Alternattiva Demokratika has expressed its disappointment at the fact that the pre-budget document has again failed to address two issues that should be priorities of the government, namely a reform in the rent laws and the dire situation in public transport.

Chairperson Dr. Harry Vassallo stated that “once again government has missed an opportunity to address, at least partially, the grave injustice of the controlled rent laws. It is obvious to all that the White Paper promised by Minister Cristina for over two years has never been drawn up. Government has not been truthful in this matter and has treated people who have suffered for over six decades with shameful deceit. After 20 years in government it is a complete scandal that the promise of a reform, made in 1987, has never been fulfilled”

Spokesperson on Finance and the Economy, Edward Fenech, added that “in our budget proposals we have challenged government to start, from this budget, to provide financial compensation to owners of controlled-rent properties. Specifically we proposed that from 2008 government provides compensation of one-third of the fair value of rent of these properties. In the absence of any reform this compensation should increase to two-thirds in 2009 and full compensation in 2010. Government has completely ignored our proposal, and has not had the courage to make alternative proposals. The Opposition’s silence on this issue is equally shameful.”

Dr. Harry Vassallo addressed the issue of public transport. He said that “the biggest scandal of Minister Mugliett’s ministry is his complete inability to address the disgraceful situation in public transport. After four years his ministry has produced no changes apart from an increase in tariffs. Why does Malta, now an EU member state, have to operate a public transport system that is a national embarrassment and of a third world standard? The public transport system, with the influx of tourists in summer, is collapsing. The queues on the bus stops in tourist areas is causing major brand damage to our tourist product as well as creating much frustration with locals who use the public transport system regularly. It is a scandal that the pre-budget document does not even mention public transport. Government is intent on tackling the crisis that our transport system is becoming by building more roads. What about the Connections project?” argued Dr. Vassallo.

In his closing remarks Dr Vassallo stated that “both government and opposition ignore the issues of rent reform and public transport. AD will pursue its efforts to collect signatures to enforce a referendum on rent reform. We will also make a reform in public transport that will include the removal of the present monopoly, a key element of our electoral manifesto. This government that has effectively been in power for two decades has failed miserably to tackle these issues. Before the next election, they have the chance of bringing about a reform. The pre-budget document has failed to address these two issues. We challenge government to address both issues in October when the budget is presented.”