Labour calls for investigation of Finance Minister over chemical incineration

Adds government's reaction:

In a reaction to Muscat’s comments, the Ministry of Finance criticised the Opposition leader for taking the “allegations” made in the media as factual.

“Joseph Muscat is trying to attribute ulterior motives to the allegations even though he knows that they are not true,” it said in a statement.

Earlier:

The Labour Party leader said Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi should also investigate Finance Minister Tonio Fenech over the incineration of methyl mercaptan in the limits of Mgarr.

Speaking during the annual general meeting of the Labour Party club in Hamrun, Joseph Muscat was referring to Fenech’s decision to order an inquiry in to how Enemalta had disposed of 10 barrels, each containing 45 gallons of methyl mercaptan.

Referring to an Enemalta inquiry that led to the discovery of this incident, Muscat said Fenech is not in a position to order an inquiry: “The Finance Minister should be investigated to establish whether he had known about the disposal.

“Such practices of third world countries are no longer acceptable.”

Muscat also called for the creation of a “Second Republic”, which would give society at large greater input in drafting and amending laws. “A constitutional convention should be set up which would give us a framework which truly reflects the aspirations of the Maltese without prejudices.”

Muscat said that the time where political parties dominated society was over and reiterated that a Labour in government would revive the middle class.

On the divorce law, Muscat said having the law passed is not enough and government should ensure that the measures and proposals discussed in Parliament are implemented.

He said Malta had obtained the divorce law because people joined together, despite their political inclination. “We have divorce today because we let go of the politics of the past and embraced the movements of the future,” he said.

Muscat augured that government now puts in place all structures for the divorce law to be put into practice.

On social mobility, Muscat reiterated that a Labour in government would give everyone – “from the small to the big” – the chance to be a success in life, irrespective of their social background.

He added that government has “built a status quo” along the years which prohibits the middle class from moving forward.

“We will not hinder who is already a success, but we will set up the starting blocks for the underprivileged to move up in life.

“We will address social mobility with the economy, education and energy policies.”

Muscat expressed “shock” at a statement by Caritas which said that 44% of the Maltese were spending more than their income allows: “Not because they are living beyond their means but because they cannot keep up with the day-to-day expenses.

He again attacked the “racket” of the Local Enforcement System and reiterated that a Labour in government would stop local councils from becoming an extension of government’s bureaucracy. He added he could not understand how an inquiry will not be conducted, “despite the harsh words I used”.

In an article today, Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said told MaltaToday that he does not see the need for an inquiry into Muscat’s allegations that the operators of the warden system were taking home the lion’s shares of the council monies, and also described Muscat’s accusations as an “electoral gimmick”.

Muscat said Maltese were disillusioned and angry with how the local councils are operating: “They should be the lawyers of the citizens, defending families and not be accomplices of such rackets.”

Referring to Transport Minister Austin Gatt’s comments over Labour’s call for his resignation, Muscat said this was “a symbol of arrogance of someone who thinks he is above the people and not interested in what the public thinks.”

He also expressed solidarity with the police force who are calling for the right to join a union: “I promise that a Labour government would give all police, soldiers, members of the civil protection and all other disciplinary bodies to right to join a union – with the exception of the right to strike.”

On health, Muscat said plans for an oncology centre have been going on since 2008, where initially the cost was said to be at around €24 million and has now risen to €59 million: “I do not criticize any cent spent in such a hospital but at least government should explain how the cost has risen drastically and why its completion date is being postponed.”