Update 2: Muscat insists deficit, not oil price, pushed up utility prices

J.Borg

Feb 22nd 2010, 00:56

I still have yet to hear how Joseph Muscat is going to fix the utility bill problem if he is in government. Till now all he is doing is pointing the finger to the PN government for every little bad thing that happens when instead he should be explaining how he should fix them. One of the reasons I will never vote for Labour. They only care of pointing out every bad thing that happens in PN government and they don't care one bit about the Maltese people.

G.Schembri

Feb 22nd 2010, 00:43

@ A. Zahra - I see you are not so well informed. Just after the election Dr.Gonzi DOUBLED ministers' income by giving them two salaries that of a Minister and that of an MP.
@ Joe Vella - As you say its's good to build all those structures, the problem with the PN government was that it spent millions of pounds more than planned.
The Airport Terminal (the runway together with the tunnel leading to Kirkop was built by MLP) the terminal took longer than planned and cost 7 million more.
Which Revers Osmosis Plant are you refering to. I remember at least two during the labour government.
The Power Station which was meant to replace the Marsa powerstation. Cost more than 10 million more than was planned, never replaced the Marsa PS and already needs an extention which is costing us Millions and will leave thousands of tons of Toxic waste.
The Hospital which took about 16 years to finish and cost Millions more than planned, is already too small and unefficient.

Need I go on? Take off those bluetinted glasses, Wake up use your head and you will soon realise you're living in a fool's paradise.

laurence schembri

Feb 21st 2010, 23:34

But why wait till now, I have been saying this for weeks, The kitty is empty and they are looking at every nook and crany to tax and top it up, come summer we will be taxed for rays of sunshine, Joe Vella, you have been warned, get yourself a Sombrero.

edward bartolo

Feb 21st 2010, 22:19

Quote: "Muscat insists deficit, not oil price, pushed up utility prices..."

I am tempted to believe the same.

Peter Borg

Feb 21st 2010, 21:58

@Joe Vella
It is not true that we have to pay for what we consume. A friend of mine has a garage with water and electricity, but since he just uses it to home his car, the actual consumption is next to nill. The amount he has to pay till November 2009 includes mostly the meter rentals. This amounts to more then 100 Euros. The CO2 emissions on his bill is 0 but still he has to pay this amount.
There are so many figures running around that your quoted 90% figure is hardly true. When prices of oil were low we still had to pay. What your saying about subsides is only partly true as well. Have you heard what minister Fenech said just recently? Or even this you want to deny? He stated that the increase was due also to the deficit and not just the oil prices. Mind you with regards to the latter, hedging is a process which is not being handled intelligently. Who is doing this hedging? Why was hedging done when prices were sky high but not done when prices were low? Since you have all the questions, can you enlighten us?

C.camilleri

Feb 21st 2010, 21:14

@ Joe Vella

I admire your loyalty for the PN, answering everyone who dares having a different opinion.
From the way you write I take it that you are well off and therefore cannot feel the pinch the absolute majority of the population is feeling.
The truth is that no matter how hard you defend your party there are people out there who cannot make ends meet. There self-employed who are either closing shop or going through hell until they pay their loans before folding down. Ask the pensioners how they are coping especially with regards the prices and out of stock medicines? Ask those thousands of unemployed how they cope? Ask those waiting years for an operation? Ask those workers on minimum wage or depending only on part-time jobs as their main income?
Mr.Vella there is another side of the coin which you conveniently never mention.

Muscat Pat

Feb 21st 2010, 20:31

@Joe Vella.
The historical truth is that Gonzi is going to end up being the Prime Minister reponsible for the "tejatru bla saqaf and the kaxxa ( ta Malta) bla qiegh!" Stop taking everyone to task cause you will end up like "Fantozzi contro tutti"!

Joe Vella

Feb 21st 2010, 19:44

@ G. Schembri

"Someone else saying "Money is no problem" "Ihallsu uliedna" And why not?; I ask. When a school is build, Hospital, Power Plant, Reverse Osmosis Plant, Airport, recreational Facilities and all other type of infrastructure is build not only he present generation benefit from it, but also future generations do. So, once again, I ask, why should not future generations bare some of the costs Asa well? Perhaps you would prefer to have Malta still live in the dark ages of the past; no electricity, water, run down schools and so on,

Joe Vella

Feb 21st 2010, 19:37

@ Peter Borg

Get a reality check my friend. How can the increases are surely not due to the variance in oil prices but in the greed of Gov., when 90% of the price of petrol at the pump is made up of the cost to purchase the oil. Utility Tariffs are mainly higher today because Government subsidies have been removed. Now every one pays for what he/she uses. Gone are the days that those who conserve energy have to pay for those who waste among us.

A. Zahra

Feb 21st 2010, 19:28

@ G. Schembri
You are factually wrong when you write, "Dr L Gonzi reduced the number of Ministers, at the same time doubling their income." The salaries of ministers and MPs are tied to those of the Civil Service. It is only when Civil Service employees get a rise that MPs and ministers get a rise. Should you not agree with this system get Joey Muscat to suggest an ammendment to it.

Joe Vella

Feb 21st 2010, 19:21

@ Muscat Pat

The likes of you I really feel sorry for as you do not know what is actually happening around you. You and does like you only meemic the daily dose that is put out by Super 1. The Maltese population today by and large is an educated one and more sophisticated then the Gloom and Doom crowd thinks. The Maltese population deserves more than hollow talk and promises.

G.Schembri

Feb 21st 2010, 19:15

@ jbusuttil Dr L Gonzi reduced the number of Ministers, at the same time doubling their income. So although he has a smaller cabinet it is costing the tax payer much more, Let us not forget the trips abroad these ministers go taking with them large delegations, the powerful fuel eating cars they have, the free mobile calls ministry employees have, the parties they hold. Need I go on?
Do you remember EFA saying "Ghaxar Mijuni l-hawn u l-hemm" Someone else saying "Money is no problem" "Ihallsu uliedna" This was how the PN was governing our finance, NOW the time has come to pay for that mismanagement. Mhux Uliedhom kellom ihalsu mela jaraw kif se jhallsu u lilna jhaluna nghidxu bil kwiet.

Peter Borg

Feb 21st 2010, 19:09

@ Joe Vella
you're always asking the PL leader to tell us what he'll be doing if he's in the shoes of the PM and to predict the price of oil next week. I and the majority of Maltese believe that he will definitely take better stance to control and manage this situation, in a proactive manner. This government is a static, stubborn mule and Gonzi is trying to keep hold of his ride. Gonzi and co..for sure do not have any idea of how much oil will cost in the near future, facts are there for everyone to see, whenever hedging was performed by this Gov. it was always a flop. Whatever the price of oil they increased the W/E tariffs. This goes to show that Gov has a hidden agenda on this issue. These increases are surely not due to the variance in oil prices but in the greed of Gov. to milk more money from the people to be able to squander it on projects such as an non-existent city gate, a roofless theatre, a stilt resting parliament and a heavy-fuel-oil-run power station. Brilliant decisions. Get real Mr Vella.

J. Schembri

Feb 21st 2010, 19:03

Water and Electricity were cheaper because they were subsidised , they were increasing our deficit , this meant that taxpayers who were not using airconditioners were subsidising the bills of those who were using this comodity , for example.
In other words we were encouraging waste . Government is going to help those who will be hardly hit , and will also be sending a payment of around 150euro to each family.
So may I ask ,what's the problem?

ALEXANDER GENUIS

Feb 21st 2010, 18:27

@ JOE VELLA!! PLEASE READ WELL,MY SURNAME IS GENUIS!!!I AM NOT A GENUIS,I AM JUST A MAN,FAMILY MAN,BEING TAXED INJUSTLY WITH WATER AND ELEC TARIFFS BECAUSE OF WHAT??YOU BE THE GENIUS NOW,THE DEFICIT OR THE OIL PRIZE??TELL ME,WHICH IS WHICH??I CAN TELL YOU WHAT THE GOV. SAID BEFORE!!!!!NO ONE SEE THE FUTURE BUT SURELY WE CAN SAY WHAT WAS SAID AND PROMISED IN THE PAST.

james grech

Feb 21st 2010, 18:25

@J Martinelli,
How about having some sensible solutions from the Gov. Mr Martinelli? The problem is that this Gov. is static and unable to react intelligently to changes around him. The only way he knows is that of increasing necessities like W/E. Cause by now no one is believing that this increase is legitimate and that the only reason behind it is to take our money to squander. Incidentally, why do you keep on writing in favour of such a disgraced Gov. when you're comfortably settled out there? I mean its not as if you're gaining any favours right? Or not?

Muscat. Pat Muscat Pat

Feb 21st 2010, 18:10

@ Joe Vella.
In a classic horror film " Night of the Living Dead" a terrified group of people barricade themselves in a rural farmhouse to escape hordes of flesh- eating zombies. Today Maltese are gripped by a similar fear, but this time the walking corpses in their nightmares are GonziPN and his ministers, tearing insatiable at the public purse. The tax on cooking drinking and washing ( sky high electricity and water tariffs) are part of the ghoulish prospects that many terrified Maltese will be facing in the near future.

Michael Spiteri

Feb 21st 2010, 17:17

@Daniel Borg
Gvernijiet Mintoffjani siehbi.

J.Borg

Feb 21st 2010, 17:15

Wouldn't have it been better and a more productive control to pay .50c of our old coins, instead of heaving to go to the doctor and pay abt 15 euro, everytime you need a doctor Dear Minister.

It's useless comparing 50c of our old coins to 15 euro......do you call that by paying 50c the we were paying for health care.......that was just to control the abuse of free medicines, which your party was always teasing the PL governemnt.

Didn't we read recently that even the Archbishop was in favour of such a fee. How come not you and your party.

Let's see what the PN bloggers have to say about this....surely they will try to diminish the importance of this.

@ Mr.Martinelli
Can you please tell us if health care is free in Canada and how much you pay. That is why you are backing the PN so that we will be on your par!

Kevin Sammut

Feb 21st 2010, 17:13

@ Alan Abela - Wadge

Dr Muscat got these facts from Michael Falzon (PN) who stated on Illum of 2 weeks ago that Enemalta made a froga!

Mark borg

Feb 21st 2010, 17:01

J Martinelli you do not live here and havent been here for years right? so you don't know anything about Malta. So the Maltese can just ignore any comments from you. Who are you to talk about Malta and the Maltese while living at the other side of the world?

Daniel Borg

Feb 21st 2010, 16:19

Ghaliex kulhadd jitkellem fuq id-dejn?
Min ghamel id-dejn?
Qatt ma kien hemm partit fil-gvern li faddal il-flus?

Mark Borg

Feb 21st 2010, 16:05

Muscat. Pat
If that happens I hope that whoever burns evidence/papers to hide facts will still be held accountable and immediately arrested and convicted as a traitor to Malta and the maltese population. Whoever made this whole will have to answer for it. Bis sewwa jew bid dnewwa ehe. We should not expect excuses such as the papers are missing. If they're missing then you're guilty end of discussion. MIn haffer it-toqba irid jimliha.

M. Camilleri

Feb 21st 2010, 15:27

For all those who as usual misinterpreted JM's words ...

here is The Times' update :

Dr Muscat was referring to a TVM news report that quoted Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, who said the utility bills had to make do for the deficit so that Malta would not end up like Greece.

Now I think that some of those who posted trying to ridicule Muscat should take their words back ...

J Martinelli

Feb 21st 2010, 15:05

The very first sentence of this article reveals how shallow Joseph's arguments are.

So, suppose there was NO deficit, then it follows that by subsidizing the W&E tariffs, Joseph would create one! Based on today's price of oil, what would Joseph's tariffs be had Labour been governing? A very simple question to a supposed economist and one he refuses to answer!

The more statements like the one above that Joseph issues, the more the LP's credibility sinks. We want your solutions Joseph instead of empty rhetoric aimed only to hook the naive!

Manuel Micallef

Feb 21st 2010, 14:50

@ James Grima - you are saying that the deficit is MLP's fault???!!! are you living in a space ship somewhere?!!

Oil is $80 a barrel - and it has been going backward and forward between 70$ and 80$ for quite some time now. So why are the prices of electric going up now?!!

reason is simple - deficit. Pay for the blue eyed boys so that they enjoy their job!!!
let the pensioners, widows and the lot pay - the impotant things is that blue eyed boys get what they want!!!

Inghaqdu maghna ghal-protesta.

laurence schembri

Feb 21st 2010, 14:41

@ John Schembri
No surprises at all. Had this been the other way round, the CMTU, UHM and MUM will be at the forefront. Wake up matey.

laurence schembri

Feb 21st 2010, 14:26

@ James Grima
Come down from orbit, when Sant took over the was not a penny left in the kitty, ask your idol Eddie.

Muscat. Pat

Feb 21st 2010, 14:19

There are lessons to be learned from the friends of Gonzi's Greek Conservative Party- who lost the August general elections. Just before the elections, Gonzi's friends told the people that the finances were under control; only 3.7 deficit they said. Come the elections won by the Socialists and after a September audit by the EU and the new Government, they find out that the Gonzi's friends cooked the books and hid the real financial mess from the people. The lesson; a disaster: salaries have to go down in Greece, taxes up too whilst again and pensioners to retire only by 68 years. Slowly but consistently, Gonzi is doing a "greek" by sinking the ship called Malta. I truely hope that he and his friends wan't be the first to jump ship when the pumps( borrowings) fail and blame it on the new captain coming the rescue. Il hofra that Gonzi is digging for us, through reckless spending and unaccountability, will end in our abyss.

Joe Vella

Feb 21st 2010, 14:15

@ Christ Debono

In your summarization of events you conveniently left out to inform us all that the price of OIL hit its' highest level ever at $140.00 per barrel in 2008. How conveniences, at least one must be honest with oneself when making an argument to be convincing.

G.Schembri

Feb 21st 2010, 14:13

It is not only PN who will be coming to protest with us. AD are comi9ng as well. DEAR PRIMEMINISTER IL-MAGORANZA QED TGHIDLEK BIEX TNAQQAS DAWN IL-KONTIJIET. Since MLP+AD represent more than 50% of the electorate the prime minister and his party are a minority on this issue. If he cannot cope he should resign.
It was not JM who said that these bills are so high cover deficit. This was reported when quoting Dr. Tonio Borg on PBS news last Friday.
@ James Grima - Do you really believe that all our financial problems are a product of 1996-1998. Do you mean to say that the PN could not rectify these problems in more than 10 years. You must really think highly of the PN to say such things. When Labour was elected in 1972, Mintoff found havoc in ten years time we had became a financally independent country.

Joe Vella

Feb 21st 2010, 14:10

@ Alexander Genius

Your name says it all. You must be a Genius Guy like our Joseph. Can you tell us all what is going to be the price of Oil one week from today?

Joe Vella

Feb 21st 2010, 14:07

@ Mark Borg

I am afraid that it is you that do not follow Oil prices and not Alan Abela-Wadge. When the price of Oil went down from $140 the price at the pumps went down as well, From EURO 1.23 per litre to bellow EURO 1.00. For Joseph Muscat who profess he is an economic genius, those are his words not mine, to say that the increase of Utilities tariffs area as a result of the Deficit either doesn't really knows what he is talking about or he takes us ALL as imbecile. Utilities Tariffs, given the price was constant, are higher for the sole reason because Government Subsidies have been removed and rightly so. Now every one pays for what he/she uses. Gone are the days that those who conserve pay for those who waste.

Keith Gauci

Feb 21st 2010, 14:05

The PN is now saying that the utility bills had risen because of the government financial deficit and not because of the increase in oil prices.

But sorry, wasn't the Nationalist government who again gave rise to this deficit.

C.camilleri

Feb 21st 2010, 13:47

@ PN apologists

Regarding the deficit and the Higher utility tariffs Joseph Muscat was quoting verbatim what minister Fenech said to a TVM news report. If you have a problem with that you can always address your comments to TVM or minister Fenech, cause so far there was no denial of the said report from no one.
Regarding the demo to be held, I only have this to say to those unions who will not participate. Are your members happy paying higher utility tariffs plus the brand new sewer tax ?

Mark Borg

Feb 21st 2010, 13:40

It's plain and simple. No use pointing fingers at things that happened in 1996. When Dr.Sant became Prime Minister he found what a mess EFA left Malta in.
Malta becoming a third world country, oil prices, deficit, utility prices --> ALL Governments fault...mass incompetence and greed. You can lie all you want and blame Tsunamis and others Pn apologists. But the people know the truth.
Yes Dr.Muscat congrats to Thea indeed we have a dream. A dream to make Malta the best in Europe. A very difficult and aspirational dream, with you at the helm , an honest young politician. Those who understand us and want to join us are more than welcome. We need the whole country to work together rather than fighting each other if we are to succeed. But we need proper leadership and not lies and mediocrity and politicians blaming others for their mishaps and mistakes. We will take this country out of the pithole Dr.Gonzi and Pn have got it in. Malta 2017 one of the best in Europe is our dream. Join us for the good of your country.

J.Cuschieri

Feb 21st 2010, 13:30

@James Grima
How could you even possibly begin to explain that what we experience now is the fault of the Labour goverment from its pathetic 2 years?
You are part of this countrie's problem, Mr Gonzi could tell you that he wants to charge you for the very air you breath and you would still out the blame on someone else. Both parties can always count on people like you that will dance to the tune of whatever they say.
Start thinking on what your COUNTRY needs not your PARTY.

e cini

Feb 21st 2010, 13:19

perhaps all those who are so blindfolded by this government should pay our utility bills as we are struggiling to keep up with a decent life

tabela

Feb 21st 2010, 13:17

kemm sirna touchy ghax se nidhlu l belt nhar il hadd. jekk jonqos issa irridu permess minghand n nazzjonalist biex nghamlu marc ta protesta. u aktar ma tghidu aktar jidhlu nies il belt. ibda minni ghax ma kontx diehel imma tant qed nisma kontra l unions iddecidejt li nidhol. fuq il mejda alxejn imorru ghax it tariffi ma naqsux u lanqas wara l marc m'huma se jonqsu imma ghallinqas inkun semmejna lehinja kif jaghmlu il popli kollha tal ewropa

Sue Degabriele

Feb 21st 2010, 13:14

@ James Grima

Alla jbierek kemm saret hsara f'dawk it-22 xhar!!!! Imma kemm hsibtuna nbeccili ghid????

Jesmond Abela

Feb 21st 2010, 13:06

@P. Schembri - if you want to mention prior 1996, lets mention prior 1987. 8,000 new jobs only for the Govt. expense (mit taxxi taghna insomma) just before the general elections ( Il gvern Socjalista (PL) mhux faqa il kaxxa ta Malta imma sfrunda) Just imagine 8,000 wages, sick leaves , bonuses etc etc.

V.Mangion

Feb 21st 2010, 13:02

I'm sorry but the title of this report is misleading. The report states in the second paragraph that:
'Dr Muscat was referring to a TVM news report that quoted Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, who said the utility bills had to make do for the deficit so that Malta would not end up like Greece.'
So it was in fact Finance Minister Tonio Fenech who stated this not Joseph Muscat!!!

Anthony Briffa

Feb 21st 2010, 12:53

It looks like the deficit is going to be the theme of the arguments, which will be brought in parliament , during the forthcoming debate on the utillty tariffs. From the ouset Dr Joseph has lost the plot and he is going to be out subject. What we want to hear him tell government that it failed and at the same time he will tell one and all what his solution to this problem is. If as he says the problem is not the price of oil than it won't be difficult for him to pinpoint the solutions and maybe the government will take them on board and apply them. Dr Muscat why should you be so unkind to let us pay high utility tariffs for the next three years when you might have the solutions right now? Next sunday's manifestation is doing nothing but exposing the deficit of ideas the PL and the GWU have on this and other matters but it is required so that on Monday Dr Joseph can start his speech with 'yesterday thousands have filled Republic Street to express their anger and disgust at the unsocial utility tariffs introduced by government'. Keep it up Joseph.

James Grima

Feb 21st 2010, 12:47

@Sue Degabriele.
Ask Dr. Sant, and JM and their "party". Because its their fault, that we have these problems. Malta is still suffering from the repercussions from those horrible months of 1996-1998.

alexander genuis

Feb 21st 2010, 12:47

IDDECIEDU!!!!!GHALA GHOLEW IL-KONTIJIET TAD-DAWL U L-ILMA??MINHABBA Z-ZEJT JEW ID-DEFICIT?????IDDECIEDU!!MIN GHAMLU D-DEFICIT????IC-CEREJALI????JEKK Z-ZEJT JGHOLA TRID TARA LI TIXTRI META JKUN PREZZ BAXX,BHAL MA KIEN!!!!!!!!!!IDDECIEDU!!!!!!!STAQSU LILL PN BACKBENCHERS X'JAHSBU!!!!STAQSUHOM????TIJATRU BLA SAQAF,KAXX VOJTA,GVERN BLA KONTROLL!!!PAR JDEJN SODI,MAZ-ZGHIR U L-BATUT!!!!!!

Michael Vella

Feb 21st 2010, 12:40

Mhux ovvja you will attend dear Joseph. The GWU organising the street protest is just a good as the Labour Party organising it.

Worrying when a party and a union start working hand in hand to safeguarg the interests of the party rather than the interests of the workers they represent!

jbusuttil

Feb 21st 2010, 12:36

@ Justin Vella.
When making a statement kindly give at least two to three facts. I say that the Government " is trying " to decrease his expenses and was lately critised for not expanding the cabinet. This would obviously increased his expenses.

E Gatt

Feb 21st 2010, 12:20

Dr Joseph Muscat's denial that the increase in the price of oil does not affect utility price, should prompt him to consider incorporating this design in the new party (sorry movement) emblem.

http://legalhelpline.lp-uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ostrich-head-in-sand-sign.gif

P. Schembri

Feb 21st 2010, 12:16

If it wasn't for the deficit, then how come that the tariffs had risen to 185% when the price of oil is hovering at $74? We were paying 50% less when oil was at $85. So, it means that something is amiss, and what could that be besides the inefficiencies of the monopolistic EneMalta.

@Jesmond Abela. What you forget to mention is that the problems we're facing today are the same doings of the PN administration prior 1996. If Dr. A. Sant was left and had cooperation with the authorities concerned, we won't be facing the problems we're facing today. Dr. Sant tried to take the bull by the horns, the PN today is trying to do the same but the trouble is that we haven't a safe pair of hands to guide us!

Tabela

Feb 21st 2010, 12:13

@alan abela wadge
here is 1+1=3 4u
it was the finance minister that said in an interview on pbs (quoted by dr muscat but not yet updated in this report)that the new tarrifs will make good for the deficit. i thought that the new tarrifs had all to do with the price of oil and not with the deficit. a goverment of roofless theatre and bottomless kaxxa ta malta
keep it up dr muscat

Christ Debono

Feb 21st 2010, 12:12

One should keep in mind that it is true that oil prices rose from 1996 to 1998. At that time we had the maltese lira as our national currency. Recall that from 2008 onwards we adopted the euro. Do not forget that when we purchase oil we use the euro as a currency and the prices are quoted in dollars. The euro in the past years was strong against the dollar so an appreciation in the euro meant more dollars to purchase oil. Therefore considering that prices after the recession decreased and the euro was strong against the dollar, the electricity price could have easily been lowered and not increased. Last but not least one should also keep in mind that in times of recessions we use demand management (Keynes Theory), i.e. increase spending to help the economy. Well to pay 6% on late payments on estimates I do not recall that Sant did the same in 1996.

Sue Degabriele

Feb 21st 2010, 12:12

Ilbierah smajt lis-sur John Bencini, President ta' l-MUT fejn qal li meta l-prezz taz-zejt kien ghola, il-kontijiet kienu orhos. Mela min qed jidhak b'min??? Allura mhux ovja li l-kontijiet gholew minhabba d-deficit!!!!

Paul Barrett

Feb 21st 2010, 12:10

This government, Dr Muscat said, was giving the country a roofless theatre and bottomless coffers.

AND A NEW STATE OF THE ART MODERN PARLIAMENT BUILDING - (carbuncle springs to mind) thats what needs to be demonstrated about.

joseph farrugia

Feb 21st 2010, 12:01

Mela skond joseph muscat l-gholi fit tariffi gej mid deficit jigiefieri nixtru iz-zejt bit-80 dollaru il barmil ghal J.M.ma jfisser xejn. U fuq id-deficit ahjar jistaqsi lill G.W.U. kemm ghamlet hsara u bsaten fir -roti fit-tarzna u f'postijiet ohra tax-xoghol b'hekk l-aktar li tela id-deficit Dr.Muscat 900 miljun euro fit-tarzna biss.Ara li kellek tkun fil-gvern int il GWU toqod kwieta u thallik taghdi min fuq il haddiema bhal romblu tat-toroq.Mill bankijiet tal-oppozizzjoni tghid li trid imma meta jkollok ir-responsabbilita li tiehu id-decizjonijiet hemm tkun differenti hemm taghmel hafna ghar min dak li qieghed tikritika illum ghax il passat tieghek f'kitbitek u ghemilekk jikxfuk ghax dejjem kont fuq il parti hazina tad-decizjonijiet.

Mark Borg

Feb 21st 2010, 11:59

Alan Abela-Wadge..erm do you follow oil prices. The Pn bought oil when it was at its highest and did not buy it when it was at its lowest. That is called INCOMPETENCE...or perhaps it's even more sinister than that..perhaps there was a deal so that the few pampaluni took advantage of, the only few who are making money while the rest of the population suffers.
Fortunately the people are not brainwashed like you and when they find their pockets empty they expect an answer from the government. And it's no Tsunami.

alexander genuis

Feb 21st 2010, 11:55

DID YOUR HAIR PRODUCT INCREASED THE PRICE BY 100 PER CENT??WHY EBAY?WHY NOT BUYING IT FOM MALTA????TOO EXPENSIVE LIKE THE NEW TARIFFSS????DAHHAKX!!!!LIKE JOSEPH SAID" TIJATRU BLA SAQAF,KAXXA TA MALTA BLA QIEGH!!!"!!!!QABEL KONTU TMORRU SQALLIJA GHAC C-IKKULATA,ISSA MMORRU BARRA BIEX NIXTRU L-MEDICINA IRHAS!!!!!!!!!!!"I WILL GO TO PROTEST,"BIL-QALB",MAYBE I GET A LM 9 RISE,I WILL BE TAKING A BORMA,NOT A FLAG!!!!!!!REMEMBER??DAHHAKX!!!!!

Jesmond Abela

Feb 21st 2010, 11:43

Where was Dr Joseph during last labour legislation between '96 to 98' , when a barrel was only 12 dollars. Can he tell us why during that period the increase in the tariffs were necessary and now when the barrel is over 75dollars are not ....... Is this guy being honest with us, the Maltese people or he is just taking us for a ride ( in his dreams ) !!!!

Poor Joseph .. keep singing now with Thea Garrett - MY DREAM

J Busuttil

Feb 21st 2010, 11:37

'Muscat insists deficit,not oil price,pushed up utility rates' This statement coming from the leader of the Labour Party is hilarious. So simple. If the price of oil increases and the utility rates are kept at low prices the end result is an increase in deficit. So Dr Muscat do not try to take us for a ride. Your statement is true when your master Alfred Sant increased heavily the utility rates when the price of oil was 12 dollars a barrel a price that did not warrants an increase in utility rates at that time. Also at that time Dr Muscat justified the increases in the utility rates.

Justin Vella

Feb 21st 2010, 11:36

Well i m a nationalist and still not agree with these high tariffs. It was better decreasing the goverment exerbant expenses instead increasing the utility bills.

Alan Abela-Wadge

Feb 21st 2010, 11:34

I'd like to ask Dr. Muscat from were he got the facts for his assumption that prices went up due to the government's so called incompetence instead of the hike in oil prices. Is this the kind of advice your so called pampaluni is giving you? are these the people that are offering an alternative to the Nationalist government? Can we really trust these people to be our ministers?

Dr. Muscat, please don't treat us as imbeciles, before you speak kindly get your facts right because we all know how to add 1+1.

Regards,

Alan Abela-Wadge

Mark Borg

Feb 21st 2010, 11:09

A roofless theatre from a ruthless and toothless Government. Pn's incompetence = Malta's deficit = utility prices

M.Gauci

Feb 21st 2010, 11:06

Everybody keep this article - so that come Labour in government we all send this to Dearest Joseph when he starts introducing higher tariffs here and there and trying to justify them (as we all know will happen).

What you do know - will come and haunt you in future, and not because you should not protest at wrong things, but because you protest at things Malta, the government or you yourself have no control over.

Ps. I am organising a protest because my German make of hair product has gone up in price when buying from Ebay. Any Labourite care to join me?

James Grima

Feb 21st 2010, 11:06

How boring Dr. Muscat is!!! Well, I'm really sure that LP delegates are aware of their error , and are already thinking of having a new "mexxej" :)

J. Schembri

Feb 21st 2010, 11:04

"The Labour Party will be joining the Ghaqda Unions Maltin in its protest ..."
Now that's what I call a scoop!
Should we be surprised ?