PN is the only party of change – Gonzi

The Nationalist Party means job creation for all Maltese workers, young and old, the PN leader Lawrence Gonzi said today during a political debate in Floriana. He stressed that the PN is synonymous with "more and better jobs."

Asked whether he is concerned with the apparent feeling in the country for a change in government, Gonzi said "The only party which can bring change is the PN. We are the only party with a proven record of bringing change for the better. We have led Malta into the EU. We said yes while Labour said no."

In a rousing end to his speech, Gonzi dispelled Labour's aspirations to return to government and replace a tired Nationalist administration and said "We have brought about change which took the country forward. Labour fears change. We do not. When the time arrives we will turn to the electorate and ask them to vote for the change which will benefit our families and our children. "

 "Work gives persons dignity and I am proud that the Nationalist Party has always had full confidence in the skills and abilities of Maltese workers," the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said.

Interviewed by Chris Sultana from di-ve.com, the Prime Minister explained that the Nationalist government has overseen crucial changes and reforms in the past years and has successively been voted to government for its ability to deal with the Maltese economy.

"We are proud that we have weathered the international financial crisis and we have managed to create more jobs and have the gainfully occupied persons increase despite the crisis," Gonzi said.

During the debate, part of the PN Independence festivities in Floriana, Gonzi noted that the remedy for the international crisis also depends on the work-ethic of Maltese workers who are capable of not only maintain their jobs but be more productive, increase exports and attract further investment.

"We must attract more investment, to create more jobs and more wealth which we will distribute according to the principles of social justice," the PN leader said.

Today's debate focused on job creation with the discussion was marked by a number of interventions from the public and a number of recorded clips and  interviews with employees,  students and entrepreneurs who spoke about the government's record in job creation and initiatives benefitting SMEs.

Gonzi said the experiences of entrepreneurs, workers and students speak louder than the words of politicians. He pointed out that economic growth can only be achieved through the hard work of the people.

The Prime Minister went on to list the number of graduates produced by the educational institutions and the number of jobs created in the last four years.

"I can assure you that the Nationalist Party is behind you, not in front of you. We want to make sure that nobody is left behind and everybody is successful in moving forward."

Addressing a lively crowd at the Granaries in Floriana, Gonzi boasted about the PN's record in running the economy and job creation and dismissed the track record of past Labour administrations.   

A spirited Lawrence Gonzi stressed that the Nationalist Party has always been synonymous with job creation and better job conditions because the PN was never "scared of modernising the country, technology and innovation," while Labour was the party of unemployment, bad conditions and "second hand" economics.  

A number of ministers, MPs and candidates where present, including deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg,  under-fire health minister Joe Cassar, consumers minister Jason Azzopardi, MPs Clyde Puli, Charlo Bonnici, Joe Falzon, Robert Arrigo, Jean Pierre Farrugia and former MP Tony Abela. MEP and the Prime Minister's special envoy, Simon Busuttil was also present.

Another notable presence was that of former PN secretary-general Joe Saliba, the architect of successive PN electoral victories over the past 15 years is increasingly visible at PN activities. As happened in another PN event earlier on this week, he was seen chatting to and advising party officials.

Gonzi also boasted about the number of females at University and the number of civil servants, ambassadors and other high profile jobs occupied by females. On Sunday, MaltaToday revealed that the Maltese government will join a diplomatic push spearheaded by the United Kingdom, to oppose a law that will introduce mandatory quotas for women on public companies and private companies on the stock exchange.

The PN leader said that during the last four years, "up to 6,000 women returned to their job after a brief spell out of employment. This is down to the income-tax reduction scheme we offered to women returning to their job. The schemes have been successful and if we keep focusing on education, more jobs with better wages and conditions for women will be created."

Gonzi said the rate of female participation in the labour market has increased to 43% and stressed that more needs to be done to increase this rate and pointed out that

"Air Malta is on the right track but we believe that by 2014 the company will break even and go on to become profitable. We have offered the airline's employees a number of choices and it is encouraging the employees who sought other jobs have done so successfully," Gonzi added.

"Let's create better jobs for everyone for the hundreds of young people who seek employment. Every job created or saved is precious. We must work hard for every single job," he said.

The Prime Minister hit out at the Opposition for being "the only party to turn positive facts and news into bad news and criticism." Citing the Labour party's criticism on health and the economy, Gonzi said the Opposition is overtly negative.

Speaking on the government's policies for the self-employed sector, Gonzi said the PN's maxim has always been "more and better jobs." He explained that a number of initiatives including the micro-invest scheme have benefited hundreds of small and medium sized companies.  

Gonzi said the Labour Party's criticism on excessive bureaucracy is misplaced because under Nationalist administrations administrative work can be done with a click of a button online, adding "You [Labour] have always been against technology and you have been the cause for the wasted time in our efforts to catch up with other countries after 1987."

He also pointed out and urged the electorate not to forget the "not so distant decision taken by the 1996 Labour administration's to replace VAT with a Customs and Excise  Tax "which hurt businesses and SMEs."