Updated - Fenech outlines cost of PN electoral promises
Tablets programme to cost €23.7m
Updated - PN costings presentation on pdf below - Finance Minister Tonio Fenech this afternoon gave details of the cost of programmes unveiled in the PN electoral programme and said they would not detract from the government's aim of achieving a balanced budget by 2015-16
Speaking at PN headquarters, he said realistic forecasts of economic performance showed economic growth of 3.2 per cent in real terms by 2017 in a no-policy change scenario. Growth in nominal terms would be a maximum of 5.6 per cent.
PROGRAMME COSTS
He said the PN was proposing a number of measures to boost job-creation including childcare facilities, which on their own would cost €5m per year. Business promotion incentives including incentives for business start-ups would cost €7 million per year.
The budget of the Malta Tourism Authority would rise by €3m a year.
Tax cuts announced in the Budget to reduce the top income tax rate to 25 per cent as well as adjustment of other tax bands and the removal of duties on the transfer of property from parents to their children by donation or inheritance would cost the government €60 million in revenue.
In the health sector, €15m more would be spent in the first year on additional medicines, including refunds for those who needed to buy their own medicines when those in government dispensaries were out of stock. Total additional outlay on the health sector, including the focus on primary health care and on diabetes, would cost €78 million.
In education, spending on stipends adjusted for the cost of living would cost €10m, €12m would be spent on scholarships. Another €12m would be spent over five years to encourage students to go abroad and learn languages.
A total of €5m would be allocated in incentives for those who used electric cars.
The €1,000 pension account for newborns would cost €4m per year while the Independent Community Living Fund would cost €5m a year.
Additional assistance to pensioners aged over 75 would rise to €500 per year per person.
Pension adjustments, including the end of deductions for those who had a service pension would cost the government €40m.
Measures to improve security in Malta's roads, including additional policemen on the beat would cost €4m per year.
Measures and incentives to create jobs in Gozo and promote tourism in Gozo would cost €10 million.
These, Mr Fenech said, were just recurrent expenditure and excluded measures already announced in the Budget.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
Mr Fenech said an additional €100m would be given in assistance to industry through Malta Enterprise including tax credits, grants and energy incentives.
€40 million would be available for a new development bank.
€10m would be routed towards various projects, including a breakwater at Marsaxlokk.
For the health sector, €22m would go for a new Rehabilitation Centre.
The tablet devices programme unveiled by the party last week would cost €23.7m of which €15.7m would come from national funds and the rest from the EU.
The fund for capital projects in independent schools would grow to €2m a year.
The government would spend €6m a year on a new school and allocate €40m for the university and €100m for a new Mcast campus.
Incentives for clean energy would cost €50m over four years.
€15m would be spent every year on roads in Malta and €1m a year in Gozo while the Valletta projects would cost €34m.
Compensation for expropriated properties, some of which went back many years, would cost €60m more over four years.
€4m per year would go for eco-Gozo.
EXPENDITURE REVIEW
Mr Fenech said the government intended to conduct an expenditure review of recurrent spending to identify spending efficiency of two per cent - or between €60m and €90m. This was doable in a total spending of some €3 billion, he said.
There would also be increased efforts against tax evasion to recover €25 million.
See the costings in the presentation prepared by the PN by clicking the pdf below.
Attached files
Popular Stories
Old buses, drivers to return
Former Judge Ray Pace found dead
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Three new Nationalist MPs elected –...
Where’s Everybody staff is given notice
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Update 4 - Eddie Fenech Adami stable...
Update 3 - Woman trapped as car crashes...
Revealed...the face of a Maltese woman...
In Discussion
Old buses, drivers to return
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Enemalta seeking minimum five year gas...
Protected birds shot and trapped as...
Mario de Marco, Zammit Dimech concede,...
PN postpones salaries as financial...
Updated - PM's offer to Opposition MPs...
No appeals board for first part of power...
155 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Mario Scicluna
Jan 30th, 08:35
'Accountant' dilettant li DEJJEM falla l-miri u l-kredibilita li ghandhu f'dan il-qasam huwa 0 qed 'ibassar' li tkabbir ekonomiku ser ikun 3.2% f'termini reali sa 2017! U tkabbir f'termini nom ser ikunu mass ta' 5.6%.Dan il genju jaf x'qed jghid jew le?? Jahseb imbilli jfajjar il figuri u jonfoh il 'projections' dawn se jigu hekk mis-sema? U ejja hallina Tonio, mela hsibtu li kulhadd cuc Malti??
Louise Vella
Jan 29th, 19:31
How about the cost of the illegal immigrants that the PN in government promises to attract by giving a blanket guarantee that it will welcome all those that make it to Malta or who will call the AFM for a free trip?
E. Azzopardi
Jan 29th, 14:38
Costings and projections (especially done by governemts all over the world) can and usually go wrong.
They are too optimistic and not realistic.
I just hope and pray that will all that is being promised we will not end up like some other country begging for a bail out.
Joseph E Briffa
Jan 29th, 10:50
J Buhagiar...sorry but your comment is pathetic.Bet you have always voted Labour.Even yr great leader says that the national debt doesn't worry him.He knows that it is only Eur12 500 per capita much lower than the US and several EU states, and it is local debt. He knows that the interest (1/4 million) goes into Maltese pockets, that 40m go back to the exchequer.200m p.a. do a lot for the economy
Joe Griscti
Jan 29th, 09:05
Hsibtni ha nsib b'kemm ha jorhosli id-dawl jien. Imma ma sibt xejn. Tithqu bin-nies tridu. Kull hames snin l-istess loba li ha namlu surplus u ha nnaqsu id-dejn umbad dejjem jigri il-kontra. PN in-nies madomx cwiec bhal ma ajjartom int.
James Grech
Jan 29th, 09:05
It is unfortunate that at this time & age, such matters as the economic future of our country is merely depicted by long tables filled with figures to impress while lacking justifications & clear sources of income. A future PN gov. is banking on increased efficiency to get even. The track record that it has, was far from impressive. The EU had to intervene & credit agencies are not happy at all.
j brincat
Jan 29th, 09:03
@Simon Scerri
"BEDA Il-PANIC tal-LABOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Who's panicking, we're as cool as a cucumber!
Did you forget that GonziPN came with the preposterous brainwave of a tablet to one and ALL an HOUR too late!!!
jb
Chris Borg
Jan 29th, 08:54
I think I'm very familiar with the words 'surplus' and 'reduction of debt'...the problem is that 5 years after these were promised, we all know the results. So why do we get the same promises again when these where not kept. It's easy to splash out figures when we all know that most project costs go over budget. Sorry Tonio, you lost my trust now.
Joseph E Briffa
Jan 29th, 12:17
Budget over runs are not peculiar to Malta, they happen the world over. You should inform yourself before you write silly comments.As for yr trust in Fenech, the performance of the economy during Fenech's tenure was brilliant especially when one compares it with that of other countries.While other EU states registered shrinkages or zero growth, Malta registered 1% growth, which is significant
Simon Scerri
Jan 29th, 07:52
BEDA Il-PANIC tal-LABOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe Griscti
Jan 29th, 09:02
Sihbi il-costings tal-pl qedin johorgu ma kull proposta. Il-panic huwa takom biss ax fil-budget tejdu ha tamlu taxxa u fil-programm tejdu ha tnehhuwa. qas tafu xintom tamlu
Noel Cuschieri
Jan 29th, 00:50
All in all Tonio did a number of good things during the last legislatures. In contrast, he holds a record of unkept promises, erroneous decisions and other poor performances! He is now (unintentionally) insulting the electorate by trying to forcefully influence our decision how to vote in this election! The electorate will judge you on your overall performance and not on your latest bluff!!
M Gatt
Jan 28th, 22:35
We can't trust the PN for another 5 years! More of the same will happen to this country.
More white rocks, more arrivas, more BWSC, more wasteservs, more Debt! We will eventually end up like Cyprus if we continue like this....like Standard & Poor's warning! 800m Enemalta debt and almost 6bn national debt! Stand up and vote Labour!
Simon Scerri
Jan 29th, 07:51
Never vote Labour once bitten twice shy. Shy to mention 1996-1998. Literally an opposition party that should stay in oppostion, cause always the opposite they do!!!!!
M. Grech
Jan 28th, 21:17
Are the Euro1,000 per child going to be transferred AWAY from government reach, say in a trust, bank or some other entity. I ask this because only that will secure such money from being used by the government. If that is the promise, then where is the money coming from. Did we strike oil? If ALL that money is kept by government, say within the Social Services Dept, then this is just a gimmick!
Joseph E Briffa
Jan 28th, 20:57
A Cumbo......estimates of costs and revenue are not written in stone. They are revised over time & adjusted according to developments both local and overseas.Every 5-year plan is reviewed halfway through. Even yearly budgets are revised every 3 months. It seems that you're not familiar with these things so better inform yourself before posting silly comments.
James Tyrrell
Jan 28th, 20:29
Amazing how much money the PN are willing to splash around in order to try and get a few votes. Does anyway believe them? Remember they are leaving the country 6 billion Euros in debt and you will be paying for the lovely new parliament building, sarcastic I know, for years to come because they couldn't afford to build it in the first place. And they haven't mentioned their pay raises yet.
A Farrugia
Jan 28th, 20:02
Ma tista qatt temmen lill Ministru Fenech ghax bil PROVI kull sena jispicca b' budget deficit".I-l kredtu tal PN ilu li ntilef, it' s a known secret ~!! Y ou have to be out of your mind to trust PN.
Angelo Xerri
Jan 28th, 19:55
Angelo Xerri
OK. PL. See if you can match the PN new costings presentations.You can start with the new Power Station that cost 700M euros that we dont need, and other tinsel that we can do without. Seven more weeks of pie in the sky.
Terence Valentino
Jan 29th, 08:39
who are you to say that we don't need a gas fired power station? Do you think that we can base most of our electricity consuption on a pipe, without a plan B? enlighten us pls...
Joshua De Bono
Jan 28th, 19:03
At least the pn shows the true costings unlike that of Muscat. PN always kept his promises especially with us students!
K Grech
Jan 28th, 19:22
Hmm be the enlightenment for the students then, because if you haven't realized yet the greatest shift happening is in the range of 18-25 in which PN is loosing much of its supporters
David Magro
Jan 29th, 06:14
Joshua what promise did Gonzipn kept? Was Smart city promise promise kept? Remember how he managed to brainwash students to take ICT studies as over 7000 jobs were to be created at@city? Did he kept his promise...its a ghost city. No increase in students were made. Joseph is a breath of fresh air and we need it.
Mr David Ganado
Jan 29th, 09:28
@David Magro - Your comment shows how brianwashed you are. True, Smart City fell way behind schedule and the ICT work places there are still to materialise, BUT and this is the big BUT, the Government kept its end of the bargain and encouraged people to study ICT and graduate. All these graduates have found jobs anyhow, and mostly in Malta, so the jobs were created with or without Smart City.
Mark Pace
Jan 28th, 19:01
Given the excellent track record of what a PN gov did in education, jobs and the economy, I think that the PN proposals are doable. The secret is the trust that the PN always gave to businesses, and to the people in general.
The PN always said that together we can achieve a lot and the past 5 years showed how much that is very true!
Giocchino Attard
Jan 29th, 06:44
Keep on thinking
B Cilia
Jan 28th, 18:52
I ask myself this very simple question. If the PN is so proud to work hand in hand for the progress of education in our schools, why did it not come up with this scheme in its Budget? Why all of a sudden, they launched it now, because they are going for election!! FAKE and LAME!
carl Tanti
Jan 28th, 20:13
jekk mandunajtx il manifest huwa as sena 2014 sa 2017 igifiri 2013jimxi mal budget li ghada
m. borg (slm)
Jan 28th, 18:36
"The tablet devices programme unveiled by the party last week would cost €23.7m of which €15.7m would come from national funds and the rest from the EU"
Can the honourable minister enlighten us about the EU funds expected here?
How sure is gonzipn that the funds would be forthcoming when they only thought of the Tablets 2 hours after labour proposed them.?
David Azzopardi
Jan 29th, 06:18
Lejber Party spokesman said 1 hr after,ure saying 2hrs..now if u believe that all those measures about the PN tablet propsal were made in 2 hrs, no wonder u support lejber!
j brincat
Jan 28th, 18:29
"The €1,000 pension account for newborns would cost €4m per year while the Independent Community Living Fund would cost €5m a year"
Which these newborns will get when they are 65 years old!
LOL!!!!
jb
JOHN WHITE
Jan 28th, 18:47
Very funny JB,what is JM`s proposal regarding this issue?? Maybe the word nothing tells you something?
R. Balzan
Jan 28th, 18:29
Throughout the PN's last legislature it never ever managed to keep to its financial targets, not even in simple infrastructural projects, let alone in the Company's finances. Why should we now believe that the expenditure for these electoral promises will not all go haywire? But after all it's heartening to know that this is just a futile, paper exercise and will never see the light of day.
Alfred Vassallo
Jan 28th, 18:16
''Fenech outlines cost of PN electoral promises''
Promises....that's what they are PROMISES.....nobody thrusts the pn anymore...not even their own supporters or should I say.... ex-supporters!
sammy cassar
Jan 28th, 18:25
where is the PL manfiesto pls? or it is not out yet? and if it is where can we find it? and where can we find how they will get the money to fund the gas mosta dome station? Please help.
G Tabone
Jan 28th, 18:56
mhux ma tivvutax habib...jekk tahseb li inti bravu daqshekk biex tifhem fil-finanzi tivvutax...saqsi lil min jifhem imbaghad tkellem
Mr David Ganado
Jan 29th, 09:36
Its pathetic, josephmuscat.com supporters are happy accepting anything their leader says even if he doesn't give full facts and costings to back his proposals, and then rubbish anything coming from the PN, however much facts and figures they are shown.
The PN are far from perfect, but at least they back up their successes and failures with proof, whilst josephmuscat.com only gives pie in the sky!
Jurgen Farrugia
Jan 28th, 18:13
A great initiative...
Eric Bonello
Jan 28th, 17:55
So what's the point for the MLP to go for gas if J.Mizzi knows where the oil is in Malta, it might be cheaper to drill for oil then building a new gas terminal in Malta.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 28th, 18:39
The point is that when drilling especially first time no expert on earth could say that he will find oil or gas.
If gas is found, the material that is predominat in the Medi it would be awesome, but if oil is found then it could be sold and gas both with the money.
Oil would still be in use for other purposes then power stations.
Why do you guys keep making thses silly statements.
Joseph E Briffa
Jan 28th, 17:54
PN has presented a comprehensive 5-year plan with a list of projects & their cost, ests of recurrent costs and revenue.This enables one to forecast budget deficits, surpluses and shows how reduction of the national debt will be tackled.It shows clear thinking and is by far better than the piecemeal and disjointed attempt by Labour. It shows that PN is the only party with serious plans.
Andrew Cumbo
Jan 28th, 18:41
We were supposed to be with a surplus by now, and as far as I know that’s what we were promised by Lawrence Gonzi 5 years ago. It amazes me, how some people believe or try to make others believe that now the PN is going to correct himself for his wrong doings and promises that he is going to do miracles....... Once bitten twice shy.
Joseph Buhagiar
Jan 29th, 01:14
Are you blind. It is the PN who have put forward their proposals piecemeal. Forecast budget deficits when they never met any of their own forecast for reduction in deficit to date to the extent that we now have 5000Million euro debth. Hear that, 5000 million man and going up year on year.
Eric Bonello
Jan 28th, 17:37
where can I download the MLP electoral manifesto from ??? any torrents pls ????, and the energy plan studies which were promised by Konrad. ohh and "the best of gimmicks" manual, I'd love to be able to learn a few gimmicks to impress my boss you'll never know I might get promoted too
Eve Axiaq
Jan 28th, 17:57
Il PL qed johrog mizura kuljum biex jghati lok ghal diskussjoni. Il.programm kollu bil costings se jkun ippubblikat fl-ahhar. Happy?
U x'jiswew il costings over optimistics ta Tonio Fenech meta mar daqshekk zmerc dawn l-ahhar hames snin. Bil fatti tant li ha hasla minghand S& P fuq id-dejn record li ghamel. Apparti li biegh 90% tar rizerva tad deheb ta pajjizna biex forsi itaffi id deficits.
sammy cassar
Jan 28th, 18:27
bicca bicca hiereg. U zgur ghax it is not ready! That is the way Lejber want to govern our country...bil-bicca bicca u bit-tqancit? Ara l-video f'daqqa harguh mhux nofsu!!
M Grima
Jan 28th, 18:44
Buy yourself a radio and each day, you will get PL's proposals accompanied by the relative costings of these same proposals. Your beloved GonziPN has in a three liner told us that expenditure of around €120 million would be raised from a spending efficiency of 2% and efforts against tax evasion
Wild assumptions especially coming from a minister who promised us a surplus in 2010!!!
Joshua De Bono
Jan 28th, 19:08
@ Eve Axiaq.....x' inhu l-iskop li jippublika kollox flahhar???....biex jurina li qed jidhaq bina bhas-soltu??
James Grech
Jan 28th, 17:36
Dr.Gonzi encourages us to believe his plan if re-elected. How can I? I didnt see any explanations in the document. It seems to be a weekend-long bookkeeping exercise, nothing more. Furthermore the projections made, don't consider warnings mentioned by credit rating agencies. What abt reduction of public debt or addressing debts incurred by Enemalta etc. I dont believe in fairytales anymore, do u?
Eric Bonello
Jan 28th, 17:47
So now your voting MLP because in their Electoral manifest everything is so explained and convincing & their energy plan is so feasible and all their studies have been published by Konrad and they will have a better budget then the one they voted against in 2013 and they are so original ...we must be so lucky to have JM leading this country, guess that's were Obama copied his election gimmicks
M Borg
Jan 28th, 17:51
Maybe you can get all the figures that you asked for from and more form the LP energy costings !!
Paul@ Micallef
Jan 28th, 17:26
How about this for another electoral promise. http://www.euronews.com/2013/01/28/xyz-fare-enough-estonians-get-public-transportation-for-free/
emmanuel scicluna
Jan 28th, 17:12
The precision of these people to forecast their future expenses is now legendary. Any effort to convince the people is superfluous to say the least.
Norbert Abela
Jan 28th, 17:07
and the famous question is, from where are you going to get the money??? because the PN always ask JM this question, if this is not a problem for the pn neither will be for the PL. so stop asking stupid question and stop the scaremongering... The difference between JM and LG is that Joseph always explain from where is he going to get the money and if it will affect the tax payers or not...
Joe M Borg
Jan 28th, 17:25
Norbert, you WILL remember that PN were in FAVOUR of EU, and so are getting millions from there. PL was AGAINST EU, but as usual, they HAD to make a U-TURN, and copy PN at the end. And the list of copycatting Pn goes on: VAT; local councils; EU; Euro; 2013 budget; MEP deputy. More recently: tunnel; pipeline; jobs for Gozo; jobs for women; ....My God, PL NEVER tire of copying PN.
Eric Bonello
Jan 28th, 17:29
no need to ask that question to the PN, the PN never predicted gloom and doom. In fact this government always said that the economy was doing well, it's the other side who you should be asking this question too, for 25 years they predicted the end of the world for Malta, so it makes sense now to ask them this questions since they believe the economy is doing that bad.
Neil Dent
Jan 28th, 17:33
Another one who obviously doesn't bother to read anything, at all, not even the PL 'reports' before throwing out uninformed and incorrect comments.
Mr Lawrence Calleja
Jan 28th, 17:00
Mil-kummenti li saru jidher li hafna persuni minflok qed janalizzaw x'qed jinghad b'mod logiku qed joqghodu fuq paroli biss tal-politikanti u l-billboards. Ejja ma nkunux pappagalli u nghamlu dak li jghidulna. Ta' l-anqas s'issa nistaw nghidu biss li ghandna l-costings tal-PN. Pero ghandi tama qawwija li l-PL ser johrog il-costings kompluti tieghu ukoll ghax jekk le, ghazla wahda tal-PN biss jibqa
Norbert Abela
Jan 28th, 17:20
il poplu qieghed jannalizza ibzax fuq il weghdi li saru fit 2008 u li ghadhom ma tweqtux, u fl ahhar mill ahhar mhux il laburisti biss qedghin ibghatu izda l poplu kollu, igifieri llum kullhagdd ghandu mohh biex jahseb... il pl qieghed johrog il proposti naqa naqa u jispjega kollox pass pass...
Eric Bonello
Jan 28th, 17:34
@Norbert Abela,
your analyzing the promises which were not fulfilled by the PN, but we're analyzing the ones that were fulfilled and the scale tips on one side which convince me that this government deserve to be trusted again. just switch on to a different channel on your TV & you'll realize how well we've done under the PN government.
Alex Falzon
Jan 28th, 16:59
The workings are found in the PDF doc
Jonathan Scerri
Jan 28th, 16:36
...and are these the costings? They are more like an overly optimistic price list for the list of promises. No origins of background figures are shown, just the end results. Very easy to do that and get the answer you'd want.
Chris Ellul
Jan 28th, 17:28
Open the PDF file!! you'll get your answers!
joe caruana
Jan 28th, 19:24
I am still waiting for the PL costings to compare with the PN costing to decide to whom I vote. Hoping that the PL publish its costing now as the PN can not copy the PL costings
James Grech
Jan 28th, 16:36
The PN's costings will take time to analyse & verify, if that's at all possible, cause their projections go beyond the immediate future. The PL's costings are being rolled out with each & every proposal. This approach is more comprehensive and somewhat more realistic, in view of the fact that it is common for PN projections to be underestimated & to overrun, usually by 10s of millions or much more
Neil Dent
Jan 28th, 17:03
What's being 'rolled out' exactly, James? They PL just spit out a figure and fail completely to provide explanations as to where the funds are coming from, as the PN has comprehensively done in releasing today's report. The PL are just winging it on the back of current positive polls.
Joe Pace Asciak
Jan 28th, 16:32
U l-programm elettorali tal-MLP? Naf li se tghiduli li l-Father Christmas tal-Labour kellu hafna x’jaghmel jaghtina darhu fuq il-billboards, jiddiriegi team ewlieni, jaqla barra mit-team il-vici captain, idahhal iehor inkiss inkiss, jiddelega certu xoghol biex ma jitlifx il-bjudija tad-daqna, jsahhah alleanzi u mitt haga ohra. Ma triduhx ukoll joqghod jintilef fuq in-numri?
albert galea
Jan 28th, 16:57
Kemm ilek nieqes min Malta. Il PL qed ihabbar il programm kuljum. Kull gurnata proposta gdida. IL pn qata nifsu jikopja.
George Camilleri
Jan 28th, 16:32
I'm puzzled.
Fenech and Gonzi persistenly asked Muscat and Konrad from where will the money come from for the proposed Labour projects, but it seems the PN finds money for its own projects. No sense at all.
That apart, nice electoral programme on the whole, but no whislteblower (obviously) and you've been promising too much for too long with little results, PN. You will be judged
Antonio Pace
Jan 28th, 16:43
Stop being a parrot if you respect yourself. Th Prime Minister said that a new PN Government would continue to implement all laws that were not yet approved by Parliament before it was dissolved. This includes the Whistle-blowers' Act.
W. Cassar
Jan 28th, 16:58
@ Antonio Pace
Promises Promises,more word bending and creative calculating .... I think you should do yourself a favour and stop being a sheep.
Neil Dent
Jan 28th, 17:05
See that's the difference. The PN have just shown you, with all statistics out in the open for scrutiny, where the money is coming from. That's where the PL has failed, unless we accept 'investment from the private sector' as being a credible foundation on which to vote them into power.
George Camilleri
Jan 28th, 18:59
@ Antonio Pace
I do respect myself, enough to take the whole picture into consideration and not just what one party states. But it seems you're unable to see that.
It's true that Gonzi asked several times where will the money be coming from, but it seems for now money isn't really a problem for him.
My point is: too little, too late, it's been 15 years now. A lot of damage has been done already
Eve Axiaq
Jan 28th, 16:24
Tonio Fenech's projections are based on far too rosy a picture of economic growth. And economic growth in itself is not enough to reduce deficits if you are going to act like a father christmas. You need spending cuts or tax increases. But of course these can always be announced later after the election if they ever get elected.
These are typical classic political assumptions!
Joe M Borg
Jan 28th, 17:26
Eve, if PN plans are rosy, what are PL plans? Probably Grimm's fairytales.
Anna Camilleri
Jan 28th, 17:35
again... And where are the PL's costings Eve???
Andre Briffa
Jan 28th, 16:22
Well done PN. Why won't PL publish their costings?? WHAT ARE THEY HIDING??
Eric Bonello
Jan 28th, 17:43
they have nothing to show except blue ties and PN 2013 budget which they voted against,
Henry S Pace
Jan 28th, 16:21
Some journalists do not know what they are talking about.
Going for Press Conferences with questions written by somebody else
Mr. M. Camilleri
Jan 28th, 16:17
mur emmnek!!!!
surplus ???
smart city????
income tax???
white rocks???
arriva???
bla bla bla
u aktar . .. .
Eric Bonello
Jan 28th, 17:41
@M. Camilleri,
if you believe the MLP energy plan you'll believe in everything MR Camilleri, even in fairy tale stories that's how pathetic you & your party are.
Mr. M. Camilleri
Jan 28th, 20:12
@ERIC BONELLO
To tell you the truth i had a party 5 years ago . . . i voted for the promises i listed . . . guess what?
I have nothing to lose to vote PL not MLP or LEJBER as many PN bloggers are calling PL to ridicule it!
I have had enough of this ARROGANCE and YES will vote PL for the 1ST TIME!
I might be mistaken, but its worth the try seeing the state of the PN.
Mr Lawrence Calleja
Jan 28th, 16:10
Issa li ghandi quddiemi iz-zewg proposti mill-PN u l-PL nista niddeciedi ahjar min minnhom hu l-aktar kredibbli u x'ser ikun l-ahjar ghall pajjiz qabel nivvota. Xtaqt li jkolli ukoll il-costings u minfejn ser jigu l-flus fir-rigward ta' l-MLP. Pero s'sissa dan ghadu ma sarx.
Norbert Abela
Jan 28th, 17:12
int bis serjeta qieghed titkellem loool? jekk tisma il konferenzi tal PL tinduna li waqt li jkun qieghed jispjega jghid ukoll min fejn ha jigu l flus, jekk mhux bl ghajnuna tal privat jew ikunu proposti li bihom se jdahhal il gvern specjalment fl incentivi biex jidhlu iktar nisa fid dinja tax xoghol ghax dawn ovjament ha jibdew ihallsu t taxxa etc etc...
Victor Laiviera
Jan 28th, 16:00
Under the PN, the separation between Party and Government has disappeared completely.
Jan Vella
Jan 28th, 15:57
Can I send in my Christmas Wishlist from now ?
N. Bugeja
Jan 28th, 16:37
Mela le! L-indirizz: Muscat J., Mile End Street, Ħamrun
mario gellel
Jan 28th, 15:56
X'MERAVILJA TA NIES !!!!!!! TWO WEEKS TO COME UP WITH A 5 TO 10 YEAR COUNTRY'S STRATEGIC PROGRAM. AND ONLY 3 DAYS TO DO IT'S COSTING.
NO WONDER HE CALLED US "CUCC MALTI ", CAUSE THEY COME FROM A DIFFERENT PLANET !!!!
George Cutajar
Jan 28th, 15:50
The stark difference between the PN and www.josephmuscat.com (oops the MLP , no sorry was it PL or was the Moviment tal-Progressivi u u/jew moderati u/jew liberali).
Now let us see the costings of Labour's energy policy and evaluate. Is it so hard to publish or are does the PL treat us like children who are unable to reach a reasoned opinion.
R Casha
Jan 28th, 16:00
Be patient with PL to issue their costings...as you were with PN awaiting their manifest to be published...oops not only but also the 2008 promises that never came true....you must be really patient....!!
Freddie Micallef
Jan 28th, 16:01
taf min jistmana ta tfal sur cutajar ,min weghdna elf haga u ma ghamilx mija milli wettaq u int taf daqsi anzi hafna drabi aghmel il kontra ta dak li wieghed..jekk tridni nibda insemmilek mihiex problema.
B.C. Borg
Jan 28th, 16:06
@George
Stark difference ehh!!
So Mr. Fenech takes a long time to present the annual budget and now in less than a week presents, let us say a long term budget.
This does not hold water.
Neil Dent
Jan 28th, 17:10
R Casha - it may have escaped your notice in your blind rush to attack all things PN, but just FYI - the Labour Party have NOT published their electoral programme as yet. Three weeks in, and counting.
Karmenu Vella has been working on it for many months now, we're told.......or has he?
A J Rose
Jan 28th, 18:10
Mr Dent... you never know, the PL might get some more ideas now that the PN have published their manifest and costings.
But obviously the PL want us to be patient.
Victor Laiviera
Jan 28th, 15:49
Is this an electoral manifesto or a new Budget?
Is the PN trying to do what it failed to do in Parliament?
Joe Tabone
Jan 28th, 15:45
PN with the costings of their electoral programme but LABOUR don't even have an electoral programme. What have they been doing after ALL these years in Opposition?
Joe Vella
Jan 28th, 15:49
Waiting for the PN to write it for them like the budget
.
Joe Tabone
Jan 28th, 15:44
So after another 5 years in Opposition, this time under the leadership of J Muscat, LABOUR can only come up with a flimsy Energy Proposal that is not even backed by costings. ALL experts are still awaiting the detailed reports to evaluate this proposal...........why the delay? Where's the PL electoral programme??
Mr B Vella
Jan 28th, 15:42
But the reality is one the Majority of the Maltese want change in direction !!!!!
Francis Deguara
Jan 28th, 15:41
What was the Public Service's input in all this? And why is Tonio Fenech presenting this costing exercise instead of the Secretary General? Is there any hint of separation between the PN as a party and the Government? Is this not abuse of the power of incumbency?
anthony sultana
Jan 28th, 15:40
All this iceing on the cake, but on the inside that counts Mr. finance minister.Please let me help you a bit,6,000,000,000. euros in debt, 365,000,000. euros in interest every year, 200,000,000.euros deficit,in almost every buget,We the people are loaded with debt [loans] ,well and you come with all this gifts just to win the election,NO WAY we are intelligent enough to see a BIG HOFRA.
Anthony Scicluna
Jan 28th, 16:05
No one forced you into loan arrangements. As far as I know, the bank will allow you a loan only if you can afford it. Government is not your nanny. You are fully responsible for your own spend and making sure you have enough money to cover your lifestyle. If you cannot afford it, don't buy it. MLP's hofra is bigger because they promise cuts on taxes without showing how they're getting the money
Etienne Borg
Jan 28th, 15:40
Why both parties the PN & PL are only telling us what they are going to give us….better they tell us what we are going to give them back for all these wealthy proposals
P Debattista
Jan 28th, 15:44
Very well said.
Richard Caruana
Jan 28th, 15:30
All these boofoons trying to deride the PN on this initiative had better download the PDF and have a good look. All is clearly explained in graphs and tables.
If only the PL could do the same we can then start to believe about the reduction in power tariffs. Not to mention all the other promises being branded about.
Give credit where it is due. This is more than any other party has done so far.
Gorg Borg
Jan 28th, 16:29
Dont care about books, graphs and tables unless they are implemented. There are some (many) things which were promised and not done. And even promised and wrongly implemented. Between the words and the facts, there is a big open space.
JOHN WHITE
Jan 28th, 18:45
At least there are some details and words on the other side PL did not mention a single page of explanation.
Victor Pulis
Jan 28th, 15:11
The €1,000 pension account for newborns would cost €4m per year
How can this sum be worked out since we do not know how many babies will be born?!
Adrian Zahra
Jan 28th, 15:24
Like the solar panels scheme, it will be applicable to the first 4,000 children born :)
John Lusignan
Jan 28th, 15:25
Seriously what kind of question is that?!! Its an estimate based on historic statistics and demographic trends.
Joe Vella
Jan 28th, 15:57
Victor, I for one would not expect any better from the Gloom and Doom Crowd which you are part of. Malta will not start to exist as of March 10th, 2013. Statistics are there, it is quite simple to make assumptions based on the birth rates over the last years. Unless Joseph Muscat after March 10, is going to fertile every women in Malta and then we are going to have a Baby Boom.
R Casha
Jan 28th, 15:04
"aim of achieving a balanced budget by 2015-16"...Déjà vu!!
an old promise that was not achieved...come on! We aren't that "cwiec" Fenech...as much as you think Maltese are....gone are those days!
T Zara
Jan 28th, 14:56
Tonio's projections? Nostradamus!
J Micallef
Jan 28th, 14:49
Hopefully no more gimmicks from either party, and no more "incentives" financed by tax payers who like me would get nothing out of them.
Michael Magri
Jan 28th, 14:43
Bir-rispett kollu Sur Ministru..
Jiena nissuspetta li hafna minn dawn il-figuri propabbilment gew `ivvintati` b`ghagla sfurzata minhabba l-esigenzi tal-mument, (jigifieri, l-elezzjoni generali), biex taparsi tkunu ghidtu xi haga, biex minghalikom forsi tbellghu xi ftit ross bill-labra lil xi `Cuc` jew beccun Malti..!!
Antonella Briffa
Jan 28th, 15:17
Michael, il labour qed iffajjar il proposti u ma qalx il costings . ilkom tant takkuzaw il pn li m'ghandux costings? din hi t trasparenza li qed jghajjat biha Muscat??? Fejnhom il costing tal PL ??? Mela min hareg il costings ma temmnux, u min ma harighomx temmnu b'ghajnejh maghluqin! Arukaza!
Kevin Spiteri
Jan 28th, 14:42
Kulhadd qed jipproponielna affarijiet sbieh u sahansitra qed jghidulna l-proposti u kemm se jigu jiswew. Jistghu ukoll jghidulna kemm se jizdiedu t-taxxi INDIRETTI?
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 28th, 14:40
Tonio Fenech can we believe that the PN aim is to achieving a balanced budget by 2015-16 ??
While the whole nation knows that in 25 years the PN never succeeded to balance not even one budget ??
the only thing the pn knows to do is govern by debit !!!
R. Aquilina
Jan 28th, 14:38
And all these costings were done over the week-end , and the PL took three years to sort out their costings.
No contest , the PN will walk all over the PL in the election with this rate of efficiency .
Caroline McAlister
Jan 28th, 14:37
Instead of introducing computer tablets for school children, the money could have been spent to help children with learning difficulties to have the necessary help to be able to sit for their MATSEC Examinations. All these talents are lost and being lost due to some narrow minded people. And yet the Prime Minister is trying to encourage children to interest themselves more in the Scientific field.
Andrew Camilleri
Jan 28th, 14:36
Unbelievable these people. Do you really believe that you are going to fool us again.Meet you on 9th March.
Jason Borg
Jan 28th, 14:36
How can we believe you Dr fenech ? you promised a balanced budget by 2010, instead the only only thing you did was making a higher defcit ! you try to shelter in the economic crisis , and blame it for everything, however every one know that leyman brothers went bankrupt in 2007 and it was obvious that a crisis would be hitting since other countries was already hit. You tried to fool us in 2008
Etienne Bonanno
Jan 28th, 15:10
1. Lehman declared bankruptcy in 2008 (at 1:45am on September 15 to be exact)
2. Everything is obvious with hindsight.
3. The deficit did decrease, even if not as much as everyone had hoped. At the very least it was kept at acceptable levels by EU standards and quite a bit less than a lot of other EU member states who were hit by the economic crisis.
Jason Borg
Jan 28th, 15:14
You have lost the credebility of the country Dr. Fenech , time to step down like Austin Gatt.
Jason Borg
Jan 28th, 18:55
Etienne Bonano, Fenech promised a balanced budget, It was the most important promise for me and he failed it, Instead he made a higher deficit, Leyman brothers had already lost many money in bad debts in 2007 and everyone new it was going bad, same method, hiding after facts.... Malta before 2008 had very good financial standards by the EU , in 2013 malta lost almost all of them ...
Joe Bonanno
Jan 28th, 22:22
@E Bonanno
Finance ministers are judged by their track record or lack thereof. After so many missed projections and pie in the sky economics what makes you believe that anyone is taking Tonio seriously now? In fact, the PN has been unable to deliver a single balanced budget, amassed a huge debt AND squandered the billion euros that the MLP left them in 1987. Hardly people you can trust.
anthony sultana
Jan 28th, 14:30
After too much nice talk, you fail to tell us how the people with the minimum wage are going to survive.I make 165 euros a week,which is enough for food, and for the running cost of my car,but not for my rent, I need 50 euros a week, so the future dose'nt look good Mr Minister,also need 10 euros a week for the water and electricity bill.What I am going to do when I need some thing new for basic nd
A Trapani
Jan 28th, 14:44
.. strange how with 165 euros a week you can pay rent, own a car and maintain it, pay utility & internet bills to be able to post comments here. You are complaining and at the same time, you can keep the above "luxury" with 165 euro a week... guess cost of living is not that bad here then. If you're 50 euros under, maybe you should look out for a better job or a part-time and not beg for miracles
Matthew Micallef
Jan 28th, 14:50
take a part time course, further your education and get a better job. Stop asking for handouts and see what YOU can do to improve your situation
jm busuttil
Jan 28th, 14:54
@Anthony Sultana
Who do you think you are kidding Min wage earner as if.
From your writing you look quite intelligent to get quite a better job.. If not veru ghazzien.
S Portelli
Jan 28th, 15:02
and we pay the taxes for you. do like Mr.micallef told you to do
Mr Mark Borh
Jan 28th, 15:11
Just like everyone else you need to work hard to survive Mr. Sultana.
Anthony Scicluna
Jan 28th, 15:16
Either your calculations are completely off or you have a very expensive lifestyle. It is impossible to spend so much on food and a car in any single week.
Neil Dent
Jan 28th, 16:00
anthony sultana - the current gov't has introduced many incentives aimed at allowing low-wage earners, and also the unemployed to study, train or re-train, and they will even pay you to do €25 a week so in certain cases. The aim is obviously to help the individual to improve himself and his status.
Those who CHOOSE not to help themselves can blame nobody but themselves and their idleness.
Paul Gauci
Jan 28th, 14:30
Tonio Fenech's projections? Should I laugh or cry???
Leonard Brincat
Jan 28th, 14:14
Wara il falliment li kellek fil finanzi b6,000,000,000 dejn ..Ma nafx min jista jemnek u jafdak
Nicholas Borg
Jan 28th, 14:27
Kull pajjiz ghandu d-dejn, l-importanti huwa r-relazzjoni bejn id-dejn u dak li jipproduci l-pajjiz. Malta qegheda fil-parametri mitluba mill EU.
D. Ellul
Jan 28th, 14:32
I sure trust the PN party and not Joseph Muscat party
Franco Abela
Jan 28th, 14:52
@Nicholas Borg
Mhux hekk. Bhallikieku id dejn se jigi mahfur. Mela allura intellawh 10 biljuni u naghmlu hafna incentivi biex nigu inkar kompetittivi!
R Casha
Jan 28th, 15:08
@ Nicholas Borg
So as long as we are in EU's parameters, we are fine?! We can be much much better with an accountable and responsible government...and that's the whole point. Not where we are, but where are we supposed to be!
Re debt, keep in mind the tens of thousands being paid for just the interests...
Keith Davis
Jan 28th, 14:08
So while mentioning the European economics' turmoil back in 2008 the PM and his finance Minister declared a balanced budget by 2010. Just a few days ago the PM said this will be reached in 2015, but just during today's speech the finance Minister is quoting 2015-2016!
That is 6 years later than the first declared date, and I still do not believe it. There will be other things to blame fault.
Eve Axiaq
Jan 28th, 14:05
Dan l-istess Tonio Fenech li mar zmerc fid deficits ta dawn l-ahhar hames snin u d-dejn spara 'l fuq? Tant li issa kellu hasla minghand S&P!
Min irid jibla ha jibla.
Manwel Sinagra
Jan 28th, 16:17
Ara meta qatt ibbilancja budget. 5 snin ftit.
Mark. Galea
Jan 28th, 13:55
U tal-MLP jahbu r-rapporti fuq is-600 miljun tal-power station il-gdida li ma ghandniex bzonn.
Eve Axiaq
Jan 28th, 14:30
Almenu r-rapport tal PL nafu bih. Mhux bhal rapporti ta l-Enemalta li hbewhom ghal snin shah u huma ffinanzjati mit-taxxi taghna. U Joseph Muscat qed jghidilkhom jekk intomx certi li hrigtu r-rapporti kollha.
Paul Gauci
Jan 28th, 14:32
Mark the total cost of the PL's proposal is 376 million as established by DNV Kema.
The 600 million you're mentioning is a distortion of facts by the gonzipn lying machine. Try another spin.
Anthony Lee Baldacchino
Jan 28th, 14:33
Dak tghidu int. Jien rajtu r-rapport fuq 200miljun inqas milli IVVINTAJT INT
M. Spiteri
Jan 28th, 14:33
hahahahahah Mark...hahahahah
M Gatt
Jan 28th, 14:44
And the private sector will pay most of the 200m not the government!
B. Theuma
Jan 28th, 15:05
Din tas-600 miljun ivvintaha l-partit tieghek biex jaghti l-impressjoni li dan il-progett huwa gimmick. Fil-verita' DNV Kema stmat il-progett ghal €370 miljun, u din hi l-istess kumpanija li kienet tqabbdet mill-gvern ghal konsultazzjoni fuq l-estensjoni tal-power station ta' Delimara. Irridu naraw x'ser naghmlu mill-aktar fis possibli, ma nistghux inkomplu inhallu l-Enemalta teghreq aktar.
Gilbert Busuttil
Jan 28th, 15:21
@Anthony Lee
Thanks...since YOU saw it I can rest my mind that it's true then. Enough of the BS. The PN published costings. In future you can argue against that. The PL published nothing so far, except what they plan to do. As to how they will be financed is somewhat "commercially sensitive".. Bah!
john muscat
Jan 28th, 15:25
Ahseb u ara kemm ma ghandniex bzonn parlament iehor u teatru bla saqaf!!!!!!!!!
Antonella Briffa
Jan 28th, 15:41
Mhux hekk l -ahwa imbaghad inhalsu ghal kontijiet! ghax la shipping costs u lanqas il prezz li ser jiccargja l privat ma nafu! fejnu l istar candidate Konrad Mizzi?Diga nheba?
Please choose the reason of your report below: