Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1418522
6 maltatoday | TUESDAY • 12 OCTOBER 2021 BUDGET2022 PM: Government did not want to rush ARMS billing reform KARL AZZOPARDI THE Prime Minister Robert Abe- la has insisted government did not want to rush its reform on ARMS billing, so as not to negatively im- pact certain sectors of society. "We needed to ensure that the new system would not result in sharp increases for certain groups of people," he said. Speaking during government's post-budget press conference, Abela said the current billing system, created under a Nation- alist administration, was under- pinned by a legal notice, and so government could not just step in and change the system. "We saw a reality that needed changing, and we did just that," he said. Asked on why government did not plan ahead in terms of the COLA, raising it by just €1.75, Abela said a number of govern- ment measures helped in ad- dressing the added challenges faced by Maltese families. "While in previous years infla- tion was due to government de- cisions, we did not increase tax- es, and increased the tax refund among other measures," he said. On greylisting, the PM said government did not wait for the budget to come around to start implementing the needed reforms, insisting a number of changes were already being car- ried out. He also hit out at Opposition leader Bernard Grech for prom- ising to take Malta off the greyl- ist within 90 days. "That is the worst approach possible," he said. Robert Abela toys with Opposition as he skirts round questions on election Prime Minister Robert Abela was reluctant to confirm whether he will hold an early election in November, instead stating that he wants to implement his government's budget proposals. "I don't agree that everyone is thinking about the election, we will carry out the budget as promised," he said when prompted on a possi- ble election this year. Three journalists asked Abela about a possible early election on Monday during a post-budget press conference outside Castille. In all three instances, Abela failed to give a yes-or-no an- swer. He also evaded questions on whether the budget will be approved during this legislature, which could open the door to a hypothetical election in November this year. "The only concerns about an election are coming from the Opposition," Abela quipped. He said that his government is focused on com- ing out of the pandemic while protecting health and increasing employment. "There are a number of months left in this legislation, and my focus today is to implement this budget," he stated. The election rumour mill went into overdrive last weekend after news came through that Pope Francis postponed his Malta visit to next year. Among the reasons for this postponement was the persistent rumours of a November vote. In theory, the Prime Minister can call a gener- al election whenever he deems fit - but there is a minimum of 33 days between parliament's dis- solution and voting day that must be respected. Several sources within the Labour Party had told MaltaToday that opinion is split within the party as to whether Abela should call an elec- tion now or wait until March next year.