The Malta Labour Party (MLP) will shortly be publishing a technical study it has commissioned on what leader Alfred Sant described as the “magic figures” that are being released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

Speaking in Paola, Dr Sant said that in recent weeks, the government has found a new way to talk about the economy – and this is being done through the publication of “magic figures”. The NSO has suddenly discovered that, before Dr Lawrence Gonzi became Prime Minister, the economy had grown less than had been estimated, while it has grown more than had been calculated during Dr Gonzi’s tenure, Dr Sant said.

The same NSO has “discovered” that over the past year the number of those in employment had increased by 3,000, at a time when tourism was in decline.

And now it appears that the NSO was working to inflate tourism figures by changing numbers again, Dr Sant said.

This playing about with figures does not convince anyone, Dr Sant said. Dr Gonzi had promised a new way of doing politics, but this had not come to be. Dr Gonzi had lost all electoral tests since he became Prime Minister, Dr Sant said, adding that projects like the Mater Dei Hospital, Dar Malta in Brussels and the Mgarr and Cirkewwa terminals were still unfinished.

Dr Sant stated the party worked throughout the holiday season and met with several NGOs, who voiced a common appeal – the need for policies which reflect the citizens’ need. He said he was impressed by the number of suggestions, made by these organisations to the government, which had fallen on deaf ears.

The MLP will continue to offer alternatives without promising that problems will be solved overnight. He added that the MLP will prioritise the problems that need to be tackled and will start with those concerning job creation and social inclusion.

The Opposition Leader referred to today’s parliamentary session that will begin with a discussion on a bill on voluntary organisations. He claimed that all NGOs feel the bill is flawed as on the outside it portrays the government as giving them a chance to participate in society, while really and truly the government will remain in full control.

Dr Sant said the MLP has learnt a lot about NGOs from the meetings held with them and pledged that the party will strive to help them to carry out their work. On the other hand, this new law, said Dr Sant, will bulldoze over the NGOs in the same way as the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) did by giving the go-ahead to the development Sant’Antnin recycling plant.

The Children’s Commissioner’s refusal for staying on for a second term is another example of the way the government is administering the country, said Dr Sant. Sonia Camilleri is a serious professional, and she did a good job, but she did not accept to remain in her post because of legal shortcomings and lack of resources.

In its family document, the MLP is proposing stronger structures to protect children such as that the Children’s Commissioner would have a status similar to that of the Ombudsman.

Dr Sant concluded that the need for a change in government has strongly increased over the last few weeks. The MLP is prepared to bring about this change and will strive to guarantee a better quality of life to the Maltese families.

Deputy leader Michael Falzon said as a left wing party, the MLP must ensure that there is an increase in investment so as to guarantee a better quality of life. He added that the party is also obliged to see to a better administration in the country.

Speaking about the Victoria-San Lawrenz road, Dr Falzon said the project, once completed, should have cost Lm1 million. However, the road is still unfinished, the road leading to the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary “is still a desert” and the cost has increased twofold.

Dr Falzon said although the construction industry is one of the country’s lungs, property prices have become ever more unreachable.

He said the market needs luxury property; however, there is a strong need for housing that young couples can afford.

The party’s next general conference, said Dr Falzon will discuss five social documents that constitute the last five social pillars of the party’s manifesto for the next general election. He called for the party to brace itself for the 10 March local council elections, which he said will be the last round before the all-important general elections.