Robert Abela ‘categorically denies’ taking donations at Joseph Portelli dinner in Gozo

Mar 14 2022

Prime Minister Robert Abela is reported to have been present at a recent event organised by Gozitan developer Joseph Portelli.

Abela attended the dinner organised by Portelli in Xagħra following his address of a Labour Party rally in Sannat, with The Shift News confirming that the dinner welcomed various major developers from Gozo. This comes after the Planning Authority approved the developer’s application for a block of apartments close to a cliff edge in Sannat.

Shortly after the vote of approval, Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech publicly asked whether Abela had anything to do with the decision, which he called an ‘obscenity’. In light of this, Abela completely denied claims that he or any other Labour officials had received any donations during the event, going on to state that he will continue meeting people from all walks of life, going on to reveal that Portelli’s application was never discussed with him.

Abela told Times of Malta that “we know that before 2013, the Prime Minister who refused to meet, or be selective with the commercial sector, there were many negative repercussions on jobs and unemployment.”

What do you make of this statement?

#MaltaDaily

Abela claims Bernard Grech built his home illegally

Mar 14 2022

Prime Minister Robert Abela stated that Opposition leader Bernard Grech built his home illegally when facing questions about permits over his own property.

Abela was asked by reporters during a debate about the Planning Authority’s decision to regularise a Żejtun villa three months before he bought it. However, he shifted attention to Grech, saying that the political rival committed illegalities when building his home.

Despite not saying what these illegalities were, Abela said that Grech only sought to sanction and regularise the practices once he entered the race to become PN leader.

This follows a MaltaToday report released on Sunday which stated that Abela had in 2017 acquired a Zejtun villa just three months after it was regularised by the PA. The unauthorised works on the villa were carried out before 1994 and then regularised by the PA’s planning commission in 2017 before the building was sold to Abela for €600,000.

The case officer, according to the report, recommended a €45,000 fine for the sanctioning of the illegalities. The officer asked the PA’s planning commission whether this should be doubled, with Abela himself being the chief lawyer to the PA back then.

During the debate, Abela said that Grech had recently boasted of building his home in Mosta himself. He pointed out how today it was discovered that this house was built illegally. ‘And when he built it and he decided to become PN leader, just as he had done to resolve his tax issues, in 2019 he tried to sanction his illegalities and was given permits.’

Grech was not available for comment as he did not stop to take questions from the media after the event.

#MaltaDaily

More money hand-outs due to high cost of living not excluded says Minister

Mar 14 2022

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said on Monday that the government does not exclude giving more financial hand-outs later in the year due to rising costs of living and the Ukrainian war impacts.

The Minister said that the conflict has resulted in International impacts on oil and wheat products among other products. ‘The government is closely monitoring the situation as without a doubt, it will have an impact on Malta.’

The minister unveiled the news during a Żabbar press conference, announcing that as of today, income tax refunds as well as cost of living cheques have started distribution. Pledging to aid citizens to address the cost of living issue, the minister also commended the government’s success in protecting the country’s economy during the pandemic.

Caruana explained how the €70 million are set to be distributed. €25.5 million of these will be tax rebate cheques whereas €48 million will be cost of living cheques.

Tax rebates for single people will amount to a total of €16.5 million, whereas couples will receive a total outlay of €3.8 million. Parents will receive €5.2 million and the remaining €48 million will be spread among 361,000 people.

In the meantime, workers and students who receive stipends will receive cheques worth €100. Pensions and people on social benefits will benefit from €200. The cheques will be benefitting 380,000 people in total.

#MaltaDaily

Grech and Abela give their electoral promises to Chamber of SMEs

Mar 14 2022

During a debate between Robert Abela and Bernard Grech organised by the Chamber of SMEs and Malta Daily, the two party leaders gave their respective cases as to why they should govern for five years.

The members of the chamber got the chance to ask the leaders several questions about business related issues. Abela said that his Labour government would be steering away from austerity politics and that he plans to meet with social partners for a meeting by the MCESD.

This would have the aim of preparing for any economic impact brought on by the Ukraine-Russia war. Abela also revealed that he feels impatient with Malta’s banking system, mostly due to the added bureaucracy brought on by increased due diligence.

He said that government due diligence will be centralised, mentioning how the Labour Party will set up a credit review office which gives recommendations on processing business loans.

On the other end, Bernard Grech reiterated the pledge by the Nationalist Party to create 10 new economic sectors. With some already existing, the Opposition leader said that the party will transform the already existing niches into economic pillars. Grech also took issue with excessive bureaucracy, pledging that the party would not increase tax, social contributions or VAT if elected.

Addressing the topic of cashless economies, Abela said that this is not a move that simply happens overnight. Both leaders said that the absolute majority of local companies are clean in their operations. Grech, however, sad that the clean companies are being made to feel like they’re criminals, mainly due to the grey-listing by the FATF.

Grech said that there needs to be a level playing field in the area of third country nationals. Abela insisted that employing third country nationals should be equated to cheap labour. He said that many of them enjoy high salaries, with some coming to Malta and finding jobs such as scientists or software developers.

#MaltaDaily