Francesca Vella
The country cannot take risks with issues related to its future, but its people have to be determined to continue moving in the right direction, established by policies adopted by the Nationalist government, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.
Speaking at a political activity in Santa Lucija, Dr Gonzi used a phrase recently mentioned by Opposition Leader Alfred Sant – “who dares wins”.
Translated to Maltese, this means that whoever takes risks, wins (“Min jissogra jirbah”), said the prime minister, adding: “We cannot take risks with our children’s future”.
Dr Gonzi referred to the recent agreement signed between the government and the Medical Association of Malta (MAM) and the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, as well as all the technical employees in the health sector, including paramedics and pharmacists.
He stressed the importance of this agreement, by means of which “excellent” services will continue to be provided in the health sector.
“This agreement was only possible because the country’s finances have been secured. This agreement cost the millions of liri as it established new conditions for staff, new systems for them to follow at the new hospital and it also addressed the problem of brain drain in this sector,” said Dr Gonzi, adding that this was part of the government’s vision to have one of the world’s best health services sector.
Speaking about the new HSBC service centre in Gozo, which has created another 50 employment opportunities, the prime minister said he was convinced that this project will give Gozo a new dimension, making it a more attractive business destination.
He said it was former Finance Minister John Dalli who had recognised the added value of having HSBC, the world’s largest bank, operating from Malta.
“By bringing HSBC to Malta, the government sent a clear message to investors. EU membership and Malta’s strategic position make it an ideal place to do business,” said Dr Gonzi.
The prime minister said it was always the Nationalist Party that recognised the country’s strengths, was not afraid of change and stimulated people not to be scared of change.
He appealed to everyone, no matter what their political beliefs may be, to stop and think who has truly brought about change in Malta.
“Was it not the PN that invested in technology, schools, university, the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST)? Was it not this party that worked hard for EU membership and euro adoption?
“Was it not this party that strengthened the Constitution and freedom of expression? Is it not the Nationalist Party that is investing in the future of our children?” said Dr Gonzi.
He added he was ashamed that the 1996-1998 Labour government had frozen Malta’s application to join the EU. He said that on the contrary, the Nationalist Party’s policies made people feel proud to be Maltese.
He said that had Dr Sant been prime minister over the past three years, Malta would not have been an EU member, it would not have been working on the SmartCity Malta project and low-cost carriers would not have been operating from Malta.
Dr Sant also wanted to devaluate the Maltese lira and this would have meant that the price of medicines would have increased by 10 per cent, said Dr Gonzi, adding that the Labour Party had also insisted that the pensions reform was not necessary, even though leaders all over the world has been trying to find solutions in this regard.
Dr Gonzi said the Labour Party’s policies were superficial, characterised by a state of panic and lacking any form of responsibility.
Speaking about measures announced in Budget 2008, Prime Minister Gonzi said the family has been at the centre of the PN’s attention since the party first came into existence.
“We introduced a number of measures for parents to invest in their children’s education, because we know that this is what the country’s future depends upon, but we have been creating opportunities for everyone, not only those who are qualified.”
PN secretary-general Joe Saliba and former Finance Minister John Dalli also participated in yesterday’s political activity. Mr Saliba said that contrary to PN governments over the years, Dr Sant’s 1996-1998 government did not provide any foundations for the country’s future, but rather provided 22 months of uncertainty.
Mr Dalli spoke about the process that led to the HSBC agreement, by means of which it started operating from Malta. He said it was a long, tough process by means of which the country now has the best set of financial services legislation in the world.
Mr Dalli referred to Dr Sant’s reply to Budget 2008, saying it was clear that the Labour leader had no idea how a government operates. He also expressed his satisfaction that Dr Sant had finally acknowledged that price orders can never work.