Joseph Muscat's slogan of a "New Season" may have deceived some into believing that he would make a genuine effort to translate his slogans into actions. The government's attitude towards the Opposition, especially by the appointment of George Abela to the country's highest office, should have also facilitated Dr Muscat's endeavours in detaching his politics from those of Labour's recent past.
However, it is unfortunate that in the moment of truth, Labour wavered and mounted a whole controversy in Parliament over the date of a particular debate on the proposed extension to St John's Co-Cathedral, after the House Business Committee had actually established the House's schedule.
It follows that the Prime Minister had to propose a Procedural Motion which should ensure that House business is not affected by Labour's intransigence and immaturity. The people deserve much better from its representatives. January 31.
One billion...and still counting
At the moment I am attending the UN High Level Meeting for Food Security for All in Madrid. The figures that I heard during yesterday's session are alarming. Because of soaring food prices, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) had to include another 30 million people in its food aid activities. This means that the number of hungry people in the world continued to increase - today there are one billion suffering from hunger and another two billion suffering malnutrition. In Kenya alone at the moment 10 million people risk dying of hunger.
During his address, the FAO director-general Jacques Diouf highlighted the fact that investment in the agricultural sector over the last 20 years has been constantly decreasing. WFP executive director Josette Sheeran said that after the trillions spent to help those on Wall Street and Main Street, spending "five billion dollars for the places with no streets to make sure that the most severe human suffering does not happen" is a paltry amount by comparison.
In an affluent society like ours, how often do we pause to think about all this? It is true that we have a society that helps missionary groups, but are we doing enough to help? Are we exposing our children to these realities so that they can appreciate what they've got and learn to become more altruistic? January 27.
A living monument
Whenever a close acquaintance passes away, I prefer to send a note saying that I will be planting a tree as part of the 34U campaign, instead of sending a bunch of flowers that will wilt and die after a couple of days. Yesterday afternoon, I invited relatives of friends of mine, who passed away recently, to plant a tree at Salina Park in remembrance of their loved ones. It was a touching and moving ceremony, where every family also attached a wooden tag to the tree, bearing the name of the dearly departed. January 25.
More clean energy from waste
Yesterday morning we launched the first revision of the National Strategy for Solid Waste Management that was published in 2001. Since then, great advances had been registered and it was fitting that the revised strategy was presented at the Waste Recycling Plant at Sant' Antnin.
We have set up facilities like the engineered landfills at Għallis and the thermal treatment facility at Marsa, and modernised the recycling plant at Sant'Antnin. Moreover, we introduced the bring-in sites, the civic amenity sites and the Irricikla t-Tlieta kerbside collection.
The revised national strategy document embodies a clear vision and concrete proposals to maximise energy from the waste we generate. We do not wish to "go it alone". On the contrary, we are initiating a wide process of consultation to ensure a national consensus. The document can be viewed at http://www.wastestragey.gov.mt and one can also submit feedback online. January 24.
Old problems, new hope
Yesterday, I was invited by the American Ambassador to watch history in the making as Barack Obama, the first Afro-American President, took the oath of office as the 44th US President.
Only time will tell if the Obama administration will be a successful one or not. What is certain is that the new President has the backing of the nation. He has set very high targets for himself; the eyes of the world are on him and will be passing judgement. I was struck by the importance he gave to the environment in his augural address where he pledged his government's commitment to regard, with renewed vigour, America's responsibilities relating to climate change and investment in alternative energy sources.
To date, Mr Obama has shown that he is capable of swimming against the current. As he himself said, yesterday, the Presidential oath of office was taken by an Afro-American who, just 60 years ago, would not even have been allowed to dine at a restaurant! One hopes that four years from now, Mr Obama will not just be a goal-oriented President but will also be a President who was true to his word and realised the ambitions of the American people and of the world. Good luck! January 21.
Mr Pullicino is Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs.
http://www.georgepullicino.blogspot.com