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I could not but agree with Dr Anna Mallia, of what she said in MaltaToday 3 October.
As I understand Dr Mallia, she wanted to say, and it is true; that the Government should first collect what it is due to it, then, if it is necessary, resort to taxing. How many millions of liri is the Government owed at its VAT department, Inland Revenue, Lands and Water and Electricity department?
Even the Court is owned hundred of thousands of liri; no wonder that the Government is lost and desperate about collecting cash.
And what about the abuse in the social welfare field? Is it possible that the government does not know about how many persons go to register for unemployment benefits week after week, and in the meantime earn Lm20/25 per day, even sometimes Lm30 a day.
How many registered single mothers claiming social benefits are not single but cohabiting instead of choosing marriage? How many are abusing the system because they know that if they marry they will lose benefits.
Lately I heard a new one - at least for me, if it is not today’s trend - as for the single mothers. I heard that an established family with grown up children had taken an oath that they separated, when in fact they are not, but they both receive benefits as separated persons.
It’s unbelievable to what extent these people are prepared to go.
Anna Mallia mentioned the shops in Republic Street. Everybody can see that the tenants have changed, except apparently the Government, that is. Was the Government, through the Lands Department informed about the change of tenant? And if there was a change, does the Government think that this change was made without money changing hands?
That premium money should go to the public and not to the previous tenant. If the money is going to the tenant the Government should be condemned. Sending reminders and warnings is not enough, what is necessary is action, and the action is to collect what is government’s and not to resort to taxing the people.
The problem will be that if the government resorts to action, these people will go to court, and then another 15/20 years will pass. The Government needs the help and the will of a better civil service, and also the help of the Opposition.
I am not trying to give a lecture anybody, but if whoever is in Parliament truly loves the country, they should do, talk, suggest, accept other opinions if possible not only in committees, but also in public, in parliament, not accusing the other side to gain political mileage.
I do not want to suggest that the Opposition should be a rubber stamp of the government; on the contrary, it should be a watchdog of the government against corruption. But it should be also a credible. If this is not done these things remain the same.
But whatever it is, the responsibility is of the government of the day to stop the abuses, and collect whatever is due, not taxing the middle class as was done in the last two budgets, especially in the last one with the tax on inherited property.
Something similar was introduced in the UK with 40 percent takings, but I think it is a unpopular tax. I call ours a desperate tax introduced by the party of the then Dr E. Fenech Adami and John Dalli. Both of them have since left for new jobs.
Joseph Muscat
The Palms
Mosta
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