Malta is stronger than ever

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)

Never have we witnessed such a tremendous positive reaction to a budget. People from all walks of life, regardless of their background, age, or financial standing, shall benefit from unprecedented tax cuts; higher stipends, children's allowances, pensions, and many other positive measures. Last Monday's budget was yet another clear demonstration that Labour cares and works. It gave more, and took away nothing from people's pockets.

Budget 2026 rewarded our hard-working families with the biggest tax cut in Malta's history. It was a robust one, unprecedented, and very well received.

It is now a fact that no other political party in Malta can deliver positive budgets but Labour. We are tried and tested. Since 2013, we have been delivering family-friendly and business-oriented budgets. Every year, they just get better. Labour stands for economic competence, tax cuts, political stability, a clear sense of direction, the ability to create thousands of jobs, and the political will to ensure that everyone benefits from Malta's impressive economic growth.

Since 2013, Labour has steered the economy through the toughest of times and has done an extraordinary job at it. The challenges were huge: a pandemic; war in Europe, and in the Middle East; geopolitical upheaval, global inflation; trade tariff wars, and yet we overcame everything - as a government, as a nation - Malta is now stronger than ever before.

In 2013, Joseph Muscat inherited an economic mess, and that is putting it mildly. After 25 years of nearly uninterrupted Nationalist rule, economic growth hit rock bottom; foreign direct investment trickled; the cost of living reached unprecedented heights, and to add insult to injury, the Lawrence Gonzi administration imposed cruel water and electricity price hikes on consumers.

In 2013, Malta badly needed change, and Labour, under Dr Muscat dynamic leadership, lost no time in delivering that. We lost no time in getting Malta's house in order. Economic instability and political uncertainty were replaced by strong and competent economic and political leadership. The contrast with the previous, tired, PN government was clear.

From the PN's economic mess, Malta became one of Europe's economic powerhouses. Today, under the capable and effective leadership of Prime Minister Robert Abela, Malta has the fastest economic growth in the EU, the lowest unemployment rate in Malta's history, and one of the highest employment rates within the EU.

A few days ago, the International Monetary Fund, which, pre-2013, used to issue troubling economic forecasts about Malta's economy, has now declared that our economy is set to keep growing until at least 2030.

Leading credit agencies, which investors look at before investing their millions within an economy, have, successively, published glowing economic and financial forecasts for our beautiful country. The outlook is reassuringly optimistic. It was never this good.

A survey commissioned by the leading financial firm Ernst & Young and published last week shows that 9 out of 10 investors are positive about Malta and its business potential. This shall, automatically, translate into new investments, creating thousands of better-paid jobs. The future cannot be brighter. Malta is stronger than ever before, and businesses are confident.

What makes Malta's success extraordinary and unique is that this is happening within an international economic environment, which is anything but positive.

As I write, the UK government is making it clear that Britain's next budget shall include austerity measures. In France, too, aside from the political uncertainty that has rocked the country, the French government is considering removing a couple of public holidays in its efforts to boost economic productivity. In Germany, Europe's powerhouse, at least till recently, has had serious economic and financial challenges. And yet, in Malta, the Labour government delivers a budget that, for the British, the French, and the Germans, is wishful thinking.

I am not aware of any European government that gives a tax cut of ten thousand euros to families, or a five hundred euro grant to fifteen- and sixteen-year-olds to buy laptops; nor am I aware of any European government that increases pensions for the eleventh time in a row, and that increases children's allowances by extraordinary amounts. No government in Europe increases student stipends and gives in-work benefits to parents on lower incomes. Budget 2026 has also given an additional financial boost to Malta's arts and cultural sectors, whilst government land and property shall be used for the common good. This happens only in Malta, and under a Labour government.

The Nationalist Party had an almost impossible task to convincingly criticize Malta's best budget ever. They tried to but failed miserably. Instead of welcoming Budget 2026 and promising that they can do even better [not that anyone would believe them anyway, for they do have a huge credibility problem] the Opposition Leader resorted to the old unsuccessful 'tricks' of trying to deviate attention onto other matters. People were expecting a fresh outlook from the new PN leader - what they got was more of the same.

The Nationalist Party has credibility problems, especially on economic matters, and the people know that, which is why Labour continues to be trusted. The PN's prediction that Labour won't work failed miserably. Labour cares and works.

There is clearly no viable alternative to this government. The people are aware of this. With a deep sense of humility, we shall increase our efforts to continue making Malta a beautiful story.

Wellness and well-being 

I really enjoyed visiting my daughter's former school - the Middle and Secondary School of Zejtun to see with my own eyes the four days of wellness and well-being awareness that the school is promoting. 

I was really impressed with the importance that this school gives to wellness awareness. In my time as a student we did not have those opportunities and I think that this is a massive step in the right direction. 

I also would like to applaud all the Government agencies and NGOs who went out of their way to be of service to students.  These are people who are really passionate and know what they are doing. 

The scene of happy students learning about yoga, healthy eating, sexual health, spirituality and so many other beautiful subjects is really beautiful.

A big well done to all that made this happen, particularly the head of school, educators, staff and parents.