The opposition presented a motion in Parliament regarding the challenge of climate change. The motion which was presented by Leo Brincat confirms that the opposition goes beyond its duties of reacting to the government but proposes and suggests issues to be debated. The scope behind this motion was to bind by law any Maltese government to do its utmost in this regard.

It took some months for this motion to be discussed and be on the agenda. Then, after that, the opposition persisted with the government to debate this subject and at least bring it to the attention of Parliament.

However, I was very disappointed by how this motion was treated by the government. The latter gave the impression that this private member’s motion was something trivial and not important. Not only, but the minister tried also to hijack the debate in a way that on the same morning of the debate he made public an action plan and a summary was leaked to an English newspaper. In my opinion this is not the correct way to treat an important subject such as climate change.

Also, it is not the way how to treat the opposition when it is trying to give its share towards a better political environment in our country. Maybe next time round we should propose a debate on the need for political change and correctness.

Obama in Office

When I am writing this opinion, President Barack Obama is in his second full day as the US President. After the grandeur of the inauguration ceremony, I can say that he hit the ground running. Many analysts acknowledged the way he prepared for this transition. Now this readiness can be seen. In the first two days he already fulfilled some of his promises. The economy and the fight for peace and against terrorism are high up on his agenda. This can be also vouched by the actions he took in the first two days.

Going back to the inaugural ceremony, Obama’s speech was a speech for the people. There is no doubt that he can communicate with people and he wanted to convey a message to all, both Americans and the rest of the world. The main message in my opinion was hope. Hope that peace can reign, hope that the economy can be restored and hope that the basic needs can be provided for all.

Barack Obama’s team is being seen as a very good team, experienced and qualified at the same time. The task ahead of the new President is very challenging to say the least, but he is determined that in spite of the challenges, these will be met. Only time will tell but if his determination and hard work go on and with the good will of others, the future will be better.

The Crafts Village

Soap operas are known that they have a beginning but the end comes after many episodes. In Maltese politics we have a number of examples. One of them was the Mater Dei hospital which according to the Minister responsible for the health sector is a part-time hospital and this after the millions spent out of our taxes. Now we can also speak about another soap opera – the crafts village at Ta’ Qali. The story more or less started about 17 years ago. Promises were made by Nationalist Prime Ministers and ministers but till today nothing concrete can be seen at the crafts village.

Just to mention one example, in the last electoral manifesto the PN promised that this village will be built as a Maltese village with facilities for parking, information centre, squares and landscaping. Not only but promise 23 of the PN manifesto continues that roads and other open spaces are going to be funded by the European Union and will cost around e28 million and will be ready in four years. It was also said that all the groundwork was ready, tenders issued so works could start immediately.

Again this did not happen. Not only, but even worse, this project after all these plans and expenses made by those concerned, never materialised. Personally I did a number of parliamentary questions. At times, to get a proper answer was almost impossible. Now I can bet why. But at one point in the time, the Prime Minister answered that since the EU funding did not materialise then the project was on hold. I asked further and the minister responsible for infrastructure replied that the plan is now stopped and as an alternative Dock number 1 can be used for the same purpose.

Apart from the fact that the PN is not keeping its promises made just a couple of months ago, with whom did the government consult to come to this conclusion? The slogan used by the PN in the last general election was immediately forgotten and also betrayed. This is not the way to do things. And that is why a new direction is needed.

Carmelo Abela is Deputy Speaker and Labour main spokesperson for industry and foreign investment

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