Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1531046
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 3 JANUARY 2025 NEWS UNDER Labour, it's scandal after scandal, PN leader Ber- nard Grech said in a statement at the end of the year. "We've reached the end of the year, and they just can't stop themselves from pigging out," Grech said. "Amidst the series of reckless squandering scandals of pub- lic funds by Robert Abela and his Ministers, it's now Justyne Caruana's turn – the former Minister who had to resign twice – to receive yet another direct order." Grech noted that a notice was published in the Government Gazette during the Christmas holidays stating that former minister Justyne Caruana is earning €78,000 per year from taxpayers' money for 30 hours of work per week, paid at a rate of €50 per hour. According to the notice, Caruana started receiving this pay in July 2024. Grech said it is unclear where Caruana works, what she does, or whether she even attends work anywhere. It's also un- known on what criteria she was selected over others. "The direct order was issued by Clyde Caruana's Ministry of Finance, under whose lead- ership the country reached a record level of debt," he said. "According to the notice, Justyne Caruana is advising the Minister on how to collect more tax." He recalled that Caruana had to resign twice from her role as Minister due to different scan- dals. In January 2020, she resigned as Minister for Gozo after it was revealed that her ex-hus- band, Silvio Valletta, was very close to Yorgen Fenech, who is accused of complicity in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. D e - spite this, she found herself back in Cabinet as Minister for Education until Decem- ber 2021, when the Commis- sioner for Standards in Public Life found that Caruana had violated the Code of Ethics by awarding a €15,000 contract to her friend Daniel Bogdanovic, despite him lacking any qual- ifications. "This scandal adds to the long list of cases of abuse of power, corruption, and money laundering," Grech said. "Fol- lowing the scandals involving Rosianne Cutajar and Aman- da Muscat, the wife of former Minister Clayton Bartolo, who were caught fraudulently and irregularly taking public funds, Robert Abela seems to have learned nothing." Rosianne Cutajar's infamous remark that "everyone is in it for themselves" has become the order of the day for the La- bour Government, Grech said. He said that this case shows that Robert Abela is even fa- vouring those who are no longer considered part of his inner circle. "After Justyne Caruana was sidelined twice, it now seems he is trying to buy her loyalty back with this contract, which, as revealed, is backdated to Ju- ly of this year," he said. The opposition leader said that a few weeks ago, Abela himself implied he was doing everything possible to bring Caruana back when he publicly welcomed her at a Labour po- litical event in Gozo. Amidst words of praise for the former Minister, he told her he believes the country still needs her. "Corruption seems to have been and will remain a defin- ing characteristic of Robert Abela's leadership," Grech said. "This is institutionalised corruption." Message for 2025 In a message marking the start of the New Year, Bernard Grech said that every new year brings with it reflections on what we have been through in the past year but, above all, of- fers us an opportunity to look ahead. The PN leader said his par- ty's ambition is for the com- ing year to be better than the one before because this is what Malta and its people deserve. "We must build a country where you can live a better life. Where you can enjoy a better quality of life in every sense. A country where every person has the freedom to develop their full potential. But also a country that, at the same time, supports those in need." Grech emphasised that for all of us to live better as whole individuals, the country must ensure top-quality services in education, training, mental and physical health, and per- sonalised social services, com- bined with an economy that grows sustainably, a clean en- vironment, modern infrastruc- ture addressing power cuts, improved roads, less sewage pollution, together with better connectivity between Malta and Gozo. To achieve this, he stressed the importance of fostering a country characterised by sta- bility and normality. PN leader on Justyne Caruana contract: 'More greed from Abela and associates' PN leader Bernard Grech (above) said it is still unclear what Justyne Caruana (inset) does to earn €78,000 per year from taxpayers' money Did you know? Xlendi Bay is a picturesque and popular seaside destination known for its dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and quaint charm. Originally a tiny fishing village, Xlendi has evolved into a bustling small resort that attracts both tourists and locals throughout the year. The bay itself features a small sandy and pebbly beach perfect for swimming and relaxing. The waters are shallow near the beach, making it ideal for families, while the surrounding rocky coastline offers deeper waters suitable for diving and snorkeling. The bay's reef formations and underwater tunnels make it a hotspot for diving enthusiasts, with several diving centers available for beginners and experienced divers alike.