[WATCH] 'Sustainable growth, dignity for all at the core of PN pre-budget document' - Busuttil

PN presents its pre-budget document to the MCESD

PN leader Simon Busuttil said that the core themes of the party's pre-budget document, which was being presented to the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, were dignity for all and sustainable growth of the country. 

"The document shows the Opposition's opinions and it doesn't aim to be conclusive in any way," he said, stressing that the PN was participating in the already ongoing discussions through the document. 

Busuttil explained that the party believed that sustainable growth is, by nature, long-term.  

"Growth cannot be fuelled by public employment soaring in just two years," Busuttil explained.

Discussing the idea of dignity for all, Busuttil said that the wealth created by investment should benefit everyone. "We should pool resources into pensions, poverty and equal distribution not on scandals," Busuttil said. 

He further explained that the PN agreed with a GRTU suggestion to reduce electricity prices, particularly given the current conditions. 

Shadow finance minister Mario de Marco pointed out that international oil prices and the interconnector should have led to cheaper prices already. 

De Marco reiterated that the government should publish all contracts about the fuel hedging agreement, which might be contributing to the lack of changes in local prices. He added that given the fact that these documents had been kept private, the PN could only speculate on the matter.

Busuttil also spoke about good governance and said that although people wouldn't readily associate the economy with it, bad governance is more often than not paid for with the people's taxes. 

De Marco said that the country's GDP has outpaced the European average for the last seven years, but he warned that the government's spending and activity continued to increase as well, mostly due to recurrent expenditure through employees' wages in the public sector. 

De Marco said that the studies into the country's carrying capacity and distributing tourist entries over time were a part of the document. He added that traffic issues were also detrimental to the country's reputation with tourists, in addition to their negative impact on the economy. 

He questioned what the Plan B is if Air Malta doesn't reach the required standards in the stipulated time frame.

He added that the Opposition also aimed to have an additional safeguard to construction in ODZs, by disincentivising construction in the area due to cheaper prices.

De Marco added that the document also included suggestions to address issues like malnourishment for the poorer sectors of society, including an extension of the Meals on Wheels scheme and healthy food voucher schemes for those who can't afford it.