Deja vu does not refer to Olivia Lewis’ song. But it refers to what is happening just few months after the general elections. In the past we already experienced the two faces of the Nationalists and that is why deja vue. Before the elections the Prime Minister was talking about a surplus budget but now, just a couple of weeks before the presentation of the budget for 2009, we are being told to keep our feet on the ground. Both before and after the election the international and local scene are still very much the same. Maybe the only differences are that now the Malta Shipyards workers do not have their mind at rest as was promised by the PN leader just few months ago and the fuel is going down from the astronomic prices of some weeks and months ago.

That is why it is pertinent to speak about the two faces of Lawrence Gonzi. One face before the general elections were we were being told that everything is on track in spite of problems on the international scene and the other face after the election where he is talking about difficulties and problems that we have to face.

And this not to mention the broken promises and others that seem that have been put on hold may be until the next elections. Through the usual PN acolytes, excuses are being sought to explain why certain promises cannot be implemented or met. Take as an example promise number 258 about the appointment of board members in government entities. We are now being told that this will not work apart from the fact that ministers have already appointed these boards. Now the electorate is being told that this promise in particular was ill-thought out and misguided electoral proposal. I bet that this is not the only one and in the future we will hear more of this in respect to other promises.

From Joseph to Joseph

Last Wednesday, 1st October with the oath taken by Joseph Muscat both as member of the Maltese Parliament and as Leader of the Opposition a cycle was closed and another one opened. For this to happen, my friend Joseph Cuschieri had to give up his seat to make way for the Labour Leader. Of course it was not an easy decision but I really admire him for this. Giving up his seat in Parliament after serving the people for 10 consecutive years was not an easy decision. Joseph Cuschieri had courage and wanted only to serve his party and country.

I would like also to welcome the Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat in Parliament. This is his second Parliament of which he is a member. Of course our national parliament is very different from the European Parliament, not only in scope and numbers but also in the services given to its members. In recent years a good number of MPs spoke about the need to reform our Parliament. Now it is the time to do so. Reforming Parliament means that we members give better service to our country, our people and democracy will be further enhanced.

Consumer Rights

In the European Union, Consumers have Rights. This was what an advert on a number of billboards showed until some weeks ago. There is no doubt that we are members of the European Union but I do have doubts when it comes to exercise consumer rights in Malta.

I think that most of you can mention blunt examples where you as consumers feel that you were badly treated. I myself can mention quite a few. Recently I went to a cinema. We browsed through the internet to have a look at the movies and the prices. When we arrived and went to pay, we noticed that the price was higher than that shown on the internet. We were told by the girl at the ticket booth that there was a mistake on the internet and we payed the higher price.

But was it the consumer who did the mistake? No but the consumer had to pay the higher price. When is it that we as consumers are going to benefit from these rights that exist in other Member States? I do hope that the government does something concrete so the consumers can benefit from their rights.

Another way to protect the rights of consumers is by having the entities which defend us from higher prices. It is a known fact that the cost of living in Malta is very high and certain prices compared with other member states are higher. Also we do not have the entities that do the work of a watchdog in respect of prices and then take action. This also was another promise by the present administration which until now they did not keep. It seems that where the interests of the consumers are concerned these are on the back burner while where the consumer has to fork out more money in taxes and tariffs these are presented in no time example the new tariffs for water and electricity.

Carmelo Abela

Deputy Speaker &

Labour main spokesperson for industry and foreign investment

Email: [email protected]