MLP Leader Slams Government Over Taxes

by Robert Lee, Tax-News.com, London

30 August 2002

The Malta Labour Party has condemned the government's record on the economy and taxation, it emerged this week.

Speaking at an MLP rally in Mosta on Wednesday, Opposition leader Dr Alfred Sant accused the Nationalist government of having neglected the state of the economy in favour of furthering its pro-EU accession campaign.

Dr Sant told those attending the rally that although the PN had criticised Labour for introducing 33 new taxes when in power, the government itself has increased the tax take by Lm 60 million per year, or Lm240 million overall.

According to a Malta Independent report on the meeting, he then went on to speculate that if Malta joins the European Union, taxes such as VAT, excise duties, financial transaction taxation, social security, and income tax will all eventually need to be increased in order to satisfy the European bloc.

'What is good for other countries is not good for Malta, which is why Labour's partnership concept is the one which suits Malta,' the local newspaper quoted Dr Sant as observing.

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