The budget for the year 2022 will be presented in Parliament on 11 October, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced.

Speaking during an interview on party radio station ONE Radio, the Prime Minister said that the government is currently working on drafting the budget document that will be unveiled in October.

Abela recalled how the government had announced a "mini-budget" during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Around €900 million was distributed in financial support for businesses and families.

He also recalled the wage supplement that had kept a significant number of workers in employment, saying that "this money was well spent as the government chose to avoid austerity measures."

Throughout much of the interview, Abela highlighted the decisions and ways the government handled the Covid-19 pandemic, saying that decisions were made wisely and carefully. He also contrasted these against the decisions made by the Nationalist party during the 2008 economic crisis.

"Had the PN been in government during the pandemic, the country would have been subjected to a direction of austerity," Abela said.

 Prime Minister Abela then spoke about the infrastructural development in Malta, focusing specifically on the Central Link and Marsascala marina proposed project.

The Central Link project is expected to be fully opened in October, but the project had come under fire as a number of activists and residents spoke out against it, arguing that trees were uprooted to make way for the widening of roads.

Abela argued that a number of trees had to be 'sacrificed', but many more are being planted to compensate for this.

He also said that the project has been a positive investment as it resulted in shorter travelling times and lower emissions.

"The criticism made by the Nationalist party towards this project goes to show that they are short-sighted and do not consider what is in the interest of this country," Abela said.

Abela admitted that there could have been better communication when announcing this project but investment within the infrastructure sector, amongst others, "will continue if we are to improve people's quality of life."

Speaking about the proposed yacht marina project in Marsascala for the first time, Abela said that currently, this project is still in its pre-qualification questionnaire stage but highlighted that he believes Marsascala is a place which needs investment.

"There is nothing set in stone but simply a call for ideas. This means that the respective authority is in a phase in which it will listen to what people and investors have to say on the matter, as well as evaluate any ideas put forth," Abela said.

Transport Malta released a call for tenders for the construction of a yacht marina sprawling across Marsascala Bay. The 52-page tender document presents a preliminary design for the marina which sprawls across the whole of the bay and caters for a total of over 700 yachts of varying lengths. 

Abela highlighted the 2006 local plan which states that Xemxija Bay and Marsascala Bay are two localities which can be used for the development of marinas.

Despite the proposal, Abela insisted that certain aspects in Marsascala need to be kept the same.

"If this development materialises, access to the beach and swimming zones must remain guaranteed and untouched for public use. Moreover, I believe there is a need for investment in Wied il-Għajn and such a development would improve and give an upgrade to the area," Abela said.

As a resident of Marsascala himself, Abela said he understood and is aware of what people are saying. However, on the other hand, he also acknowledged the infrastructural shortcomings in the town, which he believes need upgrading.

He emphasised the importance of dialoguing with the public on the matter but said that "we cannot object to everything that is proposed without having a discussion. I'm not saying we should say yes to every development in Malta, but we have to reach a balance. It is also crucial that the project is not environmentally harmful."

With regard to the Covid-19 pandemic, Abela said that this coming September, the most vulnerable will be given another dose. In October, another category will then be considered depending on the health authorities guidance.

Following the peak of the pandemic, Abela highlighted that "Malta has picked up a strong economic pace and has embarked on a positive path forward towards a healthy recovery."

He emphasised that these were due to two factors, including the Labour government's resilience in taking good care of public finances, both before and after the pandemic, as well as the wise decisions that were made by the government throughout the pandemic.