The PN’s Electoral Programme did not contain any information regarding money dedicated towards the gas pipeline, Labour Leader Joseph Muscat accused during a political activity in Luqa.

“These people want to remain using oil, which is in the interest of those who want to pollute our environment”, Dr Muscat said, adding that the Government has twice refused to change over to gas. He deliberated that the Government estimates that the country would spend €1100 million on a gas pipeline, "yet their plan is to spend €1800 million on oil and some people are even enjoying commissions off these purchases". He indicated that the EU never promised to pay the full cost of the pipeline.

Referring to night tariffs, Dr Muscat quipped that all the PN has proposed is for Maltese to invest in alarm clocks in order to turn on their washing machines at night. If a PN Government lowers energy cost at night, then energy costs during the day will rise, he accused.

A few months ago the Minister of Finance stated that the Maltese economy would grow by 4.3%, Dr Muscat alleged. “He now tells us that in 2012 the economy grew by only 3.6%. This variance of 1% in effect translates into millions”. The PN's proposals will raise taxes by 6%, the Labour leader explained. People have come up to me and said “the PN are giving people these proposals, you should do the same. I respond by saying that if they are feasible then yes we will, but primarily they must be financially good decisions, not political ones”. He spoke on the PL proposals regarding businesses stating that the PL have been honest regarding costs. “We have said that our proposals will cost money, but we are convinced that over time they will benefit the country.”

Dr Muscat spoke of his party’s aim to lower certain taxes, which will reduce the risk of tax evasion and result in Government receiving more money. The reason the PL are bringing out their proposals slowly is so that the people can understand the organisation’s message, he argued.

According to a labour force survey, there are 5,000 women over 35 years of age who want to work and the PL will give a €2,000 tax credit to these women, Dr Muscat said, reiterating that this won’t cost the Government a cent as these women currently are unemployed. He emphasised that politicians who have their backs against the wall always use personal attacks. “I have faith in the people and I know that this time round, the people will not be swayed by such antics”.