Muscat: Only Labour can implement the Budget measures
Labour leader Joseph Muscat said tonight that Malta was in a situation where the government had announced Budget measures whose introduction could only be guaranteed by Labour.
Giving his reaction to the Budget speech, Dr Muscat said that if this was the best the government could do, the people could be assured that Labour would do better.
The government, he said did not know if the Budget would be approved by Parliament, and thus it was only Labour which could guarantee that the good points of the Budget would be retained.
It was only Labour, not the government, which could give peace of mind.
Dr Muscat said this was the last flourish by a government which was in its final moments, and Labour was promising that it would do more to bring about economic growth and better living standards.
This, he said, was an arrogant government which had not kept its promises throughout the legislature and now was saying it would give the people something back, when it did not know whether it actually could.
This was a government which had promised a Budget surplus but created deficits and had seen the debt run out of control.
The government had shown that it did not know how the economy functioned and as a result the people were seeing fewer jobs, deteriorating conditions and some of the highest utility prices in Europe.
TAX CUTS
This was a government which had promised tax cuts to everyone, yet in terms of the Budget, it was only the top earners who would benefit. The middle class and those lower down would not benefit. Indeed, those on the minimum wage with a single computation would pay more tax. And those who would benefit from the tax cuts would only save in a year as much as the ministers made in a week with the raise they gave themselves.
Despite the measures announced in this Budget, Dr Muscat said, a future Labour government would still carry on with its plans to reduce utility tariffs. It would also work to improve the conditions of the middle class and those on the small income, who had been forgotten by a government which had lost its social soul.
He also promised that if the government introduced more costs, a Labour government would raise salaries and back date them to January 1.
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Salvu Sciberras
Nov 29th 2012, 15:59
'The government had shown that it did not know how the economy functioned'. This is indeed rich! I bet Muscat, if he knows anything about economics, would not dare say this in front of serious economists. They would simply try to be nice and just giggle. They would answer that Malta is a model to be followed, that it's an anchor of stability, that it has performed a remarkable turnaround. Facts!
Noel Damato
Nov 29th 2012, 11:58
Mexxej modern li ghandu vizjoni ghal pajjiz u c-cittadini tieghu halli johloq middle class gdida
Silvan Said
Nov 29th 2012, 11:30
It is time for Labour to stop the rhetoric and start being specific. A good start would be to state explicitly what "good" points they will keep in the budget and what are they "bad" points they will remove. More importantly, how they will make sure that the changes they make will not widen the deficit.
Joe Pavia
Nov 29th 2012, 11:10
Joe Muscat In kiss in Kiss ghoqod fl opposizzjonil. That is your place
J.C. Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 11:29
"ghoqod fl opposizzjonil" MLP/PL have got used to Opposition benches why should they move or be moved???
Joe Pavia
Nov 29th 2012, 11:02
Joe Muscat we do not want your advice and promises made under false pretences. Treat the people as intelligent people and they will respect you. Otherwise you can just enjoy life on the opposition side. Ghandek team skadut u team li sfutta lil Malta fiz zmien passat. Just keep nagging in the background because that is where you and your ancient crowd belong.
Andre Ellul
Nov 29th 2012, 10:47
Muscat speaks of 'Tim magħqud'. Blatant lie: Adrian Vassallo was excluded for not following party rules.
Henry Micallef
Nov 29th 2012, 10:42
Edward Scicluna's Mintoffianomics will be the future to our economical policies if Labour is elected. No wonder Dr Muscat is against such a budget.
Joe Pavia
Nov 29th 2012, 11:12
True Henry, Edward Scicluna will probably switch off all the street lights and have one on and six off like we had under the Mintoffianomics. Tell us that this is not a fact Edward Scicluna.
Eddy Privitera
Nov 30th 2012, 15:39
Joe Pavia:, Joseph Cauchi Senior (who is the Junior ?) : I hope you will have enough courage to listen to Dr. Joseph Muscat's reply to the Budget speech on December 5 !
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Nov 29th 2012, 10:27
Watching Joseph Muscat right after the budget speech made me quite uneasy with the way he went about answering questions from the press!
But what bothers me most is why does Joseph Muscat need a Tele-Prompter to answer questions?
If a future PM needs the use of a Tele-Prompter to answer a few simple questions, then I must be MAD to be voting for him!
JC.
C BONDIN
Nov 29th 2012, 10:24
Nistenew hu naraw ghax la hadt ghadu ma jaf biex ha johrog il PL inutli li wiehed jikritikha. Dan kien budget tajeb hafna ghal min intlaqat heq m hemmx x tamghel darba jien u darba int (u hekk ghandu jkun) pero nemmen wkoll li hemm hafna punti min dan il budget li huma vantagg ghat tigrija ta l elezzjoni min nahha tal pn. Issa sta ghal JM li jiehu hsieb x ha jispara ghax in nies ma jarmuhx il vot
C BONDIN
Nov 29th 2012, 10:19
Biex inniz ma li kont qed nghid nemmen li l PL jekk jitla il gvern ma jistax jaqa ghac cajt din id darba ghax jispicca jitlef kull kredibilita li forsi gab min hames snin ilu l hawn. Issa l pn ghamel hafna tajeb u ghadu qed jamghel tajeb pero ghandu bzonn break ghax issa tnawwar min gewwa bil problemi tal partit li nixtieq nghid li mhux il PM ghamel it taffiga izda ta madwarhu.
C BONDIN
Nov 29th 2012, 10:16
Jien m nafx l ahwa imma kulhadd jghid tieghu hu hadd mhu qed ikun onest alinqas mieghu nnifsu. Bhalissa z zewg partiti qed jilghabu loghba bil kliem biex jakwistaw il voti. Tad dahq meta nibda naqra hawn taht nies tal pn jghidu li hawn il genna fl art u tal LP jghidu li hawn dizastru. Jien nahseb li qeddien tahhlu l hin tiggieldu fuq il politika.
Ms D. Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 09:49
Dr Muscat reminds me of a song that goes 'Anything you can do I can do better, I can do anything better than you' ... For once tell us how!
Mr Anthony Briffa
Nov 29th 2012, 09:43
These statements by JM are tantamount to the PN poster of 1971 depicting Mintoff destroying Malta with the caption 'Thallux ikisser". The electorate, then, did not take the advise and the result was 16 years of devastation in all sectors, employment, health, education, etc, besides corruption, violence, and intolerance
JM should not be trusted. Yesterday even his body language gave him away.
Roberto Fenech
Nov 29th 2012, 09:38
Dr Muscat's speech attacks the Tax cuts, but failed to mention that the current administration already reduced 33 taxes in other areas (including income tax) in other budgets.
A clearly irresponsible leader of opposition, promising everything to everyone just to win the forthcoming election.
Kevin Bonnici
Nov 29th 2012, 09:30
Nistaqsi lil Joseph Muscat, kif jista il Gvern "jitlef il kuxjenza socijali" meta kien hemm zieda ta €37 miljun ghal beneficcji socjali u issa in nefqa totali hi ta €465 miljun?
R. Farrugia
Nov 29th 2012, 09:15
If you agree with the Budget Mr.Muscat .. VOTE in favour ! You just want an easy way out .. !
Simon Scerri
Nov 29th 2012, 08:59
Mela Joseph Muscat qed jametti fl'ahhar li Malta sejra tajjeb ekonomikalment!!!! jrid issib is-sodda lesta. Ibqa fl'oppozzijoni u halli lil PN jmexxi!!! ghax inti terga thota u mhux timplementa!!!
R ferriggi
Nov 29th 2012, 08:49
i consider myself lower/middle class.
i have seen my spending power decrease slowly and gradually.
nothing has changed now. only the very low earners and top earners have benefitted.
my class ( i beleive the most numerous) has been seeing our standard go down slowly.
Peppi Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 08:47
The middle class family suffered austerity measures for 5 whole years. Increases in fuel and energy prices burdened unjustly the middle class. All this while the cabinet awarded itself a huge payrise. Labour will rebuilt this middle class. It can do better than the current lazy administration.
Manuel Camilleri
Nov 29th 2012, 08:46
How unprofessional. If only PL can implement the budget, why did you declare a priori that you will vote against it? Hypocrisy at its best. And the supporters jubilate at the sight of their Great Leader.
Paul Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 08:43
"Labour can do better"......ic-cajta tas-seklu
Albert Critien
Nov 29th 2012, 08:42
Members voting against or even abstaining from this budget will in my opinion be traitors to the people
Wenzu Cole
Nov 29th 2012, 09:27
Why??? Definitely not for me as the only measures that will affect me are just increases in tax.
Ronnie Callus
Nov 29th 2012, 08:36
Jekk il-budget hu daqshekk tajjeb Gonzi forsi jista jserrah daqsxejn rasu.Biss nghidlu li saru hafna weghdi fi zmien l-imghoddija imbaghad sar kontra jew ma'sar xejn.Anke Simon Busuttil tghidtx kemm kien weghdhom lil nassaba u l-kaccaturi li ghandhom isserrhu rashom,imma kulhadd jaf x'gara bhal tad-Drydocks,Air Malta,u azjendi ohra.Bil-kumpaniji tal-gaming qed jiftahar issa.Mhemmx serjeta.
Timothy Cachia
Nov 29th 2012, 08:32
How?? How Dr. Muscat... tell us how? Why don't you ever say how?!?
Pierre Vassallo
Nov 29th 2012, 08:22
I understand that this budget caught Muscat by surprise but I never expected such a weak and childish reaction.
Mario Farrugia
Nov 29th 2012, 08:22
Lip service again from Dr Muscat. It's now time for him to keep his promise, list out which good measures he will keep, what others he will scrap, but more importantly, how he will finance them?
Ritianne Agius
Nov 29th 2012, 08:49
You've got cheek Mario. The government has just presented a budget without saying how it will finance those millions. The budget hasn't yet been voted upon, the electoral campaign hasn't even started, and you expect Muscat to come out with the details Tonio Fenech himself hasn't disclosed.
Josephine Tanti
Nov 29th 2012, 09:28
I care little about politicians but more on our economy. The budget is very generous BUT HOW can it be financed without throwing OUR country in more debt? Can't you see the obvious that it is an election maneuver? And shame on Labour if they retain unfeasible promises. Is this what Malta has come to? My God we are letting our politicians lead us into financial disaster.
twanny borg
Nov 29th 2012, 08:11
Jaqaw muscat se jivvota favur il-budget?
S. Cuschieri
Nov 29th 2012, 08:02
how can joseph guarantee what he's saying? the labour would do better' -- tell us how? cause till now all you said is that you'll keep the good framework of this budget? so why should we choose pl over pn? if he's going to keep this framework we might as well choose pn cause we know what the improvements they did over the past 4 years were and this budget shows a continuation of their legislature.
Mr Andrei Azzopardi
Nov 29th 2012, 08:02
As an impartial view, I find it quite convenient for the Labour party to use an already made budget...
alfred fenech
Nov 29th 2012, 07:41
in general i think the budget is good ,but i will not judge the government on this budget i will judge him on the last 5 years and we all know what we went through ,as for the GWU not to agree with this budget i was expecting this ,what a shame on these people can they ask the arriva bus drivers what they think of the GWU very soon malta will know the truth about arriva agreement that GWU signed
pat muscat
Nov 29th 2012, 07:29
Unbelievable! Tonio Fenech reading a budget that cannot be implemented ! GonziPN won a year in power, but the country lost a year of stability!
Richard Caruana
Nov 29th 2012, 07:28
What Cheek? What happened to his famous ROADMAP?
If he's so happy about implementing this budget, then there's no reason to vote in lejber. We might as well stay as we are, thank you very much.
This has exposed JM: a big mouth with no plans at all.
No thanks, JM, keep promising everything to everyone without telling us where the money's going to come from.
Mary Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 07:26
Oh God! How can you possibly believe the budget positive proposals as a mirror reflecting the PN's past performanecs and its future plan? Every budget prior an election is just a make-believe illusion. Finance is not the greatest cancer of this govt but arrogance and corruption. You should keep in mind how 'democratic' every measure has been in the last years before going to the polls.
C Debono
Nov 29th 2012, 06:53
The tax cuts are for middle class and not high class who is he trying to fool? High class earn over 60k and is still taxed at 35%. Why should the gov always help low income earners? They should motivate them to improve their situation by helping them further their knowledge and not encourage them to be lazy! I'm fed up of supporting lazy people/people on benefits!Muscat just thinks about these ppl
R. Azzopardi
Nov 29th 2012, 07:37
Spot on my friend. I'm one of those who has so far benefitted greatly from tax cuts over the years. I used to earn much less than I earn now 8 years ago and I had benefitted from tax cuts in the lower brackets. I am now in the 20k bracket and shall benefit too. Yes, this measure benefits the middle class.
twanny borg
Nov 29th 2012, 06:40
Weghdi biss. Irahhas id-dawl bla ma jzied it-taxxi. Issa ahjar zelqa ohra l-ewwel ma jziedx il-paga minima biex insalvaw l-impjiegi u issa irrid izid il-pagi aktar. Hawwadni halli nithawwad. Fiex se jigi l-pajjiz jekk jitla l-pl.
Maria Vassallo
Nov 29th 2012, 06:20
JM,
do not count your chickens before they are hatched!
J Martinelli
Nov 29th 2012, 02:29
So, that's why Karmenu Vella wouldn't come up with the LP's electoral programme!
Joseph was waiting for the govt to come up with the Budget, then arrogantly declares that he will use the "qafas tal-Budget" (the framework) and that gets Vella off the hook.
It will be the first time in history that the Opposition will adopt a former govt's Budget as its own.
Kemm hu originali da Guzeppi! Hallina.
B. Cachia
Nov 28th 2012, 23:50
I was disposed to vote Labour this time round, and that's still how I'm inclined, but I really don't like the tone Joseph Muscat has struck here. It sounds like a return to class warfare to me. Labour should remember what results this approach has delivered in the past. If they don't want the votes of high earners then they should just say so.
Adrian P. Cassar
Nov 29th 2012, 07:04
This is not "class warfare", but common sense.
Why am I getting a tax cut and children's allowance, when both my wife and I earn more than 50,000 Euros each? Sheer madness!!!
mark borg
Nov 29th 2012, 07:14
you were going to vote Labour ? yes ,I bet you were going to be at the polling station by 5 am to vote Labour .
Richard Caruana
Nov 29th 2012, 07:29
@ A Cassar
Good luck to you if you're earning that much. Other think and feel otherwise.
B. Cachia
Nov 29th 2012, 13:22
@ Adrian P Cassar: Well, you're earning the money and it's yours. If you do not wish to keep your own hard-earned money, then you can donate it to the Government or to a charitable cause.
B. Cachia
Nov 28th 2012, 23:46
If a couple, both of whom earn the minimum wage, decide on a joint computation, and that leads to a situation where they pay tax, they should revert to separate compuation and pay no tax. It's not that difficult.
G B Caruana
Nov 28th 2012, 23:30
Crystal Clear!
G Scerri Ventura
Nov 28th 2012, 23:22
I sincerely look forward to a Labour Government. End this charade
Byron Camilleri
Nov 28th 2012, 23:09
Those who would benefit from the tax cuts would only save in a year as much as the ministers made in a week with the raise they gave themselves. Spot on!
J Martinelli
Nov 29th 2012, 02:30
Why aren't you a Minister, Byron?
George Cutajar
Nov 28th 2012, 23:02
Out of this world. Only Labour can implement the budget measures says JM. Is he so sure of becoming PM? Is he unable to come up with a budget to implement should he get to be PM? After copying the backdrops, copying the tie colour he will now even copy the budget and make it his own. SO very chic and original.
I guess now we know why Labour has not come out with it's electoral programme.
W. Cassar
Nov 28th 2012, 22:55
He said singles and middle class where not thought of... spot on!
Steve M. Engerer
Nov 28th 2012, 23:33
The middle class were thought of in the previous budgets!!!
Are you now also arguing that it was presented in previous budgets??
Another positive budget by Gonzipn!!
If you're single & purchase your 1st home you benefit aswel..
Why do you's MLP bloggers always see black??
Mary Ann Borg
Nov 28th 2012, 22:55
There is so much expectation for Lejber's electoral programme that whatever comes out in it is going to be an anticlimax. Joseph has cornered himself into a difficult situation. His options: 1. to come out clean and say how he plans to lower W&E bills 2. to continue with his empty promises without substantiating anything. Dec 10 is looming and PN is ready, budget and all. And Lejber?
Joseph Micallef
Nov 28th 2012, 22:51
So looking forward for a reliable, stable government led by Dr. Muscat. It's my first time voting PL. Wish PL all the very best of luck.
Joseph Camilleri
Nov 29th 2012, 00:31
what a wish full of horror!
Jason Zammit
Nov 29th 2012, 07:12
I do agree with your last 4 words as they would need a lot of luck ....... How can u journalist and a bunch of old minded people move this country forward ????
At least the PN have the guts to say what he will be doing ......anyone out there knows what PL got in store for us ???????
Jason Micallef
Nov 28th 2012, 22:38
Here, again, MLP is proposing everything to everyone!! come on!
Victor Caruana
Nov 28th 2012, 22:50
Bhal Tonio Borg!
Richard Caruana
Nov 29th 2012, 07:32
! V. Caruana
Allanqas, Tonio Borg iwieghed bil-figuri f'idejh u mhux jispara fl-ajru.
Sewwa, l-ewwel il-minimum wage mghandiex tizdied skont JM u issa lest jaghti zieda backdated ghall-ewwel tas-sena.
Ahna ahna jew m'ahniex?
Joe Pace Asciak
Nov 28th 2012, 22:37
“The government had announced Budget measures whose [lack of] introduction could only be guaranteed by Labour”.
Oliver Grech
Nov 28th 2012, 22:37
Out of 90 pages I only found 3 sentences with xi tax increases. Yet One tv only mentioned these and stating the budget was a negative one. Does this mean that the labour in government would not keep any tax cuts and incentives mentioned in the budget?
robert pace
Nov 28th 2012, 22:51
Labour will implement all it says unlike GONZI and his fellow nationalist party
Mark Saliba
Nov 28th 2012, 23:01
Alla hares ikun budget hazin dan. Il gvern jaghmel budget bhal dan qabel l elezzjoni halli xi wiehed bhalek jivvutalu u fl erba snin ta wara jerga jixroblok dak li tak. Imbaghad jatik xi haga ohra u xi wiehed bhalek jerga joqod jifrah.
Tommy Vella
Nov 29th 2012, 05:48
@Robert Pace
Jusy like it did in 1996 with student stipends.
C. Bartoli
Nov 29th 2012, 14:08
@robert pace yes just like the promise of VAT removal in 1996, another labour fiasco. Yes the promise was kept however, 33 new taxes had to be created to cover up the fiasco.
Denis Pace
Nov 28th 2012, 22:35
Which taxes will you raise, may I humbly ask?
I am fed up of vague promises now......
Toni Borg
Nov 28th 2012, 22:33
a situation where the government had announced Budget measures whose introduction could only be guaranteed by Labour.
Great....that means that Joseph Muscat likes the budget and that means that the PL will vote in favour!!! Right??
Victor Caruana
Nov 28th 2012, 22:51
Conveniently, it seems that you forgot that the budget vote will also be a confidence vote in the government, as GonziPN stated a few weeks ago.
robert pace
Nov 28th 2012, 22:56
Why not Toni ??And there will be more to come with joseph at the head!!
Mary Ann Borg
Nov 28th 2012, 22:33
Dan l-ispeech tieghu qisu xi wiehed bhal ta' 'Made in Brussels' qisu.
robert pace
Nov 29th 2012, 00:23
Mela kont qed tisma lil RCC biz zball jew ghax dak spicca bilhaqq jew hallih hemm kontra ir rieda tal poplu ?
David Mallia
Nov 28th 2012, 22:32
Paroli biss.....sustanza xejn.....
robert pace
Nov 28th 2012, 22:57
Hekk hu budget bla sustanza u gideb biss!!
Pauline Busuttil
Nov 28th 2012, 23:22
@Robert Pace. "Budget bla sustanza u gideb biss". Int Malta kont jew is Somalja???? Veru irrid ikollok wiccek ahmar (sorry abjad issa) biex ma tafx titistingwi it-tajjeb u l-hazin. Sahansitra Joseph Muscat qal li dan hu budget li il Labour jista jatwah. Tad-dahq ux.......
Denis Pace
Nov 28th 2012, 23:31
I believe he is referring to Joseph Muscat. Or are we thick?
The vast majority are now getting fed up of baseless promises.
We can always change our minds but right now I will stick to what I know. I don't like giving blank cheques.
P. Ciantar
Nov 28th 2012, 22:32
Joseph we have been hearing that the Govt is in its final moments for the last 5 years not to say the last 25 yrs.
Claire Bajada
Nov 28th 2012, 22:31
Muscat seems to be more at ease answering the well crafted and well prepared questions of One News journalists. Throw in the occassional question from a journalist at The Malta Independent, The Times or Net Television and he starts to stutter thus revealing a politician who lacks a plan and any sort of vision.
robert pace
Nov 28th 2012, 22:53
Wow im sure you havent seen the stammering Gonzi have you who needed a hand from Tonio the angel!!
Mark Saliba
Nov 28th 2012, 22:58
Just wait for the plan when your gov reveals the election date within 15 days time.
M Micallef
Nov 29th 2012, 00:07
How pathetic Mark. You're speaking of this plan as if you designed it yourself. You and no one knows anything about this major strategic plan apart from the simple statement that somehow utility bills are going to drastically reduce . Stop replying to every comment by mention it. Why don't you tell us what it is rather than just advising us to willingly hold our patience and wait for this plan.
Geraldine Sammut
Nov 28th 2012, 22:28
Just saw the entire Press Conference on One TV. Impressive how he quite simply avoided any questions which had any substance in them and simply stuck to the same old Labour rhetoric. Muscat's press conference was characterized by being vague and simply dodging the bullet of political substance.
Victor Caruana
Nov 28th 2012, 22:53
Wait till your dear PM calls the election in a few days time and then you'll soon know what JM has to offer. If you're in such a hurry, send an email or talk to him on fb and tell him to call an election immediately.
Robert Gauci
Nov 28th 2012, 23:42
malli tissaffar it tellieqa id distakk se jonqos. Foesi mhux bizejjed biex tintrebah mill pn imma hemm se jkun.
M Micallef
Nov 29th 2012, 00:01
For once, can the PL supporters just shut up about foreseeing an easy election win. They have been doing this for all these years, foreseeing an election win, going out celebrating during vote counts etc etc etc. Usual stuff PL is renowned with doing every election.
Dont be too sure Victor, Jason Micallef might send you celebrating and car cading, for nothing.
Maria Farrugia
Nov 28th 2012, 22:27
Is-Soltu... il-kap ta l-Oppozizzjoni jitkellem bla sugu! Reggha ma qalilniex kif se jrahhas id-Dawl u l-Ilma minghajr ma jaghmel taxxi ohrajn!
Mark Saliba
Nov 28th 2012, 22:54
La l gvern tieghek issejjah l elezzjoni nghidulek kif meta u fejn ta.
robert pace
Nov 29th 2012, 00:22
Issa nghidulek ukoll ibzax ahna mux Gonzi weghdi u garanziji imbad igibek bla xoghol !!!
Olivia Farrugia
Nov 28th 2012, 22:27
MLP = contradictions.com!
Maria Vella
Nov 28th 2012, 22:25
Muscat ikompli jikkonferma kemm dan il budget huwa tajjeb u kemm gvern tal-PL ser jibaghtna lura
Mark Saliba
Nov 28th 2012, 22:56
Ovja li huwa tajjeb. Dejjem hekk. Fil budget ta qabel l elezzjoni jaghtik biex xi wahda bhalek tivvutalu u imbaghad johodlok kollox fl 4 snin ta wara.
M Micallef
Nov 28th 2012, 23:28
talinqas hemm affarijiet bil kitba Mark. L-PL qal li dan ha jnaqqas il kontijiet u t-taxxa u ghadu ma qalx kif.
Denis Pace
Nov 28th 2012, 23:33
@Mark Saliba
Thank God those days are over.... a budget is a yearly financial statement, now within EU parameters.
Gone are the days when the Labour Minister announced a 3c drop in the price of a can of tuna!
Please choose the reason of your report below: