Joseph Muscat lists 62 reasons for Labour motion

Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat listed 62 reasons for presenting the no-confidence motion in the government, primarily because of Lawrence Gonzi’s decision to “abdicate his responsibility” to address the uncertainty on whether he enjoyed the full support of the government MPs.

Dr Muscat accused the Prime Minister of shedding crocodile tears and playing a wait-and-see game when the country wanted action. He accused him of holding on to power at all costs, of using double standards and of hijacking his own party through a small clique.

The government was in denial and ignored the country’s realities and problems. The text of the Prime Minister’s motion of confidence presented in November was shorter than his and did not include any motive, he said in response to nine hours of criticism.

He also reminded Foreign Minister Tonio Borg that the Nationalist opposition had presented a no-confidence motion against the Labour government in March 1998.

The government increased ministers’ salaries by €500 a week with the Auditor General calling this “a good example of bad practice”. At the same time, it increased utility prices when the price of oil was falling.

There was the scandal surrounding the BWSC contract with the government investing in a hazardous power station.

The public transport reform was a disaster but no one shouldered responsibility with the task force appointed by the Prime Minister only meeting three times.

The lack of jobs at SmartCity showed the government’s incompetence while the White Rocks project never materialised.

Air Malta, Go, the drydocks, public transport workers, hunters and trappers were all deceived.

The Resources Minister did not resign after he was found guilty of breaking human rights by the courts. The Finance Minister also retained his post despite declarations by a contractor that he had worked on the minister’s residence as a gift. The Home Affairs and Justice Minister failed to embark on much-needed reforms in the law courts and anarchy ruled in prison.

The Prime Minister failed to take action on the super yachts tender although he had information on the issue and the police only started proceedings after he had spoken.

The government had not legislated on the Whistleblower Bill. The interests of small investors had been ignored while the primary health care reform was shelved. The government had retracted on the St John’s Co Cathedral project because it had a mutiny within its ranks.

Every year, the Auditor General listed shortcomings on the outdated systems by which taxpayers’ money were managed.

The government also failed to legislate on IVF.

Gozitan workers did not have any work opportunities at home and the country’s credibility was negatively affected when the government suspended the foreign residents’ scheme.

VAT burdened tourist establishments. Female participation was still low and Malta placed second from last among EU states in terms of the number of workers.

Teachers were not consulted on the national curriculum framework. It was unacceptable to keep children at Mount Carmel Hospital. It was also unacceptable for the government to lie about Labour MP Justyne Caruana for political convenience.

The IMF and the European Commission had confirmed the opposition’s criticism that the Budget projections were not correct. The government had also failed to explain how the €40 million in expenditure cuts were to be made.

Dr Muscat said 25 per cent of the national debt accumulated, with the country paying €600,000 in daily interest on this debt.

Workers in the private sector giving a service to the government had bad conditions of work.

The government spent €3 million on the breakwater bridge which led to nowhere but did not have money to build a bridge at the Qormi bypass where two fatalities had occurred.

He asked whether the building of the new Parliament was a priority with the government failing to give information on its financing, which did not form part of the public accounts.

Magħtab residents were deceived when the landfill was removed to an adjacent site. Building permits in Baħrija were scandalous. Wasteserv was managed under a clientele system. The Mepa reform brought increased bureaucracy and costs.

Malta Enterprise was run as a fiefdom by its chairman, Alan Camilleri, who was the Prime Minister’s protégé. The agency had spent €3 million – without issuing calls for tenders – for refurbishing parts of St Luke’s Hospital, which had to serve as temporary premises, the top storey of which was barred to many.

Dr Muscat said everyone knew how the Prime Minister acted during the Libyan crisis but it was also true that he was the last political leader to hug Muammar Gaddafi. This remark led to protests from the government side.