PN leader Simon Busuttil said today that the PN will be the change the people really wanted.

Addressing supporters outside the parliament building in Valletta in the run-up to Independence Day to be celebrated tomorrow, Dr Busuttil welcomed the fact that we are celebrating 51 years since Malta’s independence and the PN’s 135 years of service to the country.

Dr Busuttil continued: “Today I am not here to speak about the past but the present and future. It’s the present and future of the country that interests me.

“Two and the half years ago, the electorate chose to have us serve from the Opposition benches; we are not wasting our time but we are utilising this time to get the party back on its feet.

“We renewed the party, introduced new structures, new faces and new ideas. We are serving from the Opposition benches and are scrutinising the government’s every move and when it goes out of line, we make sure we bring it in line.

“We are strengthening our media so that we can convey our message in a more effective manner by investing heavily in our TV station,” Dr Busuttil said.

He said that some said it would be impossible to make headway after the defeat the PN suffered but “we are making a difference which is evident from the fact that we reduced the gap by half during the April elections”.

“But one asks, was the change promised to us by the Labour Party the change that is taking place,” he said.

Economy: ‘Good thing government continued to take same direction’

Dr Busuttil said that the results achieved in terms of the economy by a Nationalist government have continued to bear their fruit.

“The economy will only continue to grow if the government incentivises new sectors and if it strengthens Malta’s credibility by being responsible in its decisions.

“It is a good thing the government continued to take the same direction as a PN government in terms of the economy but the government would be mistaken if it thought for a minute the economy can grow by itself.

“And when economic wealth is created, it should be distributed among everyone and not just the few who are close to Labour. There are certain sectors where things seemed to have worsened and this when we were promised a road map for each sector,” Dr Busuttil highlighted.

Where are the roadmaps, he asked?

Two and the half years later... PL government still inaugurating PN government projects

He said that he came across a number of cancer patients who are having to pay the hefty fees to treat their illness. How come the government hasn’t money for these people? Dr Busuttil asked.

It had to be a PN government that invested in a hospital for cancer patients, he said.

“All I can say is that two and the half years later, the government is still inaugurating projects kick-started by a PN government,” the PN leader pointed out.

He also hit out at the fact that patients were kept on stretchers in corridors to this day at Mater Dei Hospital. He said he met relatives of patients who said the fact a relative of theirs was kept on a stretcher in the hospital’s corridors is humiliating to say the least.

He said that a result of the planned privatisation of the Gozo hospital, its workers are in the dark to what may happen to them.

“If Joseph Muscat tries to dispose of you, there’s the PN who will be there for you,” he said.

Knife attack incident: Busuttil highlights lack of police presence

Turning to the recent knife attack incident in Paceville where a number of people were slashed by a knife wielding man, he said that as a parent he is concerned over the lack of police presence in the entertainment hub. He said that on the night of the incident only four police officers were present.

On the traffic situation, he said that the government’s ‘solution’ to the problem is to wake our children up for school at 5 a.m.

As for public transport, Dr Busuttil said that the government was paying €20 million more in subsidies to sustain the bus service. He said that the government should start paying for the transport service of children attending church and private schools as a solution to the problem.

He also highlighted the fact that the new power station hasn’t yet been built and that Dr Muscat was meant to resign over the fact that the government did not stick to its promise that it would be built by March this year.

On the environment, Dr Busuttil said that Dr Muscat promised “a better environment” but instead permits for buildings were being issued left, right and centre. He also referred to the fact that a portion of ODZ land at Zonqor Point in Marsascala which is to be taken up to make way for a new university.

“Under this government, Malta witnessed the biggest ever protest in favour of the environment,” he said.

Individuals close to chiefs of staff lining their pockets

He went on to say that a number of workers were removed from their role in the public sector to make way for people close to chiefs of staff of ministries and ministers. “Some of these people are getting as many as three salaries. They are lining their pockets.”

Dr Busuttil also outlined a number of scandals which took place during the two and the half years Labour has been in power, including the Cafe Premier bail-out and Australia Hall property transfer to the Labour Party by the government, the shooting incident involving the former driver of the then Home Affairs Minister Emmanuel Mallia, the expropriation of properties involving the Gaffarena family, and the Azerbaijan secret energy deal.

Migration

Dr Busuttil said that we are living a time where Europe’s future will be determined, referring to the migrants who are fleeing political turmoil in their country of origin.

“We are either going to overcome the challenge together or everybody will go his own way. I believe that it is only if Europe unites that such a challenge will be overcome,” he said.

 ‘The more days that go by, the more trust we are winning’

Dr Busttil went on to say that “I want to change the way politics is done. I want honest politics. The more days that go by, the more we are winning the trust of people.

“Joseph Muscat promised us a change to the better but instead this change was for the worse.

“We are offering concrete proposals. I want to live in a just society. We don’t need to live in fear that if we spoke openly, we would end up becoming victims of some vindictive act. “Remember, the PN will always be there to stand up for you.

“As soon as I am made Prime Minister, I will ensure that anyone who would have suffered an injustice, will be served justice,” Dr Busuttil said.

Earlier

Earlier, deputy leader for parliamentary affairs Mario de Marco said that it was the PN who believed and played a role in achieving independence.

“Independence is not a day’s celebration but a state of fact which we should be living. But two and the half years of Dr Muscat’s leadership, one asks what has become of our independence?”

He said that the independence of the Lands Department, the Police, Mepa and the authorities as a whole has been eaten away under this government.

Freedom of expression is a right our fathers fought for – De Marco

Do not let the Prime Minister use you as a smokescreen to do what interests him, he warned.

We will not let anyone block our freedom of expression, he said, adding that this is a right our fathers fought for.

He hit out at Transport Minister Joe Mizzi for refusing to answer to Net TV journalist questions earlier this week.

He also referred to the fact that cardiologist Albert Fenech - who is also a PN MP – was stopped by the government from conducting heart surgeries, adding that the government had said that everyone can work with us, whatever his or her political party but this was simply not the case.

A speech by deputy leader for party affairs Beppe Fenech Adami followed. He said: “Be proud to be part of the Nationalist Party. You have been on the right side of history all the way.

“Remember that when we were fighting for independence, others did not want this to happen,” he continued.

PL reaction

In reaction, the PL said the only change Dr Busuttil had brought about was negativity where optimism existed. It said the same people who were given a vote of no confidence in 2013, 2014 and 2015 could not be believed when they said they were offering change. "In a mediocre one-hour-long speech Simon Busuttil did not say anything optimistic. Optimism is felt with facts," the PL said.

The Maltese economy was growing, debt and deficit were low and unemployment levels were at their lowest in many years. Energy tariffs had gone down by 25%, Enemalta has been saved. Investment has exploded and tourists have reached record levels.

People see a brighter future before them. The only negative person is Simon Busuttil, the PL said.