News • 24 November 2002

Mater Dei to cost Lm100m more because of changes to plan by MLP government

VALLETTA - Finance minister John Dalli interviewed in MaltaToday was not giving away any previews before tomorrow’s budget. Nevertheless, tomorrow’s budget is expected to be the last budget before the national election and referendum. It is expected that the central theme will be Europe. However, he did reveal that the costs at the Mater Dei hospital were Lm100 million more because of the changes imposed by the 1996 – 1998 Labour government.

Talking to a MaltaToday team who also research and produce the PBS current affairs programme Reporter on PBS Mr Dalli said that he considered the European Union question as central to the future of Malta. It appears that EU accession will figure extensively in tomorrow’s budget.

The Labour opposition are trying to play down the upbeat Mr Dalli by reminding the public that the budget is a pre-election budget,

This will not be the finance minister’s first budget and he will be reviewing Malta’ s economic performance in 2002 after a sharp decline in the world economy and the tragic events of 11 September.

The finance minister who is perceived as no-nonsense because of his fight against tax evasion is expected to portray his softer side in this budget.

He has already indicated that the sacrifices he asked the public to take on have started to pay off.

The budget will be screened live tomorrow on PBS at around 6pm.

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