Throughout the past three months, the Opposition has always given the wrong advice, Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Wednesday, adding that the government did well not to listen to the PN.

Speaking during a debate on Monday's budget, Abela asked what would have happened had Delia been in the hot seat.

"The past three months have been crucial. We made very important decisions to be able to arrive where we are now. Could you imagine if Delia were in my place? The Opposition wanted us to go in full lockdown. Could you imagine that? Thank God we never listened to you."

The Prime Minister accused Delia of being inconsistent, always making wrong decisions.

Such decisions would have been "catastrophic" for Malta, he said.

The government has invested in a diverse number of measures to help people and businesses get back on their feet, he continued.

"We have instilled confidence in the public and given them faith that tomorrow will be a better day," Abela said.

He said that, whilst the Opposition proposed €50 vouchers, the government offered €100. It had also extended the wage supplement until September, to help businesses at this crucial time.  "We are here to give and continue supporting those that are in need of support."

 

'Thank you for putting the entire Cabinet under inquiry'

Abela also accused of the Opposition of placing the entire Cabinet under a magisterial inquiry.

He was referring to the inquiry regarding the misuse of public resources by ministers on social media. The investigation follows a report by Standards Commissioner George Hyzler, who investigated a complaint by Lovin Malta.

"Thank you for trying, once again, to put us in prison," he said, sarcastically.

Abela also said the Opposition was trying to give the impression that it supports frontliners but had also tried to put some of them behind bars.

The reference was to the P52 inquiry, requested by civil society NGO Repubblika. PN MP Jason Azzopardi was one of the lawyers representing the group but later renounced his brief.

Abela's comments sparked an angry reaction from PN MP Karol Aquilina, who said he was falsely being accused of requesting the inquiry.

"Why can't you understand that the Maltese do not want negativity, they are fed up of a negative Opposition," Abela continued, when the chaos subsided.

"The population want a feel-good factor - they want a better tomorrow for their families, children and their businesses."

The PM also accused of the Opposition of boycotting the process to appoint a new police commissioner.

"This was your golden opportunity to make the right choice," he said. Abela pointed out that so far no one from the Opposition have said anything negative against Angelo Gafa. "You should face Gafa in the Public Appointments Committee, and ask whatever you want. Grill him, and vote against him if you feel that you should," Abela said, renewing his appeal to the PN to be part of the process.

 "You are annoyed that we made the right choice, and you know it."