Christian Peregin
‘Normal practice’ to vote against Education Bill
Supporting constitutional changes on EU pact was difficult – Muscat
Labour’s vote against the upcoming Education Bill is “normal parliamentary practice”, according to Opposition education spokesman Evarist Bartolo, whose position was yesterday criticised by the Prime Minister.
“We agree with the objectives but it is a money bill and it is usual for the Opposition to vote against the government in a money bill. What it means is that while we agree with the objectives we do not trust the way the government spends money,” Mr Bartolo said.
“When we vote on the Budget, for example on the education package, we make our arguments and then vote against. It doesn’t mean we’re voting against education.”
Mr Bartolo’s announcement last Wednesday in Parliament sparked some controversy because Labour’s spokesman for higher education Owen Bonnici had said earlier the Opposition would vote in favour of the Bill. Addressing supporters yesterday, Lawrence Gonzi used Mr Bartolo’s announcement as an example of what he described as the growing influence of an “extremist” faction within the Labour Party, which harked back to the tactics employed in the 1980s.
Stressing that he did not consider Dr Bonnici to be one of these extremists, Dr Gonzi warned that the more hard-line faction was gaining the upper hand over the more moderate politicians.
But Mr Bartolo said Dr Bonnici simply “meant to emphasise that we agreed with the objectives”.
Meanwhile, although Labour leader Joseph Muscat made no reference to this matter in his Sunday speech, he did speak about parliamentary votes and how his party was ushering out “yesterday’s politics”.
Dr Muscat patted himself on the back for taking the “difficult but conscious” decision to support the government on the constitutional amendments required for Malta to adopt the EU Fiscal Compact.
“This is no joke. It means that from now on no government can spend money it does not have,” Dr Muscat said, arguing that Dr Gonzi agreed to this pact while his own parliamentary majority was brought into question.
He said the Labour Party had a choice between being responsible towards the country and making the Prime Minister look bad.
In 1998, he said, when the Labour government was going through a political crisis similar to the current one, the PN Opposition had voted against an “innocuous” law creating the Malta Tourism Authority, even though it had agreed with it.
“PN had voted against this law just to continue to fan the flames of the political crisis. We could have [done the same thing] but the credibility of our country would have taken a big hit so we chose to safeguard the country’s interest above everything else.”
Dr Muscat also pointed out that the Opposition had nothing to fear from the pact’s enforcement of balanced budgets because this principle was already etched in the hearts and minds of the party.
When asked whether Dr Muscat’s words contradicted Mr Bartolo’s position on the Education (Amendment) Bill, Mr Bartolo said this was a different case.
“Constitutionally, [the EU Fiscal Compact] is something fundamental. If we don’t do it we’ll create problems for the country because of our obligations in signing the EU fiscal contract.
There is an overarching interest... We would be letting our country down because of our obligations to the EU.
“But in terms of how we manage the country, it’s fair for the Opposition to say we do not trust the way the government spends the country’s money,” he added. Dr Bonnici could not be contacted yesterday.
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alex Borg
Feb 10th, 16:16
Hanzir taqtalu denmbu, hanzir jibqa.... jew lupu jilbes ta naghga, lupu jibqa... jew Evarist ex-Ministru tal-Edukazzjoni (96 - 98), Evarist 2012-13 jibqa.... x'tippretendu li kkonverta ???
M Spiteri
Feb 7th, 08:33
I agree with the objectives of the Labour party but will vote against it
Angus Black
Feb 7th, 01:17
"Dr Muscat also pointed out that the Opposition had nothing to fear from the pact’s enforcement of balanced budgets because this principle was already etched in the hearts and minds of the party."
No wonder we are hearing less and less about cheaper W&E rates.
No wonder people wonder what the fearless leader has in mind regarding taxes, stipends, free health services and environmentally friendly projects.
No wonder Joseph is keeping his cards even closer to his chest.
It's magic wand time. Abracadabra and the streets will be ankle deep in gold!
Tania Walters
Feb 6th, 19:32
Same old same old. Labour reigns with ignorance. Come on Labour Party wherever you are, including here in Australia, stop treating people like headless chucks.
M Borg
Feb 6th, 19:30
How can anyone say " We agree with the objectives but will vote against it " ?
What sort of reasoning is this ? Is parliament being turned into a children's playground ?
Angus Black
Feb 6th, 15:44
It has been 'normal practice'for the MLP to vote against anything and everything, for decades now, even if the contents of a bill happens to be in the interest of the country.
They still have difficulty finding words like 'logic' and 'moderation' in their dictionary.
Common sense was never their forte.
Victor Sultana
Feb 6th, 15:26
It is now Franco Debono's golden hour. If he abstains the speaker cannot use his vote.
Hence elections!!
However Franco will vote with the Government. True colours!
Victor Sultana
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 6th, 15:21
If you agree with the objectives then you vote in their favour!! What Mr Bartolo is saying goes beyond stupidity!! It shows we do not have a "progressive" opposition but the same old opposition of Dr.Sant!! Vote always NO!!
Alexander Farrugia
Feb 6th, 15:06
Ma nifhimiex din Sur Bartolo... jekk taqbel tivvota favur, le?
Ms.D. Galea
Feb 6th, 15:04
Is it "normal practice" for the Oppostion spokespersons to say one thing and then do exactly the opposite?
John Micallef
Feb 6th, 14:01
Kull Oppozijoni dejjem trid tivvota kontra money bill fil parlament... Jekk xi darba ma saritx hekk ghidu naqra fejn.
u ma nafx ghalfejn qed tiskantaw? hemm min jivvota kontra xi haga li il maggoranza tal poplu riedet... ahseb u ara Oppozizjoni (li mill kelma stess tghidlek)...
J.C. Borg
Feb 6th, 14:47
Mr Micallef - jigifieri l-Oppozizzjoni qieghda hemm biex topponi ANKE dak li hu tajjeb???
J.C. Borg
Feb 6th, 12:59
Jigifieri Varist se jaghmel bhal ta' qablu, mhux jara dak li hu tajjeb u dak li mhux!!!!! Copycats????
Stephen Farrugia
Feb 6th, 12:44
The point is that Dr.Muscat is calling for a new mentality and saying that government MPs have outdated ways of doing things.
I was expecting that labour would support this bill and show us how much he MEANS what he says.
lele...
Philip Hili
Feb 6th, 12:43
“We agree with the objectives but it is a money bill and it is usual for the Opposition to vote against the government in a money bill. What it means is that while we agree with the objectives we do not trust the way the government spends money,” Mr Bartolo said.
Mamma Mia x'mentalita' !!!!
How can this person be trusted when he utters such statements? If you agree Mr. Bartolo, what is holding you from voting in favour of the bill? This is your (PL) problem!!!! and as long as you continue to argue in this manner, you are bound to remain in opposition. You are continuing to show the electorate who within a few months time you will be requesting their trust in order to be elected in parliament that you and your party are not credible. How can you expect new voters join your party when you say that you agree on something but then, at the same time you will not support it????
Fran Abela
Feb 6th, 12:40
You do not fool us Mr. Bartolo - this is just an excuse to go on what you have been doing all these years - just criticise and put spokes in the wheel wherever and whenever possible. It is not up to you to decide whether the government is spending money the way it should or not. The people can judge for themselves. Just do your duty and think what is best for Malta instead of what suits you best. Thank you for doing a great job of convincing me that your theories are really worthy of the dustbin.
j brincat
Feb 6th, 12:40
Mr J Xerri
" But the Opposition ploy to bring the Government in crisis failed as Mr Mintoff voted in favour of the Bill"
In this case there was no ploy at all!
It was just checking mathematics to see if the numbers add up correctly in the House!
At the end of the day the result was that the PN lost the majority it had. Any beating about the bush just flings you into the denial mode!
So, now we have Gonzi NM (No Majority)!
(jb)
Charles Massa
Feb 6th, 12:34
Mela l edukazzjoni mhux taht il Labour hadet spinta. Min introduca l universita b xejn u l istupendji l? Fi zmien il PN tas 60 biex tidhol l Universita trid thallas
A Trapani
Feb 6th, 16:08
Int qed tghhix maghna jew ? l-edukazzjoni taht il labour hadet spinta ??? kif ? billi kif qal Joseph Muscat stess inalqu l-iskejjel tal knisja u l-KMB ma riedx idahhal kompjuter imgiddem Malta ? L-ispinta ta lil certa nies tal qalba biss... dawk li kellom il parrinu u setaw jidhlu l-universita u jintbatu scholarships. Kont tghix maghna f'dak iz zmien jew?
Philip Hili
Feb 6th, 16:19
@ Charles Massa
Nahseb ahjar tinform lil-qarreja ta' din il-pagna li "l-Indipendenza" gabha l-MLP jew il-PL!!!!
Hallina charlie!!!
etienne scerri
Feb 6th, 17:02
inti f siktek jew fis sakra sur massa ???? hadet spinta taht il labour l edukazzjoni ??? l edukazzjoni hadet spinta taht dan il gvern mela taht il-labour .... pn naghtuhulom l- istependju liz zaghzah taghna u mhux naghmluhulom loan ... intom il vera partit li wicckhom u x imkien iehor l-istess. dejjem hekk kontu u hekk tibqaw, anke jekk ikollna l izghar prim ministru ta malta progressiv u moderat imma is sistema xorta l antika tibqa. x ha nfaddlu minflok fejn ha ninvestu ghaz zaghzagh u ulied uliedna. NEW LABOUR SAME AS IT WAS THE OLD ONE RUHI. DEAR STUDENTS , BEWARE !!!
John Scerri
Feb 7th, 07:58
Taf x'hadu l-istudenti taht il-lejber sur Massa ...
Swat minghand marmalja bil barka ta ministru tal lejber fuq il kampus ta l-universita...DAK li hadna fl-edukazjoni taht il lejber ..
Il politika tal lejber ghal edukazjoni kienet biex johloq generazjoni socjalista ..jew taqbel mal lejber jew taqla xebgha !
Jake Farrugia
Feb 6th, 12:06
Well, this so called normal practice is very normal for someone who has a track record of acting against education. I wonder why they keep him there. And more importantly why does the new progressive leader keep doing the same mistake of going with the advice of these people?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ElxiCsDTGMM
Mr J Xerri
Feb 6th, 11:00
Dr Muscat yesterday also mentioned the fact that the Nationalist Opposition in 1998, voted against the Bill presented by a Labour Government setting up the Malta Tourism Authority after saying that they agreed with the Law, even if this was not a money bill. But the Opposition ploy to bring the Government in crisis failed as Mr Mintoff voted in favour of the Bill.
Victor Calleja
Feb 6th, 10:54
Jekk inti tghati bix xabla taqla bix xabla. Ftakru xgara 1998. Il bill fuq it turizmu. Mela taqghux flipokrezijja.
John Scerri
Feb 6th, 11:53
Hallik mil passat ...jew il passat issemmuh meta jaqbel biss ?
Joseph Grech Attard
Feb 6th, 10:50
How dare a Maltese PM speak of tactics of the MLP in the 80's and not of those of the PN in the late 60's and early 70's, as well as those of the late 90's? PN have always been bad losers and start trying to topple down a Labour government on day one of a Labour victory. Does anyone remember how certain PN supporters had tried to buy off 2 elected members of the MLP (one Maltese female and one Gozitan male) so as to bring down the democratically-elected Labour government? The PL is trying to give a new, fresh look to Maltese politics by forgetting the past and looking at the future (Alfred Sant started it by celebrating Independence day, no transfers, etc). But if GonziPN continue nagging about the past, there is no way that the PL shall stop at mentioning the atrocities under Nationalist governments!
Philip Hili
Feb 6th, 13:14
@ Joseph Grech-Attard
It seems that you are one of those who are afraid of the MLP past!!!
I don't blame you because in the past, under a Labour administration, the only way to have a job -
employment , was if you were lucky by joining one of the Military Labour Corp. such as "Izra' u Rabbi", "Dirghajn il-Maltin", "Il-Pijunieri", "Bahhar u Sewwi" etc.
"The PL is trying to give a new, fresh look to Maltese politics by forgetting the past and looking at the future"!! Are you joking? Is this fresh look towards Maltese politics based on emails exchanged between an employee of a private radio station - Sabrina Agius and the leader of the Opposition better known as Dr. Emails??? Or this "fresh look to Maltese politics" is based on opposing everything proposed by the government and more worse taking every single advantage to destabilise the govenment?!
Hallilna Maannn!!!!
Is
J Craig
Feb 6th, 10:31
this shows the real face of Labour and Joseph Muscat...a bunch of hypocrites that vote against a bill that will effect our children. How can I ever vote these people?
Carmel Grima
Feb 6th, 10:25
Jekk il-PN ghamlu hekk,coe' li qalu naqblu u wara ivvutaw kontra, ghamlu xi haga hazina u ta' min jisthi ghax taw ezempju hazin. Pero dawn tal-PL, fl-gherf taghahom imissu jindunaw x'beneficju hemm jekk ikunu iktar maturi u ma jikkuppjawx il-hazen ta' haddiehor, jew ghax ghamlu hekk il-PL jiggustifikaw il-hazen u jaghamluh. Jekk iridu jirbhu lil-floater li hemm bzonnu biex jitilghu.
j brincat
Feb 6th, 10:22
“When we vote on the Budget, for example on the education package, we make our arguments and then vote against. It doesn’t mean we’re voting against education.”
Isn't this something which has been in practice for years on end?
Wasn't it Don Quixote who thought he was fighting with imaginery giants everytme he saw a wind mill!
AT least the Oppositon would not be voting against a bill to was agreed upon before by both sides like the PN did in 1998 when they voted against the MTA motion. Ironically it was the first bill that was enacted when the PN took power again a few weeks later!
(jb)
Oliver Grech
Feb 6th, 10:10
Is this person serious? Is labour serious? What kind of argument is this? Tal misthija? I agree but vote against - x kummidja hi din? If they really have at heart the interest of us Maltese, if they really agree with the education they should have the decency to vote in favour and f... the normal practice. No wonder I don't trust these people.
George Azzopardi
Feb 6th, 11:43
Spejegalek t..ba .. ma jaqbilx ma kif qed jintefqu l-flus mhux ma x'ha jaghmlu!! Ara issiblix monet bill wiehed li PN ivvutaw favur specjalment fin 1998 (budget)!
Adrian Gouder
Feb 6th, 09:51
I think Evarist Bartolo is referring to the LP behaviour about meaning one thing and doing another.
When for example, he promised us (students) 'personally' in the canteen at University that Stipends would most certainly and beyond any doubt, NOT be touched, he then changed them all into bank loans the moment LP were elected (in '96).
He may be trying to explain that LP have a habit of saying one thing, meaning another, and acting in some unpredicable manner depending on needs at that moment. As long as everybody understands this about labour, then yes, this can be considerred normal for LP in opposition to do this.
Nazzareno Cortis
Feb 6th, 13:45
My friend Adrian. First of all,and to all students that do not know the facts,it was Labour governments under Dom Mintoff who first gave Stipends to the students!!!and against voted the PN parlamentarians!!!As to your last paragraph,you must be mistaken---because you are stating exactly what the present administration is actually doing!!!!
Steve M. Engerer
Feb 6th, 16:48
Ghaziez Nazzarenu, taf xta l-Labour lil l-Istudenti???
L-ghoxrin punt u cahhad lili u hafna ohrajn li konna skola privata milli mmuru l-Universita..
Ghal grazzja t-Alla sakemm wasal iz-zmien li nsib xoghol kien lahaq tela il-Partit Nazzjonalista fil-gvern u ma kienitx difficli li nsib xoghol..
John Scerri
Feb 6th, 09:43
Labour’s vote against the upcoming Education Bill is “normal parliamentary practice”, according to Opposition education spokesman Evarist Bartolo..............Yes It is normal practice for the Opposition MLP and MLP party to go against anything .
It is normal practice ...it's in the name .....LP = LE PARTY
John Zammit
Feb 6th, 11:14
It seems that you don't follow what is done in parliament normally so you don't know that the majority ofv the laws passed are by consensus after little amendments.All Money bills are REGECTED by the opposition as that is the only way to keep the Government on focus
George Azzopardi
Feb 6th, 11:46
Again John I think you'r not old enough to remember how PN voted in money bills earlier on especially after 1998 budget! maybe you're not old enough to remember how PN voted against things like the introduction of children allowance and pensions!
John Scerri
Feb 6th, 11:50
John Zammit oh yes i do . more than you think .
John Scerri
Feb 6th, 12:41
Dear George Azzopardi
Please make me remember because all I recall from 1998 budget is families charge 25 pounds a year for service charge on sewage, motor vehicle licences from 50 pounds in 2 budgets went up to 150 pounds , other motor vehicles licences going up to double...with the excuse according to the finance minister ...'min ihammeg ihallas'...still echoing in my ears ...
Water and Electricity bills being issued late and going up from 60 pounds to 160 pounds .
I recall students discussing and discussing on TV and on campus about the stipends and education money bills sending students to collect loans from banks .this was as a thankyou by Evarist Bartolo to those students who wanted change ...and new faces ...just for the sake of changing ...Never again will those students who were betrayed vote MLP again.
This is what I recall ...and .... i also recall that despite Dom Mintoff stating to dr. Sant 'Tlift il boxxla socjali ' The mlp Kept going causing havok in 22months ...
Why? ...
Because there was no preparation and no home work had been done by labour but just blunt promises to the people as long as they acqured the votes ...JUST like MLP is doing to day ...promising everything to everyone .
MLP has nothing to offer but words ...words....words...no substance .
Philip Hili
Feb 6th, 13:29
@ George Azzopardi
You can cheat Mr. John Zammit, although I do not know whether you can cheat him or not by saying that "PN voted against things like the introduction of children allowance and pensions!" but you are not going to cheat others who lived that period and who know that what you have said is totally UNTRUE!!!
I thought that you were going to say to Mr. John Zammit that the PN introduced a fee on medicine to pave the way for a labour administration to eliminate free health care!!!
Tridx tmur u thallina nghixu!!!
Mario Busuttil
Feb 6th, 09:36
Nahseb li jekk il Gvern jaghmel il genna f'din l art ,,,ukoll l oppozijjoni tivvota kontra,ma nafax ghaliex jahsbuha hekk ,imbaghad dawn iridu li jmexxu pajjiz? Anki f'affarijiet tajbin kontra biex jakkwistaw l opportunita sabiex tissejjah elezzjoni f'kaz li ma jaddiex xi Bill mill parlament.Dak huwa il punt sur Evarist u xejn aktar....il poplu mhuiex Cuc!!!Din huja biss Kilba ghal poter u xejn izjed.
Carmel Xuereb
Feb 6th, 09:27
Xjippretendu n-Nazjonalisti li tal-Labour ser jivvutaw favur kull haga li joholmu biha? Insew il-votazzjonijit taghhom meta l-gvern tal-labour kien ghaddej minn krizi fin-1998? Kemm il-darba ivvutaw favur il-gvern? Dawn trid tfaqqalhom taht ic-cintorin ghax jghaddi z-zmien u huma hekk jaghmlu ghax ghal ghal hatfa ta' dak l-imbierek siggu go Kastilja huma jaghmlu minn kollox anke jmorru l-infern basta jahtfuh. Imma huma jaghmlu l-affarijiet bil-pulit u tal-labour huma naqra green ghal hdejjhom ghax ihobbu jikxfu l-karti qabel jibdew jilghabu. Ara huma le ma jikxfuhomx u jibdluhom bil-qerq basta jirbhu. Nikbru u nitghalmu.
George Calleja
Feb 6th, 12:23
Anzi kien Alfred Sant li kien qal li lest jinghaqad max-xitan basta jirbah l-elezzjoni!!!!!!!
Philip Hili
Feb 6th, 13:32
@ Carmel Xuereb
Il-Leaders tal-Partin Nazzjonalista QATT ma qalu li jaslu biex jaghmlu patt anke max-xitan biex jakkwistaw il-voti!!!