Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this morning drew contrasts in Simon Busuttil's actions after critical reports issued by the Auditor General against Konrad Mizzi and Chris Said.
Speaking in a brief One Radio interview, Dr Muscat said the Opposition leader had wanted Dr Mizzi's head after the Auditor General last year said the minister had interfered in oil hedging - even though this meant better prices for Maltese motorists. (See http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150309/local/updated-oil-hedging-with-azeri-company-on-ministerial-direction-nao.559219 )
In contrast, Dr Busuttil was believing Chris Said and taking no action against him even though the Auditor General last week said the former Nationalist minister interfered in the allocation of funds for local councils, a matter which, Dr Muscat said, involved millions. The auditor had shown he did not believe Dr Said, but Dr Busuttil seemed to do so.
Dr Muscat said Dr Busuttil's different ways of doing things could be seen elsewhere as well. He wanted heads to roll over mere allegations against some people, but then did not act against his MP Toni Bezzina, who had lost a libel case where it was alleged that he ordered government workers to work in a PN club during working hours.
He had also reinstated the Nationalist Mayor of Victoria, Gozo, even though he was found guilty of drink driving.
THE PEOPLE AND RATING AGENCIES CONFIRMING ECONOMIC GROWTH
Dr Muscat said both the ordinary people and the rating agencies were confirming that the Maltese economy was growing.
The people could feel the change in their pockets through big and small government measures, such as the reduction of electricity and water tariffs, and stability in fuel prices, and minor things such as reducing the price of school uniforms, Dr Muscat said.
At the same time, agencies such as Standard and Poors were reporting the same thing and projecting a good outlook for Malta. ( http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160708/local/sp-affirms-maltas-positive-outlook-as-it-says-brexit-impact-will-be.618168 )
Malta now had one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union, with the fastest growing labour force and record low unemployment, Dr Muscat said.
The government was determined to keep up the momentum, but now that the economy was strong, it would also focus on better distribution of wealth for those who worked hard and those who genuinely could not work, such as the sick, the prime minister said.
PN REACTION: KONRAD MIZZI INTERFERENCE COST COUNTRY €14m
In a reaction, the Nationalist Party pointed out that Konrad Mizzi's interference in oil hedging had cost the country a loss of €14 million. That interference took place at the same time as Dr Mizzi was opening a secret company in Panama.
The PN also noted that according to the auditor report, Dr Said had not discriminated among the local councils. In contrast, the auditor's report showed discrimination by the present government among local councils. It gave 86% of available funds to Labour-run councils, while PN councils only got 14 per cent.