Before the 2013 General Election, people could not afford the high energy tarrifs, the country’s deficit was exploding, income tax was high, there was no help for low income families, no incentives for those on benefits to start working and Malta.
The opening remarks from Prime Minister Joseph Muscat as he addressed a Labour meeting in Birgu.
Look at the difference a Labour government has made he said.
“We promised we would change the direction. There were those who said that there was nothing that could be done to better the situation, that we should live with mediocracy. Instead of listening, we told the people that we were not satisfied with the situation, while they would complain about taxes, about high fuel prices, would say there is nothing we could do. We told the people to trust in us, so that we can show them things can be different. Our standards are based on success, not mediocracy, on the idea that things could be much better than they were at the time”.
“We were moving towards a situation where people would spend more than they earn. Their children would have dug a hole, covered in debt”
“We had a plan, to first stabilise the economy. If you don’t have a strong economy, what we announced in the budget would not have been able to occur”.
“Now, like the tree that is bares fruit, we can divide the fruit”.
“The measures in the budget were not robbing Peter to pay Paul. We took from no-one, and gave to everyone. This is the difference with the previous government, which would take a lot and give just a bit”.
“We have been, from the first budget, only giving. We took nothing from the people”.
Pensioners he said will get €4 more a week.
Those who have a pension up to €13,000 will now not pay tax.
Carers who look after family members will receive a €35 a week rise.
