Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1305625
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 NOVEMBER 2020 2 BUDGET2021 AFTER having had the (dis)pleasure of listening to Bernard Grech's reaction to this year's budget, I could not help but be a bit surprised and also disappoint- ed. After all the fanfare and promises of a change in direction that came with his leadership election, many were hop- ing to witness something different from what we have seen from the Opposition over the past 7 years. Instead, what I heard was the same negative and medio- cre criticism-for-criticism's-sake that has become the hallmark of the Nationalist Party in recent times. To hear the new Opposition leader speak, one would be forgiven for think- ing that the country is passing through a great depression, and that the last time things were going well was in 2012, when his party was in power. The facts, how- ever, speak for themselves, and they are standing in total contradiction to what Grech is saying. Take for instance, the funds allocated to the Housing sector as an example. In 2011, these stood at €2.47 million. Now, in the budget for 2021, the government has allocated €28 million to this same sec- tor. This translates to a tenfold increase in funding when compared to the suppos- edly 'good-old-days' which Grech nostal- gically harks back to. Moreover, to add insult to injury, this budget, unlike that of 2011, is coming in the midst of the worst pandemic that the world has seen in a century. The covid-19 has severely impacted all the world's economies, including our own. The chal- lenges and obstacles were unprecedented. The government moved quickly to ensure that Malta's healthcare is in the best po- sition. Simultaneously it made sure not only to protect lives but also livelihoods. Yet, even in this context, the Labour gov- ernment still managed to find the neces- sary budget to allocate the largest amount of funds to the housing sector that this country has seen in recent years. This extraordinary feat was not easy, but it has been achieved because this is a gov- ernment that truly cares about Malta's housing sector and its people. Not just in words, but with deeds. Year after year this government has put forward budgets which ensure that no individual or sec- tor of society is ignored or left behind, so everyone can benefit from the relentless march forward that this country has ex- perienced over the past 7 years. This is the reality that Bernard Grech opts to ignore. Bernard Grech's opposition excels solely when it comes to mindless criticism but are inept at offering any solid proposals or ideas. Ultimately, this is the starkest distinc- tion between the Government and the Opposition. The Nationalist Party is still stuck in the past, intent on holding on to the attitude of negativism and unfound- ed criticism that has been rejected by the people in one election after another. This government, on the other hand, prefers to look to the future, with a vision and a plan, not just for the short-term, but for years to come. In fact, this attribute of the Labour Party shone through once more in the response that the Prime Minister gave to Grech's comments earlier this week. Instead of sowing pessimism and division, Robert Abela stood out as the national leader which Malta needs at this point of time. The Prime Minister could have sim- ply chosen to focus on the past, and on what this government has managed to achieve, even while being hindered by the worst crisis to strike the world in decades, and truly, no one could have faulted him for doing so. After all, one need only look around us and see how other countries, even within Europe it- self, are succumbing to this pandemic, with spiralling death rates and nev- er-ending lockdowns, to see how well this government has managed to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. However, rather than resting on his lau- rels, the Prime Minister chose to turn to the future, explaining how this budget will not only help to sustain our businesses and employees throughout these difficult times, but will also ensure that we will be in a position to launch forward once more as soon as the opportunity strikes. At the end of the day, this perhaps, is the true import of this budget, and why it is right to say that it is one of the best budgets that this country has ever seen. In times of crisis, it is the established norm to put out cautious budgets, if not even budgets of austerity as we saw in 2008 when the Nationalist Party was in govern- ment. However, thanks to the hard work and economic prosperity which were the sign of these Labour administrations, this government has instead managed to pres- ent a budget of hope. For yet another year, this was a budget which did not introduce any taxes or financial burdens. It was a budget that contributed to all sectors of society without taking anything in return. The new wave of government vouchers, the continuation of the Covid-19 wage sup- plement, the increase in children's al- lowance and in pensions are all incen- tives and measures which will bring a ray of light and optimism to our country and our economy. Such measures would normally be un- thinkable in times of economic strife. But the government's plan is not to retreat in the face of challenges, but rather meet them head-on and ensure that the coun- try is on its feet and ready to move back on the road to economic growth and suc- cess. The two speeches given this week tru- ly manage to capture the vision which each Party has for this country. On one hand we have an all 'doom and gloom' approach topped with the usual negativ- ism on the other we have an experienced side synonymous with success and with a clear path for a stronger Malta. I'm sure the latest measures will not merely see our country survive these trying times, but will see our businesses, workers and families thrive once more very soon. A Budget that values the housing sector OPINION Roderick Galdes Roderick Galdes is Minister for Social Accomodation