Update 2: Muscat tells car importers tax changes will be retained
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
It was a short drive for Joseph Muscat this morning with his first electoral campaign stop being Burmarrad Commercials, a family business in his hometown.
After touring the company that employs 50 people, Dr Muscat confirmed he had discussions with the association of car importers.
The association said a few days ago that it was concerned because a reduction in the registration tax on Euro Five vehicles could not be implemented since the Budget was not approved by Parliament. This has jammed the market.
Photo: Matthew MirabelliDr Muscat said the association had legal advice that the change could be made by amending regulations despite the Budget not passing through Parliament.
He said that Labour was committed to retaining any change if elected to government in March.
However, he expected the government to announce measures in the coming days to unblock the current situation.
Gas tank location was only one of other options
Addressing a news conference in Fgura later in the morning, Dr Muscat said the location of the two gas storage tanks was only one of other options where they could be located.
Asked by The Times whether any studies were undertaken to determine whether the location was appropriate, Dr Muscat said other options were available on the same footprint.
"We are confident that the identified location is feasible but it is one option of others available on the same footprint at Delimara," he insisted.
A former Enemalta chairman was quoted by The Times this morning saying the identified location, a waterfront mound of rubble, was not ideal because it served as a counterweight to the cliff face. It was a similar concern raised by Finance Minister Tonio Fenech and Resources Minister George Pullicino.
Dr Muscat said he was surprised that the Governments's only criticism was the gas ta nk location, adding it confirmed that utility bills could be reduced.
He added that criticism about the use of ships to deliver gas was unwarranted because it was no different from today, where oil is delivered by tankers.
Dr Muscat was speaking in Fgura to emphasise that his party's energy plan also meant clean air.
Photo: Matthew MirabelliFrom Fgura, Dr Muscat went to Golden Harvest, a bread-making factory in San Gwann where he said that Labour's energy plan will not only give industry lower electricity tariffs but will give them the opportunity to use the liquefied natural gas on which the power station will run, according to Joseph Muscat.
In a brief meeting with employees, the Labour leader said his party's energy plan will ensure jobs are safeguarded because companies will be more competitive.
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JANICE Biggs
Jan 10th, 13:00
Come on You Maltese guys get your act together and put Malta on the map once more, at this rate nobody is the wiser as regarding vat on imported cars, what about the 18,000 or so that signed a form to claim what is rightfully theirs, was that just hot air or another election stunt? i think these people should be treated with respect and return what is owing to them in full + PLUS interest.
S Portelli
Jan 10th, 12:37
And moreover where is the EUR50Million VAT refund!!
S Portelli
Jan 10th, 12:35
With all these promises Joseph will soon go to Merkel for a bailout!
S S. Warren
Jan 10th, 12:20
My question is : If the PL takes the role as a PM, will he be focusing on Bills only??? Cos for the past few days I heard nothing but electricity bills!
We live on other things you know!
E Gatt
Jan 10th, 12:44
How dare you question PL's electricity hype.
Warren Griscti
Jan 10th, 12:50
Bid differtenza tal pn il pl qijed johrog il proposti tad dawl u ilma u issa gima ohra jibda proposti ohra.
C. Vella
Jan 10th, 11:41
PN apologists please enlighten your mind some intelligence not bubble words without even considering to think beforehand. Nighters opposition ever voted in favour of a budget presented by a government.On the other hand PL always said "We will implement the GOOD things that the budget has".Why not!! If the scenario was vice-versa what will PN should do? Should they trash good proposals to?Pls reply
John Bonello
Jan 10th, 12:38
So were is the change your charismatic leader preach about, what about the new way of doing politics....is he of the same brand then. or it a new brand of the same old material, were is the consistancey in JM and the MLP he talk the talk but he defnitly dont walk the walk. this new MLP idea that it present it's self as some new movement is all one big fat lie for voters to swallow the bait
Chris Borg
Jan 10th, 13:04
Simple John Bonello...the change will be in the way we do things...setting priorities...sure the Euro 500 week pay rise, the new parliament, the roof less theathre were not priorities. And by the way...joseph is not my leader...I'm just opting for a change,a better way to do things, a change from these arrogant people who took the party which one day I voted for.
John Bonello
Jan 10th, 15:51
@Christ Borg,
"the change will be in the way we do things" yeah like keeping everything in the dark to save their face, if the proposal was genuine they would not shy from publishing their studies, but its a gimmick.
"a change from these arrogant people who took the party which one day I voted for" the way JM is going on about this proposal just shows the arrogance in him so no change at all
Levi Grech
Jan 10th, 11:32
Why is it in malta nothing ever gets done as promised or without any propaganda !
A Vella
Jan 10th, 11:19
Muscat tells car importers tax changes will be retained - errrmmmm car importers are not the once that need convincing but potential buyers... let's see if car sales will soar now, it will be a good gauge to test the confidence of people in Muscat.
Mark Bord
Jan 10th, 11:06
JM "said he was surprised that the Governments's only criticism was the gas tank location,.."
we've heard more than just the gas tank location as criticism:
- the over-investment in something Malta does not need (in terms of supply demands)
- the vendor lock out issue
- dependency on ships (costs, and weather permitting) instead of a fixed pipeline (one time investment)
- impossible timeframes
Warren Griscti
Jan 10th, 12:05
Issa qbadtu fuq fejn jitpoggew it tankijiet. Jitpoggew lemm u law il pjan emm qijed. U li ha jisplodu. Tmaqdru biss qedin umbad gonzi irid irahhsu ukoll allajbirek. Ma nafx ta iz zejt bix jigi ma nafx jasalx bil posta imma nsomma. U il pipeline ha jintuza jekk ma fimtx il progett ta muscat stess qal li tista teqleb kif ikun lahjar.
T Mifsud
Jan 10th, 11:06
Rather the devil I know. If I am driving in a storm, I dont want to take an unknown shortcut into the dark mist from a well lit, mapped, known longer road highway! Rather stay on the road you know. Maybe when the weather clears I may consider it, but right now, it's too unstable and do not know if I am ready for an adventure in a storm led by an inexperienced party! Thank you but not this time!
Paul Micallef
Jan 10th, 11:51
@Mifsud
Gravy train???
T Mifsud
Jan 10th, 12:53
Gravy train is what Labour are about to embark on! I hope everyone, including JM, MEA etc will be accountable not only to their deeds, but even to their uttered words of trying to 'avoid bureaucracy' and tenders so that someone within Labour gets a direct order!
M Grima
Jan 10th, 13:47
Your first message was mild but your reply to T. Mifsud showed your true colours. May I ask who was held accountable for the major faults which developed in the extension and why your government took over the plant knowing fairly well that the final testing which determined the handing over of this same extension, was a complete joke. Labour will not drag itself in such corruption.
Oliver Grech
Jan 10th, 10:55
Welll...its your fault Dr. Muscat that if car importers are facing this problem. In opposition you already managed to have a bad effect on an industry...ahseb u ara fil- gvern.
With regards to the comment on the gas tanks location...jaqaw diga bdejt tbiddel l- affarijiet? Diga qed tinduna li its a mistake/joke/gimmick?
L Vella
Jan 10th, 11:05
Probably People started questioning other than believing everything that is put in front of them ! Ghax to believe certain proposals mhux gullible trid tkun ! there's no word to describe such !
John L Galea
Jan 10th, 11:34
@O Grech: The only fault was of GOnzi and his clique. They knew the budget wouldn't be approved but to play dirty and blame it on the PL , they put forward the budget the same. It's one of your own MP's who voted against the budget. The PL did it's job and stated this beforehand sot he government was warned.
John L Galea
Jan 10th, 11:37
@O Grech: The PL plan is definitely not a joke/gimmick as those who are competent in this country welcomed it and also now GOnzi himself made a u-turn on it and wants to copy the PL's plan. Gimmick is GOnziPN and his clique. Can you tell us what are the proposals about energy of the PN? Up to now bahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
Oliver Grech
Jan 10th, 12:05
@ Galea,
May I point out that the decrease that JM is promising in 2014, 2015 and I' m sure also in 2016 are simply thanks to the interconnector...which is was proposed, approved and built by the PN administration. Wake up!!
M Grima
Jan 10th, 13:53
"@ L Vella
You know who is gullible? It is those who believed that the White Rocks complex would be turned into a sportsman dream. It is those who believed that the Crafts Village at Ta Qali would have a complete makeover. It is those who believed that Income Tax would be reduced. It is those who believed that they will get a fantastic job at Smart City. Are the MHRA and MEA also gullible.
Paul Meilak
Jan 10th, 10:45
gurnata wara l-ohra... il-froga qed tithawwad aktar.
John L Galea
Jan 10th, 11:38
@P. Meliak: Il-froga ta' Gonzi qed tithawwad zgur, ghax il-bierah balbuljata bejnhom kienet min ma jaqbilx, min gimmick u gonzi jrid jaghmel l-istess, u hawwad 'l hawn u hawwad 'l hemm. Il-kampanja tal-PN hi bbazata biss fuq li jbezzghu bil-PL u jikkritikaw bla ebda bazi kull haga li jaghmel. Jidher car li GonziClique qeghdin f'paniku kbir.
John Bonello
Jan 10th, 10:37
ohhh welll, now they found out that the proposed site is not suitable, ohh well we have other tricks up the sleeve for the maltese people(makku) to swallow, guess what we have other alternative. why not publish the studies and reports so all the maltese people would know the full detail of this GIMMICK, rather then playing with words. just can believe that this guy will lead our country if he wins
Deo Catania
Jan 10th, 11:31
if you're not even capable of understand this statement ""We are confident that the identified location is feasible but it is one option of others available on the same footprint at Delimara," then you have serious problems, just like your useless gonzipn.
Daniel Dreano
Jan 10th, 11:32
How one-track minded can you be?!! JM is simply stating that if the proposed location will incur further expenses, there are other locations they will consider, in order to keep the costs lowered as possible. It is called Project Management. Well no one at the PN would understand this as no project was completed within the scheduled time and budget!
John Bonello
Jan 10th, 12:02
Ohhh the MLP elves are seeing red now, well the cost of the project is given on one site if then again the figures reflect the true cost. Otherwise the cost is just an estimate and may vary accordingly, therefore if the first proposed site is not viable then the cost will defnitly be up. but this is something Catania and Dreano can not grasp with lack of Knowledge in this field.
John Bonello
Jan 10th, 10:33
There we go agian riding on the white horse, JM using PN policies which he only have himslef to blame, it was he who took FD side. he could have been more prudent and allowed the budget to be implemented (vote in favoure). but that would have created a problem for himslef, as now he has the PN budget to use as a concrete, sustainable, credebile, feasable & doable proposals...best of gimmicks PT2
Anthony Farrugia
Jan 10th, 10:32
Reminds me of Silvio in Italy promising everything to everybody, money no object. Then on 10th March he will tell us that debt "hofra" (hole) is much deeper than thought, so forget everything I promised. Like Alfred Sant in 1996 lol.
Mr F J Brincat
Jan 10th, 10:36
Yes but the reduction of registration tax was proposed in the budget by the PN wasn't it?
L Vella
Jan 10th, 10:41
Mr. F J Brincat - Yes it was ... the same budget that labour voted against - Only difference is that PN know the real extent of the debt and portray such ... After all debt is what generates an economy ! However PL tends to over-exaggerate the situation of win people's sympathy ... But then again he promises things which involve more debt !!!
Anthony Farrugia
Jan 10th, 10:46
And now adopted by PL as has indeed have been all of the measures in the last Budget which did not make it through Parliament. But my arguement about the "hofra" still holds water. Just wait and see......
John L Galea
Jan 10th, 11:40
The hofra of almost 6Billion is there and it was done by noone else than PN and 1/3 of it by GOnziPN.
Anthony Farrugia
Jan 10th, 11:51
John L Galea : Are you echoing Alfred Sant ?
Luke Vella
Jan 10th, 10:10
Never witnessed such controversy by a single person ! where he clearly states Malta is drowning in debt and can barely cope ! However he goes against all this and keeps promising such ideas which in turn will reduce his income if ever in Government ! .... Angele Merkel praised Malta for its economic position while large countries such as Italy and Spain delve deeper into the recession !!
Mark Vella
Jan 10th, 10:37
Show's he is hungry for power so I guess he is promising everything in return. ....People on the other hand want a change!
No one is appreciate what Malta has gone through in the last years! everyone is taking this situation foregranted!
I think its better the devil you know than the one you don't know.
M Gatt
Jan 10th, 10:37
This proposal will increase his income because they will be saving 160m /year in the production of electricity. Increasing your income isn't the only way to balance the books.
L Vella
Jan 10th, 10:43
Mr Gatt, When will it increase his income ?! after how many years will the initial costs be covered ? and also assuming the price of Gas remains constant ! Who makes such assumptions ?!
Also we are assuming that there is someone from the private sector willing to take up this project ... Assumptions assumptions ...
JJ Debono
Jan 10th, 10:07
The question is can Mr.Muscat deliver if he is elected in March, can Gonzi deliver? i think people are getting a wiser now to promises & agendas, so all i can say is who ever gets in hope to stick to their promises -otherwise its pondenomium< in Malta same as we've been seeing from other countries- Tunis, Egypt,etc., as far as car & excessive vat regist.<people need a break including untilities.<
Albert Bonello
Jan 10th, 10:04
Whats new from JM? Another promise taken out of the PN program! Haven't you noticed that JM has nothing new to offer. First he copied the colour blue, then hide d PL flag, yesterday it was the energy measures all copied from the PN and today it is the car import taxation implemented in the PN budget. JM = No Ideas! Just do what the PN proposes & give it some pizzazz. Is this the future we want?
Luke Vella
Jan 10th, 10:11
How very right you are ... Laqwa li nivvotaw kontra il budget immma Halli inqajmu kontroverzja fil pajjiz !
Edward Borg
Jan 10th, 10:01
U il VAT fuq il Karozzi mill ewropa se jnehhija?? U dawk li hallsu il VAT fuq il karozzi li impurtaw se jtijilom lura kif wieghed?
Mr C Camilleri
Jan 10th, 10:08
Mhux Gonzi poggiha ! Saqsi lilu issa. Xi hsibtu il-PL ? Fonti tal-ilma mbierka jew ikabbar il-flus flok il-laring u l-lumi ?
Taht GonziPN kulhadd kien bit-tbissima u happy. Issa li PL qed jipprova jtaffi xi ftit mil-piz kulhadd irid KOLLOX u F'DAQQA !
Alan Abela
Jan 10th, 10:20
@C. Camilleri Tisma lil JM jitkelem hekk tahseb li l-PL hu 'fonti tal-ilma mbierka jew ikabbar il flus flokk il-laring u l-lumi' Fl-ahhar mil ahhar hu weghda xi 3 snin ilu!
Edward Borg
Jan 10th, 10:37
@C.Camilleri. Jien mhux qed nghid xi haga gdid ilPL ilu jwedna li min xtara karozza u wehel il vat se jtijilna lura ghalekk morna il kwartieri tal PL biex niffirmaq halli jtella lill gvern il qorti. Mela meta nkunu fl opposizzjoni nghidu mod u jekk nitilaw fil gvern ikun iehor
Frank Zammit
Jan 10th, 09:54
You sound as if you know quite well how an oligarchy operates. Perhaps if you read the PN manifesto you will find a reference to your very PN'ish outlook and at how to purchase an election.
Albert Caligari Conti
Jan 10th, 09:51
Again JM is confirming that our P.N government is on the right track and looking forward for the future with good ideas same as he will be doing with the electricity tariffs.Using the same investments which at the moment are being implemented at home and across the channel to sicily.
J. Muscat
Jan 10th, 09:47
Both Parties need to be clear on the reduction of the motor bike registration.
The exorbitant tax should be removed completely like in all major countries in Europe!
S. Zammit
Jan 10th, 09:46
He visited a company that employs 50 people.Well done. This shows that the PN Gvt has faith in maltese businesses and workers.
K Borg
Jan 10th, 09:43
You are panicking to Joseph's proposals! Where you criticising gonzipn when he promised flying pigs 5 years ago?!!!!
I doubt it. Enjoy
Anthony A. Mifsud
Jan 10th, 09:35
Joseph know best. Thank you, I have the full trust in your way of show
Ninu
Franco Attard Trevisan
Jan 10th, 11:33
I pity you for putting your full trust in ANY politician my friend!
Jane Caruana
Jan 10th, 09:27
WOW Everything to Everybody. Can Muscat please send my salary home because I dont feel like going to work today?
Shawn Grixti
Jan 10th, 09:48
Childish antics....grow up!!
Jane Caruana
Jan 10th, 10:07
You grow up. or better still wake up and smell the coffee
Luke Vella
Jan 10th, 10:12
Jane that's exactly what he wants everyone to believe !! Problem is there are people who actually believe this !!
J. Grima
Jan 10th, 10:13
Ms Caruana...we have been smelling other things much worse than 'the coffee' for too long now!
John L Galea
Jan 10th, 11:41
@Jane: Get a life!!!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 10th, 09:27
Unbelievable! After colluding with a renegade NP member of parliament to reject a good budget, and to bring down the government, Joseph Muscat expects that a dissolved parliament would find a way to implement the measures he had rejected as if nothing had happened! It must be true that the gods first send crazy those whom they intend to destroy.
John L Galea
Jan 10th, 11:43
@FS MD: The GonziPN is all to blame about the budget issue as they were warned long time ago not to present budget by FD as it won't pass. The PL did it's job and declared it before. This was a dirty game by GOnziPN as they knew this was going to happen to blame it on the PL and not on Franco Debono and parrots gullible like you come here regurgitating what NET brainwashes you with.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 10th, 13:06
@JohnLGalea.
It is immaterial who threatened what and when. Those who voted down the budget were all the LP members of parliament acting in collusion with a single renegade Debono. That was the dirty game and you know who the players were. I am stating the obvious truth, but you are regurgitating deceptive propaganda.
Ms D. Borg
Jan 10th, 09:24
He voted against the budget and now he is promising many of the proposals in the budget. Mur ifhmu!
John Borg
Jan 10th, 09:44
Well first try to understand a government that passed a budget that was sure 110% that it would not be approved, only just to protect one of his friends! Then when you understand this try to understand other things, but first things first!
Shawn Grixti
Jan 10th, 09:50
Where are you living? It was your Franco Debono who voted against the budget. Wake up from your short lived Fantasy
T Mifsud
Jan 10th, 10:00
That is why I think Labour is in a muddle. They voted against something which they need to implement! I think I have to agree that Labour has a history of bungling policies!
Franco Attard Trevisan
Jan 10th, 11:34
@ Shawn Grixti
I didn't see the PL vote in favour, did you?
George Cutajar
Jan 10th, 09:12
Did JM tell them that he blocked the budget measures?
John Attard
Jan 10th, 09:24
Or that the government knew thath FD was not going to vote with the goverment
M Borg
Jan 10th, 09:29
Actually it was Franco Debono who blocked the budget measures.
In all of Maltese parliamentary history so far, I know of no instance where the opposition voted in favour of the Government's budget, regardless of whether it was a PN or MLP opposition.
Joseph Laus
Jan 10th, 09:32
Have You any idea my Friend when an opposition voted in favour of a Govt, Budget...??..What Opp. .PLUS a Govt, member(FRANCO ...OUCH) voted was a non confidence in Govt, Of Gonzi,pn,,,
Mr Tony Gauci
Jan 10th, 09:33
Issa naraw jek tinqaleb il folja kemm il partit tijek ser ikun demokratiku u lejlali lejn Malta u il Maltin. Vera tider li sirt bhalom tejx fid dinja tal holm.
Anthony A. Mifsud
Jan 10th, 09:33
George it wasn't JM that blocked the budget but GONZIPN and his clan, I hope you are living in the malta planet? as otherwise I will name you who blocked the budget..
Ninu
Mark Cassar
Jan 10th, 09:36
@John Attard..even he knew that FD would be voting against the government. Yet, while he & his party stated that the budget was positive (in almost all the incentives), he voted against just to oppose & to create uncertainty!
John Borg
Jan 10th, 09:39
The budget was blocked by a government that was stalled for the last two years trying to fetch votes from disgruntled supporters
Joseph Vassallo
Jan 10th, 09:59
No opposition ever votes in favour of a budget because the opposition usually opposes it!
JM is going to implement the budget if elected but voted against it when presented by the PN Government!
T Mifsud
Jan 10th, 10:05
No it was Labour that blocked it! JM declared that not only he agrees with the budget but that he would keep its measures if elected! But he voted against it because it was the thing to do, and not because he actually meant to vote for the budget. JM wanted the government to fail and not wanted the Malta Taghna Lkoll benefiting from the measures he liked!
John L Galea
Jan 10th, 11:44
@George: Hellooooo? GonziPN and his clique planned all this dirty trick as they were warned that the budget won't pass through. They presented it the same so they can blame the PL for it instead blaming themselves and FD. Cheap politics. I am amazed how many people like you are so blind and gullible.
Please choose the reason of your report below: