A new PN government would establish an independent watchdog for public finances, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced yesterday.

This entity would ensure that the spending and revenue of any administration would remain within the established parameters and EU rules.

Speaking during a dialogue meeting in Mtarfa yesterday evening, Dr Gonzi cited the PN’s publication of the cost of implementing its electoral programme, saying it was the first ever party to give a precise breakdown of how much each and every one of its electoral measures would cost.

“We are a responsible party and want to continue to strengthen our public finances,” Dr Gonzi said.

“Labour have been promising everything to everyone and will wipe out all the progress Malta managed to make in the past years,” he warned.

A PN government would also insert into the Constitution an article stipulating that every future government would have to move towards a balanced budget – something already required under a recent EU agreement.

A re-elected PN government would also continue to concentrate on the creation of more jobs.

“Our aim is to create 25,000 new jobs in the next legislature as this will be the only way forward to continue to sustain a healthy standard of living,” he said.

One of the main focuses of the next government would be making it easier for women to enter the job market and that was why a PN administration would be dedicating a €25 million voucher system to the provision of free childcare services for those parents working or furthering their studies.