First they vote against it, then they use it themselves
The Times reports:
The income tax cut announced in the Budget will be retained and backdated to January 1, as originally planned, a government spokesman as confirmed.
The Budget will be moved once more in Parliament on April 8. It will be identical to the Budget presented by the previous administration, except for a tweak to ensure minimum wage earners do not pay income tax.
The income tax rate of 35% per cent will be reduced to 32% for people with annual income of less than €60,000.
The spokesman confirmed that during the April 8 sitting, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna will not re-read the Budget speech.
Instead, he will present the Government’s overall economic vision.
Just unbelievable. The only reason they are using this budget is because they voted against it last December. Back then, they said it is perfectly normal practice for the Opposition to vote against the Budget, and that the prime minister’s calls not to destabilise the country by voting against the Budget were senseless because the Opposition HAS TO oppose it – which is rubbish, of course.
We are going to have proof of that on 8 April, when the Opposition DOESN’T vote against the Budget, but will vote with the government.
That’s responsible behaviour.
Meanwhile, there has been a four or five-month hiatus and the calculations on which that Budget is based are probably badly out of synch. But I wouldn’t know about that, so will reserve judgement.
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And regarding your last paragraph, not only a four/five month hiatus, but a budget that was based on the needs of …how many were there, 10, 12 Ministries and PSs? 22 surely make a difference. and its not just about Ministers themselves but buildings, expenses, staff, projects…
Yepp, and rthen when the calculations go haywire, they won’t admit that it’s because of this government’s added expenses; they’ll say that it’s because the previous PN government didn’t work out the costings well.
Even worse, after they fired all the perm secs, when the new finance minster went to work to get the budget re-prepared to be re-presented with a different cover and asked for the staffs’ help, the employees told him that the perm sec does these things, so they had to call him in to help.
That budget does not go hand in hand with all the proposals of LP. ‘Passing’ that budget and executing their electoral manifesto will be their downfall and undoing of the island. Are we to expect some form of government withdrawal elsewhere?
Ranier Fsadni’s column in The Times today – you should read it:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130321/opinion/The-PN-s-long-march.462343
Excellent, as always.
I agree
Agreed. I always like his erudite features even if, more often than not, I have to read his piece twice.
“The spokesman confirmed that during the April 8 sitting, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna will not re-read the Budget speech.”
Not surprised, because at his age he would have to take a couple of breaks.
Do you honestly think that Joseph & Co could ever have managed work out and present their own budget within the end April deadline, when two weeks in government they have not yet even managed to get ministerial office premises sorted out.
Opposition approval of the budget is qualified. Government must needs review all the numbers as the original figures are based on data drawn up four months ago.
Unless those figures are reviewed to take into account changes resulting from the failure to approve the budget on its original due date, and of the consequences of the recent change from a competent government with a proven track record to an incompetent government that is floundering around blindly and which is rapidly losing public trust, Malta will definitely end its current financial year with a disastrous two-figure percentage deficient.
Well said. One of the major changes since the budget was presented by the very competent Tonio Fenech last November is the number of ministers, ministries, their offices and staff, which are at least double those of the evidently more competent PN complement.
Dear Caruana Galizia
Could be mention at least one thing li l- PN imissu ghamel ahjar? You’re always critising Muscat’s moviment, but haven’t heard nothing from your side against PN. Nahseb impossibli li ghamel kollox TAJJEB hux hekk
Karl
Dear Borda Naudi, seeing we are going about it in classroom, surname first fashion. I have stated myself, as have others, that the Nationalist government had faults and a crap record in people relationships.
I strongly critisized Lawrence Gonzi and Paul Borg Olivier, the former for allowing those around him to dilute his leadership and the latter for things I’d rather not go into.
I have been critical for the past four years or so but I have done it with respect and did not resort to undermine the Nationalist government on Super One, on personal blogs, by stupidly speaking of slow punctures or by subtly using others to do my dirty work.
My criticism, as well as that of others, has always been carried on this blog many times over. I am thankful to Daphne for the opportunity to do so.
The election result is proof enough that the PN ma ghamilx kollox tajjeb but that does not alienate my justified anxiousness that Muscat.com is NOT the better choice.
For the sake of Malta, may I be wrong.
What Borda Naudi is saying here is: GIVE HIM (JM) A CHANCE. It’s the attitude of ‘bored’ youngsters and ‘teenage’ adults.
The former are a couple of generations addicted to Facebook and emotionally and intellectually dependent on marketing and peer pressure. Politically and socially they are still immature, probably having an idealistic outlook towards life, so they cling to anyone who promises ‘ready-made’ solutions to their perceived problems.
The latter consider themselves as grown ups and ‘intellectually balanced’ but are easily swayed by the same forces that condition their emotional make-up. They are either too lazy or lack the necessary acumen to make a reasoned choice between two imperfect choices. Their general attitude and beliefs place them not too far from their bored, younger ‘peers’.
I know this sounds arrogant in a society which treats foolishness as another, equally valid opinion. Unfortunately, in the big scheme of things, it is the way uninformed democracy moves (despite the technological advances) – in zigzag fashion, one step forward, two steps back.
In many spheres, basic principles have been brushed aside in favour of ‘fashion’. It is always time that will separate the wheat from the chaff.
Dear Borda Naudi,
We have some corrections to make.
1. Could be mention – wrong. (Could you mention)
2. Li il PN imissu ghamel ahjar – wrong we are writing in English, are we not? (anything that the nationalist party could have done better)
3. You’re criticising Muscat’s Moviment – wrong (it’s Movement, not ‘muviment’)
4. But haven’t heard nothing – wrong and wrong -the getto double negative and you missed an I. (Your options are either I haven’t heard anything or I have heard nothing)
5. From your side – wrong literal Maltese translation and a dead give away.
6. Nahseb li etc etc – wrong we are still writing in English, remember?
U Le not too bad, ta hi –
seriously what makes you ppl write these comments ?
“The spokesman confirmed that during the April 8 sitting, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna will not re-read the Budget speech.”
Maybe they can show instead a video of Tonio Fenech reading the budget.
Maaaaaaaa…….xi breakdown in nazzjonalisti ghandom………
U allura ?
Irbahtu l-elezzjoni u ghadkhom mimlijin hdura u lanzit. Imma qatt ma se tkunu kuntenti.
Did you see this: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130322/local/launch-of-public-transport-consultation.462501
Public consultation a la Labour.
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-03-22/news/jason-micallef-calls-for-resignation-of-pbs-ceo-editor-1229586432/
We were waiting for this…
Daphne check this out, another Malta Taghna lkoll update: http://oi48.tinypic.com/bljqt.jpg
By the way, this is a girl who I believe is currently in danger of dying.
The changes proposed under the previous administration during the Budget speech were that income taxes will reduce to 32% this year, 29% in 2014 and 25% in 2015.
Will the new government honour this or will it only apply the reduction for 2013 only.
If this is the case then then many of the “new mikkle class” may have saved 200 Euro in their Electricity bill for 2015 but will find out that stand to lose 1000 Euro income tax in the same year when the income tax rate should be a maximum of 25%.
The plan is ridiculous and irresponsible. The budget was planned within a set of circumstances that have been superseded, not least because of Muscat’s extravagant granting of favours to quell dissent in his ranks.
It leaves the opposition between a rock and a hard place: vote against, with no hope for improvement in the little time left available; vote in favour, knowing there’s a serious mismatch between the budget and the current and future circumstances.
Dejjem jirkbu fuq il-gwaj ta’ haddiehor. L-ewwel l-Egittu (turizmu) u issa Cipru (finanzi). Evviva il-moral high standards.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130322/local/cyprus-issues-present-opportunity-for-malta-scicluna.462507
How on earth can you present a budget based on 8 ministries, with their respective budgets, when you now have 14 ministries. The mind baffles.
Would they have to consider the fact that they will be costing us an extra 20 million per year for the increase in the number of cabinet members, staff, and overheads?
Ranier Fsadni’s piece is excellent, as always. I tend to agree with much of what he says in this article including the fact that the time frame to involve all party members in the leader’s election is too short.
But I feel that this option should not be completely discarded.
The PN lost many votes due to the fact that they had distanced themselves from the party faithful, especially those who gave and risked so much in those dreadful socialist years for our quest for freedom and democracy.
There will not be a better time than right now for the party to start mending the mistakes of the past years and building back the bridges between itself and the party faithful.
It has to start attracting back the people to the headquarters, for many known affectionally as L-Istamperijja. This was like a second home for so many back in the 80s. Indeed for some of us it was more of a first home, but never mind that now.
People need to feel welcome and be attracted to the headquarters rather than be turned away and ignored as happened in recent years. Through my life experience I realized something and I always say it.
When one gets punched on the nose by an opponent it hurts. But when one gets a slap on the face by a friend, especially if for that friend one gave and risked so much, it hurts more. So much more.
Back to the party elections though.
I still think that the time frame to involve all party members in the voting is short and therefore it should be the councillors who elect the three people for the respective roles.
But I do have an idea or rather wish where the wishes of the party members could be taken in a consultative manner. This can be done electronically or otherwise. A member can say Mr. X for leader, Mr. Y For deputy and Mr. Z for general secretary.
Or the party itself can forward names for the respective posts and members can choose who they prefer. As I said this will only be a consultative exercise and will be made known to the counselors.
That way those who have the right to vote would know the feeling and preferences of the members who actually are a good chunk of the party.
Daphne, once you wrote in one of your blogs, “The Labour Party are not capable of running their own website, let alone a country”
This is so hilarious. So 55% voted for a change and now they’re going to be “lumped” with the ‘Budget tal-Klikka’.
To balance the sheet government has to collect the excise duty which it did not collect for the last four months.
Apart the oversight on minimum wage earners paying tax , I think Labour will not introduce the waver on tax on inherited or donated property between relatives.
Earlier today, The Times published online an article under the header “Cyprus issues present opportunity for Malta – Scicluna.”
Cannot find the page online anymore. What did The Times do to it?
Google can find reference to it with a search for the text of the title, but the page cannot be found. There is also reference to it in the link below.
http://malta.rsspump.com/?topic=cyprus-issues-present-opportunity-for-malta-scicluna&key=20130322114732_5e62cab2b183904b21ada55ecccd64dc
On Reno Bugeja’s Dissett tonight, Edward Scicluna confirmed the existence of the above report by The Times, but he denied that he had made such a statement as reported by The Times. He said he had called for caution.
Are we supposed to believe him? After all, his leader had said something similar about the “issues” in Tunisia and North Africa during the Arab Spring revolution.
A new report, just released, indicates the new, old Labour cabinet ministers unable to control when they release water anymore.
Two hundred and fifty-eight weeks until the next election.
So ridiculous…
Ara x nies t’integrita ghandna l-Lejber. I guess it’s just the beginning … u kif jghid Freddie Portelli – “Il-kbir ghadu gej”.
Let’s hope the best for our country.
Will somebody explain to PL that they can’t use it as originally drawn up because:
1. expenditure is higher with more ministries and has to be in line with new administrative set-up;
2. income was based on an increase in duty on fuel and cigarettes. We have already lost four months’ income from these sources. How will this be compensated?
A ‘one off ‘ levy on dividends!
@ Mr.Karl Borda Naudi
In my most humble opinion, the biggest mistake the PN ever made in these past 25 years was to create such a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for the maltese people that they did not think twice to vote for the opposition, because that is how democracy works.Secondly it is now a fact that the maltese electorate could not be bothered about the state of the country itself. National projects are not their concern.People only care what is going into their pockets,because after so many years of bad governance under the PN, the maltese have set themselves such high standards of living that no one is going to deprive them one single cent of it. May I remind you sir, that now thanks to the ” evil ” PN, people can ill afford not to buy their flashy cars, fast boats and luxurious properties. Would’nt it be shameful for the maltese not to go on holiday at least once or twice a year, because that is what the PN did help create over the past quarter of a century. Me thinks that the new PL will have to work their b**ls off to keep the maltese people happy with their high standards. Otherwise we will see another mass migration of biblical proportions to the other side before long. The PN’s major fault was to make people believe that they were having it too good for a very long time. They created a monster of their own making. The very moment, most people, due to bad management of their own finances or sheer extravagance, started feeling the pinch, who else could they blame other than the PN and I get the feeling that you might be one of them. I for one always voted PN and because I never set myself any high standards in life was never disappointed. If the PL is not going to keep the milk and honey flowing, the will be in for a very big surprise.
Haqq, has everyone forgotten about the teblits? Ostra! I voted Lejber to get the teblit hi … for my childrens.
Nibqghu sejrin hekk nahseb vera dritt fil-hajt ha nispiccaw.
Kif tista tghaddi budget ta’ gvern iehor li kellu prijoritajiet ohra milli xi 23 minister jahdum fuq xulxin.