Our country is going through an economical success as a result of this Government’s long-term vision and plans that are now bearing fruit. Budgets presented for the recent years - under the Labour administration - are driving this country in a new direction. A positive direction. A budget based on a healthy economy and sound finances. A budget that yet again announces a surplus. A sigh of relief after long years of budgets where deficits, price increases and new taxes were the order of budget day.

This budget is good news to all sectors not only of the Maltese society, primarily those who need to better their already improved situation, but to all sectors that affect us as a population. As Minister responsible for the Justice, Culture and Local Government, I am pleased that yet again this budget gives due importance to these important sectors.

It is natural that talking about the budget, I delve into what has already been achieved in these last years. But I will desist. I will sum up all of our achievements in one sentence: we have legislated, passed reforms and other measures and improved rules and regulations that were not even slightly considered during the 25 years of Nationalist legislatures.

We are a forward-looking Government.

Take the Justice sector. We are not resting on our laurels. We are reaping the fruit of our work, but much more needs to be done.

This budget again proposes other measures and reforms that will continue to enhance and build on what has already been achieved, amongst which: A mediation system within the Rent Regulation Board to address cases of old rents; A law which gives administrative autonomy to our Courts; Court services will be enhanced with more services available and accessible online; Structural works will improve the accessibility to the Advocates Chamber; More investment for the Legal Help Agency; A digitalisation project will see our Notarial Archives services being provided online.

We will be improving the client’s experience with a digitalisation project at the Notarial Archives. A new online system will be allowing the client to access services online.

Our main aim in this sector is to continue with improvements to better our Court’s efficiency. It is not enough to have all these improvements without taking care of the most basic but important aspect of our Law Courts, that justice is served in time. This is my cardinal principle in this sector, and I will stop at nothing to see that this is done.

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This budget, for yet another year, also gives due importance to the culture sector. In last year’s budget, the culture sector was recognised as an important sector as an economic niche, a sector that is creating careers and employment and contributing greatly to the nation’s economy. After last year’s budget was announced, we boasted of having a record sum allocated for the culture sector and for the thousands working in the culture and creative sectors.

Today I can proudly re-confirm what I stated last year: Culture, has really become a national priority.

Just a look at budget measures addressed to this sector endorses its importance. I will highlight the below amongst others:

Looking back at the commitment given during the Our Ocean Conference organised in Malta in 2017, a new Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit will be established;

More programmes will be developed so that the public will have greater access to our museums and historical sites – during monthly open days which will be free of charge;

With effect from next year, all students attending schools up to secondary level will be entitled to visit all Heritage Malta sites and museums together with two adults, without paying an entrance fee, access will be free and unlimited daily, throughout the year. All children in State, Church and independent schools are entitled to this incentive;

The process leading to the National Inventory for intangible culture will continue with the aim of including traditional elements, activities and practises in the UNESCO list;

A National Monument Committee will be set up;

We will be enhancing our archaeological research, exploration and archival research;

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage will also see more investment with the engagement of professional personnel and within the administration of this Unit;

By the end of the coming year we will have a National Culture Policy which will reflect our aspirations for the sector, whilst upping the contribution to our national economy. Other projects include works on the Malta Carnival Experience and the Culture Hub.

Allow me to talk figures. In this budget, Festivals Malta was allocated €2.4m – an increase of 61% from the previous budget; the Malta Arts Council has been allocated €4.6m – an increase of 50%; this council’s funding programmes received an allocation of €2.4m, another increase of 11% from last year’s budget. An allocation of €20.5m to the PCOs is an increase of 17% from last year; Teatru Malta has been allocated €450k and MICAS €650k.

Our commitment to this sector is clear. This budget allocates €82.8m – an increase of 18% on last year’s allocation to the culture and creative sectors.

Even in this field our commitment and work is giving results. Up to the end of September, a record number of paying visitors visited our sites managed by Heritage Malta – an outstanding 1.24 million. Another 100k visited these sites free of charge during organised open days.

These figures speak for themselves. They are an endorsement to our continuous efforts to give this sector its due attention and importance.

It is definitely an exciting year ahead!