Muscat replies to the Budget speech, promises to remove income tax for minimum wage earners

Opposition leader Joseph Muscat this evening replied to the Budget speech, insisting that the people wanted a change of government but reiterating that the Budget measures would be retained by a Labour government in order to ensure stability and continuity. He promised, however, that a Labour government would remove income tax for minimum wage earners and introduce measures to help those sectors of society which the Budget had ignored. In his speech Dr Muscat said the government had secretly agreed with Arriva to give it more money from 2014. He also demanded police action into how a €1m contract awarded by Wastserv became a €29 million contract issued without the necessary approvals. The following is how his two-hour speech developed: 18.30 p.m. Joseph Muscat says the people know that the government did some good things, but the government has now lost its energy and commitment. It is divided and tired and the people want a change from the arrogance they are seeing. [/event] 18:31 pm : The people's judgement will be based on the government's five-year record. SLOW ECONOMIC GROWTH 18:33 pm : The people want economic growth, but growth this year was less than half what the...