Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/417582
11 Budget 2015 maltatoday, TUESDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2014 CIVIL LIBERTIES, ARTS, SPORTS New cohabitation law and equal income tax for gay couples Law on cohabitation being drafted A law on cohabitation is being drafted and the government has started a consultation process with experts in family law and equality. A public consultation process will begin once the law has been formu- lated. This was announced in the 2015 Budget. Assistance to transgenders to change their sex Once the Gender Identity Law is passed, the government will evalu- ate the possibility of assisting trans- gender people who are not comfort- able with their sexuality. Equal income tax for civil union couples The government will amend the Income Tax Act so that couples reg- istered under the new Civil Unions law will be treated identically to married couples. Easier access to government documents The government will amend the Freedom of Information Law to fa- cilitate public access to government documents. It will also improve the online presence of these laws. New integration policy The government is working on an integration policy to improve rela- tions between Maltese people and immigrants. A Directorate for Inte- gration will also be set up to develop strategies and programmes with regard to integration, anti-discrim- ination and civil liberties. New Commission for Human Rights and Equality A new commission for human rights and equality will replace the existing commission for the promo- tion of equality next year. NGO Hub to be set up The government will launch an NGO Hub project. This is intended to decrease bureaucracy, improve transparency, and unite voluntary organisations. Parliament to get full administrative autonomy ALL the legal and administrative steps will be taken in 2015 so that Malta's Parliament will become ad- ministratively autonomous, follow- ing a draft law tabled by Speaker Anglu Farrugia on 21 May this year. This was announced in yester- day's Budget speech and will bring Malta's Parliament in line with oth- er European Parliaments that have long enjoyed this autonomy. MPs to get paid according to parliament attendance The government has confirmed that members of parliament will start getting paid according to their parliamentary attendance. CHOGM and Constitutional changes Malta will host both the Com- monwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and the Con- vention of Maltese Living abroad next year. The government will discuss possible amendments to Malta's Constitution with main stakeholders in preparation for a Constitutional Convention that will be held between 2015 and 2016. They will also continue their prepa- rations for Malta's turn as President of the EU Council, occurring for the first time in 2017. Monuments to Dom Mintoff and Censu Tabone A monument for former Prime Minister Dominic Mintoff will be inaugurated in Valletta and a mon- ument of former President Censu Tabone will be inaugurated in St. Julians. Sport – Plans for shooting range and motorsport track Carnival Village, costumes museum and funds for local artists Shooting range and possible motorsport track The government will work for the construction of a shooting range of an international level. It will also issue a call for expressions of interest for the construction of a motorsport track. Marsa Horse Racing Track could become partially privatised The government could create a public-private partnership with horseracing experts to render the Marsa Horse Racing Track more professional. €700,000 to train sport administrators The government will spend €700,000 to train administrators who work within the local sports scene. Financing for artists to export their work abroad A financing programme of €200,000 will be set up to help local artists ex- port their work. An €86,000 co-fi- nanced investment will be part of the EU's 'Creative Europe' programme. Extensive work will also be carried out on the national Museum of Fine Arts and 'cultural clusters' will also be developed. The government added that studies for the development of the 'Malta International Contempo- rary Arts Space' are at an "advanced stage". Carnival Village project to kick off with €80,000 fund An €80,000 fund will be set up to fi- nance the initial stages of a 'Carnival Village'. Fund for cultural programmes on TV stations A new financing programme for television stations to improve their cultural programmes will be intro- duced. Costumes museum The government will set up a muse- um for historical Maltese costumes, from the days of the Order of St John to the modern day. Local designers will also be able to produce and ex- hibit their work there. Regeneration of the Valletta market Work on the regeneration of the Old Market in Merchants Street, Valletta will start next year after the govern- ment issued a call for interest earlier this year. Co-production fund with V18 Foundation A co-production fund between pub- lic cultural entities and the Valletta 2018 Foundation will be set up with an initial €208,000 investment. The Malta Arts Council will be re- structured and public cultural enti- ties will benefit from enhanced gov- ernment funding. Great Siege's 450th anniversary The government will commemorate the 450th anniversary of the Great Siege next year with the help of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.