Updated: Labour would send electricity bills at agreed frequency
The Labour Party is encouraged by the government’s reaction to its energy plan which showed that the tariffs could be reduced, leader Joseph Muscat said this evening.
Speaking during a Business Forum, Dr Muscat also announced that a Labour government would help households and businesses plan better by giving them the opportunity to choose when to receive their bills - every month, three months or six months.
One of the main complaints the party had from both residential and business customers, he said, was the irregularity in bills which was resulting in uncertainty.
Dr Muscat said that while the government first initially said that tariffs could not be reduced, it later said Labour’s proposal was a gimmick and then that it would take it upon itself to reduce tariffs. It was now saying that Labour’s proposal required more time and money to deliver.
Labour disagreed but there was now an implicit recognition that something could be done, he said.
Dr Muscat said businesses would benefit from the reductions and also from increased spending money for customers.
PL candidate Konrad Mizzi, the front man of the PL’s energy plan, said Labour’s proposals would not incentivise waste and people who consumed less would pay less.
Later Dr Muscat went to near the Tigulio in St Julian’s where he was greeted by young people in an activity organised by the Forum Zghazagh Laburisti.
Dr Muscat said he longed for the day when Labourites would celebrate Independence Day and Nationalists Freedom Day.
The best chapters of Maltese history, he said, were written when the Maltese were united as one people.
He said there were several Labourites who were hurt in the 1960s and several PN supporters who were physically hurt in the 1980s and said this was behaviour which should be condemned.
Dr Muscat said that there was more to life than elections and more important events such as one’s wedding day and, God Willing, the civil union day.
Politics, he said, had to be taken in context and should not be the be all and end all.
Politics should be about improving the nation, about unity and not differences and that was why the PL’s election theme ‘Malta for all’ encapsulated everything.
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Victor Borg
Jan 11th, 12:45
Last July I applied for the energy benefit. Now 6-7 months have passed, and I have not yet received the vouchers. Why the delay? Unfortunately, the government organs behave in ways that are erratic, unreasonable, and uncouth - and we, the citizens, suffer and suffer and suffer - and whenever I complain I get told that I expect too much or that I am too sensitive!
Victor Borg
Jan 11th, 12:39
The irregularity of the bills is indeed a source of anxiety. The last bill we recieved was last June - 7 months ago - why haven't we received a bill for the past 7 months? Isn't it reasonable to expect to get bills every month or two? That's what happens in the rest of the world, isn't it? Why the erratic bills here in Malta?
pat muscat
Jan 11th, 11:56
'Futur li jghaqqadna' :'Malta taghna lkoll' sums up Muscat's hope for the future. GonziPN fans can only come up with scaremongering and divisions.
Tonio Fenech, is simply falling back on tired old politics and straight jacket solutions. EneMalta, under Tonio Fenech,has made management dysfunction look almost like a well practiced art! We need to change the GonziPN system that has failed us!
Michael Seychell
Jan 11th, 11:53
JM said "several PN supporters who were physically hurt in the 1980s and said this was behaviour which should be condemned." He could have added those killed-R.Caruana, Cauchi, Cardona etc, & also those who were framed up such as P.Busuttil & the late Louis Bartolo & J.Mifsud. How can JM be trusted since thugs & other 'bad boys' are still active in his own Patry.
Michael Seychell Tal-Pieta
Frederick Cachia
Jan 11th, 11:48
It takes more than two years to build a power station. The PL must have super powers that are not disclosed in their electorial program
George Cutajar
Jan 11th, 11:37
So we are to begiven a choice as to when we get the bill. Is this guy for serious? And what about cash flows and projections? Very unprofessional.
Pablo Mallia
Jan 11th, 11:19
A power station CANNOT operate at 100%. See what wikipedia says....
The energy efficiency of a conventional thermal power station, considered as salable energy as a percent of the heating value of the fuel consumed, is typically 33% to 48%. This efficiency is limited as all heat engines are governed by the laws of thermodynamics. The rest of the energy must leave the plant in the form of heat. Thi
Mark. Galea
Jan 11th, 11:15
Jaghti l-pariri lil-Cipru jonqos
A. Attard
Jan 11th, 11:12
what are PL's proposals for:
1. Student stipends?
2. Health sector? will this remain FREE?
3. Arriva. So much was said about these buses. What are their proposals in this respect?
AND, last but not least,
4. the EU!?! they were against accession. so what are their proposals? partnership?
5. Will lowering utility bills come about through polluter pays principle? take from peter to give to paul?
PAUL MINTOFF
Jan 11th, 11:09
If I am not mistaken Dr.Muscat said that he will be reducing the energy tarriffs so that us the people will be left with more money in our pockets.
According to his estimates an average household is going to save an average of 20 euro a month,ie 5 euro a week or better still 71EURO CENTS A DAY.
We might invest our saving on a pkt.of bubble gum to share between each household.
Giocchino Attard
Jan 11th, 14:43
That's not true I'll save 45 eurus a month thats anough to use on groceries.
Mr Lawrence Calleja
Jan 11th, 10:54
A number of PL candidates who were active during the 1980s when 'several PN supporters who were physically hurt', are still active today within the MLP and should the PL be in government they will be our Ministers. We cannot let this happen.
Paul Caruana
Jan 11th, 10:35
....something which should have been available from ARMS since its inception!
Henry J Bonett
Jan 11th, 10:33
One thing is certain. Konrad Mizzi has come out as a real professional who speaks with the ease of authority. All PN spokesmen have come out as pathetic amateurs with a daunting amount of fiddling technical detail.
Pablo Mallia
Jan 11th, 10:57
Konrad has worked on consultants estimates, Do you THINK that a functional power station is built in two years? How long did it take to build and move into your house......let alone a pwoer station.
Matthew Ciantar
Jan 11th, 11:57
@Pablo Mallia
PL wants to convert the current power station, not build a new one. . .
pat muscat
Jan 11th, 10:18
When I receive estimates I simply throw them in the recycling bin. The bill is twice as much the actual , which comes two months later. What a waste of time and resources! Why does n't Tonio Fenech try to solve these blunders instead of trying to shoot down Pl's cheaper and cleaner energy proposals? EneMalta is breathless, at at its knees and nearly bankrupt: what did Tonio Fenech do about it?
Pablo Mallia
Jan 11th, 10:55
This is done due to people plan there expenditure. Mhux Kulhadd Kondu Bhalek !
pat muscat
Jan 11th, 11:42
@ Mr Pablo Mallia. That's the point! The estimates are usually twice the amount of the actual bill and off the mark. Can anyone plan on estimates that are off mark? I don't . I v'e learned the trick so I found it cheaper to throw the estimate in the bill!
Karl Abela
Jan 11th, 10:07
Labour's attractive energy rates are based on the wrong assumption that the new gas power station will run close to 100% for 10 ten years. Anything less than that, the private investor will not recoup their expenses and will probably shy away from the project unless the government gives huge financial guarantees.
This is a fail.
j brincat
Jan 11th, 10:02
ARMS = another of GonziPN's failed projects.
Another white elephant to add to the list.
Ask the poor cosumers!
jb
j brincat
Jan 11th, 09:45
@Andre Briffa
"Stop trying to please everyone Cyprus Joe!"
Funny indeed!
Have you forgotten bankrupt Ireland?
Seems so!
jb
Joseph Micallef
Jan 11th, 09:42
This is what one means by true leadership which addresses the real needs of people and businesses. One can choose his/her own payment frequency. Normal procedures seen everywhere and anywhere. It is done by banks when issuing statements and many service providers. With GonziPN, you don't know when you will be receiving the BOMBA in utility bills.
Denis Pace
Jan 11th, 09:42
Labour will get voted in to Government and then....we're in for a few surprises.....!!
Denis Pace
Jan 11th, 09:41
Joseph...Please...STOP the Gimmicks!
Some Substance....PLEASEEEEEEEEEE !
Denis Pace
Jan 11th, 09:36
POPULIZMU FL-AQWA TIEGHU!!!!!!!!
Mr Hans Borg
Jan 11th, 10:07
@Mr Denis Pace
Meta tkun arroganti li tirrospondi għall-ħtiġijiet tan-nies issir populist.
j brincat
Jan 11th, 09:16
ARMS was another of GonzipN's failed projects to add to the list of white elephants!
jb
Luciano Chetcuti
Jan 11th, 09:10
Labour would send electricity bills at agreed frequency
I think that most of us consumers do not mind when bills are sent. What we really expect is what is being promised, that is lower rates.
Ray Woods
Jan 11th, 09:10
The system of bills and discriminatory discounts is a shambles and a disgrace to a Country that counts itself a member of Europe.
Steve Mifsud
Jan 11th, 09:06
Not sure promising to send me a bill on time qualifies for winning votes.......
Joseph Vassallo
Jan 11th, 08:50
Joseph Muscat, publish the studies carried out, otherwise you are not going to be credible!
PN published theirs on the website!
You criticized the Government everytime you claimed it was not transparent. You are worse, because you are doing it from the opposition benches!
twanny borg
Jan 11th, 08:36
In-nies tan-negozju jippreferu li jhallsu kull sitt xhur u aktar sintendi dawn biex jonfqu l-flus fuq affarijiet ohra u jifrankaw l-interessi. Pero din tohloq nuqqas ta' flus lill-enemalta. Tista' tohloq ukoll problemi b'kontijiet kbar hafna. L-arms trid taghmel minn kollox biex il-kontijiet jintbaghtu billi jintuzaw li smart readers fi zmien xaghrejn u minghajr estimi imma l-attwali.
Eddy Privitera
Jan 11th, 08:29
Dr. Muscat keeps giving lessons to Lawrence Gonzi on how to work for unity in Malta rather than division, which, unfortunately, still remains GonziPN's electoral tactic !
Shawn Grixti
Jan 11th, 07:32
Joseph veru mexxej tal-Maltin bil-provi!! Bla dubju ser igib din il-gzira merraq fil-korruzzjoni ta' taht gondsipn fuq saqajgha. Fl-ahhar ser niehdu nifs safja u hienja!!
Kompli sejjer hekk Joseph ha nirbhu 70-80%!!
Richard Caruana
Jan 11th, 06:48
One can see that it was poorly attended. Those who went there can confirm this.
Eddy Privitera
Jan 11th, 08:31
Richard Caruana: this was just a Business Forum on the same day that there had been a Business Breakfast ! Have you seen any Business Breakfast or Business Forum of GonziPN during this election campaign ?
Eddy Privitera
Jan 11th, 08:39
Richard Caruana: Can you tell us whom should we believe: L-Gonzi who said that lowering electricity bills is impossible. Or the L-Gonzi who yesterday said that he is committed to lowering such bills ???
P BORG
Jan 11th, 06:43
... HOW ABOUT EVERY TWENTY FIVE YEARS !!!!!
Joe M Borg
Jan 11th, 05:26
Pt 1. Tonio Fenech asked Pl and IMPOSSIBLE question: to publish the expert's studies about their proposed plan. It's impossible, because these studies do noy exist! All this plan is based on pure guesswork and wishful thinking! So, a PL 'lady' (!?) labled Tonio as Gestapo. Apart from character assassination, this 'lady' (!?) didn't keep PL's promise, as usual, or a clean campaign.
Eddy Privitera
Jan 11th, 08:34
Joe M. Borg: Taf li ghadkhom lanqas ippublikajtu PROPOSTA WAHDA, ahseb u ara d-dettalji kollha taghha !
Konrad Mizzi irrisponda ghal-kull punt li qajjem Tonio FEnech biex jipprova jimmina l-progett tal-PL. U kull mistoqsija li ghamlulu l-gurnalisti nazzjonalisti tan-NET TV u tal-PBS !
Denis Pace
Jan 11th, 09:39
Transparency..
Labour is as transparent as the water in the ditch at Msida!
joseph borg st john
Jan 11th, 03:06
Sur Muscat kliem sabih hafna imma gol partit tieghek ghad ghandek nies li weggaw u ghamlu hafna hsara f 80s warrabom kif ghamilt lil Anglu.
N. Aquilina
Jan 11th, 08:50
bl-istess ragunament tieghek il PN messu inehhi lil Gonzi (tal-hnizrijiet li ghamel zijuh fis 60's u li qatt ma talab skuza ghalihom) u lil Austin Arroganti Gatt ghax wegga hafna nies habba l inkompetenza tieghu.u lil ministri kollha li taw transfers vendikattivi. Jekk jigri hekk fil PN ma jibqa kwazi hadd!
Sandro Gatt
Jan 11th, 01:21
Go and ask the Russian people about tariffs in their country......everything TRIPPLED from this year because prices of Gas is going up!!! And this comes from a country which is the Richest and has the biggest supply of Natural Resources....ma nafx imma dan fatt!!! Gas will be more expensive than oil after the discovery in USA where they will be producing 11.5million barrels a day by 2015!
Andre Briffa
Jan 10th, 23:58
Stop trying to please everyone Cyprus Joe!
Eddy Privitera
Jan 11th, 08:36
Andre Briffa: Jidher li qed thoss li Dr. Muscat qieghed jghogob lill-maggoranza kbira tal-poplu. GHax taf li l-proposti tal-PL huma mmirati ghal gid tal-poplu kollu u mhux ta' ftit nies - IL-KLIKKA !
Jean Karl De Bono
Jan 10th, 23:57
I prefer giving credibility to technical and professional people such as Konrad Mizzi and Profs. Edward Mallia than to some rhetoric incompetent in the sector politician such as Minister Tonio Fenech.
Denis Pace
Jan 11th, 09:36
Sure...if he backs his claims with scientific reports!!!!
James Tyrrell
Jan 10th, 23:55
"Labour would send electricity bills at agreed frequency." To do that he will have to get shot of ARMS as they can't do anything right as it is. More good news and another good reason to vote Labour.
M Borg
Jan 11th, 09:24
Now that is news !! Do you have a vote or do you use your vote to " try " to put some good into your own country ??
Much needed over there !!
Denis Pace
Jan 11th, 09:40
Might as well shoot yourself in the foot, James.
We fell for it once (VAT, remember!)....NOT AGAIN!!
Annie Pace
Jan 10th, 22:59
I did my own calculations based on the utility bills our household of 2 receives. The bottom line is that over a whole year, we would save only euro95....so tell me again how much this is going to help me out? I'm not ready to compromise my country's stability for 95euro a year; if PL mess up, I'd lose soooo much more than that!!!
Eddy Privitera
Jan 11th, 08:45
Annie Pace: with GonziPN YOU WILL RECEIVE HIGHER BILLS. This has been revealed b y Dr. Muscat who quoted from a report of the EU Commission. And Dr. Gonzi NEVER DENIED what Dr. Muscat had stated !!!!!!
Vincent Bezzina
Jan 10th, 22:43
Regard all the talk of gimmicks, the only gimmick can see is the Gonzi/Busuttil duo. Since when does the deputy leader counted for anything in Malta. Tonio Borg you packed him off to Brussel at the drop of a hat. Gonzi, why not just resign and let Simon be the head of the party. There is no place for a leader for life in a democracy even if he was popular and successful, which you are not.
Lara Vella
Jan 10th, 22:34
X'tahwid!!! Il-Pn l-anqas jaqblu bejniethom.
Daniel Borg
Jan 11th, 09:14
U lanqas femu lin nies tahom stes u ajruhom skalda u bzara, ahseb wara kem ha jifmu il program tal pl
Denis Pace
Jan 11th, 09:38
That reads LP not PN......
Water bills - l-ewwel mhux se jintmessu, issa se jonqsu.
Ir-rapporti : nohorguhom issa...Le wara l-elezzjoni.
FEJN QIEGHED IT-TAHWID??
Ray Buttigieg
Jan 10th, 22:03
mela mela domna nistennew 5 snin il proposti tal lejber fuq ir rohs tad dawl u l ilma u sirna nafu li din tiddependi fuq zewg tankijiet tal gass kbar daqs il knisja tal mosta li jiswew il miljuni mibnija metri il bod min power station. timmaginaw x jigri jekk jkun hemm xi accident fil power station......boom kbira....hahhahahah
N. Aquilina
Jan 11th, 08:44
Ray fejnhom il proposti tghakom pls? Nikkoregik ukoll fuq haga, il PL qal li ha jrahhas il kontijiet sena ilu u mhux hames snin ilu. Hames snin ilu weghdi ta Gonzi kien hemm li ghadhom sal llum ma twettqux, jekk trid nghamillek lista dettaljata imma niddubita it Times ghandiex spazju bizzejjed!
Charles Cremona
Jan 10th, 22:00
Bla,Bla,Bla,Cyprus Joe keeps making more and more promises.
Nadya Debono
Jan 10th, 21:54
I see- that is why we need the election- to have an electricity bill every month! Only in Malta......
Eddy Privitera
Jan 11th, 08:43
Nadya Debono: If you prefer to receive your bills once a year you would be able to have this. If you wish to receive them every 6 months, you ill receive them every 6 months. But if you prefer to receive them every month, so as to be able to control spending, you will receive them every month. certainly BETTER than NEVER KNOWING WHEN YOUR W&E BILLS WILL ARRIVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
R. Stivala
Jan 11th, 08:45
Don't speak non sense.... You will not recieve a big amount for one month !!! And by the way JM said you can choose from one, three or six months if you read the article correctly !!!
Charles Cremona
Jan 10th, 21:40
Pie in the sky, there is no cheap energy left in the world and whoever tells you otherwise is misleading.
Please choose the reason of your report below: