The 11th parliament reconvened on Saturday. The Cabinet consists of 69 parliamentary seats in all, 35 on the side of the Nationalist Party and 34 in Opposition. The new legislature has a majority of just one seat.

The state opening of parliament commenced with mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. Members of Parliament then proceeded to the Palace where the Hon Speaker of the House took the oath of allegiance. Louis Galea was sworn in as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives while Labour MP Carmelo Abela was sworn in as Deputy Speaker for another term.

President Edward Fenech Adami delivered the official speech on the occasion of the Inauguration of the first Sitting of the Eleventh Parliament. The President presented the government’s plan for the five years ahead.

Sustainable Development

The government’s challenge is to ensure continuous economic development, promoted by education, social development, with particular attention to environmental protection. Land use remains a key issue, but so are our airspace and our territorial waters, and Malta must maximise the use of its ports, harbours and coastal zone.

Rent laws are to be revised to encourage the efficient use of existing buildings. The new legislation will seek to reconcile the twin aims of protecting current tenants and of ensuring that landlords receive what is their due. The government has committed itself to increasing the rate of home ownership, and will improve and adapt existing schemes while introducing new ones, to make it possible for more people to buy their own home.

The title of tenant-farmers to state-owned land will be strengthened, which will give them the basis they require for investment.

Economic Development

The government’s economic plans are designed to provoke greater economic activity, by incentivising work and stimulating demand. The aim is to shift the current deficit into surplus by 2010. Public expenditure will continue to be restricted without compromising social services, healthcare and education.

The government will intensify the fight against tax evasion and the abuse of social services. Its tax reforms will include a lowering of the income tax rate; incentives for women to return to work; the exemption of certain assets from exposure to inheritance tax and the abolition of departure tax, credit card levies and television licences.

Social Development

The health, safety and sound development of children, where possible in stable families with parents who are married and supportive of each other, remains of primary importance. The government is to propose legislation that will protect those who are in cohabiting relationships.

Efforts at eradicating social services abuse will continue, but the government will also, among others, continue to subsidise water and electricity for those households most in need; improve pensions and develop programmes for the employment of the disabled.

On health, the government will link health centres and the clinics of family doctors with Mater Dei Hospital and broaden the range and scope of the pharmacy-of-your-choice programme.

Access to information technology and the internet will be widened at all state-run schools and colleges, in line with the government’s e-Learning programme. Education reforms will continue through all levels and with increased commitment to lifelong learning for adults.

Environmental Development

At least 300 million euro in EU funds and other public monies will be allocated to this purpose.

The MEPA will be reformed with an eye to greater efficiency and transparency in its operations, and with commitment to ensuring that there is consistency in its decisions and enforcement.

There will be increased effort at the improvement of air and water quality, the cleanliness of our seas, waste management, and the protection of people from the hazards, pollution and nuisance of construction. The government will incentivise the use of energy-efficient systems and appliances and those which use alternative sources of energy. A sewage treatment plant will be built in the south of Malta and the road-building programme will continue.

Good Governance

The government is proposing legislation on various factors including on public administration; on freedom of information and on the protection of whistleblowers.

Security

The fight against crime will be intensified, with practical measures that include the setting up of a DNA laboratory, the introduction of electronic tagging for those who stand accused of having committed grave crimes, and the implementation of a register of sex offenders.

The government will work to strengthen and modernise the police force and to render it more efficient. The possibility will be considered of bringing the ancillary law enforcement systems (local wardens, the enforcement officers of the Public Transport Authority and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, green wardens and others) into a single organisational body.

Vision 2015

The government has also identified seven sectors for development which will give the Maltese islands a comparative advantage by 2015 namely financial services, information and communication technology (ICT), manufacturing, tourism, health, education and Gozo.

See also:
Louis Galea to be nominated Speaker
PM Gonzi favours bonus for parliamentarians
Parliamentary groups agree on running of House

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