Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat yesterday promised that a future Labour government would introduce measures to help those sectors of society which the Budget had ignored and would remove the income tax for minimum wage earners.

In reply to the Budget speech, Dr Muscat said that if the Budget was not approved by the House, the blame would rest squarely on the Prime Minister’s shoulders. Lawrence Gonzi knew for months that this situation could develop, but he kept ploughing ahead. Labour appreciated that certainty was crucial for investment and would therefore retain the Budget measures, including the revenue-raising measures.

However, the Opposition would vote against the Budget because this was a confidence vote and the Opposition had no confidence in the Government,

But there was no need for people to be concerned that if the Budget was not approved in Parliament the benefits and cost-of-living allowance would not be handed out. Ways could be found for the benefits and the raise to be given immediately – in the same way as the revenue-raising measures came into force immediately. But if the Government did not do so, a Labour government would do so retroactively from January 1.

Dr Muscat insisted that the country needed a change of direction, ideas and system for economic growth, better living and education standards, reduced utility bills, more jobs, better use of taxpayers’ money and a freer society.

Although people could disagree, they could still work with a Labour government. Change could not be achieved by simply changing faces with the same people dictating behind the scenes.

Labour would be prudent in its electoral campaign because it did not want an electoral battle but a future that united the country.

A Labour government would bring certainty and stability; the best days for Malta were yet to come. Labour, which was the natural home for people of liberal thinking, promoted social mobility and meritocracy.

Dr Muscat said that the electorate had to choose between the politics of fear and hope for moving forward. He accused the Government of creating division while Labour wanted unity.

He listed numerous reasons why the Opposition had no confidence in the Government, including higher utility costs, wrong decisions taken in respect of the BWSC power station, inefficient and arrogant management by ARMS Ltd, failed promises to Air Malta, Go, Drydocks employees and public transport workers, hospital waiting lists and out of stock medicines, political interference in cancer cases and lack of action for persons with special needs for independent living.

Were it not for the Opposition’s objections, the Government would have had parking lots privatised by a particular company. Port costs meant expenses for consumers increased even though port workers lowered their tariffs.

The public transport reform was a complete failure, with the Government entering into a secret agreement with Arriva to pay a further €18 million to the company for executing changes in bus routes: €5 million in subsidies were to be paid in 2014. €11million in subsidies to Arriva were to be paid this year and more would be paid next year. Dr Muscat called for an investigation into this agreement.

The traffic warden system became a racket for the benefit of the few. The Government failed to change laws which were declared null by local and European courts, mismanaged the prisons and did not provide the necessary resources to put the parole system into practice.

Its policy to reduce parking spaces in Valletta led to less commercial activity. The Government also failed to protect same sex couples, hindering equality before the law. The Opposition did not have confidence in the Government also because of lack of accountability at Wasteserv and creation of a landfill at Għallis next to the Magħtab plant. It also deceived youngsters with the promise of 7,000 Smart City jobs.

The Government had no will to curb bureaucracy. It had let PBS become a partisan tool and distinguished between Labour, genuine Nationalists and those forming a small clique in Government.

He said that taxpayers would have to pay €3.7 million as rent for the new parliamentary building and another €1.7 million for the open air theatre.

Dr Muscat said that Mepa was in a worse state than in 2008 with its credibility being less than zero. Although it was supposed to be the environmental watchdog, its chairman admitted that the authority’s statements had to be cleared by the Office of the Prime Minister before publication. Its debts had doubled this year to €17 million despite the fact increased tariffs and fines were being imposed savagely.

He said the measures on property tax were positive but called on the Government to clarify details on succession to avoid speculation.

The Wasteserv reform had also failed and Dr Muscat called on Minister George Pullicino to resign after the Auditor General found that a €1million contract ended up costing €29 million without any approval. The private audit firm had reported being threatened by the minister’s secretary if it did not withdraw certain negative remarks made in its annual report. He called on police to investigate the matter.

Dr Muscat promised that a future Labour government would give priority to passing a Whistleblower’s Act.

It was Labour’s aim to have a hospital where one was taken care of better and in less time. A mediocre government and lack of planning led to shortcomings at Mater Dei Hospital resulting in the need for a rehabili-tation hospital.

Nothing had been heard from the Government after it had said that it was urgent to sign the contract to acquire St Philip’s Hospital.

He criticised the cuts in funds for breast screening adding that only €75,000 had been earmarked to launch the IVF process. The Auditor General confirmed mismanagement in the health sector.

No action had been taken a year after a report on precarious conditions for health workers had been published. Nothing was heard about the Pakistani nurses despite allegations that a public official had interviewed them at the contractor’s office.

Dr Muscat said that a Labour government would find the necessary resources to realise the community home project for disabled persons.

(For a full report on how the speech developed see http://www.timesofmalta.com)