During the last few years the current administration introduced the concept of a pre-budget discussion. This was a good initiative in itself. The Finance Ministry publishes a document which serves as the basis for discussion. And recently, another one was published. The document should serve as a good basis for an open discussion with all those interested, especially the social partners. Of course, no one should accept all that is written in it and questions need to be raised. Not only, but new or enhanced objectives and proposals should be spelled out.

One must also say that at times this document resembles a propaganda publication of the Nationalist Party, rather than a working document which serves the purpose of having an effective discussion before the budget for the following year is presented to Parliament. And, since I mentioned Parliament, I think a new method and more participative discussion should be introduced on a parliamentary level.

First of all, what should the role of Parliament be in the pre-budget document? Until now, the question was never asked, let alone answered. It means that Parliament is alien to this discussion. I am stressing the role of Parliament as a whole and not the role of political parties or the respective parliamentary groups, since after all it is up to Parliament to vote for the approval of the budget. However, when one looks at how the discussion on the pre-budget document is structured, it should be observed that Parliament is completely absent.

Not only is Parliament as a whole absent from the debate during the pre-budget document discussion, but when the budget is officially presented, Parliament is called to either approve or disapprove the budget as presented. Other parliaments have the option to amend what is presented by the government. In our case this is not possible. This leads to a situation where the Opposition has to vote against the budget as presented, even on initiatives which on their own are good and positive.

Another discussion which, in my opinion, is required during the budget debate is a stock take of what was done and achieved of the voted budget for the current year. It is useless to propose and agree on a budget which is not implemented. And this is what lacks in this discussion, both during the pre-budget discussion and also during the actual debate in Parliament, an effective analysis of what was implemented and when the remaining proposals are going to be implemented.

Unless these changes are effected it will be just another document. But a good initiative should always be improved and these are a couple of suggestions which would improve the discussion which should be open and frank, not only among the social partners but also with the active participation of Parliament.

What talent!

Summertime is associated with a number of concerts which attract thousands of spectators. Some days ago Joseph Calleja, together with other artists, gave a concert which attracted thousands of people. We Maltese should be proud of our Joseph Calleja who is now internationally renowned. He is a real talent and the future is bright for the Maltese tenor. I wish him all the very best in his career.

Training camp in Sheffield

In July this year I got involved in football again. I was very active in the past, but then I had to stop even though I still followed as much as I could. Now I am the secretary of Zejtun Corinthians FC, which is the club for which I used to play in the past; I was also one of the founder members of its nursery. After just a couple of weeks I can say that leading a club today is no easy task. The work of volunteers is much appreciated and is still very much needed.

However, I am enjoying the work that, together with all the members of the committee, I am doing, albeit with a lot of problems or difficulties. Through my connections with high officials of the professional team of Sheffield United FC in the UK, I managed to organise a training camp of four days in Sheffield which will take place this week. My connections with this club started after the sponsorship that the Malta Tourism Authority gave to this team. I know that there was some controversy about this sponsorship but maybe, if we Maltese try to work with these teams, we can obtain some benefits. When we consider that we are amateurs, we can learn from them and maybe try to have a long-term relationship too.

Finally I take this opportunity to congratulate the newly elected MFA President Norman Darmanin Demajo on his election at the helm of the biggest association on the island and also to thank the outgoing President Joe Mifsud for what he managed to achieve for the game of football.

Carmelo Abela is Labour main spokesperson for industry and foreign investment

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