I expect the next budget to be a good one, PN Leader Bernard Grech on Sunday.

During an interview on party media, he said that as from all the funds used to campaign the "propaganda" and convince many that this is going to be a great budget, "I am expecting it to be a good one".

Grech said that he hopes that in the budget there are also ways included outlining how the government is going to stop wasting funds and instead invest them in the education and security sectors.

He said that issues should be tackled with "actions not just words".

Grech also said that the government should outline

The opposition leader said that the government needs a better economic plan as the one used for the past nine years "was a wrong one".

Referring to mental health sector, he said that the government has, for years been promising a new hospital for mental health patients, yet no place has yet been allocated for it to be built.

He added that the a new economic plan should strive to reduce the gap between the rich and those on the brink of poverty.

Grech said that in some cases, if it wasn't for places like the victory kitchen that feeds those in need, many would have nothing to eat.

PN's pre budget document

Grech said that in for the PN's pre budget document to be drafted, the party held widespread consultation.

"Consultation is in the party's DNA", he said.

He added that in total there are 340 proposals which cover different issues in different sectors.

The opposition leader said that the government should push for an economy that serves in the long run, like the one the PN created in the past. This was done by creating new economic niches such as the maritime sector and financial services, which have guaranteed a good pay to many.

He added that the government has to incentivise businesses who study their own situations and are willing to improve by up skilling.

 Meetings

The PN has met up with around 200 farmers to listen to their concerns over the past few days. Additionally the party also took it upon itself to inform them about the agricultural land reform, that pushes amendments that will affect agricultural land leases.

He said that after listening to their problems, the PN has told them that it is going to be their voice in parliament and will push the government to provide a guarantee for these workers as "we want farmers to be the owners of the land they work".

On recent media bills, the PN said that it is meeting with several journalists, media houses and experts to better understand the scenario and is calling on the government to withdraw the bills from parliament as even journalists themselves are saying that "the paper on which the bills are written costs more than the bills themselves".

On the consultation process, he said that it needs to be the most widespread it can be as even those who in the future present dramas in theatres might have their freedom of expression affected and thus restricted on what they can say.

From meetings with the local councils, the PN is witnessing Local councils suffering a natural death, said Grech.

He said that many local councils have now ended up serving as a "customer service" for the government and the problems it causes, such as those arising from road works.