The Nationalist Party pledged more sweeping tax cuts in its electoral manifesto published last night, as well as proposals to increase transparency and accountability in the public sector.

Measures aimed at putting money in people's pockets include the removal of succession tax on residential property, departure tax, the levy on credit cards and television licence fee.

This proposal follows hot on the heels of proposals made at the start of the electoral campaign to revise tax bands by raising the thresholds of the 15 per cent and 25 per cent income tax rates, and reducing the maximum tax rate from 35 per cent to 25 per cent for income up to €60,000 (Lm25,758).

The party also promised to continue working with other EU countries to reduce VAT in a number of sectors, including care for the elderly and the generation of alternative energy, while trying to reduce VAT on restaurants to five per cent from the current 18 per cent.

Speaking during yesterday's council, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said his party was presenting itself to the people not only with its achievements, but also with proposals aimed to make a difference to people's lives.

"We are closing a chapter to start writing a new one through these new proposals," he said.

The PN is vowing to increase transparency and accountability within the public sector and appointments on government boards would in future follow a public call for applications, the manifesto said.

Proposals include appointing a special prosecutor with executive investigation and prosecution powers within the Permanent Commission Against Corruption. The commission members would be appointed following agreement between the political parties while the chairman would be appointed through an autonomous decision of the President.

Moreover, the chairmen of regulatory authorities would appear before parliamentary committees on a regular basis to explain their policies.

Among the newly-announced proposals are incentives to entice Maltese professionals, and continuing to grant stipends while offering financial assistance to students who undertake a first degree not offered in Malta, in an EU country. It would set up a University of Malta Trust Fund, starting with €2.5 million (just over Lm1 million), and enact a law enabling the University to accept donations and endowments.

When it comes to environment, the PN is proposing to set up a fund for the countryside, so that land outside development zones can be bought through collaboration with civil society and returned to its natural state.

It is also proposing the creation of a research fund about technologies which reduce emissions, such as determining how sea algae can be used as a source of clean energy, while emissions from the Delimara Power Station will be addressed.

There are also proposals to include civil society in the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. A distinction will be made between permits for minor developments in existing residences of businesses and those for a new development, to reduce bureaucracy.

The PN is promising to cut down on waiting lists and establish definite targets of the maximum length of time that patients should have to wait for health-related services. If the problem of waiting lists persists, the Government would enter into agreements with the private sector so that patients can still be given the treatment for free. A PN Government plans to continue subsidising the surcharge on water and electricity and provide more housing, while enacting a rental law which protects residents but does justice with owners.

The PN is also promising to enact two Acts related to freedom of information and the protection of whistleblowers.

Dr Gonzi said people had a very important decision to make. He underlined the difference between the PN and the Labour Party, which he said seemed to have a sense of national inferiority complex.

Outlining a number of the proposals, Dr Gonzi said when making public procurements, the Government would look at how contractors were treating their employees.

"We have a programme of substance," he said, adding that while people should be courageous, victory did not come on its own but through working together.

Some of the PN's key proposals

• The succession tax on residential property will be completely removed even when this is passed on to children.

• Complete removal of the departure tax, annual credit card levy and television licence.

• Compile an annual report about the state of the environment that establishes yearly targets.

• Reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent and produce 10 per cent of needed energy through alternative sources by 2020.

• Strengthen the involvement of civil society in Mepa by allowing more space for consultations with non-governmental organisations and residents prior to decision taking. Revisions of Mepa's operations will take place following consultation with the NGOs.

• Appointments on government boards will follow a public call for applications.

• Appoint a special envoy to negotiate the repatriation of illegal immigrants with their country of origin.

• Restore the bastions and rebuild the Royal Opera House and City Gate.

• Dedicate 10 per cent of EU funds for Gozo and restructure the Gozo ministry, which will include a new directorate to promote Gozo as a distinct tourist destination.