Budget 2021: Equality makes us Stronger

At its core, the Government’s Budget for 2021 is designed to achieve a more tangibly equal and a more just society for Malta. The theme ‘Maltin b’Saħħitna ’l Quddiem’ is by no means some one-off slogan – in the same way that equality itself is not some static goal that is achievable once and for all.

Our vision for a truly equal Malta is both robust in its plans, and has the country’s long-term achievments in its sights.

The measures presented in this Budget are tailored to place equality as a goal that asks for constant nurturing, care and cultivating.

The goal of equality, as well as that of more equity – more assistance to those who afford less – are as important to us as if these were sons or daughters we want to see grow and succeed in the long haul.

To grow stronger and to move forward together: this means that even in the midst of extraordinary challenges to humanity such as the one we are going through, we persist in growing the national wealth we have created in these last years to achieve growth for everyone, and to ensure a solid start for our budding families.

A strong and sustainable economy means stronger commitment in ensuring a more equal society.

For us, achieving a better worklife balance is a priority that we acknowledge as being an important accomplishment for all of our workforce – our employers as much as those who are in employment.

To this effect, we need a broadranging effort – and a lot of hard work – in order to grasp the importance of work-life balance in our country, and to enhance its benefits to our families in the process.

We shall, for this purpose, be encouraging our employers to come up with measures that will lead to better work-life balance. We will be encouraging men to be more participant in family life, and in their roles at the family home.

In this way, we also aim to achieve ways of equality between the sexes that are lived, concrete, and active in enhancing the wellbeing of family life in Malta.

In the coming weeks and months, we shall begin to implement a nationwide Gender

Equality Mainstreaming Strategy and Action Plan.

We shall also be opening up a new front in our fight against discrimination— and this in the form of a Commission for Equality and Human Rights that is endowed with the necessary resources to operate.

This is a reformist Government. We have launched a Public Consultation process towards the first National Action Plan against Racism and Xenophobia.

We are working tirelessly, and consulting widely, across a number of other crucial reforms – including that of cannabis for personal use.

Right now, we are also working away at the requisite reforms to ensure an equal gender representation in our House of Representatives – our country’s highest institution.

Another project that is close to my heart is the founding of a Centre for the LGBTIQ+ community, with the goal of establishing a one-stop shop offering a range of services and facilities provided to our LGBTIQ+ community by both Government and Civil Society organisations.

The Rainbow Community Hub is another initiative that has the goal of assisting LGBTIQ+ persons in coming out, across differences in age or generation. Achieving this is, to me, a dream – one that I will work hard to achieve, and to make successful.

Furthermore, Government will be furnishing our LGBTIQ+ community with the financial support required to be able to host EuroPride 2023 – another first for our country.

Yet another measure presented in this Budget is the recognition of those persons who are widowed, in either a civil union or a state of co-habitation.

The above, of course, are only a few of the core measures we are acting upon in order to achieve a true and tangible difference in the everyday lives of each member of our society.

Needless to say, all of this is becoming possible thanks to a vision for Government that is holistic in its grasp of Malta’s political needs, and rigorous in its economic plans.

The robust and careful planning for Malta’s economy is both true of this budget, and a hallmark of Malta’s Labour-led governments over the years.

Of talking the talk, and walking the walk: what a real pity it is to have to put up with an

Opposition that, time and again, fails to come forward with any strong contribution, and without any expert criticism that could as yet turn out to be of use as we shape our economic policies, and this country’s future.

What we get instead is an Opposition that cheapens the quality of debate in this country with empty slogans meant to distract from the work of Government, and a general wasting of the precious time gifted to the Opposition by the people.

My message is one of encouragement. The soul of Budget 2021 is an energetic one, and our work ethic is getting only stronger. Today, we are adamant in building more wealth for all.

And all this while keeping two of Malta’s great characteristics in mind – industry, and courage. In our past, these two values have come to our nation’s aid. Today we cherish them, as we build our way towards a more equal future.