‘The Opposition is guilty of democratic fraud’
Mario de Marco told Parliament yesterday evening that the truncating of a legislature was the strongest of measures but one that should only be used in the most extreme circumstances.
The country may possibly have to go to the polls before time, he said, but any change to the public’s 2008 verdict must be done with the utmost sense of responsibility.
Dr de Marco was one of the 10 government members who spoke in the second session of the debate on the motion of no confidence in the government, moved by the Opposition in the wake of Nationalist MP Franco Debono’s declaration that he no longer supported the government under Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
The newly promoted minister accused the Opposition of democratic fraud for not saying what its policies were. In contrast, the Nationalist opposition in 1998 had acted with prudence because it had understood the country’s real problem – the government’s “calculator” policies and its loss of a social conscience, not to mention the freezing of Malta’s EU application. The then opposition had not been thinking about seizing power.
Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat now wanted to curtail the legislature with the greatest haste possible, Dr de Marco said.
He quoted from an e-mail sent by Dr Muscat calling on the government to step aside so that the future deserved by Maltese families could start to be created. Since Malta’s economy was not a wreck, what was there to rebuild, the minister asked.
Dr Muscat was known to have been wrong on issues of major importance. He could only offer a deafening silence on the future, with his stock reply of “wait and see” to all serious questions. What about his promises of fresh and innovative policies?
Nobody had any idea of Dr Muscat’s vision for the future.There was no substance in the Opposition’s motion.
The government, on the other hand, had given a new dimension to being Maltese – free and democratic.
Giovanna Debono
‘Motion exploits the situation’
Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono said the motion was exploitative of the situation and reflected the Opposition’s irresponsible behaviour of giving priority to the interests of a political party rather than of the country. Its attitude created uncertainty.
She said the opposition had lied about her and spread rumours that she had had a shouting bout with the Prime Minister for considering removing her ministerial duties.
The government’s policy for Gozo had brought success to the island. Gozitans still trusted the Nationalist government. Labour governments had not had a clear policy on Gozo, with the last Labour government relegating the Gozo Ministry to a parliamentary secretariat.
Minister Debono spoke at length on government projects in Gozo that were making use of national and EU funds. The government had boosted tourism and education facilities and the number of Gozitan students furthering their post-secondary studies had continued to rise.
Roads had improved, initiatives had been taken in the health sector and her ministry was focusing on the eco action plan.
Minister Debono said the government had earned, and should continue to earn, the confidence of the electorate.
Tonio Fenech
‘Stability is not a buzzword’
Finance Minister Tonio Fenech accused the Opposition of opportunism, saying the no-confidence motion would bring about instability in the country. It lacked motive and substance and offered no alternative.
Stability was not a buzzword, he said, it was about actions. This government had taken all the actions that were necessary to steer the country to stability.
Dr Muscat was the biggest gamble the country had ever faced because he lacked preparation and made shallow arguments at a time when the country was facing serious economic challenges both locally and globally.
The IMF praised the government for the way it had addressed the economic crisis while warning that the situation in 2012 could be very difficult.
This required the government to be more vigilant when it came to economic issues and the safeguarding of jobs.
In 2009 the government had saved 5,000 jobs and convinced a number of companies to stay in Malta. An EU report had shown that Malta was second only to Luxemburg among the EU member states in the way it had managed to create jobs, becoming the envy of other European countries.
Malta had also managed to reduce its deficit, attract investment and increase tourism.
Mr Fenech called on the Opposition to shed its opportunism and divulge its alternative proposals.
Jean Pierre Farrugia
‘MPs not expected to make threats’
Jean Pierre Farrugia said his work and contribution as a backbencher had resulted in action being taken by the government on a large number of important issues.
His suggestions had been taken on board and the list of free medicines for chronic illnesses had been extended. His proposals on the roll-out of the Pharmacy Of Your Choice scheme had also been heeded and today it was being carried out efficiently.
MPs were not expected to make threats or pressures in the course of duty. He had managed to obtain his results through effective dialogue.
Philip Mifsud
‘Political arrogance at its best’
Philip Mifsud said that the opposition had presented the motion through conflicting messages. Dr Muscat had first said he would not be presenting a no-confidence motion only to backtrack.
On Monday, Dr Muscat had again failed to clarify why the government did not deserve confidence. This was political arrogance at its best.
Mr Mifsud said the government believed in democracy and had always worked hard to promote it.
Beppe Fenech Adami
‘Labour lacks vision’
Beppe Fenech Adami said he was voting against the Opposition motion, which lacked a motive, because of the government’s positive track record in employment, education and health. It had taken initiatives in favour of the elderly, the young and the self-employed.
Dr Fenech Adami criticised the Leader of the Opposition for exploiting the Tunisian uprising when Dr Muscat had called for a campaign to attract tourists who had intended to visit Tunisia.
The Opposition had hindered the government throughout the legislature because it was hungry for power. It lacked vision. In his reply to the Budget speech, Dr Muscat had made 51 empty promises or proposals which were already being implemented.
Dr Muscat had even failed to convince his allies in the European socialist group on education and on the Working Directive.
Clyde Puli
‘Opposition tired of waiting’
Parliamentary Secretary Clyde Puli accused the Opposition of being tired of waiting on the opposition benches, saying its motion was suspect as Malta was not passing through any economic crisis or instability. On the contrary, it had invested millions in education, sports and industry. Malta had the lowest youth unemployment.
The government had a direction. But what if Labour were to govern? How would it go about increasing employment and containing unemployment? How would it attract investment in the present global economic scenario? With oil prices on the increase, would it still feel comfortable insisting on reducing energy tariffs?
Mr Puli said that, when government efforts were bearing fruit, someone had capriciously opted to bring the government down.
In such circumstances, one hoped that, if the PL were to govern, it was properly geared to lead the country on the same track as it was being run today.
Charlò Bonnici
‘The government deserves confidence’
Charlò Bonnici said that, although some decisions could have been better taken, the government deserved to win the confidence of Parliament. The Prime Minister had managed to curb unemployment despite the current global economic situation. He had also achieved great results in the most important sectors.
The government had also taken a number of difficult decisions which inevitably resulted in a negative reaction from the electorate. A number of institutions had been strengthened to better safeguard democracy.
Robert Arrigo
‘Mistakes were made’
Robert Arrigo said if one had the benefit of hindsight one would not make any mistakes. However, thousands of voters felt hurt when they saw that people on the government’s front bench had been elected without a full quota.
He had always kept the Prime Minister informed of his thoughts, and had always been given time and support especially during the past 10 months of the blackmail he had been experiencing.
Mistakes had been made. Even the planning authority had mistakenly issued permits for a project in a residential area of St Julians.
Dr Gonzi had been a success. But where he had not been involved there had been mistakes, including over-spending on the inauguration of projects in the Sliema-St Julians area.
Mr Arrigo said uncertainty in the country could play havoc with the plans of investors.
Abstention on a crucial vote would leave the government like a car with a slow puncture.
Stephen Spiteri
‘The government has given the country direction’
Stephen Spiteri said the government had given the country direction, generated employment and attracted foreign investment. This was the result of good leadership, with the European Commission and the IMF praising the government for its handling of the economy.
Malta also placed first among EU countries in its policy on inclusion in schools. Dr Spiteri said that the government sustained independent schools and allocated more than €45 million to Church schools. New schools were also built.
He said that, while other European students were protesting, in Malta there were more than 18,600 students in post-secondary and tertiary education who earned €22 million in stipends.
Before Dr Spiteri spoke, Labour MP Owen Bonnici was heard saying this was a historic moment, poking fun at the fact that Dr Spiteri’s parliamentary attendance and activity have left much to be desired.