Says Opposition conducted anti-mass transport campaign but now changed tack

At a political leaders’ debate held at the University of Malta, Prime Minister and Labour Leader Robert Abela quipped that the proposals put forward by the Opposition stipend increase “would be flagged for plagiarism if one were to run them through the online plagiarism checker ‘Turnitin’,” drawing applause from the audience. He was speaking in the context that the Opposition is copying all Labour’s proposals, and that it was a Labour government that increased stipends year after year.

Abela opened his address by highlighting the achievements of young Maltese people, placing Labour’s vision around “the dreams and aspirations of youth”.

Abela began by referring to Gozitan lawyer Chloë Cauchi, who recently made history as the first Maltese person to be elected Vice President of the European Youth Forum. The Prime Minister also pointed to the story of two brothers who launched a start-up from their bedroom and went on to sell 11 million copies of their product worldwide. Abela said their success reflected the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that the government wants to encourage among young people.

He argued that Labour’s manifesto is centred on creating opportunities for youths while prioritising their wellbeing, education, and future prospects.

Abela also highlighted several government-backed projects which he described as investments in the future of younger generations. He pointed to the return of Manoel Island and White Rocks to the public, saying the projects would provide 369,000 square metres of green open spaces.

He contrasted Labour’s environmental projects with past Nationalist administrations, criticising the PN over the WasteServ site and saying it had created a disaster while Labour would instead deliver a 24,000-square-metre park for the public.

He referred to the Grand Harbour project, describing it as a “real regeneration for residents and those living in the surrounding areas”.

He said first the Opposition conducted an anti-campaign for mass transport but changed tack and now wants to conduct a study tied to a mass transport system.

Abela had to step in and correct Nationalist leader Alex Borg after Borg made an error regarding his own proposal, the one dubbed “a petrol station in the middle of the Mediterranean.”

In fact, during the debate, Alex Borg said the project would generate €350 million. However, on previous occasions while promoting the proposal at various events, he had claimed it would generate €450 million. This amounts to a discrepancy of €100 million.