Unlike Alternattiva Demokratika, Azzjoni Nazzjonali (AN) are not in favour of a coalition, but a “national government – that is a meeting place where the brightest minds of the left and right can work together, because as things are it is a pity that Labour are not taking an active role in opposition, but simply criticising the government, which means that a lot of knowledge and information from their end has gone to waste, and Malta was allowed to go downhill,” AN’s acting leader, Charles Attard, told a meeting about SMEs held at AN’s Sliema headquarters yesterday.
“We would like to see both sides active within a national government, but if Labour and the Nationalists insist on fighting like cats and dogs, than if we were represented in Parliament we would join that party which leans closest towards our ideas,” added Dr Attard.
Azzjoni Nazzjonali is pro-business, which means being in favour of all businesses whatever their size, political colour or orientation. Businessmen in Malta are being tormented, despite the fact that they do nothing but good for the country, and it is a pity that they are being treated this way, he said.
“We are the voice of the silent minority, for those who would be given the red carpet treatment if they were based overseas, while here in Malta they are treated as though they were a bunch of thieves,” said Dr Attard.
Among the proposals discussed yesterday, Dr Attard mentioned that AN wants to represent businessmen in parliament, and to make sure company tax is reduced from 35 per cent to 18 per cent in a gradual way according to the country’s economy.
AN believes in continuous auditing so that every business receives notification that its books are going to be investigated going back two years, said Dr Attard. He explained that at the moment there is a waste of resources because each file is being investigated by three or more people in three departments.
AN also wants restaurant owners to have the VAT on food reduced by five per cent, as long as this is permitted by the European Union. They would also like to see the removal of the obligation hotel owners have – that is having a restaurant in order to promote bed and breakfast accommodation – since research showed that small hotels tended to lose the money made on room rates because of losses incurred by the restaurants.
In answer to TMID, Dr Attard also said that AN are not against legal immigrants being employed by businesses and hotel owners, as long as it is proved that there were no Maltese to do the jobs.