No reason for Budget not to be approved - PM
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this evening that there was no reason why the Budget should not be approved by the House of Representatives.
This Budget, he told a press conference, brought to a close a legislature which had gone through a difficult scenario which had affected all countries. Malta had managed to swim through the rough sea, he told a press conference.
He thanked all those who had worked hard to enable this to happen and said that at the end of the legislature the government had put its cards on the table and presented its concrete proposals of what should be done over the coming year. It was now for the people to decide.
If the Budget was not approved, everyone would have to shoulder his responsibility.
Dr Gonzi refused to hypotisize on the election date if the Budget was defeated but said parliament would be dissolved and everyone would have to shoulder his responsibility.
Asked what woudl happen to the Budget measures if the Budget was not approved, he said the measures were dependant on the Budget being approved, although they may be approved later in the year.
Dr Gonzi also explained how the Budget was two pronged - aimed at strengthening the economy and putting more money in the people's pockets. It built on the tax reductions of the past few years. The fact that the government had placed the country's finances on a firm footing meant that an exercise could start to reduce the top rate of tax and introduce other measures including higher children's allowance and other improvements to the social benefits.
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Valhmor A. Zammit
Dec 2nd 2012, 12:39
@M.Gatt. You employed the word " famine ". Do you really know what you're talking about or are we living on different planets? To really understand the meaning of the word "famine", I invite you to visit some of the places in Africa and see for yourself what real famine is all about. Some people manage to put their foot in their mouth every time they open it to utter some nonsense!!!
Salvu Sciberras
Nov 29th 2012, 17:19
So many hoping that the budget would not pass! The budget is certified by the EU, so it's viable. Muscat has accepted it for obvious reasons. Anyway an election will soon be held. Even if the PN loses Gonzi will be remembered as Malta's best ever financial and economic leader. If that happens the electorate would soon rue its decision to change horses, and leaving its destiny in immature hands.
Salvu Sciberras
Nov 29th 2012, 15:49
The budget is just confirmation of the steady hands we have at the helm. Despite the recession in 2009 Malta has made constant progress. Even if the EU reenters recession as is more likely, the govt. has now more elbow room to maneouvre in aiding sectors in difficulties without infringing the 3% deficit watershed. This is proof of GonziPN's vision. Which other country can increase social benefits?
m. borg (slm)
Nov 29th 2012, 11:15
You had ample time to avoid the embarassment and call elections, after all with nour track record you could have easily won them.
You reap what you sow Mr Gonzi
A. Zammit
Nov 29th 2012, 11:25
yes, your last sentence is correct, because of this budget PN will reap another five years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M Gatt
Nov 29th 2012, 11:05
Same tactics GonziPN used last general election and look what that got us. Unemployment, inflation, economic stagnation, BWSC, false promises, increase in the price of gas and utility bills, Arriva and famine being only the tip of the highlights.
Michael Seychell
Nov 29th 2012, 11:44
Mr. M Gatt Your comment raises one simple question - do you know what economic stagnation really means?
Regarding unemployment we have just touched the figure of 7000, yet this still leaves Malta in the fifth place with the least number of unemployed persons, out of the 27 E.U. States.
Michael Seychell Tal-Pieta
Joe Busuttil
Nov 29th 2012, 13:45
@M. Seychell; Working overtime ,aren't you? You PNers are getting hysterical.
Salvu Sciberras
Nov 29th 2012, 15:34
Do people like Mr. Gatt still exist? Famine! I bet you don't know what famine and stagnation mean. It's Labour supporters like you Mr. Gatt who are the tip betraying the iceberg of mediocrity that is the PL.
David Farrugia
Nov 29th 2012, 10:44
Disappointed with Budget 2012. Inflation not tackled and utility tariffs untouched. A failed budget emanating from a failed Government. We need a fresh start with new left-wing Government.
Michael Seychell
Nov 29th 2012, 11:54
Mr. Farrugia your statement contradits what your Leader has said in the press conference, which for those who can read between the lines, Dr. Muscat approved the Budget, and his Party will vote against not because of its contents, but only because Dr. Gonzi said that it constitutes a vote of confidence.
JM is not aware that a Budget is always carries a vote of confidence. M.Seychell TalPieta
m. borg (slm)
Nov 29th 2012, 12:25
Mr Seycgell PL did not approve the budget but will only keep those positive aspects that would contribute towards the wellfare of the island
Learn to read between the line.
Henry Micallef
Nov 29th 2012, 10:06
A budget with a vision of what it is to come if PN is elected in Government. Comparing this to all the empty promises by the Labour party shows clearly the differences between the two political parties.
Peppi Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 10:03
Dear Gonzi you have talked so much, promised so much, now let Labour do what you failed to do.....deliver!
Joseph Attard
Nov 29th 2012, 09:42
Tistghu tghiduli jien x'gawdejt mill-budget? Jien naqla madwar €15, 000 gross fis-sena. It-tnaqqsis fit-taxxa mhux ghal faxxa taghna, l-allawonce tat-tfal, iz-zieda ghal dawk li jaqilghu aktar minn € 20K. Mela x'sarraf ghalija? Zieda fil-fuel u l-gass!
Michael Seychell
Nov 29th 2012, 12:08
Joe - it-tnaqqis fit taxxa tieghek ilhek li hadu bhall haddiema l-ohra kollha. Kien baqa biss li titbaxxa l-ahhar rata ta' dawk li jaqilghu aktar minn 60,000 eu. u din flok tnaqset f'sena wahda ser titnaqqas fuq perjodu ta' tlett snin, mhux bhal ma gara fil-klazi l-ohra. Il-gass ghola mill-kumpaniji privati peress li dan qieghed dejjem joghola minn barra barra minn Malta.
M. Seychell Pieta
C. Bartoli
Nov 29th 2012, 16:27
@Joseph Attard ghandek job li jqallak €15, 000 gross fis-sena!
Joe Pace Asciak
Nov 29th 2012, 09:30
The Leader of the Opposition is feeling very embarrassed and doesn’t really know how to react, almost claiming (surrealistically) ownership of the many “positive” budget measures. Instead of faltering, Prime Minister Gonzi tackles problems and offers solutions. Compare and contrast with other countries. As he correctly said, now everyone will have to shoulder his responsibility.
Ronnie Callus
Nov 29th 2012, 08:45
Tista tghidilna Dr.Gonzi meta kien hemm xi darba li l-oppozzizjoni ivvutat favur il-budget inkluz inthom?? Ahjar l-ewwel rajt kif tirranga s-sitwazzjoni imwerha li ghandek fil-Partit milli toqghod twahhal f'dak u fl-iehor.Ir-responsabbilta hija kollha tieghek u mhux ta'min ma'jaqbilx mieghek.Jekk tbazzwar tbazzwir ikollok.
Alfred Fenech
Nov 29th 2012, 08:52
One good reason that the Budget will not pass... Dr. Franco Debono. If he keeps his word !!!!
Michael Seychell
Nov 29th 2012, 12:15
Ronnie il-P.M ma kienx qed jghid ghall oppozzizzjoni, izda ghal membri parlamentari tieghu.
Jekk kien hemm xi hadd li donnu tfixkel waqt il-Budget l-oppozzizzjoni dejjem tivvota kontra kien Dr. J. Muscat, meta qal li huma ser jivvotaw kontra ghax Dr. Gonzi qed iqis il-budget bhala vote of confidence - u dan qed jistenna li jmexxi lill Malta - Mulej ehlisna!
Michael Seychell Tal-Pieta
Peppi Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 08:39
Apart from being a surreal budget, the PM tied the opposition's hands when he tied the budget vote with a vote of confidence.
Ronald Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 08:02
No reason?
I see a basic one Dr Gonzi.
You are deliberitely tying budget approval to a vote of confidence in the goverment.
Is it really necessary? Is election date not due anyway?
Seperate the two.
you are not giving the LP a chance to vote in favour of the budget.
Neil Dent
Nov 29th 2012, 08:34
The budget vote is what's called a 'money vote' Mr. Borg. That means it is, in itself, a vote of confidence in the government. That is set in stone - Dr. Gonzi is certainly not 'deliberAtely tying' anything, to anything else. He has neither the prerogative nor the privilege to do so in this case.
Your final sentence deserves no response at all.
Ronald Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 08:53
Mr Dent
Check the facts.
and......let us keep to facts.
Neil Dent
Nov 29th 2012, 09:12
Ronald - it's you who needs to check the facts. Here it is from ToM, if my own correction wasn't to your liking.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121127/local/Budget-vote-on-Dec-10.447004
A budget vote is a money vote, and so it follows that it is also a vote of confidence in the government of the day. A government can NOT continue to govern, should its budget fail in parliament.
Ronald Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 10:03
Mr Dent,
It is not a matter of not believing.
It is a matter of clear facts.
A budget vote, if voted against, will be a vote of no confidence in the government.
Tying it a priori is another thing.
If you fail to see the difference, I give up.
Edward Demicoli
Nov 29th 2012, 07:46
While most countries in Europe are passing through economic hell, Malta continues to thrive. The choice next elections, in these tough economic times, is between a party that despite the odds continues to deliver and Labour who have always managed to make a mess of the economy whenever they were in power,
P Farrugia
Nov 29th 2012, 07:31
Li ser jaghtik bil-lemin se jerga johodulek bix-xellug bl-imaxx.
Franco Attard Trevisan
Nov 29th 2012, 08:51
how did you reach this conclusion may I ask?
P Farrugia
Nov 29th 2012, 09:42
Simple, prices of petrol, gas already up, electricity/water will definately go up with another pn gov.
As we all know after every budget the cost of living shoots up and nobody cares.
Paul Bajada
Nov 29th 2012, 07:23
Actually the party to blame for not having an approved budget is GonziPN because it is one of its MPs that declared openly it shall vote against it.
No one can blame the PL for voting against since no opposition party in my living memory ever voted for the budget for the paty in government including the PN.
So the choice is natural, get PL in government to have this budget implemented...
Joseph Fenech
Nov 29th 2012, 06:57
Ma Nistax nifhem kif in nies qedin igergru kontra wiehed mill aqwa budgets li qatt kelna!!! Actually worth it izjed li jghaddi ghaliex l-ellezjoni xorta trid tigi imsejha u se jitlef hafna il poplu Malti. Vera ragunar bla sens.
C Falzon
Nov 29th 2012, 07:35
Mr Fenech mela ma smajtux lil Kap tal-Oppozizzjoni jiddikjara li jekk il budget ma jghaddix, min dak li gie imwieghed xejn mhu jintilef???
Mr Joseph Bartolo
Nov 29th 2012, 06:35
How about the minimum wage earners that get paid less than 11,000 Euros per year including the 4 bonuses ? Do you really think 4 Euros and 8 Euro cents a week, which obviously each month making a total of 16 Euros and 32 cents is enough ? as I understand it, I am sure that wage increase will also be deducted too. The wealthy should help those of the majority of 98 percent of the population.
Franco Attard Trevisan
Nov 29th 2012, 08:58
With all due respect, what were you expecting?? an extra 100euros a month??? This dependence on the government's 'raise' to improve one's income doesn't make sense.. It's the proverbial 'tistenna l-bajtra taqa' f'halqek'
If one wants to increase his / her income there are only two solutions... WORK HARDER or Improve one's credentials to find a better job.
Joseph Attard
Nov 29th 2012, 09:44
@ Attard Trevisian
Forsi stennejna €500 euro zieda mhux 100!
R. Azzopardi
Nov 29th 2012, 12:12
Well said Franco.
Whenever I wanted a better salary, I got off my butt, looked for a new job and moved on. Have done it 5 times in 15 years and don't plan to stop.
C. Bartoli
Nov 29th 2012, 16:29
@Joseph Attard mela insejt li Mintoff ha minn halq uliedna miljun ewro €1,000000 ghax il-power station giet mibnija Delimara!
David Magro
Nov 29th 2012, 05:36
GonziPN qed jghedded lil Franci bil-pulit. Joseph Muscat diga wiegbu li jekk ma jigiex approvat il-Budget u jitla l-PL l-increase fil-COLA / pensjonijiet, children allowance etc, ser jghaddihom back dated....GonziPN bhal issa qieghed f`ghaxja tal-mewt u l-unika triq li ghandu hi li jbazza n-nies...!!
Ramon Casha
Nov 29th 2012, 05:25
There is no reason for most of the budget not to be approved - under a different government.
Tommy Vella
Nov 29th 2012, 08:29
Which would mean that PL has no programme of its own to talk about.
Tommy Vella
Nov 29th 2012, 10:25
What?
And with the red all gone, blue ties, blue backdrop and now the first year's programme taken from PN, I guess that we can call PL, the mile-end branch of the PN.
Pippo de Marco
Nov 29th 2012, 01:01
The PM rushes-through his glory projects with undignified haste, yet he needs a back-bencher holding a gun to his head before he promises to start what he promised to start five years ago.
Gonzi knows full well that the EU will be dispensing us some tough love next year, which is a ready-made excuse for pre-electoral promises to dissolve like Maltese snow. Watch and learn voters.
Ben Agius
Nov 29th 2012, 00:39
Smokes and mirrors speech!
Joseph Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 00:23
@ jm busuttil
L-ewwel haga jiena m'ghandi ghira ghal hadd. It tieni dan hu pajjiz demokratiku u kullhadd ghandu dritt ghal opinjoni. Il verita t'offendi siehbi. Jiena bniedem li ma niflahx nara il gid tal pajjiz jigi mqassam ftit ghal hafna u hafna ghal ftit. Issa ifhem kif trid. Il gid tad dinja ma hu ta hadd u ta kullhadd. Hemm bzonn ta bidla mhux f'Malta biss imma il globu kollu
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Nov 29th 2012, 00:06
Wonders never cease! We are presented with an excellent budget and the PL sympathisers are in hysterics.
What a country!
mark borg
Nov 29th 2012, 00:02
issa warrab- ghax ilek sena tigverna bil parlament maghluq
mark borg
Nov 29th 2012, 00:02
uuuuuu kemm hu socialist ! ghax skont hu , hlief kemm se jghin liz zghir u jqassam beneficji socjali dan ma jsemmix...allavolja jitqazzishom is socjalisti
mark borg
Nov 28th 2012, 23:59
kullhadd biljunarju tahtek gonzi malta, specjalment dawk li li il paga taghhom lanqas tammonta 500 ewro fix xhar...ezatt bhal zieda li tajt lilek in nifsek fil gimgha
mark borg
Nov 28th 2012, 23:56
interessanti hafna jhekk tahdmu din ..dan il ftahir kollhu ta l-incom tax-persuna li taqla 45 elf ewro fis sena se tibenifica 500 ewro fuq 3 snin !! arem hej !! tal klikka qalawha fi z ieda ta GIMGHA WAHDA BISS !! u kemm hawn fil pajjiz li jaqilhu 45 elf ?...nghidlek li lanqas 5 fill mijja
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Nov 28th 2012, 23:54
Wonders never cease! We are presented with an excellent budget and the PL sympathisers are in hysterics.
What a country!
D. Xerri
Nov 29th 2012, 08:18
Or MAYBE the Government is in hysteria presenting such an excellent budget as you are referring to it when the same Government perfectly knows its been a Paralysed Government for a Whole Year struggling without Majority to hold on to power at all cost regardless of instability and totally insensitive to people`s priorities !
Kenneth Ellul
Nov 28th 2012, 23:52
Well Done PM.
mark borg
Nov 28th 2012, 23:46
idahhaqniex aktar u irringrazzja lil banek li malta ma gherqitx bidd jun li akkumulajt int prim ministru u mhux qed tilghaba ta xi superman u li salvajt il pajjiz...ara l-ekonomija ta pajjiz zghir bhal malta tistax tqabbila ma ta l-italja..ghax ezempju ma tqabilniex ma xi hadd tad daqs tghana ez lussembergu ?
J. Pace
Nov 28th 2012, 23:58
Banek? Inti taf x'inhu jigri jew? Mela per ezempju l-bonds li johrog l-gvern minn fejn jigu? Mis-sema jew?
Basta nparlaw fil-vojt u bla sugu...
John Grima
Nov 28th 2012, 23:32
if the budget is on such a firm footing why are we so dependent on what the EU can give us?
J Martinelli
Nov 29th 2012, 02:22
First, you have to understand the difference between an 'operating budget' and a 'capital expense budget', then talk.
The EU does not grant euros to keep Malta afloat. It gives grants to help with new infrastructures and the restoration of existing heritage buildings. These projects produce jobs which help the economy through income taxes, & by workers' ability to buy goods and services etc.
john zahra
Nov 28th 2012, 23:30
I think that it is time that who ever is in government and feels so guilty about the hardship of the farmers should either buy the land they till from private owners and than rent it out to the farmers or subsidise the landlords for doing the government job in helping these poor fellows!!!!
john zahra
Nov 28th 2012, 23:22
I think it is not fair that the "poor!!!" farmers keep receiving subsidies for this and for that whilst the landlords of these fields get a pittance of a rent " the so called qbiela" sometimes not even a sack of a potatoes worth. To add insult to injury landlords are made to pay succession duty on land that they cannot take because the farmer has all the right to leave the qbiela in his will.
R. Azzopardi
Nov 29th 2012, 12:09
You certainly have got a point here!
Ethelbert Schembri
Nov 28th 2012, 23:20
Actually there are many reasons that this budget will not be approved; one of them is the incompetence of GonziPN.. another one is the arrogance of Gonzi, Agostino Pio, RCC, Tonio Fenech and buddies.. the way this govt treated the finances of this country as their own private money, they gave millions to their buddies and peanuts to the rest .. and so on !!
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Nov 28th 2012, 23:50
Unbelievable.
R Axisa
Nov 29th 2012, 06:27
Ms Rudi Mcbeal - I wonder where you were living these past 5 years - If you are not aware of what Ethelbert Schembri said you are really in a state of denial.
Mr Hans Borg
Nov 28th 2012, 23:17
“If the Budget was not approved, everyone would have to shoulder his responsibility.” – Start with yourself and with those who advised you to present the budget.
Mr Hans Borg
Nov 28th 2012, 23:15
PM, il-budget mhux se jghaddi ghax inti rbattu ma' vot ta’ fiducja fil-gvern tieghek u ghalhekk kull minn m’ghandux din il-fiducja huwa liberu li jivvota kontrih.
Bertrand Gove
Nov 29th 2012, 02:11
mamma mia. Il-budget dejjem dejjem dejjem kien vot ta fiducja. Minn-dejjem.
Neil Dent
Nov 29th 2012, 08:41
Mr. Borg - ma tafx li il-budget vote ta'kull sena, huwa awtomatikament vot ta'fiducja fil-gvern? Qed thawwad habib. Dr. Gonzi ma rabat xejn.
Keith Zerafa
Nov 28th 2012, 23:07
ghandu bicca ragun ghax il poplu sa jitlef jekk il budget ma radix ghax xorta wahda fiz zmien 3 xhur irid isejah l ellezjoni
mark borg
Nov 28th 2012, 23:57
mhux hu baqa jkaxkar sena shiha meta jaf li ma kellux maggoranza ,ghax anke niesu telquh u mhux wiehed ta imma ta l-anqas 3 !!
Victor Caruana
Nov 28th 2012, 23:06
Tkomplux thallu lil GonziPN jidhak bikom. GonziPN kien jaf li dan il-budget mhux ser jghaddi minhabba Franco Debono u ghalhekk rabat vot ghall-budget ma' vot ta' fiducja fil-gvern. Kienet facli ghalih biex jitfa' li jrid fih.
Tommy Vella
Nov 29th 2012, 05:52
Inti qed tidħaq bik innifsek. Mhux il-gvern kien li rabtu ma' vot ta' fiduċja għax Money Bill huwa dejjem vot ta' fiduċja. Ukoll li kieku ma qal xejn xorta kien ikun vot ta' fiduċja.
Joseph Brincat
Nov 28th 2012, 23:06
WE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS YAP YAP YAP OF GONZI PN
mark borg
Nov 29th 2012, 00:03
I LIKE
Joe Grech
Nov 28th 2012, 23:04
The negative scenario was that created by P.M. L. Gonzi. He had a hung Parliament for many months but still hung on to illegitimate power without a parliamentary majority doing this despite public outcry and serious repercusions to the economy.
He fragmented the P.N. and spent taxpayer money for political reasons even giving himself & Cabinet a e500 weekly payrise behind parliament's back!
Paul Gauci
Nov 28th 2012, 22:57
20,000 euro salary a year = 50 euros savings by 2015.
60,000 euro salary a year =4050 euros savings by 2015.
Is this fair?
jm busuttil
Nov 28th 2012, 23:05
@ Paul Gauci
I will not go into the merit if it is fair or not but the chances are that the € 4050 will go back into the economy if not the most part of it, whilst the € 50 I am afraid will go to the savings account.
Mr Stefan Kottmann-Soler
Nov 28th 2012, 23:11
I think they still pay more tax than the lower earner, and if you tell me that they earn more, I will tell you that they worked harder.
P. Zammit
Nov 28th 2012, 23:15
Why don't you also list what you pay in taxes and what the person who earns 60,000 pays in taxes.
Paul Bajada
Nov 28th 2012, 23:32
by GonziPN standards, yes it is fair... why do u complain?
Denis Pace
Nov 28th 2012, 23:36
Yes..if the latter pays much more in taxation than the former...... Social justice
KM Vella
Nov 28th 2012, 23:40
Yes.
jm busuttil
Nov 28th 2012, 23:49
@ Joseph Borg
This comment is what I call hatrid towards those who earn a good salary or have a good profit and may be even employ Mr.Borg himself.
Secondly cannot understand how the Times on line leave such comments towards the end of Mr.Borg's comment.
J. Pace
Nov 28th 2012, 23:54
Is it fair that with my hard earned salary, long career, hard study, sleepness nights, very long ours at the office well into the night, and I pay for you with my 35% tax your children allowance for example since you get more than me? And the same you are at home with your family watching TV while I am at work!
Ezamina l-affarijiet miz-zewg nahat, mhux ni-naha tieghek biss!
John Lusignan
Nov 29th 2012, 00:20
Yes its fair. Is it fair to tax people just because they' earn more money than others and have been successful! Why should this be a Robin Hood state and why is everyone so jealous of people who make money?
Paul Gauci
Nov 29th 2012, 00:42
In 2015 someone who earns 14,501 euros and someone who earns 60,000 euros will both fall within the same tax bracket i.e. 25%. This is not social justice. I'm sorry for the rest but I don't agree with the "I'm allright f u jack' mentality.
Joseph Attard
Nov 29th 2012, 09:47
U min jaqla anqas minn €20 000? Xejn tnaqqis fit-taxxa. Imma zieda fil-fuel u gass
P. Ciantar
Nov 28th 2012, 22:54
agree with PM 100 per cent. Exellent budget for Pensioners Workers Middle Class and families.
mark borg
Nov 28th 2012, 23:46
u mhux hekk ghax dawk jaqbdu is sittin elf ewro hux fis sena ?
Paul Bajada
Nov 28th 2012, 22:49
talk is cheap! Implementation of the promises is different..
Claire Bajada
Nov 28th 2012, 22:48
If the Budget was not approved, everyone would have to shoulder his responsibility -- Take note dear Labour and friend of Labour Franco Debono.
Victor Caruana
Nov 28th 2012, 23:19
It would be better if you take note of what your dear PM said a few days ago. Perhaps you would know why the PL and (perhaps) Franco Debono will vote against the budget. After all. JM will shoulder his responsibility when he implements the good points of the budget when he'll be in power.
Robert Gauci
Nov 28th 2012, 23:37
Franco has cornered himself to date. he is finished from parliament. No matter what. He even tried to attract the media attention by his attack Tonio Fenech in the pre budget.
Joseph Bugeja
Nov 29th 2012, 02:23
@ Robert Cauchi
And your buddies will be in opposition. Not much of a difference. Good riddance.
R Axisa
Nov 29th 2012, 05:52
Dr Gonzi should also should his responsibility when he voted bil-qalb for the increase in water and electricity bills and for the rebus at Arms. He should also shoulder the responsibility for allowing an increase of 600 euros (then 500 euros) weekly increase behind everyone's back, u l-haddiem jiehu l-loqom.
Kevin Bonnici
Nov 29th 2012, 11:01
Victor Caruana, Can you please enlighten us what do you understand by the "good points of the budget". Muscat was never detailed in his description of what is good for him, which means he can tell us that nothing is good, so he will scarp it all.
Muscat = empty promises
Please choose the reason of your report below: