The term voyeur has strong sexual implications, meaning someone who spies on others’ intimate behaviour. Despite the fact that this government is adamant in its support for the opening of sex shops in Malta, with their voyeurs’ boots, there was no reference to such cultural accretion in this budget. Voyeurism, instead, was presented in this budget under another guise.
A voyeur does not normally interact directly with the subject of his/her interest. He or she looks at the other person or persons from a distance without compassion. If what has been reported is true, that is, this budget was first vetted by Castile so that its language could be manipulated to be turned into a “sexy piece” of political literature; then, in fairness sake, we, the audience of this budget, were literally turned into some sort of voyeurs “imxennqin”by those responsible for this wholecharade.
We had been used to this sort of budget in the past. For the last twenty years, Malta has had budgets aimed at creating a positive feeling and outlook. The difference between then and now is that the previous PN used to open with a delineation of policy. The PL prefers a budget aimed at popular appeal. This explains why, in my opinion, this budget had first to be vetted by Castile before going to parliament.
For sure, the writing of this budget was a good exercise in narrative. The problem this time is that more than one budget document was published with the consequence that at least, there are two versions which can be compared and constrasted. Judging from the exercise undertaken by the Nationalist Party, there were a number of good measures that were meant to be introduced in this year’s budget but were withdrawn at the last minute. Like voyeurs, we, the Maltese citizens were left to our fanasties and dreaming that perhaps, one day these good measures will feature in a future budget.
Having said that, there are a number of good measures in this year’s budget, starting with the increase of the pension’s ceiling. Senior citizens on a minimum pension are going to receive an increase between €4.15 to €8.92 weekly. The catch here is in the increase bracket. It is not very clear to me, at least at the moment, about the amount of those who are going to receive the maximum increase. I hope that they will not be a handful of individuals. Minimum wage earners are no longer going to be taxed. Vat on sports has been decreased and thereis a drive towards the increase of electric cars in our streets. These are all bold moves. But can these measures, together, with others proposed, on their own, qualify this year’s budget, as a Social Democratic one? No, it cannot.
I will not delve into the issue that those who will be reaping the biggest returns from the budget measures are a select few; those who will be entering into a private-public partnership. The increase in their returns per week is not going to be of 1.75 euros as the rest of the employed in Malta. Nor am I going to refer to Government’s initiative to pay half the wage of a carer, if the family decides to keep their loved one at home.
It is extremely difficult for me to reconcile two opposing views, both defining the budget as a good one. I am here referring to The Malta Independent which described this budget as pro-business. The Malta Employers Association shares the same view. L-Orizzont praised it for the social measures, and in particular, for addressing precarious jobs. At least, Joseph Muscat kept his word. He promised a Government that is going to be pro-business. Businessmen today are feeling safe with Labour.
When it comes to the real targets, there is much to be desired. The government lacks a proper vision and gives the impression that it is running the country by crisis management. What about sustainable environmental targets? There were none. The transport and urban plans too leave much to be desired. Perhaps, introducing a flat rate of ten euros licence on motorcycles can appear as a solution for the too many cars in our streets. No. It is not. It will only precipate Malta into the same type of traffic chaos that is normally associated with Rome and Naples. Malta has a distinct character from these cities and the rest of southern Italy.
The saga of the vintage cars proves that Government has no clue as to how to solve the pressing traffic problem and how to interact. Suggesting that vintage cars should be confined to the week-end, in a desperate attempt to restrict the number of vehicles on the road, clearly indicates that there is no vision on this matter. Irrespective of the fact whether this was a genuine mistake or not, the fact that this measure arrived up to the desk of the Finance Ministry shows that there is or are persons who simply do not know what they are doing. Vintage cars are definitely NOT the cause for traffic jams. Owners of vintage cars would be mad to go out in the rush hour.
Despite all sweet-talk, this budgetfailed miserably on the subject of immigration. Immigrants were labelled “illegal”. We have an official government document, which is out of tune in its diction. Were we not promised that we were going to be the best in Europe? Such a phrase does not bode well.
However, the question that most of us will be asking is what are those measures that will affect me?The middle class will continue to sustain the economy through the payment of taxes. This is what neo-liberal budgets are all about.
This type of approach is only turning budget day into a non-event.