Malta u l-politika
Ittri ccensurati u punti ta' riflessjoni politika.
Hija ghalhekk xi haga prattikament awtomatika li l-ezercizzju principali tal-budget ghan-Nazzjonalisti ghal sena wara ohra hu biss dak li l-gvern idahhal aktar flus biex jiffinanzja il-holm u rghiba tieghu ghal-aktar poter. Biex jasal ghal dawn il-ghanijiet kellhom jittiehdu hafna u hafna mizuri iebsin li haqqru firxa wiesa ta’ Maltin, kemm haddiema, negozjanti, penzjonanti, nisa tad-dar, studenti ecc. ecc.
Il-budgets innifishom diversi drabi huma biss ezercizzju ta’ propaganda u ftahir vojt u qrid dwar kemm il-Gvernijiet Nazzjonalisti ma jistghux jaghmlu mod iehor. Hafna drabi wkoll il-budgets ma wrewx ezatt il-pjan finanzjarju u amministrattiv tal-gvern minhabba li ghal sena wara l-ohra ittiehdu decizjonijiet importanti li ma kienux thabbru fil-budget. Personalment il-budgets Nazzjonalisti ftit naghti kazhom ghax huwa aktar importanti
F’din il-pagna mhux se nikritika l-budgets jien. Se jikritikawhom sorsi Nazzjonalisti jew individwi u/jew ghaqdiet politikament indipendenti. Il-kritika li se tigi kkwotata hija wahda fattwali, bl-isem tal-individwu jew ghaqda li ghamlet il-kritika u meta fil-fatt saret il-kritika.
Se niehu xi whud mill-budgets u mhux il-budgets kollha ghax inkella ma nispicca qatt!!
Intant . . .
Budget 1993
Ministru tal-Finanzi – John Dalli
The federation (Federation of Hotels, Pensions and Restaurants) could not understand what it called the "draconian" measures contemplated in the (1993) budget which not only did not protect the tourism sector but endangered it by creating new obstacles... The federation also noted the increase in the stamp duty on the transfer of property and shares and the capital gains tax. These measures had been proposed when the government had repeatedly declared its intention to reduce direct taxes. They could lead to economic stagnation...
The Times 07.12.92
The 1993 budget... does not help the tourist industry from changing their opinion that the industry was singled out to be repeatedly bashed... The association could not help feeling frustrated at the bad treatment it received from the government... budget measures were introduced without consultation and the MHRA was being ignored.
Albert Muscat Inglott, president Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association
The Times 18.12.92
I feel very strong about the stamp duty on properties being sold to locals being pushed up to 7 per cent and I also feel very strong about the fact that all preliminary agreements signed before the budget should be affected by this new rate of stamp duty. This is most unfair.
Frank Salt
The Sunday Times 06.12.92
There was a feeling of shock. The high rate of 7% stamp duty was felt to be excessive and was very unfair on people who had entered into convenia to purchase a property prior to the budget. The 7% provisional capital gains tax, which is still very ambiguous as to its application was also a tremendous blow to many people..."
Frank Salt Vice President Association of Estate Agents
The Sunday Times 17.1.93
In this case (Tilwima bejn il-GWU u l-gvern rigward il-budget), the GWU rightly feels its stand has been vindicated. Based on this particular case it is understandable that the GWU accuses the government of failing to hold dialogue and consultations even of matters that effect the public directly.
The Malta Independent (editorjal) 28.3.93
Budget 1994
Ministru tal-Finanzi – John Dalli
The most irksome aspect of the (licence fees) increases is that... they were sprung on the business community without notice, and barely a month after new increases were announced in the 1994 budget... The latest round of government-induced price increases - for, let no one be under any illusion, the new fees will simply be passed on to the consumer who, as usual is expected to foot the bill - of course adds fuel to opposition leader Alfred Sant's argument that the government is itself helping to raise the cost of living while expecting others to keep it down. Dr. Sant points at the increase in telephone and postage rates and higher electricity and water tariffs in support of his contention which becomes more difficult to rebut. After all government, while preaching fair trading and price restraint, is exploiting to the full its monopoly position as supplier of utilities, and imposing taxes at will, the net result of which is to stultify any cost-of-living wage increases.
The Sunday Times (editorjal) 16.1.94
The General Workers Union, and especially its secretary general, Mr. Anglu Fenech, has good reason to claim victory in its dispute with the government over its cost-of-living claims. The agreement... seems to vindicate the tactics adopted by the GWU... The agreement has undoubtedly strengthened the General Workers Union's hand, and boosted Mr. Fenech's standing... The measures announced in the agreement could easily have been taken in the context of the 1994 budget, thus avoiding recriminations and unnecessary confrontation... It is undeniable that certain utility charges and other measures - such as the steep increase in police trading licences, which ultimately the consumer would have to pay - do have a bearing on the cost of living.
The Sunday Times (editorjal) 06.2.1994
Dwar il-budget, id-deputat nazzjonalista (John Vella) qal li l-budget ipprezentat mill-gvern ghas-sena d-diehla hu wiehed differenti
In-Nazzjon Taghna 21.12.93
Budget 1995
Ministru tal-Finanzi – John Dalli
The spend-more aspect of the 1995 budget is a worrying one.
The Times (editorjal) 25.11.94
On a very rough rule of thumb... every man, woman and child has a debt of around Lm2000 appended to his name (when working out government's debt of between Lm750m and Lm780m)
The Times (editorjal) 17.2.95
Budget 1996
Ministru tal-Finanzi – John Dalli
Apparently up until this year the (budget) money had just not been available. It took a great deal of negotiating and fist banging on table tops to get it.
Dr. Michael Frendo Minister of Transport
Tune-In magazine Gunju 1996
Budget 1997
Ministru tal-Finanzi – John Dalli
The ludicrous thing was not only that the Nationalist Government failed to make an imaginative pre-election budget but that it failed to make a budget at all.
Economists
The Sunday Times 17.11.96
Budget 2000
Ministru tal-Finanzi – John Dalli
Constituted bodies yesterday criticized Finance Minister John Dalli for calling a Malta Council for Economic Development meeting on the budget only at the eleventh hour.
The Times 16.11.99
The GRTU was unimpressed by the budget saying it had failed to address the country’s current economic situation and did not offer incentives for foreign investment.
The Times 24.11.99
… many (this newspaper among them) have disagreed with some features of the 2000 budget – particularly the increase in income tax
The Sunday Times (editorjal) 30.4.2000
He (Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami) said he was not surprised by the effects of the budget, but a budget was the government’s political programme and was not up for negotiation.
The Times 26.4.2000
UHM president said that the government, through its budget, had addressed the problem of the financial deficit at the expense of the workers.
The Times 3.3.2000
The government believed that the measures were painful.
Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami
The Times 26.1.2000
UHM secretary general said the measures introduced in the budget would be a burden on workers and other salaried employees.
The Times 24.11.99
The budget measures are eating away at workers’ purchasing power.
UHM
The Times 19.1.2000
Federation of industry described the budget as one with a good sense of direction but with a bad choice of priorities.
The Times 24.11.99
The budget was austere on the consumer.
The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association
The Times 26.11.99
Average wage earners worst hit by budget.
UHM
The Times 26.11.99
The induced costs from the budget were expected to have an overall negative effect on the insurance business.
The Times 3.12.99
Il-budget 2000 zgur li mhux budget popolari ghax huwa wiehed iebes u jolqot hafna nies. Il-Gens (editorjal) 26.11.99
Last year’s budget consisted almost exclusively of tax increases. There were no incentives for growth and no cuts in government expenditure. Furthermore it was the middle class which… bore the brunt of the tax increases, due mainly to the fact that income tax was raised.
The Malta Independent on Sunday (editorjal) 19.11.2000
Dr. Fenech Adami admitted that people were not praising him because the government had raised income tax.
The Sunday Times 5.12.99
It would be unrealistic not to admit that budget 2000 ... contains a dose of austerity that will hit the middle class (making up the bulk of taxpayers) harder than expected. One also cannot really dispute the fact that some of the measures announced in the budget will mean – at least in the short term – a reduction in disposable income and some inflationary pressure on prices ... In the short term, the average taxpayer will not only have to pay more income tax next year, but also a higher national insurance contribution and spend more on cigarettes, fuel and Maltese bread.
The Sunday Times (editorjal) 28.11.99
The government has to get its money from somewhere but the decision to raise income tax was surely a mistake.
The Malta Independent on Sunday (editorjal) 28.11.99
Admittedly, this was a tough budget.
Austin Sammut
The
Yes, people are feeling the pain ... One would be a fool to think that the pain does not exist, or that the people are not angry, one would be a bigger fool to think it is only the supporters of the opposition who are hurting.
The Malta Independent (editorjal) 25.3.2000
It is difficult to imagine a ruling party actually gaining votes after introducing a budget just a few months ago which not only increased indirect taxes considerably, but, for the first time since independence, reduced the pay packet of a huge section of the electorate by increasing income tax.
The
Once again, the middle classes are being squeezed. They were already badly hit by last November’s budget. How much more can they take?
The Malta Independent on Sunday (editorjal) 27.8.2000
A government whose budgetary measures hurt many of its supporters ...
The Times (editorjal) 15.3.2000
The last budget did not in any way tax sectors that were really in a position to cope with the burden.
Alfred Mallia Milanes (director-general Malta Employers Association)
The Times 21.8.2000
Budget 2001
Ministru tal-Finanzi – John Dalli
Why the new regulations (tax on fringe benefits) covering this tax should be so draconian, so clean sweeping and so rigid is hard to understand … the way the government went about it is simply wrong … a whole sector of the population, mainly middle class executives, will receive a cut in their net take home pay for the second year running … we must not forget that last year income tax was raised … there will also be negative economic repercussions … on the macro level, less cash in hand is likely to aggravate an already bad cash flow situation.
The Malta Independent on Sunday (editorjal) 4.3.2001
Mube describes budget as discriminatory against bank employees.
The
The leader of the opposition may be technically right when he criticizes this budget for having done little for pensioners.
Marisa Micallef Leyson
The Sunday Times 10.12.2000
The Times 23.11.2000
(Taxxa fuq fringe benefits) … government plans appeared to discriminate against and adversely affect the services industry in particular.
Chamber of Commerce
The Times 8.12.2000
The government’s decision to extensively tax (fringe benefits) is wrong, dishonest and unfair for a number of reasons. … For the second year running, the take-home pay of thousands of salaried people is to decrease. … The government has decided to go for the easy target, the salaried middle classes.
The Malta Independent on Sunday (editorjal) 26.11.2000
Budget 2001 is bad news.
Vincent Farrugia, director-general GRTU
The Sunday Times 3.12.2000
There is plenty to criticize about this budget, most especially the tax increases, once again on the middle classes and the government’s failure to attempt to reduce its expenditure.
The Malta Independent on Sunday (editorjal) 3.12.2000
Budget 2002
Ministru tal-Finanzi – John Dalli
The Chairman of the National Commission on Welfare Reforms says he was not consulted by finance minister John Dalli over the proposals made in the 2002 budget on reform in the social security system.
The Times 23.11.2001
Budget 2004
Ministru tal-Finanzi – John Dalli
It is a dull man who cannot see that this year’s budget will be a tough one.
Roamer
The Sunday Times 12.10.2003
It is a singular mark of weakness that government is giving the country so many mixed signals in the run up to Budget Day.
The Malta Independent (editorjal) 31.10.2003
MHRA president Winston Zahra described the tourism situation as very worrying and he expressed doubts over the methods being used by the National Statistics Office to compile tourism figures. Bookings for winter together with the budget proposals would offer little reprieve to the sector, Mr Zahra said.
The Times 7.11.2003
Labour leader Alfred Sant is right when he says that the forthcoming budget is a test for the government rather than for the opposition, as the prime minister would like it to be. Dr Sant is also correct when he insists the government must give a credible account of its performance, especially so far as expenditure goes.
The Times (editorjal) 14.11.2003
58% of those surveyed in a poll carried out on behalf of The Sunday Times said they were 'badly affected' by the Budget for 2004, and a surprisingly high 71.3% do not think that its measures will solve the deficit problem. … 71.3% of those surveyed do not think the Budget will succeed in tackling the deficit problem. … A majority (63.7%) think it (budget) will not increase employment opportunities.
The Sunday Times 7.12.2003
He (Josie Muscat) stressed that the budget will fail to heal the (health) sector because "the government has the wrong diagnosis of the patient, and it is giving him the wrong medicine".
The Times 9.12.2003
The reaction to the measures announced in the Budget has been generally negative. While there is consensus that the deficit problem must be tackled and brought under control … there is widespread disagreement with the way Government has gone about trying to do this.
The Sunday Times (editorjal) 7.12.2003
Government could not help being accused of meanness when raising the portion of pensions paid by the elderly in Government-run homes to 80 per cent, from 60 per cent, when this had been the target of the (then) Nationalist Opposition's criticism during a Labour administration.
The Sunday Times (editorjal) 7.12.2003
The measure which has been most strongly criticised is the VAT increase.
The Sunday Times (editorjal) 7.12.2003
The Federation of Industries said in a statement yesterday it is disappointed about the uninspiring strategy and content of the Budget proposals presented last week by the minister of finance.
The
The government is showing misjudgment and incompetence, as last year's optimistic
economic forecast with regard to the budget deficit has proven to be way off target by Lm33 million.
Harry Vassallo AD Chairman
The Times 25.11.2003
Dr Vassallo also said that the budget failed to tackle the pressing social and environmental needs which the country is facing. In particular, he mentioned the fact that the government is looking at cut backs in key areas such as health centres to make up for the gross mismanagement of public funds in the construction of the new Mater Dei Hospital.
The Times 25.11.2003
Five employers' associations sharply criticised the increase in VAT, arguing that it will both erode disposable income and also raise their expenses as the cost of living increases that would be given as a result would not be linked to productivity.
The Times 25.11.2003
Mr (Vince) Farrugia (GRTU Director General) said the budget was "short of economic logic".
The Times 25.11.2003
We need a bigger economy but nothing has been done to stimulate it," Mr Fava (Malta Employers Association) said.
The Times 25.11.2003
The Malta Union of Teachers said yesterday the three percentage rise in VAT would push up the cost of living "in every aspect".
The Times 26.11.2003
The National Youth Council deems the budget measure to increase tax on imported second hand cars as being too drastic.
The Times 27.11.2003
The budget "lacks true commitment to the environment", Greenpeace Mediterranean said.
The Times 26.11.2003
Alternattiva Demokratika described the 2004 budget as one lacking in social justice especially in the adoption of across the board fiscal measures like the VAT increase to 18 per cent. The budget also exposed the incompetence of the government in meeting its own targets to decrease the country's deficit. Also, Dr Vassallo added, the budget failed to tackle pressing social and environmental needs which the country was facing. Regarding the environment, Dr Vassallo said that the government once again has failed to address the urgent realities of
The Times 27.11.2003
The
The Times 21.11.2003
The 2004 budget revealed the new austerity and reform measures will be characterising
MaltaToday (editorjal) 28.12.2003
The indirect tax measures announced in the latest Budget will lead to a rise in inflation. The
The inheritance tax as applied consequent to the last budget has created ill feelings in certain quarters.
Mario de Marco MP
The Times 25.6.2004
(the government) is still struggling to keep to the financial targets it set in the last budget. The Times (editorjal) 30.10.2004
Budget 2005
Ministru tal-Finanzi – Dr. Lawrence Gonzi
The majority of respondents in a survey conducted by Malta Polls on behalf of the PBS programme Xarabank felt that the budget had an overall negative effect on them. Of the 56.4 per cent who thought the budget affected them badly, 45.9 per cent said the budget affected them "negatively" and 10.5 per cent replied that the effect was "very negative".
The Times 4.12.2004
Regular readers of this column will not be surprised to hear that over the past days I have been inundated with complaints on the budget measure relating to departure tax.
Dr. Simon Busuttil MEP
The Times 8.12.2004
The Medical Association of Malta yesterday took the government to task on a number of measures proposed in the budget speech.
The Times 2.12.2004
The Consumers' Association said next year's budget was burdening consumers without showing any sign that the economy would grow at a satisfactory rate to mitigate some of the burdens placed on them.
The Times 2.12.2004
Four unions representing over 1,800 workers within Air
The
The Studenti Demokristjani Maltin have criticised the Lm10 rise in the air departure tax, saying it hampered students who regularly travelled abroad to study and participate in international fora.
The Times 1.12.2004
The National Fish Cooperative yesterday described the budget for 2005 as weak, adding that the government showed that it was weak with those who abuse the law and powerful with those who go by the book.
The
The Alliance of Pensioners' Associations said yesterday it was difficult to explain to pensioners how they would have to pay at least 50c a week for the surcharge on water and electricity and an average of 23c to cover the increase in paraffin which many elderly people use for heaters.
The Times 27.11.2004
The CMTU took objection to measures like the surcharge in electricity, the increase in public transport fares and the decision to eliminate from the vacation leave those public holidays which fell on a weekend.
The Times 26.11.2004
The Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprise - GRTU said yesterday the measures introduced in the budget were too few to strengthen the economy and effectively boost competitiveness.
The Times 26.11.2004
It was a pity, however, that the budget, which was trying to lift the country out of its serious difficulties, was marred by austerity measures that negatively affected the workers in general, the MUT said.
The Times 26.11.2004
Travel agents have lambasted the additional Lm10 tax on outgoing travel announced in Wednesday's budget, which makes the Maltese the highest taxed air passengers in Europe, if not the world.
The Times 26.11.2004
The (UHM) union also hit out at the government's decision to increase the public transport bus fares; the increase in the price of kerosene; the passenger departure tax and the 17 per cent charge on the consumption of water and electricity.
The Times 25.11.2004
The hard bits to stomach are the loss of four days leave for many workers and the Lm10 extra travel tax that has to be paid.
Dr. Michael Asciak, Nationalist MP
The Times 9.12.2004
The Chamber of Commerce and
The Times 10.12.2004
Budget price hikes will negatively affect the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, according to the Federation of Malta Hotels, Pensions and Catering Establishments (FMHPCE).
The Sunday Times 12.12.2004
The 2005 Budget has shown one thing. We have lost a year in embarking on the reforms we should be undertaking.
John Dalli
The Sunday Times 12.12.2004
GRTU director general Vince Farrugia said the government had made “a big mistake” when raising the price of kerosene so as to curb abuse. He argued that the figures the government was given on the domestic use of kerosene were “completely incorrect”. “Had we been consulted, we could have given the government detailed records of domestic sales of kerosene.” … “I consider this increase as the ugly face of bureaucracy,” Mr Farrugia said.
The Times 15.12.2004
Overall, the budget would contribute to a decrease in the purchasing power of the middle and working classes for the second consecutive year after last year’s three per cent increase in VAT.
Alternattiva Demokratika
The
The sharp rise in the cost of flour coupled with the higher price of paraffin has plunged bakers into turmoil.
The Times 21.12.2004
Budget measures … have already stirred widespread controversy.
The Times (editorjal) 4.1.2005
Budget 2006
Ministru tal-Finanzi – Dr. Lawrence Gonzi
The Malta Institute of Management said the budget needed to be seen in a wider context than the budget speech itself. … The institute said it was particularly concerned with the “apparent discriminatory capping” that the government had introduced in favour of certain business sectors and not others. In spite of the capping, the utility rate increase would have a negative impact, it said.
The Times 2.11.2005
The Assocjazzjoni Hwienet Wied il-Ghajn … said that with the increase in the surcharge on water and electricity, the total expenses of certain shops were set to increase by 11 per cent, excluding the stipulated wage increases. Complaining of discrimination, the association argued that capping on electricity bills should have been introduced for shop owners as well. The budget, it lamented, contained no plan to embellish Marsascala or maintain the promenade.
The Times 2.11.2005
Alternattiva Demokratika's chairman Harry Vassallo characterised the budget as one with “a limited vision for the immense economic challenges the country faces” … AD said nothing concrete was announced for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Times 1.11.2005
FOI president Adrian Bajada said … on the issue of the cost of living increase… the federation was very worried about the impact this will have on the country, already struggling in the competitiveness rating. Tied with this, there is the issue of the raising of the power surcharge capping to Lm21,000. A simple calculation will show that a company that spends Lm38,180 on electricity will be paying Lm21,000 in surcharge which means that a large number of companies will be hit by this measure. “All this will have a bearing on the country's competitiveness and we are very concerned about this.” The Times 1.11.2005
The Chamber (of Commerce) … like the other employers, was concerned about the cost of living increase, primarily because it was not tied to productivity and because it would continue to undermine competitiveness.
The Times 1.11.2005
The budget presented yesterday by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in his capacity as Minister of Finance does not propose any new taxes or increase existing ones. But that does not mean it is all a bed of roses.
The Times (editorjal) 1.11.2005
Budget ‘fails to address important issues’ – Gozo Business Chamber.
The
The federation warned that the measures as presented by the government will endanger the future of enterprise growth. In this respect, the FOI strongly appealed to the government to reconsider the capping instrument.
The Times 5.11.2005
Just over half, or 51.2 per cent, of respondents to a survey carried out by Malta Polls on behalf of the television programme Xarabank said they were affected negatively or very negatively by the budget for 2006.A quarter, 25.2 per cent, said they were neither affected positively nor negatively, and 5.7 per cent said they were not affected by the budget. A mere 10.5 per cent said the effect of the budget was positive or very positive and 7.5 per cent were undecided.
The Times 5.11.2005
Nearly half (45 per cent) of those responding to a The Times online poll believe the measures announced in last Monday's budget were positive. Roughly a third (30 per cent) gave the thumbs down to the budget measures, answering that they were "negative", and a quarter dismissed them as "futile".
The Times 5.11.2005
The budget provided no incentive for economic growth … - Joe Grioli, (The
The Times 19.11.2005
Nationalist MP John Dalli also spoke at yesterday’s sitting and claimed that the budget changes made with regard to property tax do not make sense and added that the patching done only worsened the situation. He said the amendments generate discrimination against those who buy property, as opposed to those who inherit it. … Mr Dalli claimed that “the amendments will throw us backwards.” He said that the changes made, have the opposite effect of those that have been declared. Mr Dalli explained he already made these statements in internal PN fora, but felt the need to voice his opinion in parliament.
The
Budget 2007
Ministru tal-Finanzi – Dr. Lawrence Gonzi
Alternattiva Demokratika thinks the government should review the taxation measures announced in the budget with a view to relieving small businesses and imposing heavier taxes on banks instead. … Dr (Harry) Vassallo said half of the Lm12 million the government had set aside for tax cuts should be allocated to families with children, translating into a cash benefit of Lm100 for each child. “In this way, a family raising two children with an income of Lm6,000 a year will be guaranteed a benefit of at least Lm200 rather than the miserly Lm30 being offered by the government,” Dr Vassallo said. The other Lm6 million, he added, should be given as a tax deduction.
The Times 23.10.2006
“It is unfortunate that it (Government) has once again taken an “old style” approach and has not stimulated and encouraged the efforts made by NGOs and private enterprise. The budget itself contradicts the government's vision on education and the claim that it appreciates the efforts of the private sector. The government has once again failed to review the tax laws and the anomalies within them that are hindering investment in education by the private sector.” MIM said it is disappointed to note the government has postponed real tax reform once again. … With respect to the Venture Capital Fund, the MIM believes that, once again, the government has failed to understand the issue on access to finance and what is needed to really launch such a fund. … MIM regrets to note that the government has not taken appropriate measures in the light of the introduction of the euro. – Malta Institute of Management
The Times 19.10.2006
The government has insisted on an across-the-board income tax reduction despite the hardship faced by families with young children specially targeted for assistance in the Green proposals. Dr Vassallo remarked that the reduction of the tax burden on SMEs proposed by the Greens has not been taken up nor has the government had the courage to increase taxation for banks. Proposals on the environment lack any real imagination and seem to be a perfunctory gesture to attempt to put a green façade to the budget. Dr Vassallo referred to the fact that once again the government is backtracking on commitments it had made in the past to start working on rent reform. The absence of any mention of this crucial issue is glaring by its absence, he said. – Dr. Harry Vassallo Alternattiva Demokratika Chairman
The Times 19.10.2006
The president of the Federated Association of Travel and Tourism Agents, Ian Tonna, said the reduction (Departure Tax) was a step in the right direction but it was clearly not enough.
The Times 20.10.2006
The association (Association of Shops in Marsascala) expressed disappointment that the government had again totally ignored the issues affecting tourism in certain localities, such as the fish farms and the waste recycling plant in the Marsascala area.
The Times 20.10.2006
Judging by the measures announced in budget 2007, it seems that it is not the government’s priority that the Mater Dei hospital will open next year as previously announced, said the Medical Association of Malta (MAM) yesterday. … MAM observed that no realistic measures were proposed to tackle the serious problem of medical manpower shortages that afflicts the service. Indeed, the budget will undoubtedly convince more doctors to leave our shores.
The
The National Association of Pensioners said yesterday that it is surprised that the many suggestions/submissions aimed at improving pensioners’ interests have been ignored in the budget. … The association said it is unfortunate that the tax rebate differentiates between couples and single people, to the detriment of couples with a pension of Lm5,300 per annum. For a single person, the rebate is Lm118 per annum and for a couple it is Lm30. … The association also noted that the government has failed to make any commitment with regard to free health care, in line with declarations made to the EU in the report on social inclusion. “The general allusion made to pension reform in the budget speech is worrying as it seems to indicate that government has no intention of further consultation with pensioners’ associations on its proposals for the reform,” said the association.
The
Gozo deserved greater attention in the latest budget said head of the AD party Dr. Harry Vassallo.
SLIEMA,
Surveyed a couple of days (October 19-21) after the presentation of the 2007 Budget … As many as 80% do not consider the effective cost of living adjustment of Lm1.75 a week to be enough to cope with the cost of living; 17.3% say it is enough, and 2.7% gave no opinion.
The Sunday Times 29.10.2006
Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Dr. Harry Vassallo criticised the government for failing to mention public transport in the Budget. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday morning, Vassallo said that by failing to mention public transport in the Budget, the government has acknowledged its own failure and lack of vision.
SLIEMA,
Dr Arnold Cassola (The Sunday Times, October 29) was rightly critical of the lack of renewable energy (RE) provisions in the 2007 Budget. The 2006 edition looked better; but, in fact, little has materialised in the RE field as a result of its provisions.
Professor Edward A. Mallia
The Sunday Times 12.11.2006
Minkejja l-miżuri li ħa fil-baġit biex jibda jtaffi mill-piż li twikkew bih il-familji f’dawn l-aħħar snin, jidher ċar li n-nies ma rrispondewx b’mod pożittiv. Hemm tliet fatturi ewlenin għalfejn il-baġit ta’ Gonzi ma ħalliex l-impatt mixtieq. L-ewwel fattur hu ż-żidiet fil-pagamenti għal self fuq djar li sofrew ħafna familji s-sena li għaddiet u fil-bidu ta’ din is-sena. Il-flus żejda li suppost raw fil-pagi tagħhom
Editorjal, Illum 18.3.2007
Tlettax fil-mija biss tan-nies qed jgħixu aħjar wara l-baġit ippreżentat f’Ottubru li għadda … 83 fil-mija tal-Maltin mhux qed iħossuhom jgħixu aħjar minkejja d-diversi stqarrijiet tal-Prim Ministru
ILLUM, 8.4.2007
Budget 2008
Ministru tal-Finanzi – Dr. Lawrence Gonzi
The organisations (Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, the Federation of Industry, the Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise and the Malta Employers' Association) … expressed their disappointment to the fact that the government once again opted to ignore their representations within the MCESD, to honour the agreement which was reached on the cost of living increase, by awarding an additional Lm1/€23 million in advance of next year.
Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) … is disappointing to note that Government ignored a number of serious problems affecting the country, AD chairperson Harry Vassallo said. … the AD chairperson went on, the Government has once again buried its head in the sand and failed to address other serious problems in the country. With reference to the surcharge, Dr. Vassallo said that the Government could have given an incentive to reduce consumption by introducing a differentiated rate of surcharge according to the consumption. He also referred to the public transport system, which he said causes serious problems particularly through pollution and traffic congestion. The fact that Government ignored the issue undermines much of the rhetoric in favour of the environment in the Budget, Dr. Vassallo said. The AD chairperson was also critical of the fact that the Government also failed to reform the rent law, and pointed out that the housing measures announced in the budget do not address the serious problem of high property prices. Dr. Vassallo also pointed out that small companies are still going to be taxed as much as large companies that have a monopoly in the market… In concluding, Dr. Vassallo said that one has to see whether the increases allocated to certain sectors are enough, citing as an example the Lm6million increase in the health sector which he claimed was not even enough to cover the expenditure on medicines.
Mr Pace (president of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses) said he would have liked the government to take certain measures with regard to public feasts falling on weekends. Measures taken on breast screening should be open not just to women at high risk but to all those women on the waiting list.
The
It is clear that the government, a few months before an election, is trying to please as many people as it can, by showering crumbs to a lot of people. … In spite of Dr Gonzi’s self proclamations, Gozitans are not feeling any better, thus showing that the prime minister is out of touch with the Gozitans. This is also happening in
Josie Muscat, The
The only negative point I can mention is the ILO’s proposal on public holidays as this should have been heeded,” Mr Bencini (Malta Union of Teachers president) said.
The
The government’s decision to anticipate next year’s cost of living adjustment (COLA) to this year is not a solution in itself. This will not be enough to avert the expected rise in the price of cereals. It may smoothen things up from this year to the next; however, the rise in price must be averted through an increase in income.
Ekonomista Gordon Cordina (Adviser to the Federation of Industry)
The
If the situation was that happy financially, why have families been allowed to make so many sacrifices these past weeks, with not much help from a government that had such largesse at its disposal. Could not the government, only weeks ago, have absorbed, for instance, the bakers’ request for a price increase, instead of passing half of that burden on to already-burdened taxpayers?
Editorjal, The
Mr (Albert) Tabone (chairman of the Alliance of Pensioner Organisations) said he was surprised that no attention had been given to the removal of anomalies in the Social Security Act that affected pensioners. There was also no mention of the guaranteed minimum national pension at 60 per cent of the median income.
The Times 17.10.2007
The Local Councils' Association is questioning why Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi did not make any reference to local councils in his budget speech. The association pointed out that it had sent its opinions regarding the pre-budget document but never received a reply from the government.
The Times 17.10.2007
It (Malta Institute of Management) said it was disappointed that stipends were not extended to persons studying on a part-time basis. “
The Times 17.10.2007
It (Malta Union of Teachers) expressed disappointment that the government still refused to allow public holidays falling on weekends to be added to employees' leave entitlement. The Times 17.10.2007
Moviment Graffiti pointed out at the lack of measures with regards to workers on minimum wage, single-parent families and cohabitating partners. The Movement also noted that more radical changes are needed to make housing more affordable whilst energy surcharge should progressively increase for wasteful energy use.
The budget measures on housing were of no use to young couples buying a home when one took into account the fact that there were 53,136 vacant properties, Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) chairman Harry Vassallo said yesterday …Dr Vassallo said the Budget measures … were aimed at helping speculators keeping property prices high.
The Sunday Times 21.10.2007
The F.O.I. noted that a number of measures that it had suggested in the pre-Budget consultation phase aimed at lowering energy costs to industry and the rest of the economy by introducing incentives for a more rational utilisation of resources were not taken up. The need for these measures is likely to become more pronounced in the coming months with the ongoing increase in international price of oil.
The Sunday Times 21.10.2007
AN Deputy Leader Angelo Xuereb also criticised the budget, saying it did not address the most important things the country needs such as measures to boost democracy, the creation of a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs and measures to curb abuses.
The Times 22.10.2007
It was pathetic to hear the government's budget proposal to assist first-time (property) buyers, when there was clearly no shortage of supply.
Dr. Harry Vassallo (Alternattiva Demokratika)
The Times 29.10.2007
Zminijietna … believes that the budget did not do enough to meet the daily needs of workers and their families. The compensation for the cost of living was definitely not enough, and the minimum wage was not increased. The adjustment to income tax bands will not compensate enough and would have been fairer to groups such as lower middle and middle income earners if they were given more relief, while at the same time financing this through increased taxation on the wealthy and on companies making windfall profits such as banks and gaming companies. The budget should also have done more to help bring about affordable housing since although the proposals to subsidise house loans are positive measures, these are not considered to be enough to help groups like first-time buyers with low income to acquire a property of their own. The budget should also have reduced the energy surcharge while encouraging the sustainable use of energy in a progressive way. We believe that the budget fails to tackle the exploitative situations emerging such as those faced by various categories of workers, including workers on definite contract, and those created for many students by the streaming system. Also family-friendly measures such as availability of affordable childcare centres, entitlement of income-tax revisions to partners in cohabitation, and increased assistance to genuine single parents were not introduced. We also believe that the budget should have given more importance to public transport and similar areas.
The Times 29.10.2007
The Budget speech was full of empty promises on Gozo as it steered clear of tackling topics such as the controversial proposed developments at Ramla L-Hamra and Ta' Cenc, Alternattiva Demokratika (AD), chairman Harry Vassallo said. “Although in his Budget speech the Prime Minister acknowledges that Gozo is an island with unique potential and opportunities, the speech was full of empty promises, of which Gozitans have already heard enough,” he said.
The Sunday Times 28.10.2007
Jekk wieħed ineħħi l-ftaħir mill-baġit ftit li xejn isib sugu. Il-problemi reali li stqarrhom il-Prim Ministru stess bħall-immigrazzjoni illegali u t-tarzna ma tax ħjiel ta’ kif se jsolvihom. Investimenti ġodda ma jissemmewx għax
Josie Muscat, ILLUM 28.10.2007
Only the colour blind would describe the budget just approved by Parliament as a green budget. Labelling it “the greenest”, as has been suggested by Environment Minister George Pullicino (The Greenest Budget Ever, October 22) is downright ridiculous.
Budget 2009
Ministru tal-Finanzi – Tonio Fenech
The Malta Employers’ Association has described Budget 2009 as ‘bland’, saying that the measures were spread too thinly “The government clearly went for range rather than depth. Therefore there are no real spectacular measures and the overall result tends to be rather bland. The real question is: Will the proposed measures be sufficient to ward off a major economic slowdown?” it asked.
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Current Affairs --
“We expected a bolder budget but this is a very cautious budget: A reflection of the local situation in which the government finances were not as sound as they were being described,” GRTU director general, Mr Vince Farrugia said. He added that during the past year “expenses had really shot up,” with no good consequences for the country.
The
(Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association President Kevin Decesare) expressed his uncertainty regarding the EUR 0.50 charge on tourists as from the year 2010. This was to leave an extra income of EUR 5 million for the government. This meant a charge of EUR 20 for a family of four persons staying in
The
The government’s proposals regarding changes in Income Tax are, quite frankly, a sop. Once the government was not in a position to fully implement what it promised in the election campaign, it made no sense to give this very small and pale imitation. Equally very difficult to accept is the reduction in excise duties on spirits at a time when alcoholism and binge drinking are undermining the young generation. And the very funny proposal that sees licences for sweet water swimming pools go up from e2.43 to e4 while those for sea water swimming pools go up from e58.23 to e100!
Editorjal, The
Malta Employers' Association director general, Joe Farrugia, said … “There is too little on a lot of subjects, which will not have an immediate and significant impact. For example, wind farms are a welcome idea, but will not address today's immediate problems.” … Mr Farrugia added that while the budget addressed the creation of jobs through start-up schemes, for example, it “might lack immediate measures for job creation.”
The Times online 4.11.2008
Budget 2009 may have included revisions to the income tax bands - a pleasant surprise for those who had given up on them – but it left out a number of measures that had been put forward in the pre-budget document released in summer. For example, what happened to the removal of credit card levies and TV licences? The pre-budget document declared that the €16.31 annual levy on credit cards – a levy introduced by the Labour government in 1998, it reminds us – is going to be removed. A finance ministry spokesman confirmed that the levy generated around €1.7 million in annual revenue. This figure was on the increase, as the number of credit cards in circulation increased dramatically from around 94,000 in 2001 to over 120,000 in 2005. The removal of the €34.94 annual TV licence fee, a PN electoral promise in 2008, was also absent. There were over 120,000 licences at June 2007, according to the latest available NSO figures, which amount to over €4 million in licence fees. The government has also proposed to remove the inheritance tax on the ordinary residence, even when the residence is inherited by the deceased's children. The Budget did make a provision for inheritance by disabled children – but it left the wider concept untouched. We are also still no closer to finding out what will happen with refunds of eco-tax to companies that sign up to waste management schemes – although, to be fair, the pre-budget document made it clear that the ball was in industry's court. “Until the industry signals its preferred way of working, government cannot entertain requests for refunds or exemptions of the eco-contribution. Once industry is decided and starts shouldering a significant cost of this waste management component, government will be in a position to publish all the relevant legal notices in order to implement both the refund and exemption mechanisms,” it had said. Widows were also left out – the pre-budget document said that their rights' would be streamlined by giving full pension rights to all widows with dependent children up to the age of 21 irrespective of the amount they earn from their job. At present, the concession is only given until the children reach the age of 16 – after which the pension is reduced by the difference between their wage earnings and the national minimum wage, subject to a minimum. And finally, the government made no provision to counteract the utility bills – the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development had wanted some measures (perhaps a one-off voucher as has happened in the past) to mitigate the impact – but the COLA falls short of the average increase expected… and in any case, will only apply to those who are employed.
by Vanessa Macdonald - editorial@di-ve.com
Local News --
The Malta Chamber of Commerce and
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Current Affairs --
Azzjoni Nazzjoni this afternoon dismissed the budget as a “a budget of hot air”. “CO2 emissions are the government's latest convenient excuse to further fleece an overburdened public of its hard earned earnings,” the party said. It said that the argument surrounding climate change was far from settled. “To impose a tax regime on the premise of a flimsy hypothesis is at best short-sighted and will only serve to destabilise further our economy and standard of living. Will the government refund the tax payers if and when the man-made climate change theory is conclusively debunked?” the party asked. Furthermore, the government's assertion that alternative energy was somehow more efficient (implying that it was cheaper) was also wrong, AN said. At best, alternative energy ,like wind turbines, was only useful in alleviating peak demand and at worst, such as on a windless day, next to useless and conventionally powered backup would still be required to meet the demand “The CO2 emissions- based tax measures introduced, including those on cars will simply hurt most those who can afford them least such as those who cannot afford a new car,” the party said. “The truth is that Environmentalism, no matter how irrational, is being slowly but surely elevated to a state religion and the government (whether it believes in it or not) finds it ever more convenient to tax in its name.” It added that the income tax incentives were unashamedly token. The raise in fuel tax alone would cancel out the projected savings. … “Most importantly the budget fails to address the fundamental issues. The government still fails to understand that economies cannot be centrally driven. It fails to understand that the working public would prefer the situation where it would be relieved of taxation and given less in the form of 'benefits' in return. – The public does not want a big daddy to deny them of their earnings only to see it spent irresponsibly. The public and the productive community want more independence from and less dependence on the state,” AN added.
The Timesonline 4.11.2008
The Malta Union of Teachers said today that the proposed spending of €362 million on education, announced in the budget yesterday, might not be enough for
The Timesonline 4.11.2008
Friends of the Earth Malta has warned that the rebates for solar panels and the insulation of roofs and windows were not enough to incentivise behaviour that reduce carbon dioxide emissions on a national scale.
di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Local News --
He (GRTU director-general Vince Farrugia) said the budget and the tariffs would dampen consumer demand. He said it was ‘cruel’ that people who had bought cars and paid a high registration tax and VAT would now even suffer an increase in their vehicle licences. These actions, he said, reflected the actions of a government in panic.
The Timesonline 6.11.2008
In a press conference, several heads of sections within the GRTU spoke about how the budget affected the chamber’s various members. GRTU Director General Vince Farrugia said that the budget was too optimistic and said that the government did not consider the international scenario while drawing it up. As a result, he added, the budget might not meet the government’s expectations and would leave the country’s economy worse off.
Mr Farrugia said it was a “total exaggeration” for the government to expect to raise an extra e182 million from the measures, tax contributions and utility tariffs.
The
The Graffitti movement said that while the budget contains a number of positive measures, it completely fails to address the social and financial difficulties being faced with regard to the very high cost of living and the huge increase in the water and electricity tariffs. No concrete measures were announced to help families cope with the high bills they will be bearing. The practical impact of the change in income tax bands will be nearly negligible and the increase in wages given for the cost-of-living will not even make up for the increase in utility bills.
The
The budget measures for Gozo announced last week lacked set timeframes, Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola said. … Prof. Cassola noted that the government had failed to announce concrete measures to overcome the obstacle of the lack of jobs in Gozo. The only way to generate jobs is by putting an end to the existing culture of favouritism, Prof. Cassola argued. He explained that petrol and diesel price hikes would have a two-fold adverse effect on Gozitan workers. The inefficient public transport service in
The Times 10.11.2008
Budget 2010
Ministru tal-Finanzi – Tonio Fenech
Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said: The Budget has a hazy vision.
The
The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses is disappointed that the government failed to announce plans to have childcare facilities in the country’s hospitals. … While the government mentioned plans to increase childcare facilities, there are no plans for childcare facilities at Mater Dei Hospital, which is the place of work of about 4,000 people.
The
The union (UHM) said it had expected more effective commitment by the government in combatting social services abuse and fiscal evasion.
The
He (Michael Brigulio, AD Chairman) described as unrealistic the compensation given to families who are careful with their use of water and energy. Mr Briguglio also criticised the decision to encourage the use of old buses, adding that it was also ironic that the government would mostly reduce registration fees for those boats which pollute the most.
The Times 10.11.2009
It contained “wide-ranging and innovative” measures for 2010, but the question remained whether they would provide sufficient stimulus to pull the economy out of the recession, MEA director general Joe Farrugia said. He claimed it lacked the strength of the stimuli.
The Times 10.11.2009
The GRTU would have liked to see a reduction in the tax paid by developers of certain projects, including homes geared towards first-time buyers.
The Times 10.11.2009
The Budget speech lacked measures necessary to justify the salary increase from a performance and productivity point of view. It criticised the uncertainty that still surrounded the utility tariffs to be introduced on
The Times 10.11.2009
Philip Carabot, the head of the genito-urinary (GU) clinic, was assured that the final draft policy would be discussed as part of Budget 2010 since it will entail a certain amount of financial backing. Commenting yesterday, Dr Carabot said he is disappointed but hardly surprised that there was no mention of the policy in Budget 2010.
The
Nationalist MP Jean Pierre Farrugia this evening questioned the suitability of the one-off energy allowance for families with children insisting that €130 for a family of four was not enough.
The Times 13.11.2009
The MHRA was concerned about the increases in operating costs that its members stood to face next year due to the increase in COLA and in the utility tariffs, noting that at this time, a substantial increase in operating costs could not be recovered in light of “very aggressive” downward pressure on hotel rates. The association also reiterated its stand against the introduction of a €0.50 tax per tourist per night, which was announced in the 2009 Budget and which is due to come into force in April. It warned that the industry should not be burdened with the introduction of any additional government-incurred expenses, which would only continue to erode its viability.
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Current Affairs --
The GRTU did not oppose the new utility tariffs, although it warned that they should be introduced in a transparent manner and that people should not pay for inefficiencies, but strongly opposed the upcoming increase in MEPA tariffs. However, Mr (Vince) Farrugia said (in) the Budget … some measures were lacking and certain incentives did not go far enough.
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Current Affairs --
Moviment Graffitti said that this year’s budget is characterised more by what it does not include, than by what it does. Although the budget includes some positive measures, it fails to offer direct and determined measures that address the financial difficulties being experienced on a daily basis by many Maltese families. Similarly it does not adequately address the environmental problems being faced by the country, it said. It also said that the government’s proposal to give one-off assistance for the rise in the electricity and water tariffs is superficial. “Rather than a one-off compensation, it would have been much better if the government put in place a system by which those who waste have to pay more, while those who consume moderately do not see any increase in their water and electricity tariffs.”
The
Victor Spiteri, president of the bus owners’ Public Transport Association, said that before the last general election, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had invited the bus owners to the PN’s headquarters in Pieta and promised them a 10-year contract. But now he was going back on his word and wanted to eliminate their means of livelihood, he said. Mr Spiteri was referring to the Prime Minister’s reply to the opposition’s remarks on the budget estimates, and said that the association was giving the government till the end of December to compensate the bus owners for the investment they had made in the public transport sector.
The
The National Parents' Society of Persons with Disability would like to put forward its views on the government's Budget with regard to the sector related to disabled persons. … it is regretful that the government failed to revise the new directives issued by Minister Tonio Fenech regarding exemptions or subsidies related to motor vehicles for persons with disability, in the scheme effective January 1. Increased financial burdens on those families with severely disabled persons who need suitable vehicles for transportation of persons in wheelchairs have not been removed. Since January 2009, only for the first five years from year of manufacture is the road licence free, and from the sixth year 50 per cent of the fee will be applicable for petrol cars up to 180g/km CO2 emissions and for diesel cars up to 150g/km CO2 emissions, except for vehicles already owned by existing or qualifying persons. In excess of these levels, the full road licence fee is payable. In respect of this exception, the CO2 capping applies on change of vehicle (immaterial whether new or second-hand). Previously the road licence for the entitled qualifying cases needing such vehicles had been free. The government continues to subsidise the registration tax while import duty and VAT have been reduced. However, the annual circulation fees have increased considerably. Besides being an additional tax on disabled persons and/or their carers there is discrimination between those persons who have come to need such vehicles since
The Times 18.11.2009
