Back in 2004, the government pompously announced it was setting up the Consumer Affairs Council. It was undoubtedly a welcome development and the cornerstone of the Consumer Protection Act. The government lauded itself and a then Parliamentary Secretary stressed the importance of this council within the context of development that brought our legislation in line with EU rules.

Transposing laws is easy. Implementing them is a bit trickier especially if there is not a clear political commitment in that particular sector.

The Consumers Affairs Council was given a three-year mandate which expired in 2007. More than a year has gone by and no new council was appointed.

Has the government forgot taking such a basic step as appointing a council, which it professed being so important? Or are we just seeing the government's true colours when it comes to consumer protection? Or maybe there is some sort of agreement the public was not informed about?

The government needs to answer on other issues related to consumer protection. Almost two years ago it had reacted to repeated calls to do something to curb the rising costs of medicines by announcing the creation of a commission to monitor these prices.

Good.

The only problem is that this commission has not met for more than a year.

This is simply unacceptable.

How can we take the government seriously when it fails to fulfil such basic commitments?

Brussels gave the Maltese government until the end of last March to overhaul the archaic vehicle registration tax. This deadline was not met.

The government initially spent three years arguing against such a change in the face of a campaign I led on this issue. It had a change of heart only when faced with the Commission's ultimatum. It then included the change as a pledge in its electoral manifesto even if it was evident that any government which would have been elected would have to change the tax structure.

After missing the March deadline - which might be understandable given the general election - we were told that the new system would be announced by the end of June.

Again, nothing happened.

Faced with increasing pressure, the Finance Minister made a statement in Parliament briefly outlining the principles of the new system. This was followed with the publication of a document stating the obvious and which did very little to reduce the uncertainty that the Association of Car Importers and the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises -GRTU say has been created.

It now seems that the new tax system will be announced during the next budget speech.

Let us just hope that the long wait will be worthwhile and that the reform is not just an exercise in cosmetics politics.

It is high time the conservative elements in our society wake up to the stark reality that our country needs to move on. I am more than convinced that time is ripe for progressives and moderates to come together and start shaping a new Malta.

Progressives and moderates can no longer tolerate the idea that our Malta is one of just two countries in the world where people are still being denied the civil right of divorce. I have already pledged to move a Bill to introduce divorce.

It would of course help a great deal if the Prime Minister spelt out his position clearly on divorce.

There are other issues we need to tackle, such as civil partnerships between two people who live together.

This legislation is long overdue and I hope that this conservative government finds the courage to move at least on this issue without further prompting.

What is a progressive society?

I believe that such a society is one that gives everyone the opportunity to fulfil and surpass one's aspirations.

It is a society that unleashes potential and faces challenges with a long-term vision rather than in perpetual crisis management mode.

It is a society where effort is rewarded.

When I met the athletes and officials who will represent Malta in the Olympics, I expressed my concern that the Maltese public might once again be denied the opportunity to see footage of the events in which our athletes will be involved.

PBS has now announced that it will be showing the events.

Well done!

Dr Muscat is leader of the Malta Labour Party and a member of the European Parliament.

www.josephmuscat.com