The “scandalous web of spies” conducted by the Nationalist Party together with the government involved persons who manage the country’s assets and others who acted as secret service agents during the 1980s, Dr Muscat said.

Speaking at a party activity in Zurrieq yesterday, which was the last in the series entitled ‘New Political Season’, Dr Muscat said that the spying scandal was very serious; however Prime Minster Lawrence Gonzi had not publicly spoken on the matter. Meanwhile though, PN secretary general Paul Borg Olivier had divulged that the Prime Minister knew about the dissemination of personal information between government departments and the party, thus the Prime Minister has the responsibility to answer.

Dr Muscat also reminded that 15 top government officials were present during meetings which were taking place during working hours at the PN Headquarters.

With reference to the country’s deficit, Dr Muscat said that he expected it to reach e200 million by the end of the year when the government had estimated a deficit of e68 million.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had explained that the difference was due to the early retirement schemes issued to dockyard workers; however, Dr Muscat pointed out that these schemes have not yet been paid as the dockyard workers’ employment will be terminated at the end of the year.

Dr Muscat explained that the complaints of dockyard workers were not the only ones of the kind. Medicine importers too this week confirmed that they were owed millions by the government. This resulted in a situation by which they could no longer afford to import medicines.

The reason for such a shortfall from the government’s estimate, Dr Muscat said, was the pre-electoral waste for which the people should now make good by paying high utility bills.

Furthermore, Dr Muscat said that one year ago, when the government was saying that Malta had a sound financial situation; a 50 per cent utility surcharge was introduced. Back then it had said that the surcharge should be at 83 per cent, however, people could not afford to pay such high tariffs.

Soon after the elections were over, the surcharge was increased to 95 per cent and now the government wants to increase this to 184 per cent even though the Prime Minister is saying that we are facing problems, Dr Muscat said.

Back in September, “the number two,” (Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt), had said that if oil prices go down to 85 dollars per barrel, the energy tariffs would be decreased. However even though oil decreased by nearly half that price to 43 dollars per barrel, energy tariffs were not decreased.

“The Prime Minister is in a state of panic and the much needed balance which the country needs to face the repercussions of the international economic crisis is not being created,” Dr Muscat said.

Thus, the Opposition will continue making pressure for the government and most especially on Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to carry his responsibility, he further explained.

With reference to the proposed Ghadira road, Dr Muscat said that this issue was created as a red herring to diverge attention from utility tariffs. The government’s action and in particular Dr Gatt’s comments were showing disrespect to foreign investors like those of the Danish Village who had believed in our country’s potential for years.

In the coming year, the Labour Party will move a motion in Parliament against a legal notice which made it a must for female lawyers to wear skirts in court. Dr Muscat complained that women were not being left free to wear what they wanted and described it as a discrimination the PL did not tolerate.

Dr Muscat concluded by calling for the government to help families and not having them pay for the government’s mistakes because “the country needs certainty and not uncertainty.” While meetings in the series ‘New Political Season’ had come to an end, he promised to keep encouraging people to look forward to a brighter future.

Dr Muscat also congratulated Maltese singer Kevin Borg who won the Swedish Pop Idol award and thanked PL supporters for the successful fund raising marathon held on Saturday.