Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/826032
maltatoday, FRIDAY, 19 MAY 2017 4 MIRIAM DALLI IF re-elected to a second term, the Labour Party is pledg- ing to develop a new national shooting range at Ta' Kandja. The shooting range, devel- oped over 90 tumoli of land close to the Police Academy, would cater for the trap and skeet, the 25-50m ranges, the 300m rif le ranges, dynamic ranges and paintball. It is estimated that the range would cost €7 million, part of which will be publicly funded. Flanked by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and MP Lu- ciano Busuttil, parliamentary secretary for sports Chris Agi- us said that chosen land is der- elict, part of which was used as a scrapyard. To claps of sports organiza- tions present, Agius said that the government's original plan was to extend an existing shooting range but this was not feasible due to a number of factors. "The site will be situated away from residential zones. All ranges will be landscaped and an innovate system will be introduced for the collection and recycling of lead pellets. Additional to the range, recre- ational spaces open for all will also be developed," Agius said. The junior minister added the shooting range will make of Malta "a hub" for shooting sports. Presenting the Labour Par- ty's proposals for the sports sector, Agius also said that Valletta F.C. will be getting a new football ground. The new football ground will form part of the bigger rehabilitation of the old landfill in Luqa. The area will be regenerated to include a family park and an industrial zone to be used by SMEs. "No agricultural land will be touched," Muscat said, adding that the site will be developed in conjunction with Malta En- terprise, the Malta Industrial Parks and Sport Malta. The Labour leader explained that the chosen site had al- ready been allocated to the Valletta football club in the past, but millions of euros are required to clean the area. The ground will be passed on to the club on an emphyteusis. News €7 million shooting range being proposed at Ta' Kandja for shooting athletes Other proposals: • SportMalta's after school programmes will be offered for free to children, until the age of 16, coming from low-income families • Commercialisation of sports facilities • Sports organisations, registered with SportMalta, will be exempted from paying the tariffs and expense related to applications submitted with the Planning Authority in relation to sports projects • Registered sports organization will be given financial incentives to reduce utility bills • Encourage registered sports organisations to invest in alternative energy • Paid sports leave for national athletes • The construction of a new sports complex in Qawra • Initiate talks for new waterpolo pitches in St Julian's and Marsaxlokk • New rugby ground in Ghajn Dwieli, in collaboration with Hibernians F.C. Other proposals: • 15% final withholding tax exemption, up to €1,000, on investments by the elderly • The bonus to persons who have retired, but didn't pay enough N.I. will increase up to €300 and will be paid even after the age of 75 • Through PPPs, the government will increase 500 beds for the elderly in Gozo and other projects in Mqabba and Birkirkara • Continue the investment in public homes for the elderly, particularly at St Vincent de Paul • Ensure that families with children under the age of 16, have an income – between salary and social benefits – which is higher than the minimum levels established by Caritas • Strengthen LEAP services to help families get back on their feet • Together with the University of Malta, an 'Oversight Body' will be set up to carry out progress reports every three years on families • Every mother that gives birth to a child, or adopts, will receive a child bonus of €300 • Expectant mothers will be given a baby starter kit • The foster care allowance will be increase to €100 a week • Direct financial assistance, up to €10,000, to couples who wish to adopt a child • Full rebate of travel expenses • With the help of tax credits, government to encourage parents to set up a saving funds for their children'sprivate pension Family and elderly: tax exemptions, child bonus and baby starter kit TAX exemptions, financial assis- tance to those who adopt, child bonuses and baby starter kits are among the list of proposals being put forward by the Labour Party for the family and the elderly. The proposals vary and include proposals to amend tax compu- tation in cases where a couple is separating or divorcing. The Labour Party is also pro- posing to help parents setup a fund to help their children save up for their private pension, un- til they reach the age of 18. In this case, parents can contribute to up to €2,000 and will benefit from a tax credit. Addressing a press conference at the BOV Adventure Park in Ta' Qali, Prime Minister and Labour leader Joseph Muscat and Cabi- net members Michael Farrugia and Justyne Caruana said that the proposals make up one of the most social packages ever pre- sented in the country's history.