Marsascala Marina project to stop immediately says Prime Minister

Feb 22 2022

Speaking at a political rally, Prime Minister Robert Abela revealed that the controversial yacht marina project in Marsascala will be stopping immediately.

Abela revealed that he and Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg heard the public express their fears that the recreational joy and relaxation that the marina area brought would be taken away from the citizens.

This, said the Prime Minister, prompted the decision to stop the project immediately. The Prime Minister said that the swimming areas and the cultural heritage of the area were always considered sacred and were never to be jeopardised.

However, to quell further fears, the Prime Minister with the Transport Minister stopped the project.

Addressing his own rally, Opposition leader Bernard Grech referenced the project, saying that he hopes that the Labour leader tells his rally in Marsascala that the project would end.

Photo Source: Moviment Graffiti, Ian Borg FB, Robert Abela FB

Labour Party pledges to lower corporate tax rate to 25%

Feb 22 2022

Taxpayers will see the non-taxable portion of their income increase by €1,700 as part of tax savings proposed by the Labour Party.

For parents, the first €12,000 of income earned will not be subjected to any income tax. This is up from the previous €10,500. In turn, single persons will not be taxed on the first €10,800, whereas married parsons will not be taxed on their first €14,400 income of the year.

This would mean that €60 million more would be left in people’s pockets, with the incentive announced by Robert Abela alongside Finance Minister Clyde Caruana and Economy Minister Silvio Schembri.

Abela said that if Malta and Gozo vote the Labour Party into government, the income tax will be lowered by widening the tax bands. The government would also continue to dish out the annual tax refund cheques for those earning less than €60,000, which is an injection of €24 million annually.

The party is also proposing lowering the corporate tax rate to 25% down from the current 35%, on the first €250,000 profits earned during the year. Silvio Schembri explained that the proposal will help companies save up to €25,000.

Minister Caruana said the proposals will be implemented gradually throughout the legislature. The Prime Minister confirmed that the tax refund cheques for this year mentioned in the budget and the additional €100 to €200 cheques to save off inflation, announced just before the election campaign kicked off, will be posted before the election date.

#MaltaDaily

Man admits to smashing two doors at girlfriend’s apartment

Feb 22 2022

A construction contractor from Holland was discharged for six months and ordered to pay damages after he pleaded guilty to smashing two doors at the Gzira apartment where he resides.

This follows an argument with his girlfriend, with inspector Jonathan Ransley arraigning the 30-year-old from Nijmegen, Holland. The man smashed the door to the common areas and the door to the payment, causing a total of €1,515 worth of damage inside the rented Gzira flat.

Appearing in court with his forearm in a cast, he is understood to have injured himself when a pipe he tried to swing from, when trying to escape from police, gave way. He was charged with criminal damage and wilfully disturbing public peace.

During the interrogation, the accused explained to the police that he had fought with his girlfriend who subsequently locked him out. The lawyer explained how he was a little bit intoxicated, losing his temper but expressed he was sorry for what he has done.

Having heard both sids in view of the accused’s admission, Magistrate Lanfranco found him guilty and conditionally discharged him for six months. He was also ordered to pay for the damages within that period.

#MaltaDaily

Prime Minister promises cheques will be distributed before Election Day

Feb 22 2022

The tax refund and supplementary cheques which were promised in February shall be distributed before Election Day.

This was revealed by prime minister Robert Abela on Tuesday, saying that 380,000 people will benefit from a total of €70 million.

Asked by newsroom Malta Independent about whether the distribution of the two incentives during the campaign can be considered an abuse of power, Abela responded by saying that the distribution of both cheques should not be postponed.

He said that if ‘we are going to constantly talk about this every time we have distributed such cheques, the whole legislature can be considered as being an election campaign because we were insistent about handing out tax refunds and cheques.’

Before the election was announced, Abela stated that workers and students would be receiving cheques worth €100, with pensioners receiving up to €200 as an incentive to boost Malta’s economy. With this going over and above the tax refunds which will be distributed, the Prime Minister said the constant decrease in tax rates had stimulated more people to work.

When asked about the PN’s claims that the government was giving tax refunds after having stolen from the people in the payments of income tax, Abela said this was a deliberate spin by the Opposition.

#MaltaDaily