Tonio Borg explains 'logic' in ministerial pay rise

Mr Anthony Pace Gouder

Jun 12th 2011, 12:25

@Albert Debono WHO on earth , would dare go Maltese politics , surely not Mr. Korsten , when the supposedly highest INSTITUTION has degenerated to such a LOW LEVEL of Credibility and smeared with utter Hypocracy !

Mr Peter Korsten

Jun 11th 2011, 19:41

"People did not go into politics for the money, he said."

Ha ha ha ha! Nearly fell of my chair laughing. Apart from the fact that nobody, absolutely nobody, who ever took public office in this country, got financially worse off, I might mention some people who decided to get a little extra money. For example, your aide who's now on trial, or certain people in the VAT department.

But let's not lower ourselves to cheap shots, and instead focus on the matter at hand. €500 extra a week comes down to €26,000 extra per year, so the increase alone is more than most people in this country make (before taxes) in an entire year. I have no idea what the wage of a minister is after this raise, but that increase would have ruffled a few feathers, even if we had found 100 billion barrels of crude oil and a sheer inexhaustible pile of diamonds.

But the core issue is that this was done just after elections that were won with the smallest possible margin and that it was kept quiet. (And again, it was a very substantial raise.) Which leaves the perception that the cabinet decided to give themselves a bonus on the taxpayers' expense, riding the gravy train for another five years, before the inevitable electoral defeat.

Whether this is what really happened or not is completely irrelevant: it's what people believe the next time they stand in a polling booth. You want to have a guess at what the logical consequence of this perception is going to be?

Alex Mifsud

Jun 11th 2011, 11:03

I just wanted to write that i totally agree with the genral comments made here

Mr Joseph E Briffa

Jun 11th 2011, 10:58

May I humbly suggest to Joseph Muscat to revise the motion once again and incorporate an undertaking that when elected, Labour ministers and parliamentary secretaries will stick to the pre-2008 scales. Perhaps this would make it much easier for some PN backbenchers not to oppose the Labour motion, and put people's mind at rest.

Brian Agius

Jun 11th 2011, 10:18

Lies, Lies and more lies.....how can people still beleive such lies. Qith EUR1.16 we can barely pay the weekly increase in petrol prices of this year, let alone pay higher gas prices and an inflation of surely more than 3%.......

Mr ray borg

Jun 11th 2011, 09:55

L'ahwa lelezzjoni tasal, mhux daqsekk boghod u ghandna nibqaw niftakru halli anki ahna ghandna nimxu skont il LOGIC u nivvotaw b'mohna u mhux b'qalbna. Wasal iz-zmien li nuru li ahna irgiel u nisa li ghandna MOHH u nafu nhaddmuh aktar milli jahsbu. Jekk 1euro 16 cents huma bizzejed ghalina il logica tighidli li huma bizzejed ghalihom. Nittalmu l-ahwa qatt mhu tard u ma nhallux lil dawn li jahsbu li huma biss bravi jkomplu jistmawna ta hmir nurughom li ahna ukoll nafu nhaddmu il LOGIKA.

Mr Alexander Pace Gouder.

Jun 11th 2011, 09:36

Hon.Tonio - I cannot see the LOGIC. As stated by me before Euro5000 per year + Euro 500 per week according to your reasoning is equiv. to Euro1.16 per week? The more you try to explain the more it shows that you all in there i.e. THE MINISTERS in the House of Representatives are no longer Sensative to the feelings of the Maltese & Gozitians you are SUPPOSED to Represent.

David Farrugia Farrugia

Jun 11th 2011, 09:22

Due to our membership with EU salaries at the top end have spiralled upwards. There is consensus between parties that previous salaries rates had to be revised so we don't have a brain drain in parlament. It has happened nonetheless as many are deterred by the dirty side of local politics. Comparism of mp increases to workers cola increases are only cheap politics and just to get to the popular vote. However I agree fully with David Aguis that the way it has been marketed and also decided upon was in the wrong. Even if as Joseph Muscat professed he would go for an arbitrary independent body what is of interest to me since this issue was fed to the public is the amount of increases. Who cares whether the increase was decided upon by the mp's themselves or by any other body. What's the increase? Is it on the same levels? We will take notice.

E. Azzopardi

Jun 11th 2011, 08:54

There is no logic. Defending the indefensible. Let us see what will happen today.

Ray Attard

Jun 11th 2011, 08:35

This is 'fuzzy logic' in my opinion.

Mr F J Brincat

Jun 11th 2011, 08:21

"Dr Borg said the decision to raise ministerial pay by giving ministers their honoraria was taken at a time when the economy was doing well.Furthermore, those who were arguing that ministerial pay should be cut at a time of austerity should remember that countries which had done so had also reduced the salaries of civil servants.

Is that a fact Dr Fenech? Then do it. Let us see if this administration is as flexibile with "its finger on the pulse of the economy" as your finance minister likes saying. You brazenly hold your hands out for the money whilst your Prime Minister talks about having to" rock the boat" and us having to make sacrifices for a better future.

You people have grown pretty fat from politics. Yes, I ask if the raise in MP wages is logical and to be honest I don't see any logic in it at this time.

"People did not go into politics for the money..." No, they didn't. Not at first at least. But pressure at the top is strong isn't it? How many times can you actually ignore it? The trappings are there.

Oh well., we live and learn don't we? Remember what you used to say? "Paroli f'halqhom, il-vot f' ídejkhom"? See you in two year's time. I'm actually looking forward to it.

Mr emmanuel zammit

Jun 11th 2011, 08:18

this are same people which told the biggest company workers some mounths ago to just accept and not to think only for there needs.

Very nice example !!! Prosit.

Mr Anthony Borg

Jun 11th 2011, 07:55

How lame can you be Mr.Minister!
Stop treating people in general as stupid -
only the political die-hards will defend your line of thought and then I wonder also, whether they will be gullible enough - But no, they are not so gullible, they are just willing to overlook what their political party of the moment is doing.

What amazes me is the cheek politicians have, knowing fully well that that is the way democracy functions.

Mr Joe Brincat-LL.D

Jun 11th 2011, 07:54

@ Minister Tonio Borg. Can you kindly explain to me not the "logic" but the legality of it all.

What does the Constitution say about spending of public moneys ?

What does the Financial Administration and Audit Act say ? What do the Financial Regulations say ?

And what does the Criminal Code say about a public officer (and a Minister is) who exacts or demands money as salary more than is legally due ?

And what does the Criminal Code say about "private interest in the public administration" ?

I know the answers. The whole situation baffles logic.

Mr Charles P Cilia

Jun 11th 2011, 07:53

Dear Minister Borg, no matter how much you try to explain or justify the 500 euro raise per week on top of all the other perks and allowances, the fact still remains that it is a far cry from 1.16 euros us non political beings are getting. Why is this enormous difference between your needs and mine ? Come on, be honest with yourself; something is very wrong somewhere. No Nationalist or Labourite is believing your unconvincing, disjointed and pathetic rambling ons.

Mr Henry Mifsud

Jun 11th 2011, 07:53

If nearly all Public entities have been privatised i.e. government has less responsibility to shoulder and most of the decisions are nowadays being taken for it in Brussels, is there a real need for a government let alone for a raise in pay to its members?

In my humble opinion when Malta voted to join the EU, it decided to put its fate in the hands of others in the form of the bureaucratic EU parliament so technically all our government is doing is follow the rules laid out by Brussels. Otherwise why is the Constitution constantly being conveniently "overlooked"?

Quo Vadis Malta?

Mr pacifico galea

Jun 11th 2011, 07:37

Mela hekk sewwa Sur Ton int u shabek paxxuti min fuq darhna u ahna nistinkaw u nahdmu sijaghat twal u bla kontrol u mhalsin bis SOLDI u meta tmur titkellem biex nihdu dak li haqna jgheduhna li jkeccuna u jaghmlulna hajjietna mizzerja. Tahseb li dan sewwa jew il kuxxjenza tahdem kif triduha intom. Jien ma nisthix nghid li fix xoghol taghna ahna mafgin bhinijiet b laddoc barra min hekk hadulna wkoll dak li kien bi dritt ghalina meta tkellimna u dhalna f union. lunion hadita kontrina mhux favur u qaltina ma nista naghmlikom xejn nitama li nigu mismhua u dan li qed nikteb jidher fil gazzetta

Generoso Seychell

Jun 11th 2011, 07:25

Logic in Mathematics,means either '0' or '1',so you are taken '1',and the rest are taken '0'.Shame.....

Mr W Cassar

Jun 11th 2011, 07:00

By your logic Tonio I need to go and ask for a pay rise on Monday. The fact that the decision was taken in a time when the economy was better, means that it should be revised now.

There is also the logical question of whether you deserve a pay rise for your performance, many MP's dont even turn up for sittings.

Im sorry but your arguments do not hold, especially when you calculate how many fringe benefits you get as well, in being an MP.

Keep digging your hole Tonio.

Mr Leonard Brincat

Jun 11th 2011, 06:41

Jigifieri il logika tajdlek li inti tiehu 500 euro u ahna 1.16 euro. Fejn mort skola? Imbaghad wara kollox ghalfejn din iz zieda kolla ghax hlief dejn ma ghamiltux 4,350,000,000. Ma tridx tkun professur biex tmexxi d'dan il mod. jekk niddejen nofs miljun nejx hajja ta re imma xi darba irrid inhallas lura. Qaxxartuh poplu u il kbir ghadu gej ghax diga qaltilkom l-EU biex tissikaw

Mr Tony Gatt

Jun 11th 2011, 06:33

The joke in all this is that Brussels rules the roost. All politicians here do is rubber-stamp Brussels decisions.

Mario Sammut

Jun 11th 2011, 06:25

Dear Minister , you really think that we are all stupid dont you !!!! I cannot beleive how you have the audacity to try and justify these untimely pay rises during a time when the majority of the Maltese taxpayers are having to dig deeper and deeper to pay for your inadequacies and years , yes , years of austerity measures and belt tightening . You are a disgrace , and I really and sincerely hope that the thousands of floating voters like me will do their homework well before casting their vote come election time . I am sure by that time , your nest egg will have grown suffeciently enough so that you and your greedy lot can retire happilly without a thought for the sufferring you have caused to thousands of Maltese people thanks to years of incompetence.

charles tabone

Jun 11th 2011, 05:50

So, most honourable man, you seem to cherish the Maltese saying "Triduha Hobla u Tredda' ". I believe that another one you need to hold on to is "M'ghandniex zejt f'wiccna". And I say quoting Manzoni in 'I Promessi Sposi' "Quando Iddio Grida il Suo Basta" or else do some deep soul searching to consider what we small fry have to fork out to keep you on your pedestals.

Kenneth Cassar

Jun 11th 2011, 05:12

Conscience? "I wouldn't say so".

Mr Lawrence Fenech

Jun 11th 2011, 04:45

Sur Tonio logic to you that you have filled your pocket with the taxpayers money. Try to explain to me the logic between Euro 500 a week from 2008 and 1 Euro 16 cents from January of this year. Try another way to make us laugh. This is apart from the attendance in parliament when you are abroad.

J. D. Farrugia

Jun 11th 2011, 03:34

Machiavellianism and egoistic reasoning at large.

N. Bonello

Jun 11th 2011, 01:57

'He said the people needed to ask whether the government decision was logical'.

The answer is NO.

Mr Joseph Calleja

Jun 11th 2011, 01:37

Minister Borg cry me a river? And what do you and your incompetent fellow politicians call a 4 million euro Referendum which you choose to ignore? Sweet potatoes?

Mr Manwel Debattista

Jun 11th 2011, 01:04

“People did not go into politics for the money, he said.”

I guess that’s why your government gave workers €1.16 increase per week and you gave yourself €500. You’ve reached rock bottom “Onorevoli” and your only way is up, you brought upon yourself the wrath of the Maltese people who you have insulted with this greatest of gaffes.

I count the days until I will have the pleasure of voting you out of office. I owe it to myself, my family and my country to work to see you on the opposition benches where you belong for at least a whole generation.

Mark Piscopo

Jun 11th 2011, 00:08

Min jiggustifika din il hnizrija mit taxxi taghna fejn il Prim u lministri ha jiehdu €104,000 sa l-elezzjoni u ahna €60.32 mhuwiex Genwin! Min huwa Umli u Genwin ma jergax jivvota zgur lil dawn is sangsuwgi ta fluswna. Gideb sfrenat! Ha naraw x'gej ghada fil vot fil parlament? Hallina Tonio Borg qeghdin hemm biex ixahhmu butkom u ahna lhaddiema nsoffru u nhallsu mit taxxi taghna ghal dawn labbuzi kollha!

Charles Micallef

Jun 10th 2011, 23:09

You offered yourselves to serve the public and not stich them up as you clearly did, Dr Borg!

A. Borg

Jun 10th 2011, 22:32

Shame on you all!

Mario Camilleri

Jun 10th 2011, 22:30

And you say that politics is all about SACRIFICES and COMMITMENT!! Really unbelievable!! You don't know the true meaning of the words. What happened to your CONSCIENCE?
Just remember one thing you lot....your days are numbered. You have only till 2013. That'll be the day you'll be seated were you all belong, on the OPPOSITION side.
So make hay while the sun shines.

Francis Attard

Jun 10th 2011, 22:13

Ministru fir-Renju Unit, jekk ikun minn nahha ta' fuq jew mil-Iskozja ma jmurx jiekol id-dar f'nofs inhar u forsi jorqod xi siegha wkoll. U fuq kollox ahna ma jimpurtaniex x'jaghmlu gewwa pajjizi ohra ghaliex fejn tidhol il-paga taghna l-haddiema il-gvern qatt ma jqis li l-pagi ta' pajjizi ohra huma ghola minn taghna.
Jekk il-gvern ried jara l-poplu x'jahseb fuq iz-zieda Skandaluza li hadu l-ministri, jmissu dahhal mistoqsijja ohra f'dan is-sens, mal-mistoqsijja dwar id-divorzju fir-riferendum. Min jaf, forsi dawk li astjenew kienu jkunu ferm inqas.

Dave Alan Caruana

Jun 10th 2011, 22:10

so we're expected to pay uk level wages for cwiec Maltin, Tonio?

Mr Hans Borg

Jun 10th 2011, 21:32

GonziPN's Parliamentary Members are trying to defend the indefensible. and it seems that they changed their 'magic word' from conscience to sacrifices.

Tony Caruana

Jun 10th 2011, 21:12

'' People did not go into politics for the money, ''

This is a good One :)

Mr Victor vella

Jun 10th 2011, 21:10

Dear minister we do not care what the House of Commons does. We only care that you are the parasites of the Maltese nation. While in your sermons you preach that those oppressed have to do sacrifices you just spit on them by giving them 1€16c while you put in your pockets 500€ a week plus 6,000€ nontaxable allowance. This is Justice?. This is democracy?. This is the fair distribution of wealth? Dear minister what do you think we are? A bunch of stupid idiots?. We are living during the times of communism when does pigs above think to be more equal than others. What do you think you are dear Minister? You already took a plunge down.Perhaps this is not enough. You may take a hard one and never regain it. The only thing is get off . Enough is enough.