Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/476647
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 11 MARCH 2015 8 News Intolerance Killings Vandalism Don't forget! VOTE NO MARTINA BORG JOSEPH Muscat defended his admin- istration against criticism of bad gov- ernance, arguing that it was down to "lack of experience" and that the gov- ernment was "trying its best to learn from its procedural mistakes". The Prime Minister was addressing a news conference at the Auberge de Castille, given to mark two years of La- bour in power. He said that the PL had registered more achievements than expected. "This government has brought about much needed social and economic changes that nobody expected to hap- pen so soon," Muscat said. But the government is currently fac- ing criticism of bad governance and is under fire by the opposition over the controversial €4.2 million Café Pre- mier bailout. The Auditor General has also said a hedging deal reached with Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR detracted from the procurement process's ac- countability. However, Muscat insisted that the shortcomings the government was be- ing accused of were of "a procedural nature" and there were no qualms over the ultimate decision. He attributed these mistakes to a lack of experience and awareness about what tools were at the government's disposal. He rubbished suggestions of a lack of transparency, saying that it was more a question of under-documentation. This, he said, also applied to the Azeri deal. "It isn't a question of transparency, we didn't document it enough. The ne- gotiations were all undertaken by En- emalta and the government's role was to simply attract the Azeri company." Opposition leader Simon Busuttil on Monday reiterated his call for Muscat to resign because of the Café Premier bailout. Unfazed, Muscat said Busuttil should "be taken with a pinch of salt". Asked about the progress of investi- gations into free construction services allegedly given in Gozo, Muscat said he didn't not know what stage the in- vestigations were at. "I am not involved in the investigations but I have given clear instructions to ensure that the police get all the help that they need." Muscat said that, in just 20 months, the new government generated as many jobs as the previous administra- tion had generated in five years. Muscat referred specifically to Gozo, where under the previous government a total of 18 jobs were created in five years, compared to over 500 new jobs created under the new administration since its election. Muscat added that although there were many people who were still un- employed, the government was doing its best to provide more jobs and train- ing. Referring to the drop in utility bills, Muscat said that his government was very proud of having made these changes, in spite of the delay in open- ing the new gas power station. "The government is now looking forward to effecting a 25% reduction in utility bills for companies and busi- nesses, whatever their size, in the com- ing weeks." Muscat also described the start of the citizenship scheme as a strong contributor to the economy, and an example of how the country was at the fore even on the international scene. "We have created a programme that is both profitable and selective to en- sure the best investment in our coun- try," Muscat added. According to Muscat, this was not the only example of how progressive the current government was, as he referred to the enactment of the civil unions bill for same-sex couples. "Although many thought this con- cept would have a minority of support- ers, we stayed true to our promise. We are now looking forward to the Gender Identity Bill, and both these bills have placed Malta ahead of fellow EU coun- tries." With reference to female participa- tion in the workforce, Muscat listed a 6% increase in the rate of women at work as a result of the free childcare services offered by the government. "The government is also looking forward to the implementation of fur- ther steps that were announced in the budget, such as a change in the finan- cial system that organises maternity leave." Muscat also listed the government's achievements in the health sector, saying that although there were sev- eral issues still to be dealt with, the government held its achievements as a good promise for future develop- ments. "Last year one of the greatest prob- lems was medicines, which were constantly reported as out of stock, with an average of 1,300 medicines being reported out of stock on a weekly basis. "Through changes in procurement procedures and stock management, among others, this number has dropped to a mere five medicines a week, which although it is still not enough, is definitely a promising start." According to Muscat the govern- ment is now looking forward to im- plementing ways to deliver medica- tion straight to people's homes. "There has also been a significant drop in operation waiting lists, par- ticularly in cardiology and ophthal- mology, but we aim to continue cut- ting down the waiting time in other kinds of surgery, where public private partnerships will be essential," Mus- cat said. Asked about the issue of over- crowding at Mater Dei hospital, Muscat said that the government was looking into ways to expand the facility, among other options being presented to provide the best care possible. Muscat: Two years of Labour 'brought more achievements than expected' Joseph Muscat – 'not lack of transparency, more a question of under-documentation