PN reshuffle: Busuttil should investigate his own leader – PM

● Muscat hopeful MAM, government will reach agreement

The first thing that Simon Busuttil should do as new spokesperson on good governance is to investigate his own leader, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said yesterday.

Muscat was asked what he thought about Adrian Delia’s shadow cabinet reshuffle during a political event in Marsaxlokk. The prime minister said that of all the new roles, the best was the one given to the former Opposition leader. “He has his work cut out for him,” he jibed.

Muscat was also asked about the “PN exponents who harm Malta’s reputation abroad.”

Replying, he said: “These people will find out that if you spit in the air it will land on your face. At the end of the day they are not harming Joseph Muscat, but the country.”

The prime minister said he believed that some top officials did not agree with this policy. He appealed to them to show “with facts” that they did not approve.

Turning to the threat of industrial action within the health sector, Muscat said he hoped that a solution would be found within the next 24 hours.

The government is set to meet with the Medical Association of Malta (MAM) today over concerns the union has on the VGH Steward concession transfer agreement. The medical union has warned that it is willing to issue widespread directives unless its demands are met.

The PM said he had full confidence in Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne.

“If this is an issue of clarification and understanding the deal, then I am convinced we will get there.”

It seemed, he said, that the MAM wanted to stop the transfer from VGH to Steward, and this was unacceptable for the government. “We are hopeful that if both sides attend the meeting with an open mind, we will find a solution.”

Muscat insisted yesterday that public-private partnerships (PPPs) were vital for the health sector.

He said a massive investment would be carried out over the next two years. Were the government to rely solely on public funds, the same investment would have to be spread over 15 years, he said.

“The sick need this investment as soon as possible. They cannot wait fifteen years. These agreements will give us a world-class health sector.”

Muscat said that old hospitals would be modernised and reopened. The plan also guaranteed that salaries and conditions of health sector workers would remain untouched and that health services would remain free for Maltese citizens.

Muscat also announced that a world leader in medicinal cannabis products wanted to set up shop in Malta. This company, according to the prime minister, intends to export products from Malta, particularly to other EU countries. “They are looking at us as the first country with the right structures in place,” he said, adding that other market leaders could base their operations in Malta.

He also spoke about the announcement that a Greek company had agreed to buy Arrowpharm and all of its employees. The pharmaceutical had announced it would lay off 60 workers. The PM also said the 130 workers let go by Betsson would be given alternative employment.

The prime minister was also asked about Air Malta. He said that airline employees believed in the ongoing re-organisation process, and that while there would doubtlessly be some difficulties, Air Malta would grow and become the airline of the Mediterranean. “There are exciting times ahead.”

Muscat said that 39,000 pensioners last week received cheques amounting to €10 million. This was part of the pension increase scheme announced in the budget. “That is where the surplus is going,” he said, adding that a Labour government would continue to increase pensions to make up for 25 years of stagnation.

“We want to go back to the time when grandparents were able to save some money to give to their grandchildren.”

The prime minister also referred to the recent racial tension in Italy, following the brutal murder of a woman and a reprisal attack on migrants. He said that while he could understand that such incidents angered people, he would not accept comments along the lines of ‘we do not want foreigners among us.’

He pointed out that migrants were an important part of the workforce and the economy in general, performing jobs that no one else wanted or filling worker gaps. He said that the law has to be applied to all those who commit illegalities, not just migrants and foreigners.

He spoke about the integration policy, insisting that people should have an “open” attitude.

Prime Minister Muscat also referenced former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, who had described Malta as a country of migrants.

“All of us know someone who left to live and work abroad. Mintoff had said that instead of being a country that sends it sons and daughters abroad, Malta should be the country that welcomes the sons and daughters of other countries. We are living Mintoff’s dream.”