Prime Minister Muscat said that there is a lot of jealousy overseas about Malta’s tax system and that is why the island has come under attack. He said that countries like Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Cyprus also offer tax incentives, adding that the EU had rubberstamped Malta’s system before entering into the EU.

Dr Muscat was speaking about the Malta Files story which broke over the weekend while addressing a political activity in Mgarr.

He was 'interviewed' by model Tiffany Pisani, who read off a script and had trouble pronouncing the names of the candidates running on the 7th district.  

Dr Muscat again reiterated his claims that members close to the PN have been named in the Malta Files story, such as David Gonzi, the son of former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

“I will defend David Gonzi like I will continue to defend Malta,” he said.

Turning to Crane Currency, a major American printing firm that has invested in Malta, he said that the company will be printing currency by upcoming November. He then spoke of De La Rue, a printing firm that has had a Maltese branch for several years and was on the verge of closing up shop but has decided to continue to invest.

On the issue of poverty, he said that all those who are working, even on a self-employed basis, will be received a cheque of €200 to €340. In view of the measure originally aimed as a form of tax-rebate, Dr Muscat said this measure will also apply to those who do not earn enough to pay taxes.

He then stressed the ‘tax holiday’ for those who acquire a Masters degree, providing for a one-year income tax break, and those who earn a PhD will be receiving a two-year tax holiday.

Dr Muscat a decrease in taxes on overtime, adding that this measure still needs to be studied properly as it must be implemented in a way that workers do not abuse by doing their work over a longer period of time in order to rack up more overtime.

He reiterated claims that Barts medical school in Gozo together with the new partially privatised Gozo general hospital will be raking in €50 million per year for Gozo when considering foreigners that will be coming specifically for the facilities (medical tourism), and the multiplier effect this will have on hotels and accommodation, restaurants and other services sought out.

Dr Muscat said that Malta will be the first European country to have a dedicated strategy for block chain technologies, which deal with crypto currency (such as bit coin) and FINTECH – financial technology – which is constantly developing software that shares information on movements in money markets among others much faster than traditional technologies.

On the subject of the BWSC power plant that was functioning on Heavy Fuel Oil, he said that former PN Minister George Pullicino had changed a law which regulated the level of emissions that a machine is permitted to emit, in order to bring in machinery that generated heavy pollution.

“What is new is that there is a paper, which had disappeared on its way to the auditors, which said that the machines should not be brought to Malta. This statement was made by experts from Enemalta. It is not true that the EU gave its blessing for that machinery to come to Malta, and this document, which we have now found, proves that Dr Pullicino was lying. We have therefore sent the document to the Auditor General.

“Dr Pullicino preferred to fill Malta with pollution, ignored the experts and lied to the people,” Dr Muscat said.

Turning to this morning’s panel hosted by all of Malta’s environmental NGOs, Dr Muscat said that he did not attend to fill people’s heads with pipe dreams, but to convey things the way he sees them.

Taking aim at Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil and PD leader Marlene Farrugia, he spoke of spring hunting and the proposed racetrack.

“This is not an issue of being personally for or against. We have made a commitment to hunters not to remove spring hunting and we must respect that. We must also reduce the fines for hunters who break the rules because they are excessive.  With regards the racetrack, we have always been upfront.

“Dr Busuttil, when asked the question, said that spring hunting should remain open and Dr Farrugia said no. In two weeks time, these people could be in government.”

Dr Muscat failed to quote Dr Busuttil properly during this morning’s panel, where the Opposition Leader had expressed the same sentiment as the Prime Minister by saying that a commitment was made with the hunters prior to EU accession and that commitment must be respected.

Dr Muscat claimed he was the Prime Minsiter who had closed the spring hunting season when there was abuse three years ago. Over the past two years there has been heavy abuse, as documented by Bird Life Malta, during the spring hunting season however the government failed to close the season. Dr Muscat closed the season after two cases of abuse, however this was the same year as the spring hunting referendum.

Last week alone 11 new babies have been born through IVF. Last week, Dr Muscat quoted the figure of 62 babies, which has now shot up to 73.

“IVF is an issue that I firmly believe should have as little political interference as possible”.

Addressing claims that the PL will bring in embryo freezing, Dr Muscat said that the law already provides for this, and that it can happen should medical professionals feel there is a need.

He said that the IVF law discriminates against homosexual couples, and that this will change by offering sperm donations and surrogacy through changes in the law.

“This will not win me votes, but we should not discriminate against anyone. People said that bad things will happen with the introduction of divorce and civil unions. Is Malta any worse off?”.

Dr Muscat spoke of the need of a healing process after the election is concluded because of all the lies and insinuations that have been made throughout the campaign.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat addressed a political activity in Mgarr. You may follow the event on the below link: