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Delivering
the closing speech during the first session of an
Extraordinary General Conference at the party headquarters
in Hamrun yesterday evening, Dr Sant described the
electoral manifesto as one based on national expectations,
because it reflects several proposals put forward to the
MLP during numerous consultation meetings over the past
three to four years.
He thanked all those citizens, constituted bodies and
other entities that met with the Labour Party to discuss
every matter mentioned in the plan for a new beginning,
upon which the electoral manifesto is based.
Dr Sant also mentioned Labour’s proposal to remove
income tax on overtime, saying this would be removed
completely, no matter what agreement for payment of
overtime hours exists.
The party also plans to strengthen the financial services
sector, put the self-employed at the heart of the
country’s economy, invest further in the public sector,
reinforce the information and communication technology
sector and regenerate the agricultural and fisheries
sector.
A
social policy for today’s and future needs
In
the social sector, the MLP is committing itself to improve
the quality of life of each and every family, traditional
or otherwise.
Among other things, it plans to present a report regarding
the pensions reform between 2009 and 2010, following
extensive consultation with stakeholders, and implement
the full reform by 2011.
The Labour Party plans to address anomalies with regard to
single-parent families, widow’s pensions and problems
affecting vulnerable families.
In the health sector, the Labour Party plans to provide
more free medicines, mostly those that the elderly
currently have to purchase themselves.
Speaking about VAT on education, Dr Sant said the MLP was
promising to remove this burden on families.
He said that in the case of VAT paid directly to purchase
uniforms and textbooks, the government would provide a
refund of the equivalent amount of VAT by including it in
the children’s allowance.
As for purchases of computers and peripherals like
printers and scanners, Dr Sant said school children’s
families will be exempt of VAT on such purchases.
Every school will also be exempt of VAT on purchases of
items directly related to teaching and maintenance of
school facilities, said Dr Sant.
He added that private schools will also be provided with
an extra “capital allowance” when carrying out new
capital projects or improvements to existing facilities.
In a similar way, although by means of other incentives,
church schools will also be assisted with capital projects
they would need to carry out.
A
serious and modern
leadership
As
he did in previous political activities at the start of
the electoral campaign and over the past few months, Dr
Sant insisted on the MLP’s promise for good governance,
adopting a zero tolerance attitude towards corruption,
abuse of power and conflict of interest.
He promised transparency, accountability and efficiency,
accusing Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi of constantly
defending ministers that were clearly involved in corrupt
practices.
“This was one of the reasons why taxes increased the way
they did,” he said, adding that situations like that
parliamentary secretary in the Finance Ministry Tonio
Fenech’s, are unacceptable.
He said Mr Fenech made use of the National Good Causes
Fund for his own personal aims.
“I have already made it clear with fellow Labour MPs
that I will not tolerate such abuse of power and
corruption; I am making it clear with you,” Dr Sant told
the party delegates.
He went on to clarify what he referred to as one of the
Nationalist Party’s lies, that regarding re-opening EU
negotiations. Dr Sant said that whatever Malta has
achieved will not be lost, because the MLP, being the
democratic party it is, accepted the people’s decision
to join the EU.
A
plan for the development of Gozo
The
fourth area of the MLP’s electoral manifesto deals with
a plan for the development of Gozo as a region in itself.
Among the areas of development, the party plans to give
new life to the island’s tourism, infrastructure,
education, health, culture and heritage, and sport.
The manifesto further claims that the country, being a
member of the EU, should exploit the status of Gozo as a
region in itself.
The MLP wants to ensure that Gozo benefits from enough
funds to be able to develop as much as Malta has, and
eventually as much as the EU.
The party’s electoral manifesto was unanimously approved
at the end of the conference, following speeches by
several delegates and before Dr Sant’s closing speech.
The conference draws to a close tomorrow, when the party
will present its candidates standing for the forthcoming
general election, for the delegates’ approval.
Towards
a modern, efficient and competitive economy
The
Labour Party plans to improve the country’s competitive
edge to be able to strengthen existing investment and
attract new investment in every sector, including the
manufacturing, tourism and services sectors.
Among its plans, the Labour party wants to grow the
economy at a rate of between four and six per cent per
year, said Dr Sant.
In the tourism sector, the MLP plans to attract 1.6
million tourists per year, with an annual income of up to
e1,450 million.
Source
: Malta Independent Online - Malta, dated 08/02/2008
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