Voluntary sector controversy should make it stronger - PM
The current controversy regarding the Community Chest Fund and whether or not it should register with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisation should help keep the voluntary sector strong and accountable, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this morning.
He said during an interview with Karl Gouder that while a level of transparency was required in the sector, it could not be strangled and excessive bureaucracy was wrong.
A balance, he said, had to be sought and achieved.
Following the legal advice of the Attorney General, the Community Chest Fund decided not to enrol under the Voluntary Organisations Act.
But the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations came out saying that the situation rendered redundant the law he was meant to regulate.
Dr Gonzi also spoke on employment saying that very important reforms were carried out last year for the country to progress. The country also continued to attract new investment.
Former shipyard employees had found alternative employment and these were good indicators that the economy was still creating jobs.
Although there were problems, the government was focused on employment and reforms for taxes to be spent in the best possible manner had been carried out.
On education, the Prime Minister said that while there were 14,800 students receiving a stipend in the 2007/08 scholastic year, the number went up to 15,415 in 2008/09 and to 16,056 in 2009/10.
Every cent spent on stipends, he said, was blessed if this encouraged more students to continue studying.
Dr Gonzi said that 87 per cent of students attending Junior Lyceums had decided to continue with post secondary education. This was a very encouraging result.
Moreover, the student population at post secondary level had tripled since 1996.
On female workers, Dr Gonzi said that the number of full time women employees had increased by 1,700, as a result of a scheme introduced which had cost €3.2 million, including €2 million in tax credits.
The government’s priority this year, he said, was to remain employment creation, the defence of jobs and assistance to job creators.
2010, he said, would be a year a year of reflection for the party so that it would update itself to be able to face the challenges ahead.
The Prime Minister said he felt that, on a political level, the Labour Party was losing its soul by trying to please everyone.
"We need an opposition that can take a stand, even if this is not popular," he said.
Malta, he said, urgently needed to invest in essentials. That was why the government was investing in Valletta, tourism zones, roads, infrastructure, waste treatment and energy treatment. All this was part of a chain.
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michael fenech
Jan 10th 2010, 21:28
@ J. Martinelli
If you think that things are so great over here with Dr. GonziPN and his boys at the helm, why don’t you pack your bags and come and live here in goody MALTA.
Galea. L
Jan 10th 2010, 21:20
3.
31. Consumers will be given a clear indication of what quality of service they should expect from the producers of water and electricity.
42. We will ensure that government debt is not more than 60% of the Gross National Product.
43. The deficit will not be higher than 3% of the Gross National Product.
53. The development of Fort St. Angelo.
86.No changes which negatively affect hunters and trappers will be made to the current regulations on hunting and trapping.
100. We commit ourselves to create and maintain a better environment in all our industrial estates in particular, those at Luqa, Hal-Far, Ta'Qali Crafts Vilage and Ta' Dbiegi in Gozo.
132.A new Nationalist government will engage the services of experts to give advice to farmers in the planning of their crops according to the demands of the market, so that they may maximise their profits.
133. Country roads will be resurfaced well.
141. A new Nationalist government will continue to liberalise telecommunications gradually, to improve the service offered to the consumer. The jobs of Maltacom employees will be safeguarded.
Whenever you want some more like Oliver Twist just ask Martinelli.
Galea. L
Jan 10th 2010, 21:13
2
5.Bureaucracy will be reduced by the creation of 'one-stop shops', allowing people to go to a single place for all their government-related business. This will put an end to the time-consuming and irritating task of racing from one government department to another.
A NEW NATIONALIST government will reduce water and electricity rates.
25. We will once again heavily subsidise the first 20 gallons of water (up on the original 18) consumed daily per person. The cost of an essential comodity like water, should not be a burden to families.
26. We will remove the exaggeratedly high increase in the meter charge, which the Labour government raised to Lm24 a year.
27. The Lm24 drainage tax will go.
28. We will subsidise the minimum amount of electricity consumed daily by an average person and thus considerably reduce electricity bills.
29.We will have discussions with the business sector, to establish reasonable water and electricity rates which do not stunt economic growth.
30. We will make sure that water and electricity producers will cut down on the waste that Alfred Sant made the consumer pay for.
Galea. L
Jan 10th 2010, 21:08
J Martinelli
Seems that my quotes from past electoral manifestos have got on your nerve Martinelli.
If one had to vote for a party according to its main apologists, the first one being you, they will never vote for the PN. You and some other commentators are even getting on the nerves of PN supporters with your constant harping to past assumed events and you know what happens when you assume. Wake up to the 21 century Martinelli. In the meantiem, enjoy a few more quotes Martinelli.
1998 PN Electoral Manifesto
We will ensure that the government remains close to the people.
2.Anybody registering a complaint or request will receive a reply in the shortest time possible , and will regularly be kept informed as to any action taken and the reasons for it.
3.The law on Abrogative Referenda will come into effect thereby obliging government to strike off certain laws should the majority of the people vote in favour of such removal. Consultative Referenda will provide government with the means to seek the advice of the people on matters of importance.
r pace bonello
Jan 10th 2010, 20:52
I am lost!
J Martinelli
Jan 10th 2010, 19:59
@ Galea. L
If one had to vote a party for:
Losing as many libel suits as the LP has - will never vote Labour
Leaving a country without potable water - will never vote Labour
Giving supporters preference for low rental apartments - will never vote Labour.
Expropriating properties and turn them into LP clubs - will never vote Labour
Having no vision and being unprepared to govern - will never vote Labour
A Party with an 'eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth' policy - will never vote Labour
For failing two banks leaving thousands holding an empty bag - will never vote Labour.
For failing to hold on to one full mandate in 22 years - will never vote Labour
For having an inexperienced leader - will never vote Labour
For making U-turns regarding several issues - will never vote Labour
For its inability to write an error free electoral programme - will never vote Labour
For 'bulk buying', wage freezing and paying straight time for overtime - will not vote Labour
For introducing a 'reception class' without knowing its meaning - will never vote Labour
For being anti-everything - one will never vote Labour.
carmel mifsud
Jan 10th 2010, 19:54
Hon PM if you want the voluntary sector to be stronger there are two things that your govt should do:
1: revise the CVO Act
2: Change the Commissioner as soon as possible.
M Inguanez
Jan 10th 2010, 18:57
Lawrence Gonzi's government may have one million defects but boy the man got substance contrary to his counterpart (Joseph) li qas jaf minn fejn se jibda!
Galea. L
Jan 10th 2010, 16:58
3.
1987 N ELectoral Manifesto
16. Our main economic thrust
The PN in government will put the Dockyard back on its feet: through a resumption of friendly relationships with countries whose companies once represented and will again represent our most loyal customers; and through the restoration of managerial autonomy and professionalism to the enterprise by the elimination of all forms of political interference. Continuous modernisation of machinery and regular updating of management methods will ensure that all Dockyard workers will be productively employed.
1998 PN Electoral Manifesto
We are convinced that the Drydocks can be turned into a profitable business, by:
124.Diversifying products and services;
125. Removing duplication of work among the shipyards;
126.Introducing more training for employees;
127.Improving efficiency of management;
128.Upgrading equipment as necessary.
Galea. L
Jan 10th 2010, 16:50
2.
1981 PN Electoral Manifesto
"12.1. MALTA'S LEADING INDUSTRY
The Dry Docks has been and remains Malta's leading industry, and a Nationalist Government will give it every encouragement to further develop both its ship repair capacity, and its small ship building capability within the present Dry Docks precincts, along with relevant and similar work which will make profitable use of plant and equipment during periods when they would otherwise be underutilised.
12.2. DRY DOCKS: WORKERS' PARTICIPATION
...A Nationalist Government will not, at any time seek to impose its will on the Dry Docks in this sort of dictatorial manner, which contradicts the spirit and esence of meaningful autonomy. On the contrary it will, in consultation and dialogue with the workers themselves, strengthen by appropriate amendment the provisions of the Law relating to the Dry Docks' Council and its functions, so that the Council will in future be insulated from the sort of political interference it has been hitherto subjected to. Another amendment envisaged stems from the need to clarify the relationship between Council, Management and Unions, in order to strengthen industrial democracy in the Dry Docks sector.
Galea. L
Jan 10th 2010, 16:46
M Hope
"If you had to judge a government by the number of roads built, than I am sure
you would vote GonziPN forever! "
As far as I know April 1 is still 2 1/2 months away Hope. Vote for Gonzi? Keep on hoping Hope.
M Psaila
Investew hawnhekk ghax sabu cheap labour biss ghax kieku kienu jinvestu f'pajjizhom stess.
Re the Drydocks, have a look at the PN's past Electoral Manifestos. No commenst are necessary.
Extract from the 1971 PN Electoral Mainfesto "...A Nationalist Government after putting the Drydocks on a sound basis and after the necessary investments to set it up once more on its feet will give all Drydocks workers a share in profits and due representation on the Board of the Corporation.."
1976 PN Electoral Manifesto "4.10 Dockyard
Nationalist Government has always looked upon the Dockyard as one of the most important industries of the country. A nationalist Government will revise the law on the running of the Dockyard to ensure that all the workers will have a share in its running.
Franco Farrugia
Jan 10th 2010, 16:22
@ Louise Vella: And by your 'not-so-good causes', we know what you mean, obviously. Anything that has to do with refugees. Maaaaaaaa, you are besotted with this issue, Ms Vella. You need to get a life, you know. What happened, happened only once! It was an accident! Just once! Get on with your life before it is too late.
Gerard Cassar
Jan 10th 2010, 15:41
The Prime Minister Dr. L. Gonzi appears to take credit for the fact that the workers he and Dr. Austin Gatt discharged from the former D'Yard have all found a job. This is a credit to the workers themselves and a proof that they have been unduly accused of bring themselves the downfall of the D'Yard. If there are workers that anyone will blidly employ and trust these are former D'Yard workers.
Their flexibility, their know how if "managed properly" will surely not have caused the closing of their work place. Who is so foolish to bring down his work place. Only mismanagement is the culprit, with the government authorities turning their back to what was hapenning. By acting in that way the authorities shouldered full responsibilities. Perhaps they did it purposely because they imagined that the D'Yard was a Labour stronghold and the soul of the party. So not only they didn't care less about its future but even precipitated the position in order to get rid of them as soon as possible. What a difference with the episode of the Solidarnosk.
From the P.N. the workers can expect even the unthinkable.
louise vella
Jan 10th 2010, 15:15
Dr Gonzi said "a level of transparency was required in the sector" of the financing of NGOs. Full transparency is required and full accountability because now we're dealing with big money - millions of euros. Is Dr Gonzi prepared to advise the President to publish a full list of "entities" which received money from the MCCF, year by year, in money and in kind, since 2000? That way the contributing public will know if it agrees or disagrees with the way the money had been shared out among the "good" and perhaps "not-so-good" causes.
Christian Sciberras
Jan 10th 2010, 15:11
M Hope - You seriously ought to pass some time Gozo, because if I had to vote for road-government, I'd put PN at the very end.
But then again, Gozo is not Maltese, is it not?
I'm no anti-PN, but seriously, you believe they did the best that could be done?
I could build a road with just the amount I pay for taxes/NI in 2 years. Or in a year, with the cheap materials they're using.
C Tabone
Jan 10th 2010, 14:14
The more Lawrence Gonzi talks, the less he says. This morning he was comfortably interviewed by a Nationalist Party aparachtik, quoting from his notes and saying that everyone has got it wrong except him. You'd laugh if it wasn't so sad.
M Psaila
Jan 10th 2010, 13:37
@ L Galea
Remove your red blinkers my dear!
Mhux sinjal tajjeb li f'ricessjoni internazzjonali kumpanija tinvesti 50 miljun ewro u tohloq 200 impjieg gdid?
Mhux sinjal tajjeb in-numru ta studenti li hemm fl-Universita'?
Mhux decizjoni tajba li l-poplu ma jibqax jissussidja d-Dockyard kif kien jaghmel ghal snin twal u r-rovina li l-Labour gab fuq it-tarznari?
M Hope
Jan 10th 2010, 13:14
@ L Galea
Shipyard workers with airline maitenance company are now helping to sustain the
country's GDP instead of putting a hole in it...irrespective of whether is Euros or Lm.
If you had to judge a government by the number of roads built, than I am sure
you would vote GonziPN forever!
Grow up man!
Galea. L
Jan 10th 2010, 12:51
Shipyard employees, those who found work with a an airline maintenance company, are being paid €700 a month to do all sorts of jobs. Yes its €€€€ not LmLmLmLm.
"The Prime Minister said he felt that, on a political level, the Labour Party was losing its soul by trying to please everyone."
Look whose talking!! The PN doesn't even have a soul.
"Malta, he said, urgently needed to invest in essentials. That was why the government was investing in Valletta, tourism zones, roads, infrastructure, waste treatment and energy treatment. All this was part of a chain."
A city gate without a gate, a parliament on stilts as used by clowns and a roofless theatre unwanted by the majority of the Maltese citizens.
Tourism zones? After leaving Bugibba to fall to pieces? After the closing of the only hotel in the South and leaving Marsaskala and the South in ruins and continuing to set up all dirty projects in the South?
Waste and energy treatment? Who do you think you can kid Gonzi?
You have the gall to speak about roads and infrastructure?
Who do you think you are talking to, kindergarten kids?