Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541063
CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 Because of these interruptions, Abela went slightly over time and had his microphone switched off by the Speaker. This led to the session being suspended for five minutes after which Labour MP and Minister Byron Camilleri re- quested a ruling Abela made several announce- ments throughout the night. He said Cabinet will soon approve a new tender for a fourth Gozo Channel ferry, while a new mas- terplan to regenerate the Grand Harbour will be launched for pub- lic consultation early next year. He said that contracted workers in the health sector will start be- ing paid at par with public service workers, and will be entitled to arrears to the tune of €35 million. Moreover, studies on a mass transit system carried out by Arup are in their final phases, Abela said. Abela continuously took aim at the Opposition throughout his speech. He ridiculed the Oppo- sition's criticism on high levels of government debt and insisted that the PN should be worried about its own debt levels. He accused the PN of wanting to decrease recurrent expendi- ture, which he said would have meant cutting major social wel- fare spending. While talking about the flagship family tax cut measure in Budget 2026, Abela referred to a proposal from Opposition leader Alex Borg, made on the eve of the Budget, to create a special tax bracket for parents with two children. The measure is similar to what the government put forward in the Budget, but Abela criticised it because it would have meant leaving single-child parents vul- nerable. Abela also went on to accuse Alex Borg of taking direct policy inspiration from the US Repub- licans' One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which also proposed investment accounts for children—something which Borg proposed during his Budget replica on Monday. Abela described Budget 2026 as "the best ever" and promised that next year's budget will be even better as Labour backbenchers showed support by banging on their desks. 2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 5 NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS Madliena Developments Ltd claims Project Green is working on its land in Ta' Giorni PROJECT Green's works at Ta' Giorni in St Julian's have been halted after a prohibitory injunc- tion by Madliena Developments Ltd. In a statement on Tues- day, Project Green said that Madliena Developments filed a prohibitory injunction against Project Green and the Lands Authority, as the private compa- ny is claiming ownership of the land in question. "The Court has upheld the in- junction pending a final decision on the ownership dispute. As a result, all work on site have been placed on hold indefinitely," Project Green said. The project started last year and included "a dynamic, acces- sible and aesthetically pleasing environment, promoting com- munity engagement, recreation- al activities and a sense of con- nection with the diverse urban landscape." The agency said that hoarding and site clearance works had al- ready started. "Project Green remains com- mitted to acting responsibly and lawfully while the judicial pro- cess continues. The agency will provide updates as new infor- mation becomes available." MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt Project Green says Madliena Developments filed a prohibitory injunction against Project Green and the Lands Authority Grand Harbour regeneration plan out next year Prime Minister Robert Abela announces plans to turn the White Rocks complex into a national park during his Budget reply on Tuesday. (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)