‘We got a change in 1996, it was for the worse’ - Gonzi

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi opened proceedings this evening by joking that “all the projects in the South have been done thanks to the government.”

“Our population wants to know where this change in direction that the PL keeps talking about will take us. We are not going to get an answer, because the change in direction is not going to be the right one," Gonzi said.

Gonzi declared that, “job creation is our primary goal. The micro-credit and micro-invest schemes were both a massive success. If we are re-elected, we plan to increase to scope of the micro-invest scheme. Currently it applies to businesses with 10 or less employees, we shall expand it to businesses with 30 or less employees.”

The Prime Minister spoke of the positive feedback received from a variety of foreign firms about the Maltese workforce.

“Maltese workers are for the most part bilingual and willing to learn. Even Angela Merkel has placed us in the top division. I do not know how the opposition can claim that we are in the second division.” I am convinced that after the election the government will pass the PN budget and our credit rating will go up once again,” Gonzi said.

Speaking about the Labour Party’s 22 months in government, the Prime Minister once again brought up the CET issue.

“The last time we trusted our country with Labour they removed VAT and introduced CET, a tax much higher than VAT. VAT was set at 15% whilst CET was closer to 29-30%. Many businesses closed down as a result of this.”

According to the Prime Minister, the female participation rate in Malta is at an all time high.

“Under a Nationalist government the female participation rate reached 44%, a new record. The problematic category looks to be in the 35+ range. Report says that 75% of women not in the world of work have an education level equal or below the ordinary level. This particular generation grew up under a Labour government, and are finding it hard to break into the world of work. Those who lost the opportunity can have it under this government through the variety of evening courses and extra training on offer.”

“If we want to move our country forward, education is crucial. I am going to boast, we are the party associated with education. I will not be happy until 100% of youngsters continue into higher education."

Gonzi also referred to a blast at a munitions dump in Cyprus two years ago that wiped out a large part of the island’s power supply. He likened this to the two gas storage tanks that the Labour proposal will place next to the Delimara power station.