The electorate, on Saturday, is being called to take the decision that will take the country forward.  I am fully convinced that the plan being presented by the Labour Party is the strongest that we have seen in this campaign and, if approved by the electorate, will lead to a better future for our children.

The plan will lead to a better quality of life, more opportunities for everyone and a more beautiful country.  In all it contains 1,000 proposals which have the aim to make Malta and Gozo a better place to live in.

In order to see this ambitious plan being implemented, first it has to be approved by the voters next Saturday.  If that happens, then a Labour Government will double its efforts and put more energy to keep creating wealth.  We have to build on what we have achieved so far, we have to improve those areas where things could have been done better but we definitely have the ability to sustain the momentum of economic growth that our country has been proudly achieving year in, year out for the last years of Labour Governance.  

In reality, all the good things that we have achieved in the last years through hard work were just the start.  With Labour, you know where you stand.  There are no risks, no ifs and buts, no terms and conditions.  And that is why next Saturday I urge the electorate to vote for all Labour candidates.  By doing that, the 1,000 proposals will turn into 1,000 new achievements.

By working together, we can create a beautiful future.  A future which is in your hands.

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I would like to point out a number of proposals contained in the Labour Party manifesto which I believe merit to be discussed.

Firstly, the proposal which will see our senior citizens leading a better quality of life.  Labour will be strengthening pensions by increasing them by not less than €15 per week during the legislation.  This increase will happen over and above the COLA increments.  This effectively means that pensioners will see their income increase with at least €780 per year.

Also, the grant which is provided to all those senior citizens who reach the age of 75 years and which has been increased by €50 in the last budget, will be further increased to €500 for the age group 75-79 and to €600 for all those above the age of 80 years.

During the last years we have introduced strong measures which saw more senior citizens choose to keep living in their respective communities.  We will keep strengthening such incentives such as the Carer at Home Scheme and the Home Helper of Your Choice. To this end, a Labour Government will increase the assistance provided to those senior citizens who decided to employ a carer from €7,000 to the equivalent of the minimum wage.

Another very interesting proposal is that relative to one of the most cruel of maladies: dementia.   We will establish a directorate responsible for issues relating to dementia which will also be responsible for the implementation of the National Strategy on Dementia.  It will also serve as a point of reference for patients and families alike.

Another subject which is also very important is sustainable tourism.  The Labour manifesto makes it clear from the outset that the Government wants to work hand in hand with hotels and the accommodation sector in order to keep improving the product we are offering as a country. 

Operators will be provided with a decrease in tax to the tune of 30% of all the expenses undertaken in order to make new investment or further renovations. 

Also, we need to keep addressing the issue of “seasonality” in the tourism sector.  To this end we will relaunch schemes similar to those utilized during the pandemic to attract tourists during the shoulder season.  This will also help hotels and restaurants achieve good results along the whole year. 

A strong annual cultural calendar is also a sine qua non and we are pledging to work closer with the local artistic community and also assist, through financial means, artists and creative practitioners to produce productions, activities, exhibitions and shows as part of this calendar.  Also, we will keep working hard to attract large-scale cultural events in Malta.

Gozo is very important throughout this conversation about tourism.  It is a distinct tourism destination, particularly due to its natural charm and fantastic history and traditions. We will further promote Gozo as the ideal destination for those tourists who are seeking some time to unwind and experience the local way of life.

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Closer to home, the Labour electoral manifesto contains a lot of pledges which will see an improvement in localities which form part of the third and fifth electoral districts, which are the districts I have contested upon in the last election and will contest again upon this time round.

I would like to mention a few.

A new Labour Government will regenerate the Industrial Area of Bulebel.  We will also renovate the Zejtun Home for the Elderly, the Għaxaq Primary School and will keep building upon the excellent work undertaken in the Żejtun Secondary School. 

The Recycling Plant of Sant’Antnin in Marsaskala will be closed for good and transformed into an open space which will serve as an educational natural park.  It will also include an underground parking for the use of visitors and residents alike.

We will also create the first ever geological park along the coast of Għar Lapsi u Wied iż-Żurrieq.  This park will have two aims: first it will serve for recreational purposes, second it will conserve the natural beauty of this area.

Another park will be opened in Imqabba, in order to improve the quality of life of the residents of this beautiful village with more open spaces.

We are also pledging to move forward to fruition the afforestation project in the Inwadar Natural Park in Marsascala.  This project will be completed in a span of five years with a global investment of €20 million and will safeguard the biodiversity of Inwadar and water management.

Following the agreement reached with the American University of Malta, the area in Żonqor which was previously earmarked for the University project and which part of the project has been relocated to Smart City, will form part of the Natural Park of Inwadar.

The “il-Magħluq” project in Marsaxlokk will be another important milestone.  Works have already started and once finished, the project will include measures to decrease coastal erosion and protect the bay and the adjacent Natura 2000 site.

New marine routes will be unveiled in order to increase connectivity, including in Marsaxlokk and Marsascala.  Structural works and maintenance will also be undertaken on the Marsascala and Birzebbuga (San Gorg) breakwaters.

Following the construction of the new fuel storage and distribution depot in Has-Saptan, the depot situated in the middle of the village of Birzebbuga has been shut down for good.  The next step is the dismantle all the fuel tanks which are situated in the middle of the village and study the impact that the past use of these tanks on the site has made.  We will also present a final plan, after consultation with the residents of Birzebbugia, on the new use of the site for its better enjoyment by the families.

The area known as il-Pont tax-Shell in Birzebbuga will be renovated and turned into a new open space where families can enjoy themselves. 

We will also invest in the construction of a new breakwater in Marsaxlokk (from the Delimara side) for the ultimate benefit of fishermen and those who make use of fishing boats.

The aviation fuel storage depot is no longer needed in Wied Dalam (Birzebbuga), and this is thanks to the investment which has been undertaken in recent years.  This provides an opportunity to turn this area into a place which can be enjoyed by the residents of the area.

Another pledge relates to the regeneration of the site of San Lucjan in Birzebbuga which currently is utilized as a fuel storage facility.  This site can be now transformed into a unique attraction in the form of a Sustainable Innovation Hub.  This Hub can serve as a model where innovation is given priority in our vision for a green and blue economy.

The project will incorporate open spaces for the general public, a new bay, sustainable businesses, gastronomy and spaces for culture and entertainment, amongst other attractions.

A €20 million investment in Hal Far will see the creation of a new National Centre for Motorsport.  This centre will uplift the sport in Malta and attract new leagues to our islands.

The former National Pool in Marsaskala will be given back to the people of this village and utilized for acquatic sports.

A new respite centre will be opened in the south of Malta.  We will also finalise the restoration of the Wardija Tower in Zurrieq. 

Substantial investment will also be undertaken along the shore of Marsascala from the part of Zonqor Point up to the area known as is-Siberja to improve the aesthetics of this area.  Also we will improve the aesthetics of the Birzebbuga promenade and build a cark park in order to improve the parking situation in the village.

The Vendome Tower in Marsaxlokk will be restored and utilized as a Fishing Museum. 

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The choice for next Saturday is clear and straightforward.  It is a choice between the future and the past.  Labour is the choice for a better future.