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Nationalists turn down seat on bipartisan committee on economic growth
PN says Opposition’s role is to scrutinize government, not give it advice.
30 April 2013, 12:00am
Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
2 min read
Joseph Muscat wants a bipartisan committee that can discuss ways of fostering economic growth
The Opposition has refused to take park in a bipartisan 'action committee' for economic growth, the government announced in a statement.
The bipartisan team, announced by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat during the 2013 election campaign, was intended to include key stakeholders in a committee intended at fostering new ways of generating economic growth.
The government accused the Nationalist Party of "closing the doors to a golden opportunity" to foster economic growth, by cooperating on the action team. "The government is saddened that the Opposition wants to pursue this negative attitude when it is being shown the hand of friendship," the government said.
Former finance minister Tonio Fenech was said to have first asked for more information on the nature of the action group, before refusing participation. The reason given was that the Opposition's role was to "scrutinize government, and not giving it advice", government sources told MaltaToday.
In a statement, the PN said its parliamentry group said it could not accept the invitation because it requires that the selected MP - Tonio Fenech - act in the role of a government consultant. "This goes against the Opposition's constitutional role in a parliamentary democracy. The Opposition is dedicated to contribute constructively towards the country's social, economic, cultural and constitutional role, as it has in its approval of Budget 2012, which gave a clear and positive signal to economists and our country's investors."
Nationalist MP Simon Busuttil, who is contesting the post of party leadership, has already stated in parliament that Nationalist MPs should not accept political appointments by the government and "be bribed by government".
On its part, the government said it wanted to involve all stakeholders in the economic management of the country. "An Opposition's constitutional role is important in our democracy, but the PN is not seeing the signs of the times and that this role is evolving - the electorate expects positive politics. This government is ready to work with anybody who wants the best for this country and its doors remain open to the Opposition."
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Thumbs up for PL and Evarist for offering opportunities to our children to further their studies. Postgraduate education is the key, vital component that enriches our country's human capital.
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If the PN is not keen on contributing for the benefit of the country then, in my opinion, just leave them out and don't offer them any appointments. Just get it into your heads that the PN will not cooperate. Thus doing they will spend further more years in opposition and will do a great service to the country! If they are stubborn, the country can do without them.
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Before the elections we all laughed that Labour would have to call Tonio Fenech for advice every Monday morning.
And guess what? NOW IT'S OFFICIAL!!!! That's what they really intended to do!!!
What a complete and utter laughing stock!
Vote PL -- get a bunch of idiots!!!
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Before the elections we all laughed that Labour would have to call Tonio Fenech for advice every Monday morning.
And guess what? NOW IT'S OFFICIAL!!!! That's what they really intended to do!!!
What a complete and utter laughing stock!
Vote PL -- get a bunch of idiots!!!
Emmanuel Mallia •
This is a fine example, that PN did not change, and has no will to change ! There is no place for old conservative, political games.
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Don't take it so hard PN leaders.Sir Winston Churchill won the war,he was truly great British LEADER,ORATOR and Writer,above that he remains a hero of the entire free world.But the British wanted a change after the war.
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Who will ever believe that the Pn will contirbute in any way ? They just cannot believe tnat they are mot longer in power. They will do their best to put spokes inwheels
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Kif ma tishutx! Mela insejtu x'ghamiltu inthom? 25 SENA SHAH tkisru u tfatkru f'min ma jaqbilx maghkom/ Isthu jekk ghandkom ftit zejt f'wicckom.
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Tal PN tafu xi ridu, il PL ghandu 9 MAGGORANZA u bdin latitudni ta gonzipn immisu jipqa ghaddej min fuqom, forsi flahhar jigu ftahom. Mur gieb lil pn 9maggoranza kemm kien ikolna tqalieh.
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And this from a Party which a few months ago expected the Labour opposition to vote for the Budget. They really have learnt nothing. At this rate in five years time Labour will have at least a 50,000 majority.
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For the next 5 years PN will only critisise the Govt.
With this reasoning they will have to do it for the following 5 years. The mandate of the people should be an eye opener and not one that makes you shut your eyes with glue. This is what the people want. Imbasta ejja naraw x'irid il poplu. Il poplu irid unita. If PN does not change their attitude seriously, then they are a pitiful opposition.
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For the next 5 years PN will only critisise the Govt.
With this reasoning they will have to do it for the following 5 years. The mandate of the people should be an eye opener and not one that makes you shut your eyes with glue. This is what the people want. Imbasta ejja naraw x'irid il poplu. Il poplu irid unita. If PN does not change their attitude seriously, then they are a pitiful opposition.
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Dawn tal-PN ma tifhimomx. Jekk toffrilhom ma jaccettawx, jekk ma toffrilhomx igergru ghax thallihom barra. Insomma, wara tkaxkira bhal dik iddum ftit biex tigi f'tieghek, mhux hekk?
