Updated: Irresponsible to cut taxes now - PM
The Prime Minister said today that it would be irresponsible for the government to reduce income tax now, at a time when the world was still in financial crisis.
Amid uproar in Parliament, Dr Gonzi said the Opposition was not being responsible when it urged him to implement now, his electoral promise to reduce the top rate of income tax.
"Do you honestly expect me to be so irresponsible, in the midst of of this international crisis, to keep a promise that cannot be implemented at this time?" Dr Gonzi asked amid interruptions.
"This is absolute irresponsibility by an opposition party which has no idea what it means to take responsible decisions for the country.
"What I tell the leader of the Opposition and his colleagues is that this promise will be implemented at the appropriate time, like the others..." Dr Gonzi said amid further uproar.
Dr Gonzi noted that Opposition MPs were shouting that the tax cuts would only come on the eve of a general election. It showed, he said, that the Opposition's thinking was according to electoral timetables. (laughter on both sides of the House).
Labour wanted the government to cut taxes now because they were already worried of losing the election, Dr Gonzi said.
As to Dr Muscat's jibe that Dr Fenech Adami was better than him in managing the economy, Dr Gonzi said this was no problem. After all, Dr Fenech Adami had been better than Mintoff, Sant, Mifsud Bonnici and Muscat, and he was therefore in good company (applause from the government benches).
Mr Mintoff, Dr Gonzi observed, had never lost an occasion to speak about job creation. Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici had never missed an opportunity to employ people, even hundreds just before the elections. It was only Alfred Sant and Joseph Muscat who had removed job creation from the Labour political agenda, Dr Gonzi said.
In another part of his speech, Dr Gonzi referred to Dr Muscat's comment on Monday that the government was taxing the country dry. He said that the proportion of the worker's income which went to taxes and social security contributions in Malta was among the lowest in Europe and lower than in Cyprus, which had suddenly become Labour's benchmark.
Dr Gonzi also observed that the unemployment rate in Cyprus rose to 7.2% this year while that in Malta had gone down to 6.1%. Furthermore, the cost of living in Cyrpus had gone up by 2.1% while in Malta it went down by 1.2%.
Furthermore, only three days ago, the Governor of the Cyprus Central Bank warned the government that the deficit was rising to 7% and he called for a wage freeze in order to avoid the need to cut pay.
EU BUDGET CAP
Dr Gonzi said he could not understand how, on Monday, Dr Muscat criticised him for having backed calls for administrative costs in the European Commission not to rise by more than 2.9% instead of the proposed 6%.
Dr Muscat had claimed that this position weakened Malta's position in the EU Budget negotiations for 2014-2020.
Dr Gonzi said the two were different, but Dr Muscat was still acting like an MEP and taking the European Parliament's position.
Malta and the other member states felt that at a time when national governments were reining in their spending, the European Union should do likewise. The talks on the next EU Budget were not due to start before next year, Dr Gonzi said, and would not be affected.
Indeed, he said, he knew of no party leader other than Dr Muscat who backed the EU proposals to raise its budget.
This was ridiculous. He knew of no other party leader who was in favour of increasing the EU administrative budget by 6%.
Dr Gonzi said the proposals made by Dr Muscat on Monday would 'run the country into a wall' and he actually pitied (Opposition finance spokesman) Charles Mangion who on Monday was, on TV, shown figures of how the Budget deficit would spike if the Labour proposals were taken on board.
(See other stories in the Budget section)
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Lawrence Fenech
Nov 6th 2011, 14:48
You are right, that's why you and your friends pocketed Euro 500 per week from 2008 behind the people's back. You have shattered all the pre election promises, reducing taxes was your first joke.
Alfred Fenech
Sep 22nd 2011, 10:09
When he poketed an extra 500euros was it a better world.. The people are feeling the pinch. The judiciary
are due for a good rise.... The people have to face the facts by an additional 1.16euros. What a farce....
He expexts us to vote him in again, not a chance... Even if it means bringing in a new man from the opposition. How bad can it get....
A. Vassallo
Nov 5th 2010, 19:43
@ Charles J. Buttigieg
I cannot understand why people like your kind self and all the bloggers "lejburisti" keep on talking about broken promises. Just put it in your minds once and for all that the tax reduction promise, that income tax will be reduced from from 35% to 25% was an ELECTORAL promise and Dr. Lawrence Gonzi has two and a half years and to more budgets to reduce income tax.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 5th 2010, 20:06
His solemn promise was that the tax rate will be reduced in his first budget after the election. Can you deny that?
Alfred Fenech
Sep 22nd 2011, 10:11
Leave it at 35% and he make get another rise for all the goodness he deserves......
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 5th 2010, 17:48
We have a Prime Minister who believes so much in being responsible for his election promises that he refuses to act on a divorce legislation because that was not in his list of promises. Mur ifmu l-dan ir-ragel!
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 5th 2010, 14:09
@ Anthony Castillo
You did not need to be personal but I’ll give you an answer just the same. We live on a tax free pension and returns from investments and interests all of which taxed at source at 15%. This tells you that with or without the promised tax deduction our financial situation would not alter. But that is not the point. The point is that prior to the last General Election the world economic situation wasn’t better than it is now and Gonzi assured his prospective voters that,if elected, he would reduce the tax in his first budget as that would help to generate more income. I’m not debating the economics wisdom of tax reductions. What I’m saying is that Gonzi should have qualified his pre election promise if he wanted to be safe and honest with the electorate.
Anthony Castillo
Nov 5th 2010, 11:40
@ Charles J Buttigieg. It looks like you have well secure job may be also in the public sector with a very good high pay the way you're talking because in my oppinion the first priority is to save the jobs and then the taxes will be reduced for sure because through experience as always what he promise he delivers,that's why he keeps on having the best results from mainly the EU statistics.
m.borg (slm)
Nov 5th 2010, 13:35
I believe on of gonziPN's electorall posters was:
GONzI IGIG IX-XOGHOL and not GONZI ISSALVA IX-XOGHOL
You are a parroting you master when you say the importance to save jobs and not lower income tax, can you come up with a personnal argument instead repeating your lord and master.
What is your opinion of his excellency's famous phrase "Aggustament tal-Weghdi", let me put it in english "Adjustments of promisses" ?
Love to read what you have to say to this.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 4th 2010, 19:18
Gonzi’s pre election promises were cheap, but his BROKEN PROMISES Will COST YOU MONEY. You is everybody and not excluding Gonzi’s sad apologists.
mario azzopardi
Nov 4th 2010, 19:01
I prefer to keep my job than a tax cut!. We forgive you Gonzi for not keeping your promise. Grazzi talli kellek il-kuragg li izzomm ix-xoghol bhala prijorita..
As for Dr KIA well we should have done like Gordon Brown.
I am beginning to dobt the wisdom of Dr Muscat. Jekk jghid il-frejjeg mill oppozizzjoni x'ser jaghmel jekk ikun fil-poter????
B. Cachia
Nov 4th 2010, 15:43
It's irresponsible NOT to cut taxes during an economic slowdown. The last thing one should try to do in a recession or slowdown is to attempt to reduce the deficit. This is basic macroeconomics.
Lawrence Fenech
Nov 6th 2011, 14:52
@Cachia.
Like pick pocketing Euro 500 per week from 2008 behind your back.
Muscat Pat
Nov 4th 2010, 14:45
By attempting to use the mad promises for political advantage rather than engaging the nation honestly in a slow, shared transformation, the prime minister has done neither himself nor his country any favours. The public is losing patience with him: after all, these promises were nothing but a dishonest piece of pre-election politicking.
G Borg
Nov 4th 2010, 13:19
Tajjeb. Bhalissa kulhadd qed jissikka ic cinturin.....u hawn nippretendu li jnaqqas l income tax....gvern responsabbli ma jaghmilx hekk....
A. Vassallo
Nov 4th 2010, 11:15
@ R. Degiorgio & Gerard Cassar
Dazgur li Dr. Muscat sa issa ma wieghed xejn, izda mhux ghar-ragunijiet li tajt inti, imma ghax l-anqas qabad art ta' dak li qieghed jigri f'Malta, fl-Ewropa u fid-Dinja,ahseb u ara. Kemm il-darba ser nghidulkom, Il-Prim Ministru wieghed li f'din il-legislatura inaqqas l-income tax ghal 25% Din il-legislatura fadlilha sentejn u nofs u zewg bagits ohra.
@ Pat Hobson
You do not need to bet on it. There will be tax cuts before the election because until than, if all things being equal as at present with no extraordinary circumstances,and if we reach our goal of 2.8% deficit of GDP in 2011, than our ecomomic situation will be healthy. Hopefully in 2012's budget.
@ Alex Debono
Mhux vera li il-Prim Ministru qal li ha ddahal il-mizura tal-income tax mil-ewwel ghax dik kienet weghda elettorali. Ghad fadal zmien ghall-elezzjoni ohra. Mur emmnek li ivvutajt PN.!!!!!!!!!!!
J. Borg
Nov 4th 2010, 10:47
Dear PM, during your election campaign you were always telling us that there is trouble ahead........so why did you come out with the idea of reducing tax bands?
It is you who said that tax bands will be reduced before 2010 as that will help stimulate the economy. So why do you have a change of heart now.
You criticised the PL by saying that they said this will be an election 'carrot' as you yourself said that this will be done in due time.
So, if you are still saying that we are still in troubled waters, are you so prophetic that in 2 years time all will passa dn we will be living in seventh heaven and so you will be able to change the tax bands.
Also, how come when you said that changing tax banbds will stimulate economy and now that Joseph Msucat told you to do it you and your friend Loo came out saying that the deficit will increase?
Gone are those days when politicians used to fool people!
Mike Magri
Nov 4th 2010, 09:56
Irresponsible to cut taxes now - PM
Dear Lawrence.... If as yoU said that to cut taxes now, to you, is an `irrisponsible` act... Then what do yoU call a Party Leader by the name of GonziPN, a few days before a very important general election, ASSURING the Maltese and Gozitan people alike, that if you and the PN are elected, YOU WILL SURELY REDUCE THE CEILING OF INCOME TAX FROM 35% TO 25%....!!??:!!??!!??..... CRAZY.... LIAR.... VOTE CATCHER.... CHEATER... !!??!!??
You Name It... I Call It... !!
HALLINA......!!!
Joseph E Briffa
Nov 4th 2010, 09:40
The measures which a good statesman takes are aimed at the good of the country. They might be unpleasant ones sometimes and therefore unpopular with the electorate. It's an ingrained characteristic in man to see things from his own point of view blissfully forgetting the effect of such measures on the country as a whole. A good statesman has to view things from a higher viewpoint. Like a good captain steering his ship a country's leader has to steer the ship of state through safe waters. No good captain steers on a charted course when weather conditions change There are therefore instances where he has to change tack and adjust the course to take weather conditions in consideration. A captain who follows blindly the charted course and ignores changing weather conditions is bound to wreck the boat. Corrective measures have to be taken; simply following the charted course to be seen to have kept his word does not make sense and is an irresponsible act which only leads to tragedy. It's easy for people on shore to criticise the change of course; these people are not responsable. It's the captain that has to answer for any mishaps not spectators.
Mark Galea
Nov 4th 2010, 09:02
Grazzi Dr Joseph Iceland Muscat tal-pariri tieghek. Nisperaw li ma tibghatilniex il-kont tad-decizjonijiet tieghek. Joe, il-politika mhix gugarell!
A.Gauci Cunningham
Nov 4th 2010, 09:00
I regret to say that most of you here are either mere parrots or were abroad in some long forsaken island throughout the last election campaign. Why?? Because the PM had clearly stated to all and sundry that the promise to reduce income tax from 35% to 25% was due to the fact that he was seeing "...is-shab u il-maltemp fuq ix-xefaq" He had in the most unequivocal and clear of manners promised to introduce this measure so as to fight the economic recession ahead. Moreover he had promised that we need this measure so much that he would introduce it in the FIRST budget. So a rehash.....This promise was made in the midst of a recession....to COMBAT the recession....Ghax meta nitfghu il-flus go but il-poplu ir-rota tibda ddur!! The only irresponsible person, it turns out to be, was the PM who promised a measure with a certain argumentation for him only to change his argumentation (and renege from his promise) after the election. Shame on you Mr.PM!! Shame on you!!
C. Sapiano
Nov 4th 2010, 08:22
A very mature speech. What a difference from the childish speech of the Labour Party Leader !
Lawrence Fenech
Nov 6th 2011, 14:53
@Sapiano.
Not mature, over ripe that's why he should go.
Carmel Cilia
Nov 4th 2010, 07:58
Dr Gonzi do you want to know who is irresponsible. Let me tell you: it is the man who is in charge of a party which during the last 23 years has in fact created this enormous deficit and the huge debt this country is now shouldering. It is the man who on the eve of an election when confronted on Disset on when the people would be given this tax relief said that he would'nt even wait till 2010 because this tax reduction in itself was a tool to fight economic recession.
Irresponsible is that man who knowing as he is saying of the enormous financial problems facing this country is going ahead with a project to spend a hundred million on the Piano project just to satisfy his personal "orgolio".
Irresponsible is that man who today in 2010 whilst supposedly representing as prime minister the whole of the Maltese nation (supported by a minority of votes) is calling at least half of his people names that install anything but christian values coming from a man who claims to be anti divorce because he is a practising christian.
Stop making a fool of yourself.
ALEXANDER GENUIS
Nov 4th 2010, 07:57
IRRESPONSIBLE WHO PROMISED SUCH PROMISE BEFORE AN ELECTION!!!!!!!!!!
Ramon Casha
Nov 4th 2010, 07:26
No. It was irresponsible to promise that taxes would be cut in the first budget.
Victor Vella
Nov 4th 2010, 06:32
It is also irresponsible PM to give word that you are going to reduce income tax by 2010 before the election where all the world heard what you have said, and then after stealing the votes of the people, you do U turns. Pay attention PM because the world is already taking all politicians with a pinch of salt. You are one of them-Who are those imbiciles, and you think that all Maltese are imbiciles, that next time are going to give you the mandate to govern these people? Not only the tax payers who are your victims. Last election you said to all Air Malta employees that nobody repeat nobody is going to lose his/her job. You have sent a letter to all employees to rest their minds that under Gonzi PN all AM employees are in good hands. This letter is also at the GWU hands and employees at Air Malta have every right to take the government both to Malta and European court of Justice. Gonzi has made an explicit contract with Air Malta employees and such contract has to be served, otherwise he has to pay the damages to the families that are going to suffer.
Anthony Mizzi
Nov 4th 2010, 06:07
Prime Minister Gonzi came out loud and clear and in not so many words uncovered the Machiavellian strategy Gonzipn for electoral campaigns at the gullable electorate's expense :
The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.
~Niccolo Machiavelli
M Camilleri
Nov 4th 2010, 06:05
Meta it tnaqqis tal-income tax ghamilha weghda elettorali hu qal li isir biex jistimula l -ekonomija.
Mela fil krizi li hawn, fejn l ekonomija hija stagnata, messu aktar ghamilha halliha jistmula l ekonomija.
Hallina Prim , .
Joseph Sammut
Nov 4th 2010, 05:57
Irresponsible to cut taxes now. When would it be a responsible time - election time? Would this be responsible as in the good of the nation?
Anthony A. Mifsud
Nov 4th 2010, 05:45
Dear Dr. Gonzi, now that you have spoken, you have cracked the nut. We happen to live or, we have started to exissit on this rock, it's too late now you should have kept your promise, il habel skappa.
wasal i zmien li twarab.
Toni
M Palermo
Nov 4th 2010, 01:37
I can't understand why everyone is making a fuss and ranting that the tax cut has not been done and PM hasnt kept his promise??? Isin't his term 5 years? Only half has passed and there is still time... why not wait till the full 5 years pass then start namecalling and calling him a liar. Until then anyone who says he did not keep his promise or dishonest is only misleading and mistaken...
For all those agruing that he will make the cut before elections... so be it. Whenever he makes it is fine with me.
It makes no sense to argue now cause he didn't keep the promise and when the tax occurs people argue that its a move for the election or whatever... Many maltese need to be happy with what they got and not take everything for granted and try to find needles in the haystake to complain about... it makes us look like we have nothing better to do.... or maybe we dont....
Christian Ellul
Nov 4th 2010, 00:32
A sterling delivery from OUR Prime minister this evening!
Kemm ghana nirringrazjaw lil bambin li ghandna lil Gonzi bhala Prim ministru f'dan iz zmien krucjali ghall pajjizna u mhux lil ALFRED SANT!!! ...i can't imagine where this country would have been!!!
David Gatt
Nov 5th 2010, 10:50
'Sterling delivery'? Histerical and Pointless I should say!
Rodnick Abdilla
Nov 4th 2010, 00:30
Int gejt ellet fuq programm eletorali u ghandek tonorah, il maltemp rajtu qabel missek ma qadx twieghed xejn la ma kontx kappaci twettaq
A Cardona
Nov 4th 2010, 00:15
Do not worry, Germany just came out with Paul the Octopus 2, whom you can consult when you can implement the tax cut.I am 100% sure it will be just in time for the general election
Indeed Joey Adams was right when he said “An honest politician is one who’s never been caught.”
M. Mizzi
Nov 3rd 2010, 23:34
Promises are like crying babies in a theater, they should be carried out at once.
~Norman Vincent Peale
....except maybe if done in the euphoria of Gonzipn Electoral campaigns!
Save on printing and rhetoric next time round Dr. Gonzi and just refrain from making any promises on air or written down on manifestoes!
Muscat Pat
Nov 3rd 2010, 23:20
The narrow -mindedness of empty pre-election promises are the mother lode of material for sitcom writers who create" fares and tejatrini" for the local TV stations!
M Pisani
Nov 3rd 2010, 23:19
That was a great reply delivered by the Prime Minister! Joe Muscat baqa' ccassat mhux billi joqghod ixengel rasu hdejn Anglu. Ma tantx qam jigri johodlu b'idu u jghannqu llum....
il-gelat qed idubilkom tal-Lejber!
F Borg
Nov 3rd 2010, 23:10
Is it irresponsible to cut taxes now Mr.Gonzi? I think it was very irresponsible of you to promise these tax cuts before the last election, you know the Country was bankrupt then, you just said it for the votes. And I guess the appropriate time to impliment the tax cuts will be..... yes, of course, just before the next election! Give us a break will you, do you still think all people are stupid?
Anthony Mizzi
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:52
Irresponsible was the pre-electoral promise to cut taxes, PM, when you well knew that promise would not be kept !
And even more irresponsible is embarking on the Valletta project full of controversies, and costs which the country will find difficult to afford when the cost of a 20 year power station is being lumped NOW on the people with their Water and electricity Gonzipn surcharged bills!
Il-Poplu mhux ilma jizfen irrid imma NIFS!
cellul
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:38
Was it responsible to increase the MPs salaries so drastically?
Joseph Galea
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:16
BEFORE AN ELECTION - Politicians Live in Wonderland, they Promise to Give Everything They Own (Even the Impossible) for The People...
AFTER AN ELECTION - Politicians are back to reality, they know that they got what they wanted (the People's Vote) and its time for them to have a 5 year joy ride with the complements of the People's Taxes.
This happen over and over again, every 5 years. Mant People probalbly suffer from memory loss, thats why never realize this.
I dont know you, but I never forget when "someone skin me alive for 4 years", and then he start playing the nice guy ONLY because he needs my vote at electrion time!
David Gatt
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:15
Dal-bniedem trid tisimghu b'widnejk biex temmen ghax inkella anqas temmen li jasal jghid wahda bhal din li qal illum fuq ta l-Income Tax wara l-weghda li kien ghamel fit-2008. Jien ma nafx x'mohh irid ikollok biex issa sentejn ohra terga tibla l-kliem duhhan li se jibda johrog bieh biex jipprova jibqa fil-gvern.
Joseph E Briffa
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:12
@ Alex Debono...Jekk ser tiffranka t-taxxa meta ir-rata ta' 35% tinzel ghal 25% qed taqla' xi Eur30 000 fis-sena. Allura int qed tinghasar biz-zieda fir-rata tat-tariffa tad-dawl u tal-ilma? Il-min trid iddahhaq sur- Debono? . Ma tridnix nissusidjawk ukoll b'dik il-paga? Ghandek wicc ukoll!
C.Borg
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:07
Fairytales :
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100312/local/malta-out-of-recession
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100715/local/malta-out-of-recession-tonio-fenech
A. Catania
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:07
The flaw in your argument is when you're comparing Dr. Gonzi with a wise parent! Malta have been in an unhealthy state of finance long before last election and he still promised tax cuts. A wise parent would have been more cautious before promising anything!
R.Camilleri
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:05
Onorevoli. Sa' fejn naf jien meta faqqat il-krizi finanzjarja fid-dinja int kont ga rajtha gejja kont tghidilna, u fl-istess hin kont ghidtilna li se tnaqqas ir-rata tat-taxxa minn 35% ghal 25%, meta barra minn dan, id-dejn nazzjonali tal-pajjiz ukoll kont taf bih, ghalkemm kont tghid li ma' jeziztiex. Dan id-dejn kollu ma'sarx mit- 2008 il-quddiem nahseb hux. Ghallura kif kont daqshekk irresponsabbli maghna l-votanti u tghidilna li se tnaqqas ir-rata ta' taxxa ghal 25%.
Jien nahseb ahjar tkun aktar sincier maghna u Kredibli biex nibqu nemmnuk.
J. Cachia
Nov 5th 2010, 13:28
Habib ara l-blog ta' Joseph E. Briffa ghax nahseb jghodd hafna ghalik.
Enzo Caruana
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:59
And Lawrence Gonzi finds nothing irresponsible in spending 100 million Euros on a new parliament on stilts and a roofless theatre just to have his name inscibed on a plaque
And Lawrence Gonzi finds nothing irresponsible in shooting the National Debt to unsustainable levels
And Lawrence Gonzi finds nothing irresponsible in the way the 200 million euro BWSC debacle has been so grossly mismanaged
And Lawrence Gonzi finds nothing irresponsible in not honouring a solemn electoral promise to reduce income tax rates immediately upon his election when he knew already "li gej l-inkwiet.
And I could go on, but it is too painful to feel so deceived and frustrated.
David Borg
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:56
Hallina Guzepp!
D Caruana
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:55
Seems we have a good story coming up about some Labour official who interrupted police investigations - interesting times ahead
Marisa Borg
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:50
He tore Muscat's reaction to pieces - not that he needed much effort to succeed in doing so
Clive Borg
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:48
Diskos tajjeb ta' Prim Ministru serju - x'kuntrast bejn Joseph Muscat ta nhar it-Tnejn fejn smajna is-soltu tfigh ta' tajn u diskors ghall-gallarija
Jon Agius
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:47
same old PN..... promises galore before the election to get the votes..... maybe it was more irresponsible to brainwash the citizen about reducing the income tax when he was never going to reduce it in the first place.
Bye bye to my vote.
Pierre Agius
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:46
I followed Gonzi's speech and must say the man has substance
abuhagiar
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:42
Very good speech, Gonzi showed Joseph how a nation's leader should be and how to act in situations like this, I had my doubts if the PN would ever win the next election but when hearing what was and is being done to bring the nation out of this global recession than things are truly changing in favor of the PN,
M Camilleri
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:37
Gimgha qabel il budget Gonzi ftahar li minkejja ir recession din is sena kienet sena ta records u ma nafx kemm il record beda isemmi.
issa illum qal li jkun irresponsabbi jekk inaqqas it taxxa.
mela jien ha noqghod fuq li dak li darba hu , iggudikawni fuq li dak li naghmel u jien hekk sa nghamel ghax fl-elezzjoni l jimiis l vot tieghi ghal PL
james grech
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:35
Hearing PM talk this evening I thought that tomorrow its Christmas, or maybe he was rehearsing his end of year speech? X'bahbuh ghandna bhala prim, you might add. It's incredible how he manages to spin figures around. When referring to the amount spent in stipends he said that this year government was going to spend a record of 23M since University and MCAST are so overcrowded with students. He was really overjoyed that this year, with all this overcrowding, the increased amount is of around 1M. ??? What??? And what about the research schemes that were promised last year? These were decreased as were a number of other issues which were mentioned, as usual, in this year's budget and mentioned again this year.
josephine
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:26
It will be done before the next election. We know Gonzipn tactics. About time the we understand Gonzi's stratagy.
C. Saliba
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:25
Mela allura ghalfejn ghamel wedgha fl-elezzjoni li ghaddiet li se jnaqqas l-income tax? Forsi dak iz-zmien irid jghid li ma konniex f'ricessjoni? Ghalfejn il-prim ministru qad issemmi l-ingilterra, spanja, l-grecja, franza u kwazi l-pajjizi kollha ta l-ewropa li kollha hadu xi mizuri drastici? Tafu x'dejjem jinsa jsemmi l-prim ministru? Kemm ghandhom paga l-haddiema f'dawn il-pajjizi ta l-ewropa ta qalbu. Per ezempju ghaliex thajjart nixtri karozza second hand minn ta l-ingilterra irid ikolli nhallas ir-registration tax meta din diga mhallsa diga l-ingilterra u ahna suppost pajjiz wiehed?? Qaluli li din it-taxxa qed tonqos gimgha wara l-ohra. Iss xi hlew. Prim ministru dawn huma mill-ftit irresponsabilitajiet tieghek lejn il-poplu u ftit ta. Missek tisthi tmajtna hafna cejca qabel l-ewropa u issa hlief zkuk mhux tbellalna. Missek tisthi tidher quddiem in-nies u tiprova tkompli tbellelna l-hmerijiet u l-gideb. Insomma min irid jemmnek. Sejjah elezzjoni halli tkun taf fejn hu l-polz tal-poplu jekk int ragel.
M.Bezzina
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:17
Irresponsible to cut taxes now - PM"
So pls next time dont promise something you cannot afford to do just for being obsessed for power!!
Manuel Micallef
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:10
I heard both leaders speaking...
And I am amazed by the amount of hatred shown by Gonzi this time around...
Really provocative and the aim was to continue to drive a wedge.
In Maltese, "diskors mimli tghajjir u provokazjoni"
For this only, people should stop voting for him.
I don't remember Joseph Muscat using this level of provocation - instead he made viable suggestions such as how to increase women participation at work....
s axisa
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:07
Prim ahna Malta qedin ta , Id-diskors ta'llum issa juri b'mod car li l-PM huwa maqtugh mill-poplu. Huwa diskors tajjeb hafna, ghal xi fairy tail
Mary Ann Borg
Nov 3rd 2010, 23:51
Tajba s axisa. Mela jekk il-PM Malti hu maqtugh mill poplu Malti, Joseph x'inhu? L-ewwel darba li semma li d-dinja ghaddiet u ghada ghaddejja mir-ricessjoni kien il-bierah fil-parlament. Ifhem, maqtugh mill poplu Malti mod u maqtugh mid-dinja kollha hafna iktar gravi mhux hekk?
Joseph qad jilghab ghall gallerija u beda jsemmilna lil Cipru. Inqas minn 24 siegha wara infaqghetlu l-buzzieqa u mhatra li mhux se jerga jsemmi l-Cipru issa? Ahjar jerga jmur jaqra l-ahbarijiet u jtella xi programm bhal Made in Brussels ghax ghadu ma fehem xejn. Assolutament xejn.
M Pisani
Nov 4th 2010, 08:54
Jien nahseb int m'intix tghix f'Malta siehbi ghaliex illum il-PM taghna stampa cara tal-pizijiet kollha li ghabbewna bihom gvernijiet lejburisti...
Dan mhux kollox ghax kif qalet il-Kummissjoni stess, ninsabu fit-triq it-tajba! Imma intom naturalment, fejn jaqblilkom issemmuha l-Unjoni Europea!!! OPPORTUNISTI!!!
(P.S. Fl-ahhar il-PM wiegeb lil Joe Muscat kif jixraqlu fuq il-kumment li ghadda rigward EFA u Gonzi)
Monica Muscat
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:06
For many, many years, we were burdened with the Dockyard problems. Dr. Gonzi solved it.
For as many years, we had to do with an outdated, shameful Public Transport System. Labour governments, including those led by the indominatable Duminku Mintoff never managed to find a solution. Dr. Gonzi administration will soon give us a "state of the art" public transport.
There is now the Air Malta problem. Dr. Gonzi will solve it! Mark my words.
I have FULL TRUST in our P.M. And none at all in the L.P. Leader.
As for next elections? I am not too worried for the P.N. - Let us only hope that the people will show a grain or two of gratitued for the current administration. But after all, the old saying goes:
Ogni donna ha il marito che si merita, e ogni popolo il GOVERNO che si merita.
Keep up with he good work Dr. Gonzi.
Jms Cremona
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:20
int bis serjeta???
cellul
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:40
Same bus drivers, same traffic problems, the price will be state of the art though, from 47c to 2 euros.
Thomas Grima
Nov 3rd 2010, 23:10
Lets just hope that he wont solve the AirMalta problem in the same way that he solved the dockyard problem.
Nahseb li flahhar mill ahhar il PN ha jkollom ragun fuq l AirMalta. Ghasafar tac comb ma jtirux. Ghax ha twahlulhom comba kbira. Povri haddiema li ha jkollom ihallsu l prezz ta l inkompetenza tal PN.
Proset talli rnexxilkhom tehilsu min kull ma kien Malti.
M. Mizzi
Nov 3rd 2010, 23:38
Some advise for you Mr. Prime Minister
We must not promise what we ought not, lest we be called on to perform what we cannot.
~Abraham Lincoln
Mario Scicluna
Nov 4th 2010, 04:20
' For many, many years, we were burdened with the Dockyard problems. Dr. Gonzi solved it. '
Dazgur, Kissirha, u kecca l-kulhadd il-barra! flimkiem na azjendi ohra, Sea Malta etc. Issa jmiss l-Air Malta. Finanzi fis-sod qalilna l-Prim!!! Halluna! Taf min iparla, xi idjota li ma kellhux xi familjari jahdmu hemm.
c camilleri
Nov 4th 2010, 07:06
the only thing that Gonzi was good at was to keep this government intact, for now! But at what price? All honest maltese tax payers must pay for the inefficiencies and incompetence of his ministers and members of cabinet! Gonzi, enjoying a mere one seat majority in parliament, cannot afford to lose one, otherwise it means elections already - and guess who shall be recorded in history of the PN to go down in that manner - none other than Gonzi himself.
Look at the likes of people he is surrounded! People who themselves enjoy free flights with well known businessmen to watch a football match! People who themselves declared to have employed people who dont pay VAT and taxes! People who have a great responsibility in the BWSC contract! People who insisted that the new Parliament building is more important than anything else - guess who is gaining out of this? Am I right to assume that Gonzi is a prisoner of his own cabinet? trying to please a few greedy and selfish sharks to keep his party in power? At what cost?
s degabriele
Nov 4th 2010, 20:35
Bi tnaqqis fit taxxa li qal li kien se jaghamel jien kien ikolli 12000 il mitt euro fil but izjed.hu min minkhom ma irridhomx dawn il flus mela sewwa nighid jien il partiti politici ghawn malta qisho m team tal futball jaghmel x;jaghamel ????????????????????????????????????
H. Mamo
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:01
This shows how to take the right decisions for the country to the decisions to win an election. Labour wake up....what a mistake to have Joseph leading instead of George Abela.
M. Mizzi
Nov 3rd 2010, 23:39
or maybe John Dalli instead of Lawrence Gonzi?
H Schembri
Nov 4th 2010, 16:31
Will see what PN will do when the elections come. ;-)
Anthony Sultana
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:01
@Anne Bonn
I fully concur with your comments.
It's the same story as when the Prime Minister talks about education. Before, we had state of the art educational institutions like the Fellenberg Training Centre and the Technical Institutes. But the Prime Minister solely refers to MCAST. What he doesn't say is that the Fellenberg was absolutely much better than his highly praised MCAST. Work carried out by highly competent people and complimented by their technicians at the Felllenberg and Institutes, was far much proficient and beyond MCAST levels. The work being carried out today by teaching assistants at MCAST was carried out by technicians, The difference is that teaching assistant are paid as Salary Scale 9 whilst technicians 16 or 14. (less costlier BUT also much better service)
Today's industry such as ST microelectronics etc all have and still are benefitting from proficient people who were trained at the Fellenberg and the Institutes.
Success in education is not measured in the number of students recruited but on the LEVEL of education.
Mark Abela
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:00
.... irresponsible then when you made a promise that you knew that you could not honour dear Dr Gonzi!
Manuel MIcallef
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:59
It was more IRRESPONSABLE to promise it before the election!! You knew the economic situation already then!!
Philip Abela
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:55
Id-differenza bejn iz-zewg mexxejja issa hija cara aktar minn qatt qabel. Joseph Muscat joffri proposti biex nimxu 'l quddiem, u l-PM ghazel diskors mimli provokazzjonijiet. Ma nistax nifhmu lil Dr. Gonzi, jekk hawn xi hadd ma jistax isemmi il-kelma irresponsabbilta huwa propju hu.
M.Mamo
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:57
ijja offra s-soluzzjonijit muscat? ha nara tini ftit minnom pls ax jin ma smajtomx (forsi nimxu bhal cipru wahda minnom)? qatt mallmuk is-sarkazmu halli tkun tista tifem lil muscat jitkellem int?
O.Micallef
Nov 3rd 2010, 23:44
haha ... tista tghidli il proposti li semam Dr. Muscat :O!!!!!
how funny :D
Alex Debono
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:36
@ Gonzi
Sur Priministru inti ghed li ha ddahal il-mizura tal-income tax mil-ewwel u l-krizi faqqet fl Lulju tal-2008.. Missek ma dhaqtx bina dak iz-zmien.... Cuc kont jiena li ivvutajtlek... Imma next election... din ma ninsijiex...bhal ma ma nsejtx il-kont tad-dawl
Edward Borg
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:51
Kumment bla sens siehbi ahseb qabel ma tparla zejjed. Ara jien se nerga nivvota Gonzi ghax mexxej responsabbli.
Jms Cremona
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:24
@ Edward Borg
Ivvutalu habib la kuntent b'min jaddi min fuqek u jidhak bik f'wiccek. Il hasra li x'aktarx inti finanzjarjament komdu u ma tistax thoss it tbatija li addejin minna familji li mhux ilahqu ma l-gholi tal hajja!!
M.Mamo
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:55
mur ivvota lil Muscat mela ha tpaxxih ghax forsi adek ma ndunajtx xjinkedd u jilaq bix ikun l-izghar prim ministru ... issa jnaqqasomlok it-taxxi muscat dw imbad l-ada ssib ruhek l-ETC tifrah bid-deficit!
Joe E Galea
Nov 3rd 2010, 23:19
@Edward Borg: U x'jaghmel il-kumment tieghek bis-sens? Ghax ma ghidt xejn hlief li se terga tivvota lil Goniz, li had ma jinteressah x'se taghmel. Kieku tghid hrigt b'xi argument tajjeb, tista tghajjar lil haddiehor, imma hrigt b'banalita' kbira. U jekk int mazzun daqshekk li timpressjona ruhek milli jghid Gonzi, hewqq good luck to you, imma haddiehor ghandu mohh biex u dritt li jofforma opinjoni differenti minn tieghek. Il-kumment tieghek juri bic-car li int mahruq ghax tant inti partiggjan li ma tittollera lil hadd jghid xejn klontra l-Gonzi tieghek. pffffffffffffffffff
M Pisani
Nov 4th 2010, 09:37
Tinkwetax siehbi - dawn kollha kummenti tal-Mile End...minghalihom se jghaddu z-zmien b'xi hadd!
Kathy Elliot
Nov 4th 2010, 16:23
Mr Edward Borg, why 'kumment vojt', sorry? This is a _democracy_ and if Mr Debono is not happy with the current administration, he can darn well cast his vote the way he wants and express his opinion, as you are free to do the same. However, putting down someone else's argument is not a valid means to promote your own. The only one who needed to think before he spoke, lest he sound like a fundamentalist with blinkers firmly equiped is you, I'm afraid.
anna bone
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:34
That s right DEAR P.M. but please try to cut the underground business start with all the proffesionals who earn 10 to 30 times as much as the ordinary worker and introduce a system with a security number so that the goverment pay the proffesional so you have control about them like in other west european country s because you as a govermenr are losing so much not a few million maybe 1 billion a year on incometax from these people.
I know there votes are for you but you have to think on MALTA and its people and not on your self only because when you do that you and your few thousand friends get richer and richer and we stay in the dark please use common sence and act how it should be and not hang on and on and on and on thank you
d.attard
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:28
it is indeed as irresponsible to cut taxes now as it was irresponsible to promise tax cuts when they were promised at pre election time.
Jonathan Abdilla
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:21
Lawrence Gonzi seems in election mode. Diskors isteriku mimli tghajjir.
john spiteri
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:20
'It is irresponsible to cut the taxes now' retorted Dr Gonzi.'
But I question the leaders of both political parties: 'Why do you want to cut the taxes now or later?' In our experience as common citizens, we know that once a Government cuts or reduces taxes, other taxes under a disguised name are introduced later. So this is just another joke amongst other jokes.
I think that the common citizen today is far MORE intelligent than those projecting themselves as champions of the people. Need better intelligent staff at the helm of this country.
R Pisani
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:15
It was irresponsible of the Prime Minister to promise tax cuts in the first place.
It was a promise that helped him win the election. It cost me and my wife EUR650/ year. EUR1950 since the election.
I will never trust Lawrence Gonzi again.
A.J.Borg
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:14
What financial crisis? Aren't we out of it?
Lowering income tax bands was actually meant to ease the burden of the crisis. Do we have to wait for 2013 for tax cuts?
Muscat Pat
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:14
Make hay whilst the sun shines never featured in PN's economical philosophy. But now, that the" hofra hrafa", and the growing tsunami of 92 million interest per year , has reached epic proportions, DR Gonzi would like to sell us thrift as one of his virtues !If you want your advice to be heeded, you need something credible to say.
Pat Hobson
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:11
I'm more than sure that there will be tax cuts before the election. Anyone wants to bet?
Ryan Borg
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:10
Then why do you have a political manifesto dear PM? You have a serious credibility problem!
G Mizzi
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:08
No, we honestly want you to keep to your promises!
Phyllis Cilia
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:08
The only irresponsible person in this country is Joseph Muscat backed by his old faces.
b.sant
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:05
Dear Prime Minister...you are so right!!! you did make a promise indeed to reduce the income tax...but you would have been irresponsible INSPITE YOUR PROMISE to introduce it now.Why? because our deficit would not be reduced and for this country to then keep it under the required 2.8% (the region considered stable) would require less money for health, less for children's allowance, no raise in salaries, no scholarships for our young, no money for new schools, and maybe no stipends....
Prime Minister, I am a responsible citizen and I back you on this argument... so much that I am ready to wait to pay less in income tax!
Bertrand Sant
D.Micallef
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:05
il-Prim Ministru jiftahar b'mizuri li wettqu Gvernijiet Laburisti, fostom ic-childrens allowance, l-edukazzjoni u s-sahha b'xejn. Dan wara li ghajjar lill-Laburisti u dak li ghamel il-Labour marda u mazzra.
Issa skuza ruhu. Pass tajjeb.
Imma li johrog diskors bhal dak minn fomm Prim Ministru, difficli tinhafer u xxerred il-mibgheda u l-firda.
C. Saliba
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:27
U qad jiftahar li certu pajjizi fl-ewropa kellhom inehhu anke c-childrens allowance lil certu familji ta. Fuq kollox kif kien ghamel siehbu Fenech Adami meta ma kienx hawn recissjoni ta papas mohhom
M.Mamo
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:52
ejja nejdu li t-tghajjira "marda" mhi xejn hlief "DNA HAZINA!!!" imma fejn tridu tinsew jahasra intom uwx ... imsieken!!
Francesca Spiteri
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:05
I couldn't believe that Dr Gonzi said that decisions should not be based on political circumstances! I wonder whether he will repeat the same comment in two years time!!
maria cassar
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:04
what is interesting is that whilst Muscat mentioned Cyprus as a role model country now we learn that it has a higher unemployment rate than Malta and is being encouraged to freeze wages and deduct social benefits!
Peter Korsten
Nov 4th 2010, 08:16
The only reason why Malta has a relatively low unemployment rate is because it has the lowest labour participation in the entire EU. If almost half of the potential work force is not working, nor looking for work, it's easy to keep unemployment down.
Alexia Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:04
It was not irresponsible for Lawrence Gonzi to promise a tax cut a few weeks before the election. Alas, people believed him.
Gerard Cassar
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:04
Ir was in fact very funny to hear Dr; Gonzi refer to implimentation of promises before the elections to explain why he has not yet reduced the income tax as promised.
Mario Psaila
Nov 3rd 2010, 19:59
u qas muscat ma jnaqqas it-taxxi jekk ikun Prim Ministru tibzax!
R.Degiorgio
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:54
Forsi ghandek ragun pero zomm haga f'mohhok...Li Dr. Muscat sa issa ma wieghed xejn ghal voti biex imbaghad rega lura minn kellmtu kif ghamel Dr. Gonzi. Il-haga mhix li ma naqqas it-taxxa...il-haga hi li il prim ministru wieghed xi haga li kien jaf li mux ha jwettaq biex jerbah il voti ta nies. Jiddispjacini li inti wiehed minn dawk l-ifissati li jaghmel x'jaghmel politiku xorta wahda tipprova tiskuzah. Hu min hu il politiku! Dal pajjiz ghandu bzonn jghid dak li hu abjad jejdlu abjad u dak li hu iswed jejdlu iswed! Country totally brainwashed by politics! what a shame!
M.Mamo
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:51
Sur Degiorgio forsi insejt li adna fnofs il-legislatura ... il-weghda tibqa attiva sal-ahhar gurnata fil-gvern!
O.Micallef
Nov 3rd 2010, 23:40
@ Degorgio.
Muscat ma wieghed xejn.. ax qas proposta valida wahda ma qal x jaghmel jekk ikun prim!!...
jitfa tajn biss qaghad...
ima probabli...
jekk jitla...
jqaccat l istipendji... idahhal ic CET.... jamel repeater class... inaqass il kontijiet ta dawl u l ilma... jamel il pilloli bil flus.... izid id deficit.... u jghid li mixjin fuq ir rubini :O!
George Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2010, 19:58
Ghalfejn fuq Dissett kont ghidt li mhux se tistenna sal-2010 mela? Dak iz-zmien kont diga taf bil-"mewg" li kien gej fuqna!
Darba dhakt bija, darbtejn le!
Mary Busuttil
Nov 3rd 2010, 19:58
GonziPN irresponsible, mark 2008, is irresponsible.
Now we have it from the horses mouth.
jake micallef
Nov 3rd 2010, 20:45
@Mary, and @M. Galea
Seriously guys, you must be reading something different or you watched the PM's speech on Super twisted TV. The issue is one of timing. Is it a good incentive? yes. Is it a proposal that creates stimulus by leaving money in people's pockets to spend? of course. Would it gives these benefits now when economies are so tight and people are careful about every buck they spend? NO!
What Dr Muscat is concerned is that if this is implemented later it may affect the election. Will it? Maybe. But still, you don't just throw in something like that now! Go tell it to the Greeks... or to the Englishmen now!
Anthony Mizzi
Nov 3rd 2010, 23:20
Lawyer jargon at its best where LIES are conveniently stated as being ECONOMIES OF THE TRUTH and ELECTORAL PROMISES are also , ECONOMIES OF THE TRUTH at the electorate's expense!
Joe Sant
Nov 3rd 2010, 19:57
Better wait a bit more for some tax cuts, than having to go every week to ETC looking for jobs, if we had to obey to Muscat and copy Spain's and Greece's Governmental plans.
Ramon Mizzi
Nov 4th 2010, 00:57
Mr Sant you are a genius. NOT.
Carla Zammit
Nov 3rd 2010, 19:56
I compare Joseph Muscat to a spoiled child whose parents had promised him a holiday but then something serious cropped up which required the family to put its money in this new priority - but the child stamps his feet and insists on going to the promised holiday. What would a wise parent do?
C.Camilleri
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:13
The tax cuts was not promised by Dr.Gonzi to Dr.Muscat but to the whole population before the last election and he was quite sure of what he was promising that he said he will implement his promise in the first budget despite the fact that he new that bad weather was looming.
My only consolation is that I am more than sure that the tax cuts will arrive come next election eve. Same old story.
M Galea
Nov 3rd 2010, 19:56
How irresponsible is he, for proposing it then?!!? Unbelievable!
C. Cutajar
Nov 3rd 2010, 19:55
Gonzi is a responsible father of the country....like a responsible father of a family.
Manwel Debattista
Nov 4th 2010, 09:41
No "father" would treat his children like this.
A decent father would not pile up debt for his own children to pay off.
A decent father would not lie to his children to win their sympathy.
A decent father would not call his children "mummji" and "diseased".
A decent father would make sacrifices himself for the benefit of his children and not the other way around.
A decent father would treat his children the same and would not make preferences.
If Lawrence Gonzi was my father I would not hesitate to disown him.
T. Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2010, 19:54
Muscat wants us to be in the same situation like Greece, Spain and England.
Mark Galea
Nov 3rd 2010, 21:26
Grazzi, Dr Joseph Iceland Muscat, tal-pariri tieghek. Nispera li ma tibghatilniex il-kont
A.Muscat
Nov 3rd 2010, 22:03
Kumbinazzjoni zewg pajjizi li semmejt ghandhom l-ewro. Kemm kien jiftahar il-PM li "allahares ma dahhalniex l-ewro"..... bl-ewro u minghajru l-Ewropej bhalna tghabbew b'taxxi u pizijiet enormi. U jekk Franza pprotestaw ghax ma jridux l-eta' tal-pensjoni titla' ghal 62, jien bhala zaghzugh Malti se nirtira ta' 65 sena ghax hekk iddecieda tliet snin ilu Lawrence Gonzi. U l-lejla tisimghu jitkaza ghax fi Franza se jtellghuha ghal 62! Nesa x'ghamel hu!
Thomas Grima
Nov 3rd 2010, 23:03
Forsi inti wiehed min dawk li is sena l ohra kont qed tghid bhal PM li Joseph Muscat iridna bhall Islanda. Fi krizi ghax barra mill EU u barra mill Ewro?
Din is sena qed issemmu pajjizi li qedin fl EU u fl EWRO. Mela mghadhomx is salvazzjoni l EU u L Ewro?
Il PM meta wieghed li ha jnaqqas it taxxa kien diga qed qed jara l maltemp. U xorta qal li ha jnaqqas l income tax u ha jkollna surplus fil budget.
Viva is sincerita tal Prim. Grazzi tal weghdiet fiergha.