Yesterday, I participated in a debate on Xarabank to discuss Labour’s proposals to ‘re­duce water and electricity bills’. The Labour Party rehashed amateur and confused arguments. Despite having had five years to prepare themselves to govern, their proposal is not serious, nor can it be implemented.

The substance is secondary, at best, if not missing- George Pullicino

This is reflected by PL’s various speakers on the subject. My counterpart on Xarabank was Leo Brincat, the Opposition’s spokesman on the environment, whom I would have thought would have a bigger role in their policy process. It seems that the Opposition MPs were not even consulted.

Brincat’s lack of preparation was evident, putting forward arguments without checking the facts. One such example was his allegations regarding photovoltaic panels on public buildings. This leading spokesman doesn’t even know a tender was issued.

What clearly emerged from tonight’s edition of Xarabank was the fact that Joseph Muscat and his colleagues built a project in the clouds based on manipulated and incorrect figures. It turns out that the same consultants engaged by the PL came to the conclusion that the cheapest option would be the building of a pipeline, which has been the Government’s policy all along. Yet, for some strange reason, Labour chose a more expensive option. Then, should one wonder why we should question whether there are any hidden interests?

The Nationalist Government is, in fact, delivering an energy sector that is based on a sustainable mix that does not overburden the country’s coffers. We ensured that the Delimara extension could in time be converted to gas. This plant was not made to run on gas in the first place because the necessary infrastructure was not in place and we did not want to burden the people with the costs to do so. In the meantime, we are in discussions with the EU regarding the financing of a gas pipeline, while the interconnector between Malta and Sicily, which will provide a direct electricity supply, will be up and running next year.

The PL will drive us into a wall. The same way it did when it removed VAT, which the Maltese and Gozitans literally paid for when Brincat himself introduced 33 new taxes in one Budget in 1997. Once again, they want to ride roughshod and build a power station that the country doesn’t even need. As their consultants themselves pointed out, the Government’s policies are those that provide a sound and secure option – January 12.

Nothing new!

Muscat yesterday announced four supposed ‘new proposals’ on clean energy. These were nothing but replicas of initiatives that the Nationalist Government has either already acted upon or announced during the same Budget that was voted against by Muscat and his colleagues.

The first ‘proposal solar farms.

Our country is restricted by size. We therefore cannot build solar farms on the scale other countries do. Yet, we are very much in favour of smaller solar farms, so long as they are not built in ecological or aesthetically sensitive zones.

In the last Budget, we established a feed-in tariff rate for systems larger than 1MW. Aside from this, we now have over 100,000m2 of PV panels on the roofs of public buildings. We spent €15 million assisting over 6,000 families to install PV panels. We spent €16 million supporting 270 businesses to invest in alternative energy systems. The list of initiatives we introduced is endless.

The second ‘proposal provide the opportunity for families who do not have access to roofs to invest in the solar farm.

The Nationalist Government’s Budget – voted against by Muscat – stated: “The Government is also finalising a scheme wherein families who cannot install photovoltaic panels on their roof, invest in a larger system some distance away from their residence. These will be able to benefit from clean energy generated according to the investment they make in this community system.”

We proposed dedicating €19 million to assist families to install PV panels and now that their prices have decreased, more families will be able to benefit from this scheme.

The third ‘proposal energy audits in people’s homes.

Muscat doesn’t seem to be aware that these are already under way in Gozo, and we have already committed to extending this scheme throughout Malta. We have also carried out energy audits in public buildings and will spend €3 million to implement necessary changes. In the last Budget, we also announced energy audits for sports organisations.

The fourth ‘proposal schemes for efficient household appliances and distributing water saving kits. Doesn’t he know that we already implemented such a scheme and gave 45,000 energy efficient appliances to Maltese families? Moreover, the last Budget pledged water saving kits for all Maltese families, as was already done in Gozo.

Muscat should have the decency to say that he agrees with what the Government has already delivered and will implement this Government’s Budget proposals, rather than falsely claim these proposals as his own. – January 11.

Quality spaces

The embellishment and creation of public spaces all over the country are perhaps the greatest proof of all the work delivered by this Government. I recently met a friend of mine together with three other couples who have returned to Malta after living abroad for a number of years. These couples, who have young children, told me how impressed they were at the number of facilities now available in the country for their children. They were impressed at the standard and attention to detail. One comment struck me: “Perhaps you are already taking them for granted!”

Quality is synonymous with all the projects we delivered throughout this legislature. We weren’t satisfied with simple improvements. We returned to the people the public spaces that they deserve, improving our quality of life.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who threw their heart and soul into making these projects a reality. Their work and dedication deserve our utmost appreciation!

I am proud to have been en­trus­ted with these responsibilities. A look at all that we have delivered fills me with great satisfaction that we invested public funds wisely. Over the coming weeks, we will be inaugurating more quality to be enjoyed by our families and children – January 9.

Let’s win it… for you

The race is on. The Labour Party couldn’t bear to wait another minute past midnight. Gimmicks and stunts. The substance is secondary, at best, if not missing. Muscat summoned journalists at one minute past midnight so that they could film him signing a billboard without announcing anything new. All he revealed was the PL campaign slogan: Malta Tagħna Lkoll.

I was baffled. After all, we have actively ensured that Malta improve to everyone’s benefit and advantage. Above all, we gave Maltese and Gozitans the right to consider Europe their own too! Muscat wanted to deny us this right.

We are the party that has changed the very face of this country, returning to the people a country that they can be proud of and the quality of life they deserve. The PL seems to love slogans, yet, we have results to show for it. Everyone is benefitting, regardless of political colour.

After Parliament was dissolved, the Nationalist Party also launched its own slogan: Futur Fis-Sod: Xogħol, Saħħa, Edukazzjoni. The logo is an artistic representation of different coloured petals, overlapping to form the colours of the rainbow. This image represents the diversity yet unity on which the PN is built.

This is an extremely demanding campaign. It is not my first, yet, it is one of the most important, particularly when considering what is at stake for the future of our country and all that we have achieved together.

I am extremely grateful for the support that I have received from so many people who are dedicating their time and energy to helping us convey our message.

The PN remains the best guarantee for a safe and secure future for you and your family. I pledge all my commitment and energy to guaranteeing you an ever-improving quality of life! – January 7.

http://georgepullicino.blogspot.com

George Pullicino is Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs.

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