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Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is confident of a positive feedback from the public and of what 2007 has in store
This would be my fourth interview with Lawrence Gonzi as Prime Minister. Things have not changed dramatically since my first and last interview. It was refreshing to see that no one recognised me at the reception.
 “Who are you?” they asked.
I felt like suggesting that I was Crocodile Dundee, but then I thought it was going a bit too far.
Walking up to the Prime Minister’s office, I was not greeted with the usual well-dressed messengers. They had sort of disappeared.
Things have been rather tense between the OPM and MaltaToday and Illum. When I walked into the PM’s office, I searched frantically for a hand to shake. There was none.
And with a serious-looking Edgar Galea Curmi sitting uncomfortably next to me, I was not exactly in the comfort zone.
It took some time before a terse Prime Minister loosened up.
He was obviously irked at our reporting of the John Dalli case. I tried to avoid talking about the Dalli case from the onset.
The first question should have helped.
I told him there are positive signs in the economy, but why is it that surveys showed that people did not express this feelgood factor?
“From the surveys we see the business feeling is getting there. But this does not mean that everyone is feeling the same thing. Yet the budgetary measures are definitely leaving a positive feedback and this is the personal feedback I get.”
Joe Saliba, his party’s secretary general, has said the next step is for the goodies to seep down to the people. Gonzi talks of Lm1 million coming in investment every day, but how are people going to benefit from this?
“We have to explain that this means jobs, opportunities for University and MCAST graduates. We also need to give some time for things to evolve such as the income tax changes.”
But was he conscious of a negative perception to government?
“No, I see the perception as positive for government. In the last three months, there has been a new wind blowing.”
From MaltaToday surveys, the PN remains the favourite party, but there is no rise in support, only a rise in the number of ‘don’t knows’ and a decrease in support for the Labour party.
“I give importance to surveys but with my feet to the ground and one has to see a trend. The electorate’s allegiances are not what they used to be. I think that is positive for the country and keeps us on our toes. But our results will speak volumes.
“But then let us say it as it is, the MLP has a political agenda that is based on political pragmatism and opportunism.
“I am scandalised by the Labour party, there is no political leader in the world who for example does not take a decision on pension reform. It is a party of convenience.”
I asked him why the perception on Europe was so bad?
“I think that last year we had a negative impression of Europe because of the economic situation. The negativism is decreasing. In Malta, we had a unanimous decision on the European Constitution. There was also a touch and go situation to win Objective One status for Malta. Having won this, the negative feeling dissipated, the financial programmes have all helped to change the perception. We need to get this message across. The record investment we have brought to Malta has happened only because of Malta’s place in the EU.”
What about his much publicised proposals on the Opera House, the golf course at Xaghra l-Hamra, artificial islands and many others that simply did not get off the ground?
“There is an important lesson that I have learnt from the past years: the government has to be financially sound to move on these projects.”
So there was an evolution in your line of thinking.
“When it comes to national monuments, private enterprise is limited in its interest.”
With regards to the case of Mario Camilleri, the imprisoned drug baron who had his family company working as a cleaning company in the law courts and in the office of junior minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, had he followed up the implications of this administrative cock-up?
“We are trying. It is not easy; it will require a scrutiny that is next to impossible.”
But this is a case which involved a very well known criminal, I insist. “This could have happened to anyone, but it is clear it has created a problem.”
But why had he left it to the media to raise the issue? “It was not the media; when it was discovered everything was stopped.”
Why did he not let the media know that for example the same company was cleaning Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici’s office? “But we did not keep it a secret…”
Did you check if they were cleaning the OPM?, I asked. “Yes, that was the first thing that we checked,” he replied grinning.
I turn to his government’s most boasted of investment yet to come, Dubai’s internet city concept right in Malta at Ricasoli. Gonzi claims the government “is moving” on the deal which so far has not yet been concluded. There was certainly an air of reassurance in his answer.
Now Gonzi had also promised a new way of doing politics, although how much of that had truly transpired? His answer was far from what I had expected.
“I should mention that the three most important appointments, at the Broadcasting Authority, the Ombudsman and the Electoral Office were carried out together with the Opposition. The way we carried out the appointments is quite different from what happened in previous administrations. Then we had the budget consultation that was yet another new way of doing things, but unfortunately the Labour party refused to participate.”
But on a micro level, what did he offer as a change? “I wish for a greater sensitivity on cleanliness and respect for the surroundings.”
I tried not to show my disappointment at his answers. What about legislation regulating financial support for political parties? “I wish for an agreement,” he replied.
In the past the PN had insisted that donations of over Lm20,000 should not be declared. Do he still stand by this?
“No, this is not the Gospel truth for us.”
So is there still any chance for electoral reforms? “There is a possibility.”
Were talks taking place?
Gonzi smiled and I got the message that I should ask no further. Then talks must be taking place.
I knew that it would be a hypothetical question, but would he leave elections till the very end of his term?
“I will take the decision in the best interest of our country. However, I’m in no hurry.”
On tackling recurrent expenditure he said: “Over the past years we have undertaken major restructuring exercises of many public organisations that were draining millions in recurrent expenditure from taxpayers’ money. These policies and measures resulted in a decrease of 4,250 in public sector employees and increase of 5,300 persons employed in the private sector in just three years.
“An analysis of public expenditure clearly indicates that around 55% of this expenditure is in social benefits, education programmes and health services. We have no intention of reducing any expenditure in these three pillars of Malta’s social, and indeed economic, development. Nevertheless, even in these sectors we shall continue to insist for more cost effective programmes.”
I asked the PM if he agreed with the Opposition’s point of view that there are far too many authorities and too many consultancies.
“We have made government smaller and we have done so because we have always believed in a lean and efficient government. We have reduced the size of public sector employment and we have consolidated public organisations, such as the integration of the Malta Centre for Restoration with Heritage Malta. This programme shall continue with the consolidation of the Department of Civil Aviation, the Malta Maritime Authority and the Freeport Corporation into one Ports Authority.
“Our actions speak louder than words. As a matter of principle, we believe that government should not operate in areas where the private sector can do a better job.”
Was he concerned that PBS was dominated by the same media houses and did he agree that the restructuring programme was not a success?
“The restructuring exercise of PBS was a difficult but necessary one. But we need to continue to ensure an efficient, effective and quality Public Broadcasting Service. No, it is not healthy to have PBS dominated by any one or few media houses.
“The only way in which such a monopoly can be avoided is by having more media houses putting forward top notch proposals that will allow PBS the possibility of choosing quality products without relying on what you refer to as ‘the same media houses’.
“But there is more to having a good Public Broadcasting Service than the above. The ministry responsible for culture is currently working closely with the management of PBS to develop criteria that will continue to upgrade the quality of the programming without compromising the company’s financial sustainability. In spite of everything, PBS has continued to have the greatest number of following amongst Maltese viewers.”
And on PBS resting between two stools he answered that the split was necessary for the restructuring to take place. Now that the restructuring exercise has been successfully undertaken other options become possible.
I ask him about tourism and why he left the introduction of low cost carriers so late in the day. He responded by saying that my premise was totally wrong.
“First of all, I would like to point out that, contrary to what your question implies, low cost airlines could have started to operate as from the first of May 2004. There was nothing to stop them. But, as you are well aware, low cost airlines will only come to Malta if they are subsidised by the Maltese government. Obviously we are not naïve. We found a formula that encourages low cost airlines to operate to Malta from new routes thus bringing new business. In this manner we managed to find the best formula for our country.”
I had arrived at the point where I had to ask about John Dalli.
I lumped my questions into one big question.
Would he agree that John Dalli and the announcement of the Joe Zahra sentence could have been handled in a better way? Joe Saliba had said on Super One that he believed John Dalli will not be found to have done anything inappropriate – in reference to the airlines tickets issue – then why the resignation?
And what now with John Dalli, does he remain without any active role in the government and party, did Gonzi see any role for him?
What I got as answers were far from satisfactory.
“John,” he said, “has an important role as a government member of parliament, contributing to the development and fine-tuning of government’s political and legislative programme, meeting our constituency, explaining to people government’s programme and relaying their message. I also know that John, like the rest of our parliamentary group, is ready to serve the party and our country whenever and wherever necessary.”
But he avoided getting involved in the niceties and on why he still refused to appoint John Dalli as minister.
It was obvious to me that tackling John Dalli was not his cup of tea.
I turned to the party and with Joe Saliba at the centre controlling everything. Sometimes this is what you get when you ask silly questions.
He said: “I disagree that the party is managed in a centralised way even though I am always prepared to identify ways in which we can improve.
“I want the party to live up to its popular identity and continue to open itself more and more to all sectors of society. And I want the party to embark on a major policy update exercise in preparation for the next general election. We are a party on a journey, always ready to learn how we can best serve Maltese society.”
Would he agree that the party spends far less time on policy than on electoral campaigning?
“No.”
I pointed at the way political parties are spending endless moments in mudslinging campaigns on their respective political stations. Was he happy with this situation?
“No. But I see a difference between a mudslinging campaign and justified criticism.
“I am continuously encouraging our media to engage in a critical analysis of the political situation but never to overstep the boundaries of decency and basic ethical and professional behaviour.
“Unfortunately, mudslinging campaigns are clearly a part of the Opposition’s strategy. And we do well to avoid the trap of reacting to such strategies.”
Cabinet reshuffle is not on your cards, I said pre-empting his answer. Is it because you do not wish to unsettle heavyweights in your cabinet or is it because you do not think it is the right moment?
“I have already answered this question in previous interviews. I have nothing new to add to what I have already stated.”
Looking back at 2006, what with hindsight would he have avoided?
“This is fiction.
“Had I the benefit of hindsight I would have known that the price of oil would have hit record levels.”
I wondered, was he suggesting that he should take up hedging?
You talk of 2007 in very positive terms, you refer to EU funding, but on a micro level, what do you expect to change?
“Quality and excellence… cleanliness and decency… more appreciation of our heritage and history ... good manners and better driving... and giving our children and our families more time to be with each other and have fun.”
The Tunisian ambassador was waiting outside his office, I was told. I collected the notebook and walked away.
I cannot remember if we shook hands. But at least we smiled at each other.
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