Sunday ‘dialogue’ meetings in preparation for Budget – Prime Minister

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's Cabinet is currently working on presenting the Budget for 2013 - a budget that would also help the electorate to decide who it wants elected in government in the coming general elections.

Addressing a political activity this morning, Lawrence Gonzi said the Nationalist Party in government was "prudently" planning the road ahead for the country.

"We are working on a budget that supports our credibility in being leaders of this country. This budget will move forward with your approval and I am confident that, in front of the moment of choice, the country will once again vote PN," Gonzi said.

"You know where you stand with us. And at the end you choose the party that has always given you a clear picture and not the party that hides its plans."

Firing up his audience, the PN leader urged the party faithful to work together: "Filled with courage, let us work because we have a lot of work to do."

Gonzi also said that the new format of the Sunday dialogue - where it's the members of the general public who make the questions - was a way by which the PN could gain insight into what the people wanted.

The new format also sees Gonzi sitting among the people - a method adopted by Labour leader Joseph Muscat during his party's congress.

"This is how dialogue is built. We talk and listen to your suggestions and ideas. Then, as a party and government we evaluate your suggestions and see what this government can afford to implement. And this way we can guarantee yet another serious budget like we had in the past," he said.

The Prime Minister made no reference whatsoever to the developments in parliament this week or to government's decision to go ahead with its plan to lease the St Philip's Hospital despite a pending motion in parliament.

He however lambasted Opposition leader Joseph Muscat for his attempts "at becoming Malta's youngest prime minister" and said that above all "no matter how much he tries to turn it around, Dr Muscat is going to freeze minimum wage".

The minimum wage tug-of-war is currently the PN's battle line against Labour, even though the latter is insisting that it will not "freeze" minimum wage as the cost of living adjustment would always be implemented.

Gonzi went on to ask what a Labour government would tear down from what the Nationalist government "has done wrong" and what it would be replaced with.  

"So far I haven't heard anything concrete from Muscat. Have you heard Muscat talk about the proposals and how he would implement measures in education, work and health? Will he build a school every year like we did?" Gonzi said.

He added that government will continue with its work in leading the country, "not only for the coming elections but for the coming years".

Gonzi took questions from three women - a mother, a working mother and a grandmother - and a father who is visually impaired.

In reply to their questions, Gonzi insisted that government would continue to invest in education and social services as to guarantee a solid future for their kids.

He said that education and social services should also be tailor-made according to the specific needs of the individuals.