A Nationalist government would ensure that elderly persons receive all medicine they needed for free, it would increase old age pensions and exempt them from income tax, as well as lower tax rates on dividends for pensioners, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said this morning.

Speaking during a brief telephone link on Radio 101, the PN leader reiterated his commitment made during last Tuesday’s Independence mass meeting to fight poverty.

“Despite having a booming economy, official data released a few days ago confirmed that those living in poverty have increased since the PL came to power. This makes one wonder if the wealth being created is being distributed among a selected few,” he said.

He noted that poverty had especially increased among those aged 65 years and over.

Dr Busuttil also pledged to reverse the increase in social housing rent rates introduced by this government as well as State subsidies for those renting private accommodation.

“Paying €500 a month is not financially viable for people on the minimum wage,” he said.

Commenting on the traffic situation he said the government had no road map at all, and only started moving when the PN rolled out its proposals.

After not taking on board the short-term recommendations issued by the party earlier this year, following the PN's proposals on Tuesday, the government all of a sudden announced that it was conducting a study on the viability of a tram.

The PN leader said that this form of transport or a light rail could be connected to a tunnel linking Malta and Gozo, if the latter project was viable.

“However, three years down the line the only initiative taken by the government in this regard is to announce its intention to carry a geological study…. This government has no vision on transport,” he said.

In his comments, Dr Busuttil also reacted to the Archbishop’s strong words in favour of good governance during the Independence Day pontifical Mass.

“This was the most direct and important declaration ever by a Maltese archbishop… this was not directed at the Opposition but the government” Dr Busuttil said.

The archbishop highlighted the divisive policies and decisions being taken by this administration, political spin and disregard for the environment, he added.

“Politicians must heed the archbishop’s warning and the PN is embracing such values,” Dr Busuttil concluded.