Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/417582
A new 'Asset Management Bureau' operated by both the government and a private business could have the au- thority to freeze all the assets of peo- ple suspected or convicted of major crimes. This is partially intended to help the government fight drug traf- fickers. This was announced yesterday in the Budget speech as one of the gov- ernment's initiatives to improve justice and internal affairs. New police CEO and police prosecutions unit The police force will also be reor- ganised through the appointment of a police chief executive who will report directly to the police commissioner. A prosecutions unit within the police corps could also be set up. The Police Academy is set to become a college with accredited certificates. Press laws to guarantee freedom of expression Next year, the government will pro- pose a reformation in press laws to guarantee freedom of expression while insuring that press laws are relevant to the current times. Drug law reforms will also continue following last sum- mer's consultation process. New helicopters and a new reception centre for immigrants Three new helicopters will be bought for the Armed Forces. Works on new maritime quarters for the Mal- ta Armed Forces and on a 'microwave link' will be completed, as will works on the Sta Venera fire station. Plans will be drawn up to build a new recep- tion centre for immigrants, as well as new quarters and an academy for the Civil Protection Department. Works to enlarge the youth corrective facility in Imtahleb will commence and the Central Visa Unit will be transferred to Evans Building in Valletta where the passport office is already housed. Change in legal aid system A legal aid agency will be set up and lawyers who give legal aid will no longer be paid through the office of the Attorney General. International arbitration The government will come up with a plan to introduce interna- tional arbitration, completely sepa- rate from domestic arbitration. Training to local wardens Local wardens will be trained in civil, educative and environmental aspects so that they will no longer be motivated solely by reaching their targets through imposing fines. New fund for local councils A new fund to help local councils perform projects in their localities will be set up. Financial resources that would have been spent on the local councils of 2017 before the postponement of local elections to 2019 will also be pooled into this fund. The government will also finance local councils that organise cultur- al activities. They will also try and find ways to share the responsi- bilities of local councils in services such as street and waste manage- ment among councils, regions, and the central government. 16-year- olds will also be able to vote for the first time in next year's local coun- cil elections. 24 Budget 2015 maltatoday, TUESDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2014 NEW CEO FOR POLICE www.elctoysmalta.com EARLY BIRD SCHEME We will refund you the VAT, in vouchers, on your purchases. Minimum spend €25.00 For a limited time only. Terms and conditions apply. 193, Merchant Street, Valletta - Tel: 2123 6228 • 61, St. Paul Street, Rabat - Tel: 2145 6385 • Triq Fortunato Mizzi, Victoria - Tel: 21560157 Wow!! A VAT free Christmas! Private bailiffs for unprecedented seizure of criminal assets