Fenech, Busuttil hit out at Labour

The two contestants for the PN deputy leadership election, Tonio Fenech and Simon Busuttil, held a joint press conference today focused on hitting out at Labour's promises on the economy. Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said that the PL had made many promises before it last took office in 1996 but the people were deceived. Instead of VAT they found a more complicated and higher tax system. They also found many other new taxes including a tax on medical prescriptions, increased water and electricity rates when the oil price was just $12 a barrel, a tax on credit cards, the departure tax, and others. In contrast, the present PN government had reduced taxes or given tax rebates to women returning to work and other sectors of the population including SMEs and parents. Other bonuses and allowances were given to those who turned 80 and those, while those who became pensioners could continue to work without losing their pension. All this was achieved while the minimum wage was raised and more jobs were created. Dr Busuttil said the PL was promising to leave more money in the people's pockets when its track record showed toe opposite. Indeed, it was the present government which left more...