The government’s pre-budget document shows vision. Not only does it address the present situation and forecasts for the next 12 months starting 1 January, but visualises the methodology to be adopted if we are to reach a state of excellence in quite a number of fields come January 2015. We are not pretending that we can gauge all sectors, as this is not only logistically impossible population-wise and geographically, but in the chosen fields, which the government considers attainable and viable, we mean to excel. If we do so then the future of the nation will be bright.

Having vision is important in life. To be able to convert mere illusions, ideas and virtual realities into planning and sustainable agendas to be followed is much more important and difficult. This Prime Minister of ours does not believe in leaving things to chance, and, more so, sets out his agenda and once he decides, then there is no stopping him.

In 15 chapters, this document outlines the present and future political agenda which the country needs. One may tend to criticise this or that section but all in all we seem to be getting there. And all this has matured over the years.

Not only have we taken up all the good that has been achieved but the government has listened and given heed to the 2,000 or so people who attended the pre-document meetings at Castille and elsewhere. Another 10,000 have either sent in their suggestions by e-mail, fax or letter and their suggestions have been considered too. Now that the document presented is up for discussion and analysis, more and more citizens are sending in their views and giving us their opinions directly during our daily political encounters, in meetings we have with our constituents in our own offices or in some PN or other social club where we attend. All this is good and helps.

Yes, every year, we update our vision for the country and further scrutinise what is going on around us, in order to be sure that what we do is for the better of the nation, our people and our children. Someone from the opposition this week stated that this pre-budget document could very well be our pre-election electoral programme. Even if it were so, what’s wrong with that? Is vying for excellence wrong? Are we to stand back from illustrating to the nation and concretely setting our vision for a successful Malta?

It could very well be that once again the Labour Party has more than lost to its competition. They now are only capable of clustering together in a publication of biblical proportions the many “elusive” political papers they have issued over the past four years. The Labour Party has been caught off guard and no amount of mudslinging by Dr Sant and Co. can take away the success of the pre-budget document. I believe that in this particular instant in the local political scenario, they only qualify to stand in our shadow.

To add insult to injury for the MLP, what is stated in the pre-budget document is really taking place. The word is around that those who have applied to join MCAST this year is in the region of 3,000 students. Another number of young people will be going for university degrees.

The Junior College and other privately run education institutions will see a higher percentage of secondary school leaving students take up post-secondary education. The pre-budget document builds the focus of its various chapters on the basis that education is the key to our nation’s success in more ways than one.

Chapter 2 speaks of the country’s need to invest in people.

Chapter 3 deals with learning for development, where everyone succeeds.

Chapter 7 focuses on the need to support our youth.

The vision as expressed in the document indicates that there is an environment in the country based on the premise that every one of us is capable of learning and succeeding. Only those who are unwilling cannot make the grade. The government is providing not only the means to succeed but working on bringing about opportunities for the future which can see our growing society finding sustainable and well paid jobs in the various sectors. These would include ICT and IT sectors, financial services, various specific industrial enterprises plus the tourism and the health sectors.

Yes, we are achieving what we have set out to achieve. We must have the best prepared labour force possible to be able to attract to our shores both visitors and investors. We will attract investors to set up their business here by what we have on offer in concrete terms. We will not offer pie in the sky. Hot air is only there for the opposition to plunge into on Sunday mornings during their leader’s weekly tirades. Investment and opportunities will be opted for within a predetermined set of rules, known beforehand, where we do not leave things to chance and wherein professionalism predominates over amateurism.

This is what the Nationalist Party is after and what it means to achieve. We can and are determined to succeed.

A totally different question is whether Labour, if elected to government, can upgrade its act and reach these goals. It is very doubtful.

Tony Abela is parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister