Thousands of PN supporters braved the cold and miserable weather to attend yesterday's mass meeting in Zabbar where the Prime Minister urged those present to compare what the PN had delivered in government compared to the Malta Labour Party.
Dr Gonzi said that yesterday was a very cold day, but that the presence of so many people, given the weather, showed that the PN truly had a support in the south of Malta.
He said that thanks to the various projects undertaken by PN governments, the people of the south could now enjoy a sports complex, a new secondary school, SmartCity and the 5,000 jobs it is set to create, the jobs at the Freeport, at Lufthansa Teknik, at Bulebel industrial estate, and the various pharmaceutical companies.
Dr Gonzi said that gone are the days when you used to have to queue at ministers' houses to get a television or a telephone or a building permit.
“The PN had said that it would change the route the country had taken and in 1987 you gave us that chance. And I ask you, did this country change for the better?” The answer from the crowd was a rapturous yes.
“We are a modern country that is respected around the world and in Europe. We are now a country that has an open economy that is performing well, so well in fact, that we scored double the EU average,” he said.
He said that there were now plenty of job opportunities coupled with a safety net for those that need it. He coined the PN catchphrase and said: “And we are doing this so no one remains behind.”
Dr Gonzi continued: “This is not a country divided into Labourites or Nationalists, this is Malta for the Maltese. People should not be telling others that there is something wrong with their DNA. Such things should not be said. Those are not values. We may all have different political beliefs, but please – we should respect each other in this democracy.”
He said that the PN had bound the people of Malta into one people, not dividing Malta into two factions as used to be the case, not that many years ago.
“We will be deciding who will be leading this country for the next five years, who are we going to trust our children’s future to?” he asked the crowd.
He said that on 8 March, the people of Malta and Gozo needed to make a decision about their future. “I have no doubt that your choice will be the PN,” said the Prime Minister.
He reiterated the government's aim to register a budget surplus by 2010. “We have satisfied the economic growth criteria to adopt the euro, but we want more than that,” he said.
Dr Gonzi reminded the crowd that in two successive budgets, the government had reduced the tax rate, but it was going to do it again. “We want you to work more and pay less for it, why? So you can have more money in your pockets,” he said.
He also reminded that the government was offering incentives to mothers to return to work by offering a one year tax holiday per child they give birth to, provided they go back to work. In addition, he said, pensioners can work and still claim their pension.
Dr Gonzi said that the PN was going to remove the inheritance tax for offspring who are left property by their parents. “We are also getting rid of the departure tax at the airport, we are removing the charges on credit cards and we are also going to change the car registration tax to a polluter pays based scheme,” he said,
Dr Gonzi said that the government will continue to work hard to attract more low cost airlines to the island while at the same time strengthening the linchpin that is Air Malta.
The Prime Minister also pledged that in the next legislature, his government would put an end to workers being exploited by being engaged as self-employed. “Yes to competitiveness, but no to exploitation,” he said.
Dr Gonzi said that due to advances in offshore wind farm technology, Malta was looking at producing 20 per cent of its power from alternative sources. In addition, he will personally oversee the overhaul of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
Health will remain of utmost importance. “We need to do more. Health care must remain free and we also need to wage a war on cancer, cut waiting lists and focus on prevention and primary care,” said Dr Gonzi.
Speaking about education, Dr Gonzi said that it was one of the focal points of the government's mission. “You deserve the best, never mind repeating a class! We are building a new MCAST campus, we will expand junior college and we will keep stipends, it's an investment in you,” he said, referring to the youngsters in the crowd.
He asked what the MLP was proposing to do in the next five years. “Not much, but our proposals are solid. And I will also point out that many of the things we have already implemented in the past, the MLP is proposing to implement now. I wonder if they even know what is going on in the country,” he said.
“We have big ambitions for our country and for our people. We will continue to change progressively for the better. We do not need to start again, people that fail are the ones that need to start again. We did not fail, there is a clear road to success ahead,” said the PM.
He also called on the MLP to clarify their position on the surcharge issue, and said that it seemed to change every week. “Everyone’s vote is worth its weight in gold. All youths and older people, vote, make the best choice for Malta, have faith in yourselves and us and Malta. This is the best route forward for our country, we want to go forward together,” he said.