Labour will present the same Budget proposed by Minister Tonio Fenech during the first week of April if elected to govern on March 9, leader Joseph Muscat told di-ve.com.

Speaking during a visit to di-ve.com offices, Dr Muscat added that there will be a slight change to the budget as presented last November. This concerns tax paid by minimum wage earners.

Joseph Muscat told di-ve.com that both himself and the PL were very much in favour of the budget however the Opposition were forced to vote against the money Bill as the Government turned it into a vote of confidence. “How could we vote in favour when the PN had lost all confidence and credibility,” Dr Muscat said, adding that the Government was spending more money than it was receiving.

The PL Leader spoke of other proposals which would be tackled immediately following the March 9 polls, particularly emphasizing the enactment of a Whistle Blowers Act, Party Financing and removal of time-barring from criminal cases involving MPs. These three bills will be enacted as law by summer, Dr Muscat pledged.

Asked by di-ve.com if a PL government will implement the party financing proposal as put forward by PN MP Franco Debono, Joseph Muscat held that the Debono proposal provides a good base for discussion.

However all of this will be overshadowed by the kicking off of the energy proposal the implementation of which will kick off right after the election due to its effect on the country’s finances.