Labour government will implement PN’s 2013 Budget – Muscat

Labour leader Joseph Muscat said his party would be voting against the forthcoming budget but pledged to "maintain the same budgetary foundations of the 2013 Budget presented by this administration when Labour is elected in power."

Muscat said that Labour would not dismantle what the current administration has built, but build upon what it will inherit.   

The 2013 budget date has not yet been announced, however all indications point towards 28 November. In recent weeks, rebel Nationalist MP Franco Debono has consistently threatened to vote against or abstain in the budget vote. This could lead to the demise of government and the country would go into the new year with no budget.

"We have to put people's minds at rest. We will maintain the positive measures presented by this government, to put everyone's mind at rest, including workers, self-employed pensioners, young persons. After a hard-hitting four years, you can put your mind at rest. We will guarantee and honour all positive measures pledged by the current administration," Muscat said.

The Opposition leader said Labour has a plan and a credible road map. "Join us in this journey. I do understand that confidence in politics and politicians is low. But we will show you that you can trust us. We will show that what is pledged will be implemented," Muscat said.

In a pitch to the undecided voters and those who are not willing to vote, Muscat said that Labour is different from the Nationalist Party and said the forthcoming election is only the beginning.

"Some say that we are only interested in winning the election. Our aim is to create a new middle class in Malta, through an economic strategy, which will make us the best in Europe. This will be achieved through politics that will unite us and not divide us."

Speaking to the PL supporters in Ta' Xbiex, Muscat said that the uncertainty surrounding the 2013 Budget and the possibility that the budget is not approved is creating instability in the country.

"Let's be clear. We do not know what will happen and whether the budget will be approved. We will not speculate. There is a possibility that it will be approved and there is a possibility that it will not be approved," Muscat pointed out.

"We are still waiting for some indications from government to reduce this uncertainty," he added.

Calling for budgetary certainty and for an end to the political chess moves in the interest of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's clique, Muscat said "We do not even know the date of the budget. The clique which is running the country is putting its interests before the country's interests. This is nothing but a disservice to the whole country,' Muscat said.

Explaining that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has turned the budget vote into a vote of confidence in his government and his leadership. Muscat said: "We cannot vote in favour of the Budget because we have no confidence in you."

"We will show as we have always done that the national interest will come first, as we have shown in our support for Tonio Borg's nomination (for EU commissioner). This is the difference between the politics of yesteryear and the politics of today," he added.

Muscat then stressed that Labour will not foment the uncertainty created if the 2013 Budget is not approved and said that if his party is elected to government it will maintain the same foundations of the 2013 Budget presented by the current Nationalist administration.

"We will maintain the positive measures presented, to put everyone's mind at rest, including workers, self-employed pensioners, young persons," Muscat said.

He explained that after having gone through a negative four years, workers, self-employed, students and pensioners can rest assured that a Labour government will not create further instability.

"We will do this to ensure that nobody recurs to scaremongering tactics. We will guarantee stability and certainty, which will produce jobs that you deserve and economic growth that reaches everyone."

Muscat once again stressed that Labour will not dismantle anything but build upon the Nationalist government's accomplishments. "What you have earned is yours and we will continue building on that," Muscat said.

The PL leader said that if the 2013 Budget is not approved, people will be in the dark over the proposed but not approved measures. He asked what will happen if changes to the tax bends are proposed but not approved.

Calling on foreign investors to invest in Malta, Muscat said there will be no drastic change if the government changes.

"The difference is that they [PN] speak about putting more money in their pockets and we speak about putting more money in your pockets," Muscat said.  

Speaking on the turbulence in the Middle East caused by the Israeli-Palastenian conflict, Muscat said: "If there is no peace in the Mediterranean, there is no prosperity in Europe."

He added that while Malta must remain focused on its role within the EU it must never forget its Mediterranean vocation and said that Malta can broker peace in the Middle East.