Update 2: Gonzi avoids Debono's Budget threat
Video: Jason Borg
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi avoided the thorny issue looming over the Government's last Budget that may not make it through Parliament.
Speaking to Nationalist Party supporters this morning, Dr Gonzi said nothing about backbencher Franco Debono's latest statement that he will vote against the Budget.
The meeting held in Qrendi, which forms part of Dr Debono's constituency, focused on the health service.
Dr Debono has been threatening to vote against the budget if Transport Minister Austin Gatt remains in cabinet for a long time and on October 4 filed a no confidence motion against the minister.
In passing reference to the Budget the Finance Minister will read out on Wednesday, Dr Gonzi said it was not an election exercise but a long term plan for financial sustainability.
The Budget is expected to introduce a gradual income tax cut, partially fulfilling a PN electoral pledge.
Dr Gonzi criticized the Opposition for not saying how it will finance its pledge to lower electricity tariffs.
"It is easy to promise people more money in their pocket," he said with reference to a Labour Party billboard carrying that slogan. But it all boiled down to making responsible choices, he added. "If all it takes is putting up billboards, I would go to the Greek Prime Minister and tell him how to solve his country's problems."
Dr Gonzi kicked off the meeting on a light note by referring to the hard negotiations he had in Brussels last week on the forthcoming EU budget. "It was really cold in Brussels but here the sun shines bright," he said eliciting a smile and applause from his audience.
Noting his Government's hard stance against a reduction in EU funds for Malta, Dr Gonzi ridiculed former Labour leader Alfred Sant's decision to stand as a candidate in the European Parliament election for 2014.
"He is the same man who campaigned for partnership and hit out at the EU," he told a cheering crowd, adding the Labour Party could not be trusted.
Dr Gonzi praised the health service and insisted Malta was the only other country with Germany to increase its spending on health services despite the EU crisis.
He pledged a Nationalist administration would continue to invest in the health service, referring to Mater Dei hospital as the previous PN administration's finger print.
Dr Gonzi announced that dementia sufferers would be able to start receiving an expensive medicine for free on the national health service from next week.
He was answering a question by a doctor on the medicine Axura that costs sufferers some €500 a month. The medicine was not available on the free medicine's list.
Dr Gonzi said the medicine was approved and from next week consultants could apply on behalf of their patients to get the medicine on the national health service.
PN deputy leadership contenders Tonio Fenech and Simon Busuttil were also present but did not speak.
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Eddy Privitera
Nov 26th 2012, 17:20
Can one imagine if Dr. Busuttil wins the deputy-leadership, knowing that nearly ALL the cabinet ministers prefer Tonio Fenech ! And what if he takes over from Lawrence Gonzi. What future will the PN have when the most influential deputies, presently in the cabinet, are known not to have supported Simon Busuttil ?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 26th 2012, 19:16
Whoever is elected as NP deputy leader, once elected, he would have the support of the whole party, irrespective of your hopes that this would not be so.
Matthew Grima
Nov 26th 2012, 09:47
Am I the only one that is saddened to see such a young boy in an event such a s his? Forget the party, forget the color. But we're bringing up children with party blinkers, it's sad.
Pippo de Marco
Nov 26th 2012, 02:28
I had thought that PL's decision to withhold details of its manifesto until the election date is announced was childish and pointless. However, seeing how this strategy has got under Gonzi's skin, I take it all back.
Mary Ann Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 23:38
Acqua Passata. Franco is now a non-issue. He has his last suicidal weapon to use which will mark him in history by voting against his own party's budget, not because of its contents but because of his fixation against one of Malta's best-ever ministers. Let him be. The Taliban wear suicide vests, Debono will not even bother. The election is now round the corner anyway.
Mrs M. Attard
Nov 26th 2012, 10:14
Best ever Minister?? LOL, he has single handedly ruined everything he has touched my dear. Take a look at ARMS, at SMART CITY and last but certainly not least ARRIVA.. Projects are announced with much fanfare and trumpet blowing but end up fizzling to nothing , the only result is consumer frustration.
Jon Vercellono
Nov 26th 2012, 13:27
To Mrs. Attard - Smart City will not grow overnight, its not produced from a magic bean - good things take time, such as Arriva, and Arms as well. I certainly would not expect an innovation to be perfect from the start and consumers who are "frustrated" are not being realistic. Let them work out what is happening - GOnzi and Dr. Fenech are a very passionate for us, unlike other politicians.
Brian Gatt
Nov 26th 2012, 14:22
@ Jon Vercellono - you must be joking right..good things take time if their roots are embeded correctly. What Dr Gatt did was provide futile promises that promised the world and ended in flops all of them. I am amazed at the reselience you Pn Lackeys have..the way you treat known hard facts pointing against you as if these were nothing leaves me dumbfounded
Roberto Fenech
Nov 25th 2012, 21:54
Malta has done relatively well the past number of years when compared to the rest of the 26 EU member states. Taxes decrease, records in tourism and university graduates, price decrease for medicines, creation of 20,000 new jobs among others. All this thanks to a responsible Government adopting the right polices.
Brian Gatt
Nov 26th 2012, 14:24
you also have to add playing with statistics to the above list, since all the above are derived from numbers published by the NSO.....ie by Gonzi Pn. I wonder if an independent audit was to be done what the real figures would be
anthony bartolo
Nov 25th 2012, 21:54
Mr. T yrrell,it you're in the North please stay there and do not interfere in our politics.
DD Galea
Nov 25th 2012, 21:16
Jien u nahseb hafna bhali mhux il buggit qed nistenna imma l elezzjoni.
Alfred Grech
Nov 25th 2012, 21:00
How about the fibromyalgia sufferers? Why did the government leave them out?
Charles Massa
Nov 25th 2012, 19:31
Se jroxx il bzar ghax gejja l elezzjoni.!!!!! Imma l poplu mhux mazzun
Anthony Paris
Nov 25th 2012, 19:28
So its is possible to reduce taxes all of a sudden. But this means (a) less tax revenue for the government (b) no benefit to the thousands of people who do not fall into the tax threshold. Will the PN be explaining how this reduction in revenue will be covered? Do not forget this year the deficit was higher than expected. May be they will increase the Water & Electricity tariffs?
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 25th 2012, 19:11
@ EDDIE privitera
EDDIE taf x'ghandek tghidilhom u turihom lil qarrejja ta' dan il-blog, L-IRCEVUTA TAL-MEDICINA LI INTI XTRAJT MIT-TURKIJA BIL-PREZZ TA' €3.00 U LI MIN MALTA TINXTARA TMIEN DARBIET IZJED, JIGIFIERI €24.00 BIEX TKUN KREDIBBLI.
Nispera li Norman Vella ta' TVHEMM jaghmel ir-ricerka li wieghed li ser jaghmel fuq din il-medicina u allegazzjoni.
Eddy Privitera
Nov 25th 2012, 23:02
1 Angelo Vassallo: Ghalkemm illum l-ircevuta m'ghadiex ghandi wara dan iz-zmien kollu, nirreferik ghal ittra originali tieghi f'The Times ta' 25 Ottubru 2010. U ergajt irreferejt ghal dan il-kaz f'ittra ohra f'The Times fl- 24 ta' Jannar 2011. Tista ssibhom ghax tajtek id-dati. Ikteb : The Times, Eddy Privitera on medicine Zocor, u ssibhom facilment ! Issa se ntik AKTAR PROVI RECENTI.....Inkompli
twanny borg
Nov 26th 2012, 08:14
Zocor 20mg
Source Country: Turkey
Shipped From: Turkey Merck Sharp & Dohme 168 tablets $70.00
Eddy Privitera
Nov 26th 2012, 11:41
Angelo Vassallo: ktibt ZEWG kummenti ohra bil-provi kemm il-medicini f?Malta huma ferm aktar gholjin minn pajjizi ohra fl-UE .
Eddy Privitera
Nov 26th 2012, 11:58
Angelo Vassallo; Illum se ntik il-prezz taz- ZOCOR 20mg x 28 tablets, kif mghoti mill-ministru Jason Azzopardi b'risposta ghal PQ 32491. F'Malta l-prezz hu €24.77. Fi Spanja €4.43 !!!. Iss fi Spanja il-hlas kull siegha tal-paga medja hi: €20.6. F'Malta hi €11.9 !!! Hemm hafna aktar kazi bhal dawn jekk tfittex ir-risposta ghal din il-PQ
Imbaghad irrispondini !
Eddy Privitera
Nov 26th 2012, 19:23
Angelo Vassallo: Jaqaw ghadek ma qrajtx il-kummenti tieghi ? Jeww qrajthom u tisthi titlobni skuza ghal fatt li int ipruvajt tixhed dubju dwar dak li kont ghidt jien fuq TVHEMM ?
Carmel Zammit
Nov 25th 2012, 18:53
Dr Gonzi criticized the Opposition for not saying how it will finance its pledge to lower electricity tariffs.
Can you Dr. Gonzi tell us how much we would be paying for the electricity imported from Europe through your planned submarine cable? YTou did not deny that electricity generated from other sources costs less so why didn't you go for that? Sorry but you cannot get one right it seems.
Denis Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 19:37
???? costs less???
Where on earth did you hear that from? Sargas??
Paul Caruana
Nov 25th 2012, 18:50
"Dr Gonzi ... insisted Malta was the only other country with Germany to increase its spending on health services despite the EU crisis." Another instance of Malta being likened to Germany. And yet Muscat seeing all gloom and doom. How fortunate we are that Mlata is led by a pair of steady hands. Hospitals are being closed in many European countries. We do not pay for these health services.
Joseph Arpa
Nov 25th 2012, 19:46
You PN supporters and got some really thick blindfolds on your eyes!!!
Ethelbert Schembri
Nov 25th 2012, 18:22
Whilst as a tax payer I welcome and form of reduction in taxes, I would like to know how will the PN in Govt sustain such proposal in the next legislation? Because this legislation is finished and the PN are using the budget for pure partisan propaganda, so in simple words the PN is using our taxes to fund their own propaganda. And how it is possible to have less intake and increase the expenses?
Donna Parnis
Nov 25th 2012, 18:22
As for Sants decision to stand for the EU parliament. that shows that the Labour Party are moving forward. But as usual Gonzi is living in the past. He condemns Sant who was against full membership Yet he put borg there who is against divorce, abortion and Gay unions. Another case of two weights and two measures.
John Grech
Nov 25th 2012, 18:06
Marelli kemm hawn nies jinteresshom gonzi u x jghid!!!! Dan ifisser li hemm interess fih u fl jghid!! Ahna Cikku l poplu Kelma wahda nghidu meta mmorru nivvutaw darba kull hames snin. Issa jekk fil kuxjenzja tieghi se noqghod inwiegbu u naghti kaz Ta dak li ghid allura qed nhallih ikollu hakma fuqi. Jiena nitkellem meta nivvota u Dan dalwaqt. U nafu kollha li din rebha facli ghal pl!!
m. borg (slm)
Nov 25th 2012, 17:42
He will be lowering the income tax bracket and not increase the cieling.
A measure that would favour those in the high incomes' bracket not the majority of the workers unlike if he raises the ceiling.
If he can reduce income tax for the rich but not the electricity bills for the majority and the industry ibn Malta.
Gonzipn/PM has always been the party of the rich.
Denis Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 19:38
Then the majority of Maltese citizens are rich!
Vince Piscopo
Nov 26th 2012, 02:04
Not according to the last series of elections and also that in parliament! But you may say the most important is the general election and I agree but I wonder why GonziPN is so afraid to call an election if according to his solely devoted and blindfold followers he is guaranteed another victory and firmly believes he still retains the maggority to govern?
mark borg
Nov 25th 2012, 17:41
kif baqalek il-wicc tidher quddiem in nies dr.gonzi ? plus ieqaf qisek il jobs tghana nafuhom lilek ! jew li qed tqabbel l-ekonomija ta malta ma ta l-amerika !! ghax ma issemix ez lil lussembergu jew leichtenstein ? zewgt pajjizi daqs kwart tghana, b biljuni ta ewro f budget surplus kull sena,ma ghandniex disastru bhal griegi ghax il poplu bil ghaqal u il banek ghamlu xgholhom sewwa
Eddy Privitera
Nov 25th 2012, 23:25
Meta l-privat johloq ix-xoghol, irid jiehu l-mertu Gonzi. Meta l-privat jissensja n-nies, jew jaghlaq il-fabbrika jew in-negozju, Gonzi M'ghandux x'jaqsam, ghax dak privat !!!!!
m. borg (slm)
Nov 25th 2012, 17:37
He was answering a question by a doctor on the medicine Axura that costs sufferers some €500 a month. The medicine was not available on the free medicine's list.
Whennit comes to this or the €500/week going to his pocket we know where gonzi stands and it will be the firsat measure he implements if reelectd then he will have another 5 years were people would forget all about it.
Joe Grech
Nov 25th 2012, 17:22
Dr. Simon Busuttil FAILED in BRUSSELS when he did not convince his MEP buddies to make their countries participate in Burden Sharing of Illegal Immigrants from Malta. They showed no Solidarity with Malta and the other receiving countries.
Dr. Busuttil wants to forget his failure in Brussels by becoming a local M.P. He finds it easier to fool people here than he did in Brussels.
Joe Fenech
Nov 26th 2012, 00:27
Why should other countries share a problem that Malta created for itself. Malta, the illegal immigrants are your b problem!
Richard Caruana
Nov 26th 2012, 07:32
Boy, inthom 'tal-lejber' really take the biscuit.
Labour has FOUR MEPs while the PN has TWO. One would have thought that four can do a lot more than two, but apparently Sant was right when he had said that MEPs would be going to Europe to warm their butts "isahhnu s-siggu". At least, that's what the PL MEPs seem to have been doing.
Joe Grech
Nov 25th 2012, 17:15
Lawrence Gonzi gave thousands of liri to the ex Ministers he dropped from the last administration; he shut up his grumbling backbenchers by sending them to do ''part-time work'' at the Ministries giving them e10,000 extra of taxpayer money; he gave himself & his Cabinet a e500 weekly rise WITHOUT TELLING PARLIAMENT! Most Maltese no longer trust him. I certainly don't!
Joe Grech
Nov 25th 2012, 17:14
Lawrence Gonzi gave thousands of liri to the ex Ministers he dropped from the last administration; he shut up his grumbling backbenchers by sending them to do ''part-time work'' at the Ministries giving them e10,000 extra of taxpayer money; he gave himself & his Cabinet a e500 weekly rise WITHOUT TELLING PARLIAMENT! Most Maltese no longer trust him. I certainly don't!
M Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 17:48
Not very up to date are you ? They have been saying that the €500 was returned last year !!
Denis Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 19:38
Well....no love lost!
twanny borg
Nov 25th 2012, 16:26
Ma tantx naqbel ma' fd pero mhux se jiddispjacini ghal ag wara l-fjask tax-xatt ta' bormla fejn nistieden in-nies ghada jinzlu jaraw b'ghajnejhom ebda haddiem ma jaraw jahdem. Veru imissu jirrezenja tal-hwienet kissirhom hadd ma jista' jipparkja fit-triqj jieqaf jixtri. L-ewwel haga ministru gdid ibiddel il-pjanti. Il-kunsill ta' bormla veru rieqed.
John Sultana
Nov 25th 2012, 16:04
Really nice one Gonzi reduce the income tax now ... it would make happy alot of voters, and mess up the finances of the next government while make it seem they the one raising income tax as in power when they just putting it back at how it was because it is not viable for our finances!
Joe M Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 16:52
I believe that you were living abroad in the last few years, John. In the last number of budgets, the Gov has been adjusting the Income Tax ceiling year after year. So it's not true that 'now' he is reducing it! Next time, check the last budgets before you write.
Denis Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 19:40
If Labour gets to government, taxes will be raised, no doubt.. This has always happened with Socialist rule.
No news there, I'm afraid
Richard Caruana
Nov 26th 2012, 07:34
What are you bragging about Mr Sultana?
Joseph has just declared that he would retain any tax cut measures included in the coming budget! If Joseph has a magic wand, then Gonzi can find one cheap as well.
GL Calleja
Nov 25th 2012, 15:44
""It is easy to promise people more money in their pocket," It is also easy to promise Air Malta employees that their jobs are secure. Who said that? These are pre-election promises and none should be believed and only believe half of what you see. You can run all you want but you but you cannot hide. By the way Dr Gonzi ignoring the problem does not make it go away.
Owen Ellul
Nov 25th 2012, 18:15
This is not a promise. It is a measure in the next budget which Muscat said he would keep if elected. So the only question is 'Will Muscat keep his word?'
Eddy Privitera
Nov 26th 2012, 13:00
Owen Ellul_ Gonzi can promise heaven on earth because he knows he will not have the responsibility to impliment what he promises, because he will be on the opposition benches !
Michael Campbell
Nov 25th 2012, 15:42
I do not have a vote. I look at the political situation objectively. Gonzi has done OK.Could have done better. Maybe he deserves a B minus. Labour simply does what it knows best - talks small promises with big words - bonuses, freebies, reduction in tariffs and other stupid ideas. no responsible citizen wants tax cuts in our current economic climate.
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Nov 25th 2012, 16:06
Bravo, M Campbell!
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 25th 2012, 16:49
''Gonzi has done OK''. I quite agree with you, and how!! 500Euros for his pocket a WEEK whilst dishing out a miserable 1.16Euros to the man in the street. I think you have sorely missed this OBJECTIVE fact.
Imagine if you had a vote how objective you would be eh?
Joe M Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 16:55
Actually, Labour has done NOTHING since 1998, when they showed us that they were so good, that they lost ALL the following elections! The PN has done some mistakes since 1998, but PL couldn't do ANY mistakes, because theyu were not trusted by the Maltese, after the grand failure of 1996-8.
Tony Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 17:10
@ michael cambell
"no responsible citizen wants tax cuts in our current ecoomic climate"
and yet it is Gonzi who is promising a tax cut.
.
Denis Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 19:41
Labour speakers criticise Gonzi for not keeping his word on reduction of Income tax........
Eddy Privitera
Nov 25th 2012, 23:28
Joe M. Borg: You cannot judge a government on just 22 months. Had the PL in 1996 lasted the whole legislature, then you could judge it, but not when it was stopped after 22 months by Dom Mintoff.
M. Bezzina
Nov 25th 2012, 23:44
Mr.Campell I dont trust what you write not because I disagree with yr writing.But this Gov. spent alot of money or actually waisted in consulatations when it could have been allocated to help redicing the cost of the electricity bills that many factories and families are experiencing. Thats is the fiasco.No i dont agree to reduce tax@this moment but better planning on people's money yes.
Jurgen Farrugia
Nov 25th 2012, 15:23
Dr.Gonzi and the PN may not be young in age but they are surely the party for students, businesses and families alike. Dr. Gonzi will be remembered for the financial indipendence we achieved in a time where USAs debt has risen in trillions and Spain has 25% of the people looking for a job. Dr. Gonzi's administration policies helped to create 20,000 jobs, saved 5,000 and 10,000 pensioners working
Eddy Privitera
Nov 25th 2012, 23:31
Jurgen: Tell us how many thousands of people will have to work more years to get a pension due to the rise in retirement age ! And don't keep repeating Gonzi's LIE of the 20,000 " new jobs " ! The number is 4,600 !!!!
Richard Caruana
Nov 26th 2012, 07:37
@ Privitera
Had the figure been 4,600 as you and your labour friends keep harping, we would have some 15,000 more on the dole registering for work.
Do the sums, Eddy, and you'll find out. And, by the way, this wasn't done by engaging 8,000 in non-existent government posts in one go just before the elections as KMB did in 1987.
Eddy Privitera
Nov 26th 2012, 11:45
Richard Caruana: Those figures of 4,600 new jobs were given by the NSO - the government's own statistics offioce !
George Grech
Nov 25th 2012, 15:01
The PM has given us adults glimpses of the next budget while Muscat has still told us nothing about how he will lower utility rates some four years after proclaiming he will reduce them. Who is the most credible? The man whos has facts to back him, despite of the most adverse circumstances or the immature one who opposed EU membership, the introduction of the euro and who now wants a blank cheque?
James Tyrrell
Nov 25th 2012, 15:23
I would say that the most credible is the one who hasn't been responsible for digging Malta into the biggest debt in its history, and the one who didn't go behind the backs of the voters and steal an extra 500 Euros a week for himself and his playmates.
Leo Bartolo
Nov 25th 2012, 15:47
It seems that Mr Grech does not now the difference between an electoral programme and a budget. Dr Muscat will tell the country how the PL will be reducing the electricity tariffs when the PN publishes its electoral programme. It is very simple to understand
Joe M Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 16:58
Mr Tyrrell, you missed some points! 1. Practically all Europe is in recession, except Malta and a few others. 2. Most of Europe have record unemployment, while Malta has one of the best records.
So, the biggest debt in history resulted in jobs, infrustructure, and other benefits. Keep yourself informed.
Joe M Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 17:01
Dear Leo, we know the PL tactic! In 1996 promised to remove VAT. What the FAILED to tell us BEFORE, was that they would 'need' to introduce CET, which was MUCH WORSE than VAT. Probably that's why Joseph is JUST promising to reduce the tariffs! That's the cake, while the cherry will be given at a later date, when it is too late!
M Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 17:55
@ James Tyrrell
Of all people, do you have to be the one to talk about a country in debt. ?
I do not really blame you , because living in Malta and seeing all the money that we Maltese have in our pockets plus all the jobs that have been created , has made you forget the " mess" you have in your home counrty.
Can you let us know of the " debt " that you have in Ireland ??
Denis Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 19:42
No contest there....all Labour want is Power...
James Tyrrell
Nov 25th 2012, 20:01
@M Borg. You obviously are one of the many who think that Ireland is all one. I'm in the North so the dead tiger has nothing to do with me.
James Tyrrell
Nov 25th 2012, 20:04
@Joe M Borg. One of the best records on unemployment you say. I assume you must be one of the faithful who swallowed the 20,000 new jobs story. Wake up Joe, it was just that, a story to try and fool the electorate. Not that they seem too hard to fool!
Eddy Privitera
Nov 26th 2012, 13:03
Joe M. Borg: It seems you get your information from In-Nazzjon ! Non-EU countries are doing much better than US !!!!! Get your information from reliable sources !
Paula Azzopardi
Nov 25th 2012, 14:58
It is clear that election fever is gripping the country, especially the Labourites who are smelling sweet victory and entering into a feeding frenzy.... One has to read some replies and notice the bitter criticism levelled at Dr Gonzi for promising further budget support for health and free medicines, for negotiating for Malta in Brussels, and for safely leading the ship amidst the global storms.
Salvu Sciberras
Nov 25th 2012, 14:53
This government, thanks to Gonzi's outstanding ability and despite the most severe recession in 80 years, has not only safeguard ed jobs and created over 20,000 new ones in four years but has lowered the deficit and at the same time managed to increase the range of free medicines beyond one'simagination. Change horses at your own risk! Only the PN means change for the better. Labour won't work!
Eddy Privitera
Nov 26th 2012, 13:05
Salvu Sciberras: Il-poplu Malti mhux zwiemel se jibdel izda HMIR ma ZWIEMEL !
John Zammit
Nov 25th 2012, 14:41
On health I only tell the Prime minister that I spent 16 hrs. at the emergency unit before finding a bed for me
Regarding electricity had he started studying the Sargas proposal before we might have had a different situation
About the new power station if a turbine is slightly hit the damage could be considerable so I don't know how they managed to repair in such a short Time
Joe M Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 17:05
I presume that you were the ONLY patient at Mater Dei at the moment. The beds were empty, the doctors doing nothing, the nurses playing chess....... If you spent 16 hours waiting for a bed, don't you THINK that there 'probably' were other patients in the hospital? Didn't it occur to you that it 'might' have been overcrowded? Didn't you suspect that many beds were occupied by social cases?
Johan zammit
Nov 25th 2012, 18:06
@ Joe M Borg I also had to wait for a bed for some 14 hrs. entering hospital at 8.00pm and given a bed the next day at 3.30pm If there are social cases and am sure there are the government Should have taken note before
John Zammit
Nov 25th 2012, 18:13
@ Joe M Borg I know that the staff was not playing around I was in a bad situation in fact I was first taken to a private Hospital But due to the fact that I needed a large numbers of test which I could not afford I was taken to Mater Dei
Peppi Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 14:40
A government living in a surreal world. The government is giving back too little too late. A gradual cut income tax rate, medicines which were not enlisted on the government's list to be given freely for sufferers of particular diseases are all an apology for 5 years of neglect by the same government. It's strange to criticise Sant when Tonio Borg's election was jeopardised because of his beleives
Joe M Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 17:08
Peppi, look up the last few budgets, and you will see that the Gov has been correcting the income tax ceiling year after year. This latest promise is just a follow up of the other years. Probably you were too busy watching One TV at the moment. I doubt whether One TV ever mentioned the Tax cuts, so I don't blame you.
Peppi Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 19:06
Joe M.Borg kindly refer to the PN' electoral manifesto of 2008 and you will see for yourself what Gonzipn promised.
Peppi Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 19:41
Joe M.Borg I think you are wrong and I hope not intentionally. The only tax rate correction as quoted by you was done ast year for parents only.
Denis Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 19:43
Some Labourites give the impression that they live in Cuckooland or Pluto
j brincat
Nov 25th 2012, 14:32
"If all it takes is putting up billboards, I would go to the Greek Prime Minister and tell him how to solve his country's problems."
Why doesn't he go to Germany and seek advice from Merkel of how we the poor Maltese can have the SAME standard of living as that of the smart Germans! We aren't any shallower!
(jb)
Charlene Fenech
Nov 25th 2012, 14:28
Thanks to Dr. Gonzi and his government we have a health sector to boast about. Luckily enough for us we still do not pay for our health service. We have highly qualified doctors.
Donna Parnis
Nov 25th 2012, 18:11
@Charlene Fenech, can you tell me what there is to boast about? I waited 3 yrs just to have a camera put in my knee to see what is wrong, then the consultant told me I could be waiting from 3 - 6 yrs to have an operation. but in that time just to take pain killers, I am in pain every single day. and You think we have a health sector to boast about, where are you living? Gonzis dreamland...
j brincat
Nov 25th 2012, 14:25
"Dr Gonzi ... how it will finance its pledge to lower electricity tariffs"
So once again the kettle is calling the pot black!
GonziPN made so many pledges (even written ones) and yet once he won the election ALL that he came out with was a fabulous increase of €600 (later €500) a WEEK for himself and those of the Round Table.
He was so shy about it that he kept it a SECRET!
(jb)
Denis Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 19:44
Still.....Gonzi anytime...We know where we stand.
With Labour it will be a nightmare every week
Charles Vassallo
Nov 25th 2012, 14:13
May the Prime Minister or those who prepare his speech start treating the electorate as adults and with respect. Statements made in Qrendi with regards to the budget, do not improve the PN chances of reducing the gap, quite the opposite.
Joe M Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 17:09
Probaly he's waiting for PL to START treating the electorate as adults, not promising the 'cejca'.
Carmen Abela
Nov 25th 2012, 14:06
Well Done Dr. Gonzi. Yes our health sector has made great improvements. I wonder what propositions do the labour party have for the health sector as so far no one has heard anything except for the tariffs (which we still do not know the how).
Joe Borg (Senior)
Nov 25th 2012, 14:31
Tidher li qatt ma kellek xi qraba li kellhom jitennew ghal xi lejl fuq stretcher w sieghat twal ta stennija! Naf b'kas fejn omm anzjana kienet ilha 8 sieghat tistenna fuq siggu go l-emergenza, miguwa u ghajiena mejta ghax kienu saru 1 ta fil-ghodu. It-tifel taghha kellu jmur jittalab biex ituwa stretcher biex tadi l-lejl f'kurutur! Il-mara talbithom kafe waqt il-lejl, li ma gabuwuliex. Arukasa!!
A Vella
Nov 25th 2012, 14:04
Checkmate Franco, you fool. You've put yourself in a position that no matter what you do you will be remembered for all the wrong things.
Joe Borg (Senior)
Nov 25th 2012, 14:33
Nahseb checkmate ghal-GonziPN ghax qed iwedna -bugdet li jaf li ma jistax iwettaq!! Kemm tistaw taqaw ghac-cajt iktar!!!
Joe M Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 17:13
Joe Borg. As far as I can remember, the Gov has been fulfilling his budget since 1998, since the last MLP failure, remember. So how can you be so sure that he CANNOT fulfill this year's budget? Remember, that during the last election counting, a prominent PL personality ASSURED us that it was a considerable victory for MLP. Wishful thinking, Joe, wishful thinking.
Joe Borg (Senior)
Nov 26th 2012, 12:54
@Joe M Borg. .. int jaqaw mhux qed tghix Malta? Ma tafx li Sal-bierah Wiehed mid-deputati tieghu qed jghid li se jivvotta kontra l-budget!
robert pace
Nov 25th 2012, 13:59
Dr Gonzi , Let us know what mess you are leaving behind you? How much exactly is the debt ? What abouT Enemalta will you solve the problem and issue your promises as usual? Air malta wuill be out of the woods or will it be closed down ? be honest dont beat around the bush and be the buiggest pretender we ever had in maltese politics? .....Bye bye Gonzi
Joe M Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 17:16
Robert, you missed 'accidentally' some facts. Airmalta has JUST declared that they have done the first profit for ages. Probably One TV didn't 'discover' that! The last BIG mess I recall in recent history was in 1998, remember?
Denis Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 19:47
A pretender is one who fights tooth and nail against Europe and then pushes to become an MEP.
A pretender is one who promises cuts in energy tariffs and yet complains that Enemalta debt is unsustainable
Joseph Grech Attard
Nov 25th 2012, 13:56
Good to see that a sense of humour and a smile has returned on our PM! Alas it does not reflect on most citizens! Gradual income tax rebates in 2013 is not what one expected in 2008! Where is the money coming from Dr. Gonzi, to replace the cuts? It is only fair we ask the same question you continually ask Dr. Muscat! Your policies have failed. Unless you change course we shall continue to drown.
Mario Spiteri
Nov 25th 2012, 14:51
Grech Attard,I ask you whether you have of late come to spend your days in monastic meditation,protractedly living in Advent mode all year round,probably also self-lamenting given Doomsday's round the corner?I cannot really understand how you say that Maltese are in low spirits?Family entertainment &cultural venues,local council heritage events,coffee-shops,snack-bars &restaurants contradict you.
Joseph Brincat
Nov 25th 2012, 13:54
The Budget is expected to introduce a gradual income tax cut, partially fulfilling a PN electoral pledge.
TO LATE Gonzi pn >>>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tijs8n-4HCA
Joseph Bugeja
Nov 25th 2012, 13:52
PN deputy leadership contenders Tonio Fenech and Simon Busuttil were also present but did not speak.
In a few months time when we read the same news somewhere else it will be a deja vu!...or should one say 'We saw it coming'?
Gordon Farrugia
Nov 25th 2012, 13:42
Responsible choices!!!!!? Cutting income tax rates on the last few months before elections when you had 5 long years to do it? When you promised that you would cut the rate on the first day you were elected!? Who are you to mention responsible choices Dr Gonzi!? It is blatantly dishonest to reduce the rates now knowing fully well that the chances of re-election are very dim to say the least.
Denis Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 19:48
Cuckooland?? Where were you? Go and read the last PN budgets
Jonathan Camilleri
Nov 25th 2012, 13:41
I think Franco Debono is switching to the other side, we haven't heard his public announcement on the budget, including his rationale. Same goes for PL, why are they silent (or silenced)?
Joe Borg (Senior)
Nov 25th 2012, 14:37
Nahseb inhi ghandek widnejk maghluqa fejn trid w qed tisma dak li jaqbillek!! Qed tisma minn gvern li qed jghid li ha jaghmel budget li m'ghandux sahha jghadi. Ara vera qatt ma konna f'sitwazzjoni mwerra u tac-cajt bhal din w GonziPN jibqa jadas rasu fir-ramel!!
Mr raynond ciancio
Nov 25th 2012, 13:33
it will suit this governmet to look after the people suffering from, dimensia, because for him to be re elected the whole population, has to be suffering with dimensia.
Joe Busuttil
Nov 25th 2012, 13:30
Nice picture.Penny for your thoughts Simon and Tonio.
Charles Vella
Nov 25th 2012, 13:25
Today I came to a point where I don't care about Gonzi etc... shame on Tonio Fenech for contesting, while KNOWING that he is not wanted!! Simon has all the values, morals and KNOWS more then any one how the EU works and certainly a figure to be Malta's future Prime Minister... All these wrong doings from the PN will make us loose the next elecetion becuase people like Tonio are putting people off!
Alex Falzon
Nov 25th 2012, 13:21
At this point in time... it is irrelevant how Franco Debono would vote... the election is behind the door...
Eddy Privitera
Nov 25th 2012, 13:20
Gonzi isa sfida lil Alfred Sant ghal dibattitu mieghek dwar l-UE halli naraw min jaf l-aktar kif tahdem l-UE, Hu jew INT ! U niftakru x'kontu weghdtu dwar l-UE lill-poplu Malti , u x'irrizulta !
I Mercieca
Nov 25th 2012, 15:20
Mela hsibtu li Dr.Gonzi ghandu hion x'jahli jew?
Arta ma jmurx jghamel bhall-ma kont ghamilt INT waqt dibatitu fuq il-Programm Xarabank dwar l-EU meta rajt li ma stajtx iggiba zewg u TLAQT IL-BARRA ta habib. Ghax argument tirbhu b'argument akatr konvincenti u mhux tissuppervja u titlaq il-barra.
Tghid mhux se tghallmu int fuq l-EU habib.
Denis Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 19:50
irrizulta li hadna hafna iktar minn dak li kien intqal
Eddy Privitera
Nov 26th 2012, 13:08
I. Mercieca. Dqs kemm Gonzi kien jaf dwar il-Kumpanija Braziljana. Jew kemm kien il-prezz taz-zejt, meta qal " ILLUM I-PREZZ TAZ-ZEJ HU $150 il-barmil", meta fill-fatt kien $ 111 il-barmil ! Ahseb u ara kem jghaffeg dwar l-UE li Gonzi QATT ma hadem fiha izda jirrepeti biss li jghidulu !
Eddy Privitera
Nov 26th 2012, 13:14
I. Mercieca: Biex tkun taf kif jahdmu ta' Xarabank, ergajt rajtha nhar il-Hamis , meta stiednuni u mieghi giebu ZEWG nisa nazzjonalisti. Il-mizien, b'xi mod dejjem irid ixaqleb lejn GonziPN ! Mhux ghax se niddejjaq ta, anki jekk igib erba darba ohra ! GHax aktar ma jitkellmu, aktar idawwru n-nies kontra taghhom bl-esagerazzjonijiet ta' kollox qieghed jimxi fuq ir-rubini.!
D Axisa
Nov 25th 2012, 13:16
I say and i wonder how no one mentioned this. Wasn't this announced in last years budget? How come this GOOD thing which will help Dementia sufferers is only being put into force now? If it was announced last year, weren't the money available in last years budget? These need to be answered as otherwise this will only be taken as an electoral gimmick!
Mary Ann Borg
Nov 25th 2012, 13:06
Was just reading Toni Abela's write-up in Lejber's newspaper where he said 'We are living beyond our means'. And this while Malta is doing so well all around, as certified by the EU itself. To me all this means is that you vote Lejber and you can kiss goodbye to the way you're living, coz Lejber will make sure to change all that to you, your family and all your loved ones.
Victor Laiviera
Nov 25th 2012, 15:05
I see that you haven't learnt how to spell Labour yet. It's not that hard - you can do it if you really try.
If six letters are too much for you, you can spell it the American way - Labor - to make it more simple.
Jimmy Abela
Nov 25th 2012, 16:16
x'certifikat hu dan? Moody's? Standard & Poor's? Jigifieri biex tkun qieghed hazin trid bilfors tkun bhall-Grecja?
Denis Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 19:51
Voting Labour is an extreme form of Sadism
saviour frendo
Nov 25th 2012, 13:05
GONZI AT QRENDI....
The Budget is expected to introduce a gradual income tax cut, partially fulfilling a PN electoral pledge.
Now??? five years after.....come on ....tell it to the marines....they might believe you.
Come on who are you kidding.
ALBERT FENECH
Nov 25th 2012, 12:58
"Dr Gonzi announced that dementia sufferers would be able to start receiving an expensive medicine for free on the national health service from next week."
Thks PM, may I kow-tow and lick your feet? You are so generous at granting what should have been available years ago but has become available now that the General Election is looming. Lick ... lick ... lick!
ALBERT FENECH
Paul Zammit
Nov 25th 2012, 13:28
SHOULD have been available long ago? Who says that? Yourself? Oh! that's why its nonsense ...
Jonathan Camilleri
Nov 25th 2012, 13:39
I guess better late than never..
Gordon Farrugia
Nov 25th 2012, 13:44
of course they are a liability - they imposed a 50p tariff on free medicines to help cut abuse haha
Richard Caruana
Nov 25th 2012, 13:47
You don't have to lick Mr Fenech.
Just don't take it if you're so well off. Nothing is free in the health service and nothing and everything should have been available years ago. Maybe Labour should have introduced it instead of the fee against free medicines in the short period between 1996 and 1998.... but then you are all ashamed of that period and try so hard to forget it.
Denis Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 19:52
This drug has only been available in recent months...Check facts Albert, before yo slide downhill
Antonio Pace
Nov 25th 2012, 12:50
The Health services under a PN administration have been excellent. The MLP is a liability in this sector.
ALBERT FENECH
Nov 25th 2012, 13:02
Yes, naturally, the PL is a GREAT liability, having pioneered free health in the first instance! Mr Pace, the things you write beggar belief!
ALBERT FENECH
pat muscat
Nov 25th 2012, 13:04
@Antonio Pace
Please be honest and remember that free health service was introduced in Malta by the Labour Party, and lest you forgot, the PN voted against this free service!
Eddy Privitera
Nov 25th 2012, 13:23
Antonio Pace: he PL made the health sector FREE OF CHARGE. Opened the polyclinics. And imtroduced many of the health services presently available. And was never in government for 25 years !
Michael Gatt
Nov 25th 2012, 13:24
Go and tell this to the Marines they might believe you
Tommy Vella
Nov 25th 2012, 14:02
@ Albert Fenech
Yes I take your word that it was Labour that pioneered free health but it was also the Labour administration 1996-98 that started charging a nominal charge for "free" medicines and pills.
Tommy Vella
Nov 25th 2012, 14:04
@ Eddy Privitera.
25 years?
Are you trying to make us forget Alfred Sant as Prime Minister?
Salvu Sciberras
Nov 25th 2012, 14:42
Mr. Privitera - In 22 months Labour found the time to introduce fees for health services and a tax on medical certificates. The first measure taken by PN government in 1998 was to repeal these two measures. Since then Health has been a main priority of the PN government.
Charles Cremona
Nov 25th 2012, 12:04
Dr Gonzi needs to invest some money in A /E at Mater Dei. I took my elderly father there on Friday night after an accident we arrived at 5pm and were still there at 1 am waiting to be seen, only one doctor was on duty and the place was packed with people waiting to be seen some on trolleys. They call this a state of the art hospital, at the time it seemed like somewhere from the third world to me.
ALBERT FENECH
Nov 25th 2012, 13:12
Mr Cremona, I fully sympathise. My mother had a severe stroke in March. She was at Mater Dei at 7.30pm. A doctor did not not see her until 10pm. She did not have a brain scan until 4am. Another doctor did not see her until 9am the next day and all the while she was on a trolley in a corridor. She remained in A&E until 4pm the next day when she was finally consigned to a ward.
ALBERT FENECH
anthony bartolo
Nov 25th 2012, 22:36
Fortunatly you were not charged 50c for prescriptions.
D Portelli
Nov 25th 2012, 11:59
3 days to go and we will see what Franco will do, at the end an election is still due next year. The Prime Minister managed another yr without having the support from Franco. A month or 2 inadvance is not going to make any big deal. What had to be done was supposed to be ready by now.
Carmel Grima
Nov 25th 2012, 11:57
I have recently had to undergo a very serious heart operation at Mater Dei Hospital and while there I found optimal professional service at the CSW and the CICU. The able and competent surgeon, supporting medical doctors and the nursing staff are the proverbial cherry on the cake.
Prosit.
Ing. Carmel Grima
Ronald Cauchi
Nov 25th 2012, 13:34
Yes prosit to the staff but what has the government done to make their life and that of the patients easier?
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Nov 25th 2012, 13:56
I cannot agree more Mr Grima. Members of my family, especially my elderly father, who had to undergo several surgical interventions during the last few years, the last one being just a few weeks ago, have nothing but praise for Mater Dei, the excellent service it offers, the ability and competency of surgeons, doctors and staff.
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Nov 25th 2012, 14:01
I had to undergo both minor and major operations, abroad. While I was lucky enough to do so in a country where health services are also excellent, it costs thousands of euros.
Many people just do not realise how lucky they are.
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Nov 25th 2012, 14:20
Give us an excellent health service and not having to pay thousands for it. That is what this government has done, Mr Cauchi. Whether you wish to admit or not, those are the facts.
mario gellel
Nov 25th 2012, 11:57
THE SUN MAY BE BRIGHT IN MALTA SUR GONZIPN, BUT UNDER YOUR ADMINISTRATION(KLIKKA) IT IS BURNING OUR SOULS, POCKETS AND MINDS.
Lawrence Attard
Nov 25th 2012, 13:08
Mela mur ghoqod il-Grecja Sur Gellel.
Charles Vella
Nov 25th 2012, 13:47
U tahseb li partit bla ideat u esperjenza se jirranga is sitwazzjoni? Better the devil you know habib!
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Nov 25th 2012, 14:38
Emigrate to Italy, or Spain, Mario Gellel.
Make sure to take a good pair of sunglasses with you. The sun there shines so bright that you may have to wear it even at night time.
Please choose the reason of your report below: