Labour deputy leader Michael Falzon yesterday criticised the government for failing to renew thousands of identity cards which have expired over the past three years.
Speaking during a party activity in Zebbug, Dr Falzon said that although the government boasted of being state of the art, it was not capable of renewing ID cards, adding that the Nationalist government itself was well past its expiry date.
It was shameful that a significant chunk of the Maltese population were carrying expired ID cards, especially since Malta had joined the Schengen area.
Although this meant that people could travel within the area without a passport, they might well be able to leave Malta but would probably be sent back when they tried to enter another country with an expired document, he said. He also complained that voters would turn up at polling booths with an expired ID card, adding that government has long been playing around with the election date.
This was a year of change and of new beginnings, he said.
The MLP's annual general conference, to be held in two weeks' time, would be important for three reasons: It would be the last annual general conference before the election; it would be the conference during which Alfred Sant would return to the helm of the party; and it would discuss three motions that showed the party's commitment, courage and will.
He said many civil servants were being made to fear their future if the MLP wins the upcoming election, but Labour would offer these employees bigger opportunities to contribute toward the country's economy.
Deputy leader Charles Mangion said despite attempts to curb medicine prices, the cost of some 40 pharmaceuticals had gone up between October and December, some up to 84 per cent.
He said someone on vacation in Italy had bought a respiratory medicine for €2 (86c) less than it is sold in Malta. This was happening because the government was incompetent in the face of abuse, which was taking place because of lack of control.
He said an MLP government would set up a price-monitoring structure and would name and shame those caught abusing.
Eurostat figures published last week, he said, showed that Malta was the only EU country whose economy had shrunk between April and September.
The government was leaving behind a deficit of €3.490 billion (Lm1.5 billion), despite making €1.164 billion (Lm500 million) more from taxes in the past three years.
Moreover, the government was given a lump sum of €260 million (Lm112 million) from the EU, which according to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has not been associated to any particular project but simply incorporated in the government's income. The MLP promised to spend public money in an accountable and transparent manner, said Dr Mangion.
MLP health spokesman Michael Farrugia said Labour would analyse current work practices at local hospitals, including Mater Dei. He said the move to the new hospital took place without the necessary human resources.
The MLP in government would work to cut waiting lists by 15 per cent every year, he pledged.