-istess kantaliena fuq passat.
Il-PL patta qares ghall-izbalji li ghamel, b'20 sena fl-oppozizzjoni.
Ma jistax ikun tibqghu tilghabuha tal-martri meta f'dawn l-ahhar 20 sena kienu l-laburisti li
qalghu fuq rashom minhabba t-twemmin politiku taghhom, b'diskriminazzjoni politika kontinwa.
Illum il-poplu jimpurtah minn dak li qed jigri attwalment.

Kurt Mifsud

Nov 11th 2009, 11:26

@Peter Bonnici

Jekk rajt il-programm ta wara l-budget, il-Ministru Fenech stess ammetta li setghu ghamluh qabel u m'ghamluhx. Tahseb li m'ghandix sens komun bizzejjed biex nasal ghal konkluzjoni li ghedt int?

S Borg

Nov 11th 2009, 10:46

A rhetoric Budget as always with a lot of talking and promises which are carried forward year after year. The real meaning of this Budget would be fully understood when the new higher electricity and water tariffs are announced because these would effect the budget of all those who finance the government, the self employed, the companies and the general public which are the prime mover of the economy. If they take a heavy blow with the new tariffs the government deficit would continue to rise and the economy would continue to fall and if the economy falls the Government revenue would take another blow.

Joe E Galea

Nov 11th 2009, 07:49

After the budget everyone is disgustingly rich. Oh what a budget . I decided not to go to work anymore. Oh Tonio your budget was breath-taking. I don't know how I will spend all the money that i have left in my pockets after the budget.......tok tok I was having a PN dream.

Reality shows that with the W/E rise in tariffs, more than the little carrot the gov. gave us will be taken back. Prices will shoot up as W/E affect everything, therefore, less money in our pockets. Most probably fuel will shoot up too. Lesser money in our pockets. Because of the fuel too, prices will go up as it has a ripple effect on economy. And lesser money in our pockets.

I think there's a hole in the bucket dear Tonio, dear Tonio.

d.magro

Nov 11th 2009, 07:00

Utopia. It seems that those supporting the PN are living in a world of their own. Gejtu and Cens seems to be going through a good patch :) They need to be credibile....are they hearing what the people are saying ? What`s in it for me ?All promises and bla bla. We have been hearing that the gov`t is going to invest there and then....3 budget away I remember Dr.Gonzi stating in his Budget speech that a new cruise terminal is going to be built at Xleendi Gozo...has this materialised. It would be better if Gejtu & Censu asked the PN what is the hidden agenda after 1st January 2010.

Joe Bugeja

Nov 10th 2009, 23:09

David Attard,
Forsi ghadek zghir u ma tafx il PL x pasta huwa...
Jien bhal hafna nies gej minn familja tal haddiema. My uncle was in the Times building, when socialist thugs attacked it. I remember coming to our home at floriana crying, and had to take him to hospital to try to cure his shock. I will never ever forget his face...
Those were horrible days... The dark ages of Malta.
X ghamel "il partit tijek":
Farrak il korp tal pulizija,
Farrak l universita'(fejn jien kelli ix xorti nattendi wara 1987),
Ried jeqred l iskejjel privati,
Tortures,
Il blue sisters,
Iggamja is sistema eccellenti tat tobba,
Rahhas it ton taz zejt hahahahahaha,
Nehha l istipendji lil l istudenti(sistema li dahlet mill PN),
Unemployment,
Bulk Buying,
1981 election,
Tridni inkompli Mr Attard. Ser tejdli li jien brainwashed?
Dawn huma farytails???
Farytails jigu mill PL, u ghalhekk qied fl oppozizjoni, ghax hemm postom.
Praise God li ghandna gvern ghaqli li ta futur lilek, u lil uliedek. Taf li ghandi ragun.
Proset Dr. Gonzi. By 2013 you will surely be reconfermed as PM fortunatly!!!

J Martinelli

Nov 10th 2009, 23:07

@ Jes Gatt

Iva! Malta genna ta' l-art hdejn pajjizi ohra!

Try living in countries whose unemployment is still growing, plants closing down, each throwing thousands of workers out of work. Try living in countries where food banks and soup kitchens feed hundreds, maybe thousands every single day or they go hungry! I am not referring to some forlorn third world country. I am talking about Western countries which until a year or so ago, were riding high and spending like there was no tomorrow.

You just don't know how good you have it and if you are not careful, your turn will come if you ever you put a party in power which has been promising impossible things. Either they will deliver, raise taxes and wreck the economy, or they will disappoint you one more time.

But then, some do not have good memories and forget (conveniently perhaps) the days of bulk buying, recently mentioned as an option by the beloved Labour Party leader!

Min jilghab bin-nar jinharaq!

David Attard

Nov 10th 2009, 21:01

@ Guiseppe Galea

Seems you are one of the few who are not living in reality or you refuse what did PL lose? and most important what did the people win.
The increase in electricity bills,all the latest scandals, Medicine prices, the sorry state of our health, the promises never kept ........ if this is what you are thanking your party for I suggest you try live the real life!!!!! and please keep entertaining us with your fairytales

c.camilleri

Nov 10th 2009, 20:56

Why on earth is this government refusing to publish the new ( higher ) Water and Electricity tariffs.

Only then we will be in a position to debate the budget seriously.

Believe me I am not looking forward for the next Strina.

Roderick Micallef

Nov 10th 2009, 20:53

I am honestly amazed and in a way disgusted at the fact that most people here actually praise the budget, but every one mentions the same thing. So most of you are saying 'it's a good budget considering the recession and the current situation'. But I say :-
1.Wake up people, the recession is actually over abroad but in Malta we only started feeling the repercussions now. However the issues Malta has are far bigger than the international recession foldieri PN I would stop nagging about the recession.
2.Unemployment is not it's worst it's true, but it's not at it's best either so there is nothing to boast about really. However the deficit has sky rocketed and is much higher than the EU average.
3.Utilities Tariffs, it's true that the world does not go around these tariffs alone but every one should be fair with him/herself and acknowledge that these tariffs effect every one in a way or another, compared to our wages our tariffs will be ridiculous to say the least.
Do you actually believe that the rates reflect the price of oil?
They actually reflect the corruption, incompetence and monopoly of EneMalta along with the price of oil!

J. Schembri

Nov 10th 2009, 20:46

@Steven Brockwell : and around 6,000 pensioners working and receiving the pension ! Shame on Gonzi for creating all this work!

Steven Brockwell

Nov 10th 2009, 20:17

Rebecca Vassallo i know what you mean "its better the demon you know then the one you do not?" however, do you really know gonzi that well after all of the jobs that have been lost in Malta . there are over 7000 foreigners working in Malta and there are also over 9000 malts es unemployed so what are we really doing ??? trusting our demons

Emanuel Borg

Nov 10th 2009, 20:03

I would like Joseph Muscat, who clearly does not know what he is talking about, to tell the people of Malta how he is going to reduce the cost of living. Where is the money coming from? Is he going to raise taxes? reduce public spending? Why is he so fixated with the water and power tariffs? Has he not got anything of more national importance to propose? I fear not. He is dishing out empy promises he will not be able to keep. Remember the removal of VAT and the finincial hole it left in Malta's coffers. Do not believe this moron, until he states clearly how he is going to finance his plans. Mr Muscat, the cost of living is to do with the global economic crisis stupid. Malta is getting off lightly compared to Iceland which Mr Muscat in his infinite wisdom adviced NOT to join the EU. How can anyone trust this man?

jmifsud

Nov 10th 2009, 19:26

With one seat majority and a number of the backbenchers are not happy with the way the Govt. is running the country, the Govt. could not risk that anyone of it's parliamentary group speak against any unpopular measures or worse vote against.

So forget any drastic measures during budget speeches, the situation is already very uncomfortable for the PM as it is, the dissenters in the PN many times talk louder than the Opposition.

Giuseppe Galea

Nov 10th 2009, 19:20

Ma tafx li jahrab jigri is sur Muscat... BIL MISTHIJAAAAAAAA!!! Where are the PL bloggers to entertain us tonight??? Crying another defeat??? PL tilef, il poplu rebah b dan il budget.
Grazzi PN. Keep it up!!!

G. Mangion

Nov 10th 2009, 19:10

An irresponsible Budget - Joseph Muscat, what an irresponsible Comment by j.m !!

He should had called it - A Body Guard Budget ! But what do you expect from an Inexperienced ,m.l.p Kapo ? This Budget YES is Body Guarding Malta and all the Maltese Citizens from the, UNREALTY THE OPPOSITION IS ESCAPING ON THE RESSECION, THAT NOT ONLY US MALTA ARE HIT BUT WORLDWIDE !!!
Heqq did any of you pretended any other Comment ?? Same old Paroli as Usual........

Peter Bonnici

Nov 10th 2009, 18:58

@ Kurt Mifsud: Meta gvern jghamel 'hedging' fuq prezz ghax xiri ta' prodotti taz- zejt, il-prezz mhux bilfors ikun dak tas-suq tal-mument. Biex jghamlu 'hedging' il-kumpanniji taz zejt jippruvaw jbassru il-prezz futur u jorbtuk biha. Jekk il-prezz ikun gej kontrihom, tista tinsiha li ser jhalluk tghamel 'hedging'. Dawn businessmen kbar u mhux boloh (u wisq inqas mzazen). Sa sena ilu, pajjizi hafna akbar minnha kienu qieghdin ghamlu 'hedging' bil prezz ta' 200 USD il-barmil (meta kien ghadu xi 150 USD) ghax hasbu illi ser jisplodi il-prezz....U minflok waqa ftit zmien wara.

Malcolm Zarb

Nov 10th 2009, 18:43

Kemm harab jigri....!

I still see certain resembles to the 'old labour party'.......!!

Kurt Mifsud

Nov 10th 2009, 18:10

@Sandro Abela

Il-poplu jigifieri 50% + 3,000?

G. Cachia

Nov 10th 2009, 17:53

@G. Fenech: A very good and realistic comment like other serious comments.

J Busuttil

Nov 10th 2009, 17:51

@Lawrence Attard. About MCESD rappresentation you omitted the Labour GWU having two delegates. So MCESD as regard workers' representation is 2 GWU,1 UHM and 1 CMTU. So if the Forum wants to be taken seriously they should ask the GWU to forfeit one seat to Forum. On Joseph Muscat it is very childish of him not to accept questions from journalists. Take a look at Italian TV stations and one see EVERY politician answering questions from journalists. Joseph Muscat is a true PHOTOCOPY of Alfred Sant.

Lino Fava

Nov 10th 2009, 17:24

Yes we have the right to critise the budget that says nothing about the worst to come of tariffs, taxes, road meters, gas increase, electricity bills and other hidden taxes. Also we are seeing a PN government who is getting a way to get your money from the time you are born till you get underground. See now the latest that the cemetry of Addolorata is going for privatisation. We saved money by introducing energy saving bulbs and the money we saved the Gonzi PN is coming to get them.

Rebecca Vassallo

Nov 10th 2009, 17:23

Well, Labour will win the next general election, unfortunatly, but all those who would have contributed on his winning will regret it for life. It's crystal clear that PL is not yet ready to be a government, it can't even be a good opposition let alone a government. And when PL will be government everyone will realise that what we're living in now is is not bad at all.

jmifsud

Nov 10th 2009, 17:18

Judging from the experience of the last 10 years, the budget speech has always been a pleasant exercise, which creates an issue on which people can talk and be alienated, which is a big part of our politics.

Commitments entered by the Govt. most of the time go haywire or a loophole is found so as not to be kept.

Also we are used that the big bombshells are delivered by Min. Austin Gatt not by the finance Minister or the Prime Minister. So with the situation the Min. T. Fenech is in at the moment, this was a good idea to divert the attention from his other problems, playing cool and business as usual.

It seems also some people forgot all the problems after hearing the budget speech, a nice illusion.

Budget day is everyday, when Min. A.Gatt gives us on a different tone, the newly revised (call them what you want, but not taxes). That is the real budget.

To Joseph Muscat, they are after your throat, they know the game well. Who ever opposes them, they send out the armada to shut him down.

Sandro Abela

Nov 10th 2009, 17:11

@DEllul
What a joke. We're in November, not 1st. April. PL will will only in your dreams. Please note that its a non-constructive party, so its practially useless. If you want to be on the winning side... Taf x qed nghid. So grow up, u irringrazjaw lil dan il gvern ghal gid li gab, u li ghadu jgib. 22 years in goverment mhumiex cajta, u zgur, u mhux forsi, ghax il poplu ser ikompli jirringrazja lil PN.
Please note all of you.

Kurt Mifsud

Nov 10th 2009, 17:05

@J Martinelli

Taf min hu mazzun habib, min joqod idu fuq zaqqu jistenna z-zejt jola minn $40 al $80 il-barmil biex jamel hedging agreement fuq iz-zejt. $40 taf x'qed tghid? Kemm huma c-chances li jinzel iktar?

Pat Muscat

Nov 10th 2009, 16:42

With the tarnished reputation of Tonio Fenech-, it is going to be an uphill task to change gear and tackle the ever growing economic problems. Malta is facing a sharp slow down in investments,and in growth,but an acceleration in the deficit, in the debt and in accountability and trasparency. Many business men are complaining that the mainly owned foreign banks-and those that are going to be privatsed soon- are raising charges punitively. This is holding back investments. Moreover, many businesses ar not going to cope with the weekly increase in salaraies. Unemployment will increase.
True this government is launching a new stimulus programme through the budget. The packaging is good, but much of the content is a rehash of old promises.Most of last year's budget capital spending has not been utilised. Who is going to believe that the same thing will not happen?
Gonzi's government is very feeble; it has to cope with a large group of disgruntled MP's. Yesterday's show was well prepared and tried to hide this feebleness, but the truth is that with the economic downturn likely to increase in the short to medium term, many Maltese are going to face this economic downturn with increasing nervousness.

D Ellul

Nov 10th 2009, 16:39

@Anthony Castillo
To win the next general election you'll need much more than a farcical budget that never reaches the targets set. It's a long way but you cannot expect to win again after 25 years in government. If Joseph Muscat was a monkey, Labour will still win.

Rebecca Vassallo

Nov 10th 2009, 16:24

Well i don't know how anyone can expect water and electricty tariffs to go down when the whole world is in a critical situation, and also everyone has to learn to conserve the energy resources, not only because of the bill but also for the wolrd. I'm sure that if the PL did this budget the water and electricty tariffs would have risen aswell together with other taxes. But its useless to fight against the PL about these things because once they get obcessed about something it's always going to be wrong unless they do it themselves.
Personally i think that it's one of the best budgets we ever had because it's all in favour to the people.

K Grima

Nov 10th 2009, 16:23

To all the PL supporters in here - there is little doubt that Joe Muscat will be the next PM in 4 years time for a myriad of reasons. However, there is also little doubt that the PN is better at managing the economy than a PL Govt and experience has shown that the PN attracts more investment and creates more jobs. You are hungry to gain power but the country is unlikely to be better off as a result - you might be happier because of the 'victory' but we will probably all be less well off!

lzammit

Nov 10th 2009, 16:15

Sur Ellul
You've got nothing to boast about by voting Labour next time round. PN has ALWAYS been responsible and never made mockery of serious matters as the PL leaders always do. My wish that PL will govern is to watch the reaction of these PL bloggers who are quick to criticize the PN for anything without knowing of what stuff their own party is made of. God forbid....that will be a catastophe for Malta.

John Joseph Lanteri.

Nov 10th 2009, 16:10

To all those who always grumble.
You have to be very very ashamed of yourselves, talking like that about our goverment. The PN in goverment gave a future, work, prosparity to you and your children. You have to be grateful, and bring up your socks, and work together. Stop being rude, and admit that the PN in goverment is our only salvation.
Talking about myself, I'm not worrying abour the tariffs, knowing that the gov will help us all. Is sewwa jirbah zgur, u is sewwa huwa PN.
Thanks.

Deo Catania

Nov 10th 2009, 16:01

@ Anthony Castillo. ibqa ohlom.

@Martinelli. Jekk int daqstant konvint minn gonzipn tieghek ejja ghix hawn, sa ma taghmel dan kull ma tikteb hawn hu meqjus paroli fil-vojt.

E. Vassallo

Nov 10th 2009, 16:00

The least i expected was Joseph Muscat acting like a naughty schoolboy. Come on grow up!!!!

D Ellul

Nov 10th 2009, 15:43

The issue that cost the PN thousands of votes last June is again being ignored by the same party. It will cost them the next general election now, but anyway I'm happy as I will be voting Labour to get rid of the same rhetoric and feel-good-factor-budgets that I'm now fed up of. I'm blogging from my office as well, and I'm a product of past Labour governments who introduced free education for all, and provided everyone with an opportunity to study and succeed in life. I acknowledge PN's achievements but please don't try to rewrite history.

R Abela

Nov 10th 2009, 15:40

@Mario Gellel
You have been waiting for the icing to melt for 22 years or so..... Looks like you will need to wait a little whole longer! The difference between opportunist politics and responsible economic management was there for all to see yesterday - Joe Muscat's reaction vs Tonio Fenech's speech (and content!).

G Fenech

Nov 10th 2009, 15:23

Just reading through the comments you get the real feeling that this was the right budget for the economic situation we find ourselves in - no fault of the PN. The PL supporters are clutching at the electricity tariffs - and nothing else. They totally ignore the relief (handout) given to 97% of us negating the latest increase and offer no solutions to a commodity pricing itself outside our control. They repeat Joe Muscat's pre-prepared speech that mentioned the term 'irresponsible' dozens of times - qishom tigieg.....wake up to yourselves - the PN has shown it is smart in managing our economy and most of you blogging from your offices are a testament to PN success!

Earl Gauci

Nov 10th 2009, 15:19

To all people critisizing this budget.
Wake up. Don't you see that this country is lead by a responsable, and profesional goverment with over 20 years of experience?
Dont' you see that Muscat and co. is taking you for a ride, bhal ma ghamel dejjem il "moviment tal haddiema" ops mlp, ops pl lool?
Wake up.
In Malta the only hope is laid with the PN.
Just look at the opposition. Believe me, they are only jealous.
Ghax tgergru dwar it tariffi? Kulhadd kiber benestanti hawn malta, u issa li ghanda ftit problemi fl ekonomija, tgergru. Jejdu sewwa li min ma jonqsu xejn dejjem igerger.
SO wake up.

mario gellel

Nov 10th 2009, 15:13

@pn apologists:
The iceing sugar will soon melt , right after christmas. It's when January starts will we know what balbujata pudding is ready for us to taste.

Jes Gatt

Nov 10th 2009, 15:09

@j MARTINELLI...AHNA LABURISTI MZAZEN U INT NAZZJONALIST BRAINWASHED. JEKK THOSS LI HAWN TANT GID U KOLLOX FUQ IR-RUBINI EJJA GHIX MALTA JEW GHAWDEX! HAWN GENNA FL-ART TANT JAHASRA!

Alexander Morana

Nov 10th 2009, 15:09

@ Angel Rickett you couldn’t expect the Minister to go on and risk in being adventurous, when his back is to the wall. Remember Brussels has issued a directive to Malta that its spending should come down to 3% of the GDP which the Minister estimates that it will be 3.9% by next year!
What I mean that in light of the size of the discrepancies in revenues and spending are great. He even tried to curb inflation while he kept in place social programs and other projects which incur heavy spending, adventurous and creative in what and where? This is a Budget where nothing is gained and nothing is lost. The Minister is only postponing when the axe falls on government spending or the increase in taxes, if we are really going to remain attractive to foreign investments and competitive in a global economy.

G. Cachia

Nov 10th 2009, 15:03

Dr. J. Muscat is the most person who attracted comments from both sides. 89 comments till now.
You know why? Because he quoted the Budget as: "An Irresponsible Budget ".
And he said this quote because in Maltese we say: "Kultant il-kunfidenza hija bla prudenza" and we must be prudent sometimes.

J Martinelli

Nov 10th 2009, 14:30

@ All Labour apologists, mzazen

When you mention the electricity rates in the same sentence expressing your negative opinion regarding the Budget, you illustrate how meager your understanding is about a Budget preparation. Just to spoon feed you: A Budget is a set of numbers describing how much and where government revenue is expended, including capital projects, social and health services, education, etc.

W&E rates, once subsidies are removed should be revenue neutral meaning that what Enemalta spends in obtaining fuel, maintain plants, reserve for future replacements, pay salaries etc., should be directly offset by the revenue from billing households and industry.

It's not such a difficult concept to understand unless one refuses to understand or is brainwashed by Utopian fantasies. When one goes grocery shopping, one pays for what he buys, at the quoted price which includes the initial cost of the goods plus a healthy profit for the merchant which enables him to recover his costs plus leave something in his pocket for the trouble and risks he takes.

So, what's so different for the cost of generating energy? What connection is there with the Budget? Instead of griping about the cost of electricity, why not conserve?

Anthony Castillo

Nov 10th 2009, 13:59

Guzi it looks like you had the message ready made for you from the leader before you becouse it is the same kind of message that he always did after every budget that was done when he was the leader.With all this messages you know where it got him 25 years in the oppsition becouse it is the truth as you said that the truth always WIN and thats why the PN always WIN and put the last three leaders of the MLP OR LP for all these years in opposition and the way it looks you'r going to be the fourth the way it is going.

Chris Grillo

Nov 10th 2009, 13:24

Thank God for Budget Speeches...they cure my insomnia. Five minutes of droning away and I'm off to dreamland.

What use is a budget these days? And why in heck's name is it always a 'Good Budget' by the party in power and a 'Poor Budget' by the opposition leader? I recall reading the esteemed Dr.Muscat's comments about ten years back.

As always, us working people simply have to see how to make ends meet. I'm afraid I simply don't have faith in you all....not personally obviously, but I fail to see how the two parties cannot work together for the common good of the country...

....and all this in a nation hardly worth the title of a 'large town'.

Boqq....ma nifhimx...

m. borg

Nov 10th 2009, 13:20

All those praising the budget are those having a good time and can afford the price increases in taxes, tariffs, contributions, etc

In maltese we say "geddumhom fix-xghajr"

A Galea

Nov 10th 2009, 13:17

@ N Calleja: Ara issa kollox joghla xejn ma jorhos! Lanqas medicini ma tista tiehu, meta qabel konna nehduhom b' xejn. Eh, bilhaqq skond int it tonn taz zejt biss kien jorhos. Imma s soltu hux nghixu f' dinja ohra qisna, niffantasizzaw hux sur Calleja!

A Galea

Nov 10th 2009, 13:14

@ J Pace: Ghax bis sahha tal gvern tieghek li ghandna leave, sick leave, bonus, children's allowance, vot tal mara u l beneficcji kollha li ghandna llum! Donnok insejt li l gvern tieghek meta kien fl opposizzjoni kien kontrihom. Imbierek alla f' 20 sena QATT ma ghola l bonus! Ghadu kif kien tah mintoff! U mbaghad tigi ssemmi Mater Dejn, il gozo channel u l vapuri 'godda', Zammit Clapp, fejn dahlu biss balla Nazzjonalisti jahdmu, u l- isbah, l illuzjoni ta toroq godda, ghax kienu saru l- 4 toroq ta minn fejn kellha tghaddi r regina (u ma sarux sew ghax wara 3 xhur bdew jinqalghu)! Mela m'ghandekx karozza int, possibli qatt ma sibt hofra! I

Maria Vella

Nov 10th 2009, 13:12

I am no financial guru. In fact, I am not at all at ease talking about financial and economic matters. Poor minister of finance, from which ever side of the house he comes. All the people want from hm is give, give, give. Before he does that I suppose he has to take, take, take. We all complain about paying more and yet want to be given more. No money in, means no money out I suppose. So I'd rather pay less and get less. fom the govt. The govt's role is not to give me the fish but to allow me to go fishing in a plentiful sea. I feel I can do this so Dear Tonio, I suppose you baked a good cake given the ingredients you had. As for Dear Joseph, wait till you are across the House before you make everything sound so dull. I hope that you will be able to perform better, for the sake of all of us, Till then keep smiling.

N.Calleja

Nov 10th 2009, 13:04

I bet a million euro that JM prepared his dry comments BEFORE the actual reading of the Budget. Furthermore he had the indecency to read from prepared papers which at times he confused. He was the only one to criticise the budget because all constituted bodies, including the GWU expressed satisfaction at this year's budget. Maybe Tony Zarb is risking a smack on his knuckles for not playing JM's tune. Lastly why was JM so afraid not to reply to the journalists' questions. He seemed to be talking to the trees. Why don't we thank the Lord that in this precarious moment we managed to survive the international trouble? During the good old Labour days, it-tonn taz-zejt biss kien jorhos!

Joe Micallef

Nov 10th 2009, 13:01

@ Angela Rickett

Maybe it has never dawned on you but no one is born free - all are born into a more or less structured society. Those who cannot understand this spend most of their lives as fundamentalists battling institutions rather than trying to influence change. They are also usually seen waving an anarchists flag. Get this straight and then come back and try to understand the budget and the context in which it has been drawn.

c.camilleri

Nov 10th 2009, 12:43

It is wrong to judge the budget as very good or very bad.

We can only judge the budget next January when the new Water and Electricity tariffs are published.

The fact that the government is refraining from saying what the new tariffs consists of, and then he says that he is going to help those effected by the new tariffs, gives me a feeling that we are in for a real beating.

Hope that I am wrong.

Christian Sciberras

Nov 10th 2009, 12:42

@Wayne Criggs - Agreed.

@The rest - You should hear from an unbiased source, such as Wayne Criggs'.
I don't have to comment on anything else, he puts my words nicely.

M.Curmi

Nov 10th 2009, 12:40

Budget responsabbli?? Issa naraw kemm ha joghjlew il-kontijiet, naraw kemm mill-gholi ha jmur ghall-hela ta l-Enemalta u ghall-ismart meters (li setghu stennew ghal meta ikun hawn il-flus fl-idejn) u naraw ukoll kemm il-gevrn ikun ghamel impact assesment tajjeb sabiex ikun jaf kif ha jintlaqtu in-negozji imbaghad nitkellmu fuq ir-responsabbilta!!

Angela Rickett

Nov 10th 2009, 12:38

Having read through a number of comments already conributed, I 'm still amazed at either the
balant partisanship of some and the apparent naviety of others. The minimum requirement of any budget is to set straight the mistakes of the previous budget's efforts and to put in place remedies for these mistakes. Secondly, it's neccessary to create policies which geniunely provide help and assistance to those in society who have the greatest need. Thirdly, it's obligation is to create a climate which promotes wealth and goodwill to all persons in society. Unfortunately inmy view this budget fails in all three categories. It's uncreative, unadventurous and full of ambiguity. Personally I fail to see how anyone who is geniunely concerned about living in a dynamic, creative, adventurous society which openly adheres to the principal that we are all born free with god given abilities couldn't agree.

Lawrence Attard

Nov 10th 2009, 12:27

I would be happy to see someone following year by year the promises that have been made throughout these last years in the budgets speeches regarding the infrastructure. I remember Valletta road, Zurrieq and il-kunsill tal- ewropa being mentioned in the last 5 budgets.

Ha ndumu nidhku bin-nies?

Imbaghad Ganni taghna jmur jivvota ghax jaghtuh 100lira rebate fuq il-kont meta nefaq 1000! Kemm ghadna fjakki fil-mentalita....

Nafu li qed jixtruna bix-xejn u nibqghu nibelghu il-lixka.

Lawrence Attard

Nov 10th 2009, 12:26

For those of you who are saying that all social partners agreed with the budget, please note:

The MCESD does not represent all workers. Shamefully enough in our democracy we are excluding the FORUM group of unions, a confederation made up of more than 11,000 workers/professionals. FORUM were brave enough during these last years and expressed clearly the difficulties workers and professionals are experiencing in Malta.

When i hear the GRTU, UHM and CMTU leaders talk, I get the impression they are following the PN's rhetoric.

I worry when I think that this democracy is hiding after simple tricks. How come UHM is the major union represented in the CMTU, and then it is again representing itself as UHM in the MCESD? How come then the FORUM, are left out from this 'social council'? Could it be that we leave out dissidents? is this the way forward in a democratic country?

Alex Debono

Nov 10th 2009, 12:08

@Antonia Pulis

Malta Is making Progress... In Collapsing...
... Property Slow down
... Higher tarrifs... (When price of oil goes down.. bills remain high)
... Increase in Car Licence... More Taxex from Speed cameras
... What about corruption ?
When you receive your next estimate bill for W&E, clap your hands...and say Malta is IMPROVING

Ronald Gauci

Nov 10th 2009, 11:53

This is how irresponsible the budget is: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091110/budget/higher-deficit-projected

If we do not fall in line, we might end up losing EU funding and getting fined, and yet the Minister forges ahead without not only failing to solve the problem but with making it even worse. There are so many costs that can be cut without increasing the taxes or utility rates that it should be no wonder that non-short-termist institutions are calling the budget an irresponsible one.

What a mess!

J Pace

Nov 10th 2009, 11:51

@A Vella

What? Are you mentioning pre 87? Are you referring to the times when water and electricity was available on certain days only, when having a coluor tv/video was illegal, when telephone system was a farce, when university only contained a handful of students, when there was no airport, freeport, power station, telephony, zammit clap, old people homes, new st vincent de paule, mater dei, new raods all over malta, new gozo ships, etc, etc, etc. When you could only have a telephone if you were a member of the MLP club? Hallina my friend!!!!

P. Barbara

Nov 10th 2009, 11:36

Tgergrux dwar il-kontijiet tad-dawl ta sinjuri, ghax mhux gonzipn sa jghollijhom imma l-awtorita jisimha MRA jahasra miskin thassartu il-bierah jghid dan id-diskors waqt il-mistoqsijiet tal-gurnalisti.

Wayne Criggs

Nov 10th 2009, 11:28

I'm a foreigner living in Malta for the past 15 years. I'm sorry to disappoint both sides but...

PL: Joseph Muscat is wrong in saying that this is a responsible budget, because with "irresponsible" people expect a budget much worse than presented yesterday. He should have been less extreme in his words, at least for now.

PN: It's too obvious that those of you who are saying this is a good budget are PN sympathizers who will always think blue is right, red is bad. by now, everybody who is not biased knows that GonziPN is famous for nice words but lack of action.

Floaters (since I'm one of them): Muscat, for sure this wasn't your best "peformance" since becoming PL leader. You showed that you can do better and Malta needs someone fresh, but don't get stuck to the usual "this is bad, this is bad, this is bad".
Gonzi/Fenech, before you prove with action what you say on paper I cannot believe you anymore. You have time to prove I'm wrong but too many times now you've showed you lack motivation. Gonzi's Govt is very weak compared to EFA's. It's more similar to Sant's.

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Nov 10th 2009, 11:22

The budget is heavy on politcal prose no doubt, it is peppered with excellent soundbites and ambitious plans ,which lets face it, would be great if , and thats a very important if, they were actuated. Unfortunately recent experience has shown us that government plans do have that bad habit of going haywhire and the big plans which we learn about year in year out do have a tendency not to materialise by the end of the financial year. But lets say that this would not be the case this year and that the government will finally keep to its targets and plans--so on this count it would be a good budget. On the negative side of it though the REAL budget will come when the prices of water and electricity and gas (again!!??!!) are revealed for it is these that really and truly effect families, their disposable income, businesses and hotels going through a rough patch!! People want to feel a lighter burden on their shoulder so as to spend and/or invest their money. Political poetry might do wonders for a week or so but it will make very little difference when push comes to shove!

Gerard Cassar

Nov 10th 2009, 11:20

MT. J.Pace are you not yet aware that you are charged for drainage by the Nats, a charge that could be increase just through a notice in the Govt Gazette

A Vella

Nov 10th 2009, 11:00

@ Mary Schembri: You seem not to know what the word Arrogance is. Just go and check Tonio Fenech's misdoings and how arrogantly he remained in power. Also, first receive the new bills and then see how much 'responsible' the budget is! A budget with nothing on it and you call it responsible!

A Vella

Nov 10th 2009, 10:58

@ J Pace: You seem to forget that the problem was that we had a government with 'money no problem' attitude and created a deficit where before a labour government till 87 left over 400 million of money in the coffers! But as usual, you try to interpret fact your way!

Muscat. Pat

Nov 10th 2009, 10:44

All this" investiment" and two and a half of buzz words and no end to the pot holes on our roads? Last year.s money for the "investimenti" was not even spent! The only things that increased last year were the tariffs, electicity and water bills and gas prices......and these were not even mentioned in the budget. Years back PN used to say that the budget is irrelevant, because of the continuous "planning process"; this year it has become relevant! Why? Because PN spinners say so? The truth is that the fundamentals in our micro islands have shifted; we are eating from our savings, from our kid's future.Lets face it, if the standard of living is going down,( has been going down for the last 3 years), and now that the recession is catching us with "our pants down"- because of Gonzi's irresponsibility- whom are we supposed to blame if not him? No hope? Of course there is hope , but not with him around.

J Pace

Nov 10th 2009, 10:43

You all seem to forget that the last time Labour was in government mone of the first economic measures taken was the increase in water & electricity bills and imposing a tax on each house for drainage. All this when the oil prices were so much lower than they are today. And now they want us to beleive in what they are preaching (in maltese this is called Dmugh tal-Kukkudrilli!!). Remember that the times of Subsidies is over!!

Mary Schembri

Nov 10th 2009, 10:42

A Very Responsable and
Reasonable budget. Well Done Again PN.

I was disgusted by the way the Labour MPS behaved. They showed themselves that they are arrongant and very RUDE persons.

J.Borg

Nov 10th 2009, 10:39

Too many people are counting the chickens before they hatch......
We all know that it's the usual with GONZIPN, they don't introduce taxes in the budget, but these are issued as the year goes on.
Till now we know that the water and electricity tariffs are going to be high, they are giving the people 10 million euro, but will be gathering 85 million. The tariffs will stay and the allowances will cease, but the tariffs will stay.
We got an increase of 5.82 euro, but has anyone heard the minister say that tax bands are going to be adjusted so as these want be taxed. NO, so there goes more money from the COLA.
Tariffs issued by MEPA will be increased, to make good for the government subsidy which is going to be removed.
We will be waiting also to see if fuel prices will go up again, as i think these will go up also come end of November.
We are used to this government that taxes aren't introduced on budget day.
So, not everything is on a bed of roses as it looks.

T Galea

Nov 10th 2009, 10:27

I believe that the water and electricity tariffs are too high in Malta especially when compared with the salaries that we get. The govt is not being fair in that regard. On the other hand the labour party manages to disappoint us every time with their substandard comments and suggestions.

E. Farrugia

Nov 10th 2009, 10:18

Kif kont naf li mhux se jfahhru il budget!?!?

John Muscat

Nov 10th 2009, 10:05

A budget is more about assessing Gov performance than the distribution of goodies.

Tonio Fenech confirmed that the Gov’s last year projection were totally wrong. This despite economists were already seeing the economic crisis approaching. The only one not seeing it was Tonio and his Gov.

The second aspect of a budget is how he plans for recovery. On paper there are some good measures. Although it is a fact that here we are only looking at half the story.

Firstly one has to see how the incentives will be put into practice. People in business know what I mean here. A good measure could easily become impossible to access because of the entry requirements.

Then of course the utility tariffs will have a significant impact on spending power. On their own, these will neutralize the good measures. Saying neutralize I am of course being optimistic.

Deo Catania

Nov 10th 2009, 10:01

Qabda laqa bhas-soltu.......Alla jbierek l-ebda wiehed minnkom ma semma t-tariffi tad-dawl/ilma....eee imma dawk ma kienux fil-budget mela no problem.

Crystal demicoli

Nov 10th 2009, 09:53

Well Said Gordon Farrugia. 2010 Budget is a 2010 GOZO Budget!!!! What about the south?? As always PN forgot that at the south there are also people and yougsters living!!! But as alwasys he does not care about our childeren We are there only to get the black dust. At least hoping that this year it will be the year to gain a sport complex at Birzebbuga which the local clubs have been working so long on such aspect. Waiting for the MEPA!!!!!

Joe E Galea

Nov 10th 2009, 09:43

I really amuse myself with all the PN apologists comments as they come out showing how happy they are feasting on their own carcasses.

This is another budget in which the main bomb taxes are excluded but then they are introduced during the year.
The Minister didn't mention the 50c tax on accomodation, the steep raise in the W&E bills which will erode completely the COLA. Submitting a MEPA application is costlier, this is one of he many.

I am also amused at how many people in here shoot statements like "A budget that stimulates the economy" when they have no idea of what economy is. They just regurgitate what they read on the PN media. I call that pathetic.

Simon Scerri

Nov 10th 2009, 09:42

I am ashamed how the opposition brought themselves in parliament, arrogant and rude , showing the newspaper Malta Today with an article against Minister Tonio Fenech, children's play but dangerous for the country. Negative is only word from PL. Everyone praised the budget for these hard times(but not everything is on a bed of roses).Also GWU!!! praised it.
The Union privilged by PL!!!!! Yet Joseph Muscat and PL are negative and what is positive they put it negative unbelievable!!!!!!!!!,,,,Joseph Borg this is what you are proud of, this PL.
No wonder PL, will need years and years to arrange and make a change from A to Z ,not A to D, so they can be one day in government. Dear Joseph Borg no faith in PL, faith in PN at these times, you need the help of Mary Poppins.

rodnick abdilla

Nov 10th 2009, 09:41

Il Budget matul is sena issir, issa jigi jannar u jibda jghola Diesel petrol ecc ecc.
umbad jivinta xi taxxa gdida issa drajnih hux fan i taparsi budget jitfa kliem li m ajifmu hadd u matul is sena iwaddab il bombi

Agius J

Nov 10th 2009, 09:36

What a pity PL never changes. I thought Alfred Sant wrote his reaction...which must have been written before he heard the budget.

J Cilia

Nov 10th 2009, 09:30

The proof of the pudding is in the eating and therefore the real value of 2010 Budget can be measured in a year's time, however one thing is very clear.... Joseph Muscat's budget proposals are an extremely weak comparison to the far reaching value that Budget 2010 can add to Malta's well being. If PL's proposals were meant to be a demonstration of the party's suitability as an alternative government........the party has failed miserably. PL may claim to be progressive but when it comes to walking the talk it does let itself down and the reason for this is that it lacks the human resources to be a sound alternative to today's government. In simple terms PL lacks quality people who can be trusted to take Malta to the future.

Gianninu Saliba

Nov 10th 2009, 09:16

Unbelievable, Joseph proposed ten points for this year's budget. The PN government came up with with one hundred and one sensations (no not dalmatians) that will stimulate the economy, create employment, decrease unemployment, improve roads, monuments and the people's well being. Please, Joseph, just sit down, shut up, listen and learn. Yes, you have a lot to learn. It wasn't the budget that was irresponsible, it is the people who advise you. Their advise is only pulling you down, deeper in the hole that you have created for yourself and your Party.
This budget is the kick start the economy needed and it is the flame that will raise the PN Phoenix. Who said that the PN Government is dead and burried? Who was of the impression that this government has run out of ideas? Who said that this Nationalist Government has passed its sell by date?

Mario Bonnici

Nov 10th 2009, 09:16

For all those praising their beloved government and budget.

Remember that one thing was not mentioned in yesterday's budget. A very important thing.
How much are the water and electricity tariffs are going to increase.

J. Schembri

Nov 10th 2009, 09:14

@Joseph Borg : you wrote "So you mean that you don't mind the electricity and water bills shooting even higher up?"
If your only problem is W&E bills than you should be joining the list showering praise on Tonio Fenech , 97% of households will be handed a subsidy approximately the same amount of the increase in bills.
Btw the price will be fixed for a whole year, it carries a risk, if the oil price goes down we have to pay as if the price remained the same.

Mark Galea

Nov 10th 2009, 09:12

Il-politika mhux gugarell, Joe !

Bernard Mamo

Nov 10th 2009, 09:07

Bejn il kliem u l-fatti, hemm bahar jikkumbatti! nisperaw li kollox jitwettaq (mhux bhal ma gara bil budget tas-sena l-ohra fejn kien hemm diversi affarijiet li ma sarux)

ALEXANDER GENUIS

Nov 10th 2009, 09:02

WELL,GOOD BUDGET!!!!LET'S SEE,AGINST COORUPTION???NIL???WATER AND ELEC???A PAY CHECK AND PAY THE REST!!!CREATING WORK???OF COUSE!!!HOW???MANY PROJECTS WILL BE DONE,LIKE THE STUDYDING FOR 2O YEARS ABOUT FGURA'S DUST!!!!!PUBLIC TRANSPORT??REFORM,WHEN???VALLETTA'S PROJECT??WILL BE DONE,WHEN???DID WE HEARD THIS PROMISE SOME TIME AGO????EH??PIANO LEFT WITH THE MONEY NO PROJECT????COURAGEOUS BUDGET???WE'LL SEE!!!WE ARE USED TO HEAR WORDS,PROMISES!!WE WE WANT FACTS!!!!!THE ROADS????AGAIN,SAME PROMISE!!!!!CREATING JOBS???ASK THE GOZITANS!!!!!HOW ABOUT PROTECTING THE CONSUMER???REDUCE MEDICINE PRICES!!!!TONN TAZ-ZEJT???WELL AT LEAST BETTER THEN MOCKING YOU ALL YEAR ROUND!!!!DOCTOR'S FAMILY???MEALS ON WHEELS???BIEB IL-BELT??BREAKWATER???POWER STATION???ETC,ETC,ETC,JOSEP MUSCAT IMMATURE???PHATETIC???WELL,HOW DID HE WON SUCH A SLIDE ELECTION LAST JUNE????I WONDER!!!!!

Antonia Pulis

Nov 10th 2009, 09:01

Dr Joseph Muscat said that if we join the EU we would end up falling from the cliffs. The budget not only puts forward positive proposals but shows that Dr Muscat was wrong as many projects are being funded by the EU.

Malta is making progress but thanks to the PN government!!!!!!

joseph cassar

Nov 10th 2009, 08:44

give us a break Dr Muscat !!!!!!
I hope that you know better than this. Now i'm getting confused whether you really knows the right meaning of irresponsability.
would it be an irresponsable budget , if the goverment had listed to your stupid list of proposals for the budget. Would it be irresponsable if govt. deared to believe you that you really want good for our nation. you're pathetic..... you is the persons which can be labeled irrisponsable, and this is logical, coming from the MLP / PL ...... Its a case where we can state that " il-passat u garanzijja tal-futur ".........

i do not think that this is the new way how to make politics. Admit, and declare that this time , Tonio Fenech came up with a very good budget.......Admit it , Be A GENTLEMAN !

Joe Micallef

Nov 10th 2009, 08:43

It is evident that the PL, adamant as they are to incredibly refute the unprecedented financial global crisis, is (not that it has many options) constructing its budget criticism on the utility charges.

So that I may understand: following the MEP elections, despite what was promised during the election campaign, the MLP in the person of Louis Grech embarrassingly belied the then PL general secretary Jason Micallef that the PL in government would be in a position to revise the utility bills downwards. So, if the according to Joseph the expected rise is scandalous can we have a commitment (maybe tomorrow) that whatever the oil price is in 2013 the utility prices will be kept at the current levels. Lest this commitment is forthcoming there is only one thing that is clear - the PL does not have half a leg to stand on and if that half a leg is Joseph then might as well do without; UTTERLY EMBARRSING.

Malta deserves better!

John Mifsud

Nov 10th 2009, 08:43

Dr Muscat had a tongue slip ... he had to say 'a Responsible Budget'.and indeed it is! The Government should deserve full credit that in such an international crisis, managed to draw up a budget that incentiveise SMEs and investors to partner with and be part of the Maltese economy! We are a small country ... and still going on! 2500 jobs saved by the government intervention .... .Look at Spain, Netherlands, and France .... very high deficit budgets! and Malta? a controlled and responsible way to tackle recension without compromising the deficit too far! Well done Prime Minister, well done Mr Minister!

P. Schembri

Nov 10th 2009, 08:41

@all PN apologists. We all know what the PN budgets are! Budget day all beds of roses, and between the lashes of the whip. We'll wait and see what new taxes will come up in the interim. Don't forget that 2010 is the year earmarked by the EU for curtailing the rocketing deficit! From where will the money come from?

R Grech

Nov 10th 2009, 08:38

@ jbusuttil: Securing jobs you say? Just wait when the companies receive the new water and electricity bills and THEN you will see how the jobs will remain safe! May you kindly ask Gonzi what a recesion is, since he told us that we will not be affected, but later we know full well what in truth happened!

Deo Micallef

Nov 10th 2009, 08:38

@ To all Maltese people.

When are we going to wake up? We have been hearing the same budget speeches for the last fifteen years- " ..investment in education.....helping the industry.....investment in the infrastructure restructuring this and that , taking care of the deficit ( catching the bull by the horn Dalli once said) ", and when the year comes to an end we still end up with a mountain of problems like a huge deficit, disastrous infrastructure, uncompetitiveness, corruption, scandals etc etc. Don`t you realize that our salaries are the lowest and the taxes the highest amongst the European block? The budget became just a political exercise and propaganda to the party in government, telling us about the goodies (most of them lies) and then the sufferings will creep on us during the course of the year in the form of new taxes, rise in utility tariffs etc etc. So to all the PN elves-THE MAJORITY OF THE MALTESE DOES NOT BELIEVE A WORD THE MINISTER SAYS IN THE BUDGET SPEECH, AND PLEASE STOP HIDING BEHIND THE RECESSION, THE PROBLEMS IN OUR ECONOMY WERE CREATED BY THE GOVT YEARS AGO.

R Grech

Nov 10th 2009, 08:35

@ Mary Ann Borg: The 'par idejn sodi' are showing up, especially for the fact that the deficit is continuing to increase. You used to laugh at the 50c fee for medicine and now we cannot buy them since they are sky high! But PN does 'creative' budgets to those like you who live in wonderland!
@ The other blue noses: No wonder why the social partners are happy about it. This budget just continues to destroy families to sustain the few of the few such as the 'social partners'. The problem one fails to notice is that if the workers don't have money, they don't spend! So long for the 'happy' social partners and the rest of you who only see till the tip of your nose, and not beyond.

Dennis Debono

Nov 10th 2009, 08:24

Personally I cannot understand how a person can comment on a budget just presented other than first impressions. In my opinion this is just a 'made up' talk; this is why there is a session for the leader of the opposition next week.

Anthony Farrugia

Nov 10th 2009, 08:22

I was quite sure that the Government would impose a lot of new taxes......as it had a very good axcuse to do so. Just look at some budgets..France...Spain...people would already be in the streets here if government did the same. Instead no new taxes....and actually removing tax on credit cards and better energy benefit. And most important, so much incentives to create more employment

Mario Mizzi

Nov 10th 2009, 08:19

Jiddispjacini nara dawn l-kummenti min naha tal-Hon. Joseph Muscat fejn qieghed jirrifletti li ghalkemm leader tal-partit Laburista nbidel, l-mentalita u l-politika ghada l-istess.

salvina Farrugia

Nov 10th 2009, 07:07

I ask all down here,why a good buget ? After January are we going to have more money in our pockets,if not, its not.

Mark Piscopo

Nov 10th 2009, 07:07

@Pn Bloggers
In Malta it is a fact that all prices, utility tariffs increase after the Budget. It was a very irresponsible Budget because Dr Tonio Fenech did not mention the drastic increase in the water and electricity bill in two months time.Hope that all PN bloggers who are seeing this budget as a positive one would also comment next February after they open their first water and electricity bill. Our Wages are the lowest in the European Union.The tariffs of Mepa would increase drastically which would give a blow to first time buyers. Kindly note that the majority of all maltese people have a high IQ and would not be tricked By Dr Tonio Fenech!!

m. borg

Nov 10th 2009, 06:43

@J Martinelli

All those you mentioned are gonziPN sympathizers, their reaction is irrelevant and biased, their word means nothing since they are gonziPN's puppies

@Mary Ann Borg

THe l-Orizzont might have shouted"It-tonn taz-zejt rohos" but a MLP government left Lm470 million in Malta's coffer when EFA took over, what is your party's legacy.
€4 billion + national debt. I prefer the tonn taz-zejt era then gonziPN's heaven on earth.

gaffarena joseph

Nov 10th 2009, 06:17

Come on Dr. Muscat ,surely this is not the way to attract more people to your party.
All unions said that this was a positive budget. You have to be honest in your opinion
I, thought that the PL, was really working to a better democratic free political understanding
but sorry to say,you have done what other PL, leaders done in other budgets.Your personal
consultant should work more on this issue.I, am more than sure that if you expressed what all unions said about this budget,could have been more positive to your party .Changing the colour of your tie is not enough.You have to be more honest in your opinion ,even when
giving your view about such national matters.You can fool the die hards, but surely you cannot fool the younger generation.

Albert Bonnici

Nov 10th 2009, 05:44

Watched for some time the budget speech. I wonder why the opposition were smirking most of the time. Would have impressed more if they had listened properly to what was being said. Malta deserves much better then a clowning opposition. Mr J.M. we were not amused by your antics. No wonder you followed and borrowed your comments from your ex leader

Dr Emmy Bezzina

Nov 10th 2009, 04:54

Let us stop playing with words and as is my wont call a spade,a spade: these prolonged Budget Sessions are a pure waste of time,of words,of energy,of expense,and depriving people of much more valuable Media Contributions,the little our Country that is to say.

THE BUDGET has long stopped being a Country`s WINDOW as where to look,how to shop,how to gain in spending less for more - THAT IS PAST.Over the years,the Marketing Forces have taken over.BUDGET SESSIONS are the signs of an antiquated political and social mentality,a must in the Political Calendar which consumes much with no returns at all,much to the constertaion of our Parliamentarians most of whom attend these Sessions only to be seen,at times snoozing too!!

Country requires competent politicians who direct the People correctly as most are not any wiser after these prolonged expositions of very often incoherent phraseology where many pretend to be erudite only to demonstrate that they are as incomprehensible as the proverbial village idiot,alias GAHAN !

The bottom line is : how are people going to cope with the ever increasing expenses and where to find the resources to make both ends meet:THAT IS THE QUESTION!!!

Matthew Agius

Nov 10th 2009, 01:50

A budget much better than expected in current world economic affairs;

an opposition reaction as expected, no matter what the budget would have included...no more to add.

A.Calleja

Nov 10th 2009, 01:18

That is so pathetic!! I expected much better from the leader of the opposition and a pretender to the post of prime minister.
This was an extremely poor and half baked effort to criticise the budget measures. I will limit myself to just one comment.
What is wrong with the measure of stopping the government subsidy for MEPA? Would Dr. Muscat prefer it if the 6million euro keep being forked out from everyone's pocket through our hard earned tax contributions? Doesn't it make more sense to just collect this sum as a direct tax only from the people who apply for a MEPA service?!?!

George Debono

Nov 10th 2009, 00:44

@

I'm sorry - much as I respect Joe Muscat, I regret that this time he is making cheap political capital out of the unavoidable rise in utility prices as a result of rising oil prices.

This is unfair and, as I said before, keeping prices artificially low is unsustainable AND encourages wasteful practices. This is wrong.

There is a socially equitable solution and that is to force the heavy consumers to bear most of the load. ---as I wrote 5 minutes ago.... This is in line with the polluter-pays principle.

G

T.gauci

Nov 10th 2009, 00:38

@Mary Ann Borg

Statistics shows Unemployment has increased, let's just say the truth instead of coming up with a made up claim. 'Par Idejn Sodi' - say it when the E&W tariffs increase in January.

"This was a budget that continued to show the Maltese electorate that PN gives Malta 'Par Idejn Sodi'"

that's why you did not get outnumbered by 35k in the MEP election. i am not labourite but it irritates me when people speak from their illusions. it's a balanced budget nonetheless, at least for now.

George Debono

Nov 10th 2009, 00:36

@jbusuttil…………….@So...you..are...saying..this...budget...is...good???……..don't mind…………..bills…….even…higher?

Budgets are compromises. Given the bad times the financial world is going through,this budget is remarkably benign and full of goodies.

The Q of electricity and water tariffs is a matter of OIL PRICE........AND pollution.

Apart from being unsustainable, keeping the price artificially low by subsidies sends the wrong message that energy is an endlessly abundant commodity which encourages waste. For instance, so many households(&restaurants!) keep television on all day (= a steady 500 watts wasted) and consumers (better off consumers, admittedly) keep the AC running even when it is not too hot (a steady 2,000-8,000watts) &c &c. If electricity is realistically priced then it will be used with care (as I do for the planet's sake)

There is the social aspect in respect of lower income groups. The answer here is to maintain an unchanged fixed (LOW & unchanged) price for low consumers and increasing the price for high consumers. This would also encourage the (better-off) high consumer to invest in domestic renewable energy and energy-saving devices which are not affordable to the less well-off low consumer. QED.

The effect on businesses and industry could be offset by generous subsidies towards the cost of energy-saving practices.

lzammit

Nov 10th 2009, 00:10

Irresponsible what...the budget or Joe Muscat's comments?

Muscat. Pat

Nov 10th 2009, 00:07

Who is going to believe that 2010 is going to be better than 2009? After tomorrow, we will feel the tariffs that Tonio Fenech did not mention, we will feel the water and electricity bills that Tonio Fenech did not mention. We will continue to feel the effect of closing factories, of hotels closing down, and that no new hotels or industreis are opening up. But then, there are people who are going to have it good; these are the passengers with a free ticket on the Government's GRAVY TRAIN ! These never complain about the government. Why should they, if they know their great ingenuity to their party in government?

Christopher Debattista

Nov 10th 2009, 00:00

WHAT SECURE JOBS !? Are you people blind ? The same words were told to us last year, and look what we've got, loads of hotels and manufacturers that closed down due to exorbitant tax rates. The budget speech was how us Maltese say. ''INDURU MAL-LEWZA! '' Lots of nice words to hide the real bad reality (POLITICIAN STYLE) . I personally don't agree with the Cola. This will put a heavier burden on industrialists and other entrepreneurs , especially the Manufacturing industry which Gonzi is destroying together with his fellow leaders. And may cost 1000 jobs. But at least the government after Muscat's proposals HOPEFULLY will set up of a consumer agency, the monitoring of medicine prices and the revision of pitkali practices. AGAIN HOPEFULLY. then again - We won't have a happy new year ! And I mean really, those people who think that its a positive budget should go and take a cold bath

Gordon Farrugia

Nov 9th 2009, 23:52

budget? what budget??? where is the mention of how much the water and electricity are going up?? Possibly, you people haven't by now realised how this administration works!!?? It will tax you throughout the year but instead of taxes they will be baptized as necessary reviews or tariffs.

d.attard

Nov 9th 2009, 23:52

accountability - any budget speach should first and foremost review government's performance over the previous 12 months. This has not been done.

A careful analysis of performance is the cornerstone of any future-looking document.

why did we fail to reach the important capital-expenditure targets? why did we fail to secure our eu funds targets? why are so many school-leavers falling outside of the 'system', why inflation when the economy actually contracted? why did the number of jobs contract?

Why do we continue to flog a limp education system and not open up to an informal appraoch, at least at post-secondary stage and for those who can not respond to formal info-pumping?

I believe that this is a key reason why we lack behind other economies at the creative level.

And why do we keep insisting on comparing statistics such as unemplyment so horribly out of context? unemplyment statistics go hand in hand with the level of female participation in the economy. Ours is among the lowest and hence our unemplyment rate must also be seen in this light.

when a budget speech lacks an honest performance analysis, the rest becomes, by and large, a navel gazing exercise.

Stephen Farrugia

Nov 9th 2009, 23:52

The budget is very irresponsible because 150 million euros are going to be spent on illegal immigrants. Taken from the peoples taxes, away from our suffering workers.

The budget was even more irresponsible because the 80 million euro Valletta Piano project is going to give jobs to immigrants, working with building contractors and not how the PM said, to Maltese families. Every building project the government has now going, employs thousands of cheap labour from Africa.

The Nationalists just don't want to listen. I have concluded that Joseph Muscat is more Maltese, to deserve to be our prime minister.

R Scicluna

Nov 9th 2009, 23:51

does muscat think people live around the electricity tarrifs??? change the record as you are so boring to listen too...

J Martinelli

Nov 9th 2009, 23:46

@ Joseph Borg et al

This Budget which has not raised taxes, is not good, but under the circumstances, it is an excellent one!

Compare budgets of other countries, then make comments. Compare unemployment in Spain (example) which stands at almost 20% and compare to Malta's.

Your esteemed Leader has toyed with your minds regarding the electricity rates, but he has not told anyone how he proposes to lower the rates while the oil prices are going up! And you believe someone who consistently abdicates his responsibility as Leader of the Opposition and places his and his party's gain before the interest of the Nation!

He makes a statement and labels the Budget as 'irresponsible' when at the same time refused to answer any questions from the Press. What lack of responsibility, which only proves one thing - he has no answers - he has no vision - he has no solutions, just cheap talk and there are those like yourself who believe every word he says! Pity.

Same tactics as Alfred Sant's which belie Joseph's boasts of the 'new way of doing politics'. The only changes in the MLP under Joseph's stewardship is no more than dropping the 'M'!

joseph cassar

Nov 9th 2009, 23:37

dr muscat;s first reaction is pathetic.... same "kantaliena"..... what this government does is always wrong, and for PL , Goverment never comes up with proposals up to their expectations. ovvja.... zgur li ma setax jaccetta ix-shoppping list li dr. muscat ippropona.

in my opinion this was a good budget,

what a good idea to give tax credits related to employment of new staff. Helping businesses and creating jobs. 2 birds with one stone. spot on.

please dr muscat be coragious enough, admit and declare what is black is black, and what is white is white. this time considering the situation, tonio fenech did a fantastic job.

Charles Attard

Nov 9th 2009, 23:28

Although a Worldwide financial crises. in my openion a very courages Budget which directly stimulates economy and much more aid to create more employment. Well done. All Social Partners giving quite positive reactions

Mary Ann Borg

Nov 9th 2009, 23:21

'Rahas it-Tonn taz-Zejt' was the headlines of l-orrizzont one fine morning after Wistin Abela had just read the budget the night before. Now that was really a creative budget by Labour. That of course, was a very responsible budget, much like the 'Rainbow Budget' penned by Lino Spiteri during which year Malta experienced the highest rate of unemployment ever since Independence and still holds the record to this day.
@ A Farrugia: We recently (1997) did have a budget that tried to fill the hole (remember the famous 'hofra'?) by cutting down on the stipends, cutting financial aid to local councils and introducing a 50c charge each time one goes to pick 'free' medicine. Now that was a very responsible budget, so much so that the same party was gone from government by the time the next budget was due.
This was a budget that continued to show the Maltese electorate that PN gives Malta 'Par Idejn Sodi' and that notwithstanding the economic turmoil all around us, we managed to keep check on unemployment, actually increased the number of people having a job and still
provide for a €5.20 increase as per COLA.

D.Attard

Nov 9th 2009, 23:04

Expected much worse.....with the European Economy still struggling.
Can be described as a 'left-leaning' financial exercise.
It's about time we get some proper comment and decent criticism.
Investment in Education, job creation and Industry is quite encouraging

Joseph Borg

Nov 9th 2009, 22:51

today hearing the budget speech I Mary Poppins song popped up in my mind! Remember?

Let's sing along than!!!

"With a spoonful of sugar and the medicine goes down....the medicine goes down...the medicine goes down"

no comment other than that!

jbusuttil

Nov 9th 2009, 22:41

Dear Joseph Bog could you kindly ask your leader to explain to you what a recession means. Yes its not a bed of roses but as long as it secures jobs that is the most important thing.

joseph Borg

Nov 9th 2009, 22:35

@ Mario Attard
@ John Schembri
@ Dario Azzopard
@ M. Azzopardi
@ Mark Portelli
@ Joseph E Briffa
@ J Martinelli
@ Edric Micallef Figallo
@ jbusuttil

So you are saying this budget is good???

So you mean that you don't mind the electircity and water bills shooting even higher up? Or are you so dumb to be tricked by Minister Fenech since he hasn't mentioned them for now?

A Farrugia

Nov 9th 2009, 22:34

This Budget commits taxpayers to a terrifying amount of debt that will burden ordinary families for decades to come. The government's proposals are totally inadequate to deal with the increase in the water and electricity tariffs.

The key question for this budget was whether it set out a credible and rigorous path for restoring the public finances to health and to stop once and for all speculation on the price increase on the water and electricity tariiffs. In brief, the present administration failed to tackle the most important issues to the middle class and hard working families, namely the high cost of living, incentive to boost employment and corruption.

The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister are running out of ideas and out of steam. The Maltese citizens deserve something different.

Marco Spiteri

Nov 9th 2009, 22:26

Same usual thing from the leader of the opposition. Most probably this reply was prepared before the budget was even read out as it is the same in substance as the reply Alfred Sant would have given.

jbusuttil

Nov 9th 2009, 22:24

Joseph Muscat is still much immature and has still a very long way to go Its a pity because the country diserves more.

Edric Micallef Figallo

Nov 9th 2009, 22:22

I'm sure the Hon. Leader of the Opposition doesn't like this budget for the general reaction of social partners is not in tune with his. :)

J Martinelli

Nov 9th 2009, 22:00

Malta Employers' Association - "Positive and creative"
General Workers Union - "welcomed incentives to Industry and full COLA"
Chamber of Commerce and Industry - "welcomed the provisions on micro-financing, assistance to SMEs and the increased investment in job training schemes"
MHRA - "Budget was positive with regard to investment in tourism and embellishment of Malta, particularly the investment in roads"
UHM - "a Budget of solidarity and economic stimulus which upheld stability, job creation, fiscal morality, inflation control, investment in education and health"
GRTU - "praised the government for the assistance being given to SMEs and the self-employed and also welcomed the investment being made in worker training"

JOSEPH MUSCAT - ." An irresponsible budget"

Who's to argue with the LP and Joseph Muscat?

Joseph E Briffa

Nov 9th 2009, 21:58

The statement by Joseph Muscat is pathetic....but then labour supporters expect him to come up with some comments even if they are without substance

Mark Portelli

Nov 9th 2009, 21:50

Mhux hekk hux - issa erga ohrog in nies fit toroq ghax il Budget kien Irresponsabli.

M. Azzopardi

Nov 9th 2009, 21:49

same reactions as we used to have from Dr.Sant!!!

Dario Azzopardi

Nov 9th 2009, 21:39

It was a good budget Dr. Gonzi, in the vision of world economic troubles...

J. Schembri

Nov 9th 2009, 21:39

What other statement would one expect from an irresposible unelected politician?

Mario Attard

Nov 9th 2009, 21:38

Thaught I was watching Alfred Sant commenting on the budget. It's the same response the Labour Party gave last year and the year before and yet the one before. Did anything really change in the Labour Party? (Apart from the name obviously)