PERSPECTA

News from every angle

The National Pastry Strategy
Politicsthe-shift-news2d ago

The National Pastry Strategy

In 2022, Robert Abela stood on the steps of Castille with the political equivalent of a towering bastion behind him. Forty thousand plus votes, a majority so large it looked less like a democratic outcome and more like a geological feature. Never mind that Joseph Muscat had done it before him, Abela was grinning like … Continued

Philip Fenech told to choose between Labour and Chamber of SMEs (GRTU)
Politicsthe-shift-news4d ago

Philip Fenech told to choose between Labour and Chamber of SMEs (GRTU)

Chamber of SMEs official Philip Fenech has been told he must choose between contesting the next general elections on behalf of the Labour Party or continuing in his role as deputy president of the Chamber (known as the GRTU), The Shift can confirm. Chamber officials told The Shift that following persistent rumours that Fenech was … Continued

Conflict of interest concerns over Galdes canvasser’s dual roles on housing and planning boards
Politicsthe-shift-news5d ago

Conflict of interest concerns over Galdes canvasser’s dual roles on housing and planning boards

One of the canvassers of disgraced former social accommodation minister Roderick Galdes simultaneously serves as a director on the Housing Authority’s Board as well as a Board member on the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal’s appeals Board (EPRT), The Shift has learned. Lawyer Alicia Borg’s two roles effectively mean that a canvasser who was close … Continued

Transport Minister faces abuse of power claims over Gudja ban for airport pickups
Politicsthe-shift-news6d ago

Transport Minister faces abuse of power claims over Gudja ban for airport pickups

Transport Minister Chris Bonett is facing accusations of misusing ministerial authority after a restriction affecting ride-hailing drivers was announced through a political letter to residents in his own electoral district rather than through official government or regulatory channels. The letter states that geo-fencing measures have been introduced with immediate effect, preventing Y-plate vehicles located in … Continued

Illegal sports academy receives Prime Minister’s endorsement
Sportthe-shift-news1d ago

Illegal sports academy receives Prime Minister’s endorsement

In yet another endorsement of an operator known to have broken the rules, Prime Minister Robert Abela saw fit to visit the premises of the Obstacle Course Academy earlier this week, a sports facility illegally set up in ODZ land in Mrieħel. The illegal development is located in Triq il-Ħofor, and is nestled between multiple … Continued

Pension tax exemption: The prime minister’s double speak
Politicsthe-shift-news7d ago

Pension tax exemption: The prime minister’s double speak

What was presented as a sweeping tax break for pensioners risks proving, on closer inspection, a far narrower measure that benefits very few ordinary retirees while allowing the government to claim a generosity the law itself does not deliver. In the Budget Speech on 27 October, the finance minister declared: “Pensioners will not pay tax … Continued

Michelle throws Joyce under the bus
Politicsthe-shift-news8d ago

Michelle throws Joyce under the bus

Joyce Cassar is the Permanent Secretary at The Office of the Prime Minister’s People and Standards Division. A damning Standards Commissioner report revealed how Cassar broke the rules to give Michelle Muscat’s NGOs preferential treatment at the cost of the taxpayer. Cassar attempted to mislead the Commissioner by withholding information and giving false information to … Continued