Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that government will extend the Housing Authority’s equity sharing scheme – which allows the government to partner with buyers to purchase property, to those aged 25 and over, to help more youths to become homeowners.
The scheme is currently available for individuals aged 30 and over, with Abela saying that these are the types of initiatives government would invest funds on.
Abela was speaking on the eve of Freedom Day, where he also announced that in the coming days, government will launch a number of affordable housing projects.
Abela described the Labour Party as the movement of freedom, and spoke of the importance of peace as a key to prosperity, referencing how former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff established Malta’s neutrality and commitment to peace, a stance that remains unchanged today.
Abela said that in today’s context, Freedom Day is not simply a commemoration of history, but has acquired an additional meaning. He said that our predecessors did not rest until Malta was led by the Maltese, for the Maltese, and dreamt of a country built on peace, a resilient economy, and neutrality.
Abela said that the “dark and conservative forces” had wanted the status quo to remain, but Labour predecessors refused to choose a side, except for the road to peace, friendship and neutrality.
“That is a recipe which worked, and I will continue to implement. A strategy used wisely by all those who led the country, a strategy which PN administrations did not feel the need to change. We have lived in peace all these years, and have attracted work and foreign investment,” Abela said.
He said that there are those who want government to change course, but he affirmed that it will not, as Malta never had to borrow from an ammunition and weapons initiative to improve the conditions of its disciplined forces.
“There are other countries with different realities, and we respect each other. We have our own priorities, and we think differently on weapon-spending,” Abela said.
Abela said that government continues to support peace through humanitarian aid, and will bring more injured Gazan children to receive medical care in Malta.
He said that the government would not agree to Malta forking out funds to cover other countries’ debt for borrowing money to buy weapons. “We will not spend the people’s money on insensible things for our country,” Abela said.
He said that others (in what seemed to be a reference to the PN) are incapable of taking a common position with government, that Malta will not buy or borrow funds for lethal weapons.
“The strength of this small country comes from neutrality and its ability to sit around the table of diplomacy, as it did in the OSCE and the United Nations Security Council,” Abela said.
He continued that over these past 46 years, the obligation to defend peace and progress has increased.
“A Labour government only borrows for Malta to have agencies, to build roads, schools, infrastructure, for social services, and does not borrow for weapons,” Abela said.
“We are consistent in our beliefs, different from theirs. Our beliefs are those of living with dignity, jobs for everyone, social justice, helping the vulnerable in society,” Abela said.
He said that the Labour government does not distinguish itself by participating in wars, but by helping youths and first-time buyers, increasing social benefits and allowances, and reducing taxes.
Taxpayers’ money is invested in collective agreements, the Hal Far track for motorsports enthusiasts, in a centre with the best convention facilities, as well as in the regeneration of Marsa and the Grand Harbour, Abela said.
He said that government has not invested in the weapons industry, but rather invested to save hundreds of families from ending up homeless due to a pre-1995 rent anomaly.
Abela said that work on the second interconnector is underway, and that government will keep energy and fuel prices stable.
He said that the Labour government invested to save businesses and has reduced taxes, by a record €140 million.
Abela said government provided free public transport for all, transformed landfills into public green open spaces, and has regenerated 150,000 square metres of open spaces, with 19 new projects on the way.
“The PL was always alone when implementing all these initiatives, others were against each of these achievements. The forces of darkness in this country did everything to block and stop them, but the strength of this movement comes from the belief that it is capable of doing what others say is impossible,” Abela said.
He said that Malta’s reputation and legacy is that it is at the forefront of economic growth and quality of life for citizens.
“Our country implemented Mintoff’s dream to create wealth, grow it and distribute it to everyone with a sense of social justice, offer free education, create jobs, include more women in higher positions,” Abela said.
He continued that Freedom Day did not only mean freedom from foreign military forces in the country, but also economic freedom, freedom of thought and speech.
“The country can dream again and we choose the direction in which we take it. The free choice of investments did not exist 12 years ago, under governments that believed in austerity and failed to create work and wealth, when the debt reached historic rates,” Abela said.
He said that all this was eliminated under a Labour government, and these achievements are part of the celebrations of Freedom Day, as that is why Malta is truly free to choose between investments.
Abela thanked all those who gave him his mandate three years ago, and said the last Budget sent a clear sign of where the country is heading, emphasizing quality.
Abela said the Labour government has implemented a policy to control the entry of foreign workers, and has spearheaded a reform for more accountability in the Courts, adding that Parliament will seal the magisterial inquiry reform with a vote in the next few days.
He spoke of the importance of synergy between government and the private sector in all sectors, as well as the recent set of measures to address traffic in the country announced by Transport Minister Chris Bonett.
“This government never failed to take a decision and give clear direction. A government which provides a plan to the next generation,” Abela said.
He said that in the coming days, government will also launch its Vision 2050 document, giving a clear intermediary aim to 2030.
The Prime Minister said that the Labour movement has brought the Maltese and Gozitan people together to offer their ideas, and Vision 2050 will show that the country can progress on wealth and jobs, as well as improve the quality of life for people, as well as their physical and mental health.
“Others try to force us to fall into a fortress mentality. We leave that mentality to those who want to turn the clock back, those who defend and justify high energy bills,” Abela said, adding that “others” have spread lies and hatred, and have attacked the Speaker and members of the judiciary.
Abela referred to Opposition Leader Bernard Grech’s words earlier on Sunday where he said that there is no true freedom in the country, and said that Grech should understand that the Maltese do not support those who share hatred.
“This movement is different, intrinsically good. We remain the movement of change which is felt in the lives of all, and I will do my all to reach each and every person with each reform,” Abela said.
He expressed pride at being part of a movement of humility, built on progress, and said government will continue bringing major reforms, saying that true freedom is the freedom of peace and progress.
At the end of the speech, Abela was given the Freedom Torch which had been carried through a from the War Monument in Floriana, towards Valletta, crossing the Grand Harbour and towards the Freedom Monument in Birgu, by several citizens.
The event ended with the national anthem and the laying of the wreath at the Freedom Day monument.