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Maltese yacht Elusive 2, winner of this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race and ( above ), I love Poland, that took the monohull line honours, (see report on page 24) 2 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday, October 27, 2020 Meta se nerġgħu lura għan-normal? aqt din il-mixja tal-COVID-19 li tant ġabet u qed muni l-Għarbi u l-Assirjan Neo-Aramajk. iġġib dwejjaq u diffikultajiet, ħafna, l-aktar anzjani F’Fairfield hemm komunitajiet kbar ta’ Irakeni u Assirjani', jistaqsu, meta l-affarijiet se jerġgħu lura għan-nor - tant li l-midja sssejjaħ dil-belt 'Little Iraq' inkella 'Little mWal? Fil-fatt ta’ min jistaqsi, imma meta fil-veritá l-affarijiet Baghdad'. kienu normali? Intant, meta għedt lill-aġent li l-kċina f’wieħed mill-appar - Meta kont għadni tarbija Franza kienet tefgħet bomba nuk - tamenti li rajna kienet l-aktar waħda spazzjuża li qatt rajt, u leari fin-Nosinhar tal-Paċifiku u kont għadni tifel meta 19-il għoġbot lil ħabibti li anke kellha l-ħsieb tagħmillu offerta sena ilu (fl-2001) żewġ ajruplani baqgħu deħlin fil-World biex tixtrih, wiċċ l-aġent bħal ħmar. Biex jaqtalna qalbna Trade Centre ta’ New York li kawża t’hekk mietu kważi qalilna li konna żbaljati u kkalkulajna ħazin għax fil-fatt il- 3,000 ruħ u 6,000 oħra sfaw feruti. Ajurplan ieħor kien kċina kienet żgħira. inkalja fil-Pentagon. Biex jagħtina l-impressjoni li d-deċiżjoni tiegħu ma kinetx Dan kollu kien wassal biex l-Istati Uniti iddikjarat l-hekk minħabba l-kular tat-tfajla, l-aġent kompla jgħidlina li wara imsejħa “gwerra lit-terroriżmu”. Ċert li kulħadd jaf x’kien ir- kollox hu bl-ebda mod ma kien razzist!! riżultat t’hekk, u li wkoll għadni nħossu l-effett tiegħu. Jien u ħabbiti tbissimna. Imbagħad l-aġent ma staħax Meta minn teenager qbiżt għal żagħżugħ erba’ snin ilu, jgħidilna li diġá kellu bejjiegħ lest li se jixtri l-binja kollha Donald Trump sar il-45 President tal-Istati Uniti; u ftit ilu kemm hi. Imbagħad issokta jgħid li wara li dal-bejjiegħ jixtri nbeda l-moviment dinji, “Kull ħajja tgħodd”, jew aħjar, kif l-blokka, forsi kien ikun lest li jikri l-appartament lit-tfajla. laqqmuh, “Kull ħajja sewda tgħodd (Black Lives Matter); iż- Kif ħallejnieh ħabibti qaltli: “Jien għext ħajti kollha fil- żwieġ bejn persuni tal-istess sess sar legali; Awstraljan li punent ta’ Sydney. Ħadt tmien snin biex inġemmgħa biżżej - għax hu ta’ ġilda bajda kien jaħseb li hu xi superjuri, qatel 51 jed biex inkun nista’ nagħmel depożitu. Depożitu biss! U ruħ, Musulmani, li kienu miġbura jitolbu f’moskea fi issa? Miljunarju se jixtri l-blokka kollha u jikriha biċċa biċċa Christchurch, New Zealand: filwaqt li s-sajf li għadda n- biex ikun jista’ jisraq aktar flus mingħand nies ta’ karnaġġon nirien għamlu straġi fl-imsaġar fl-Awstralja u fl-aħħar xhur l- skur jew kannella? Dan FOTTIMENT; din mhix artna”. istess straġi seħħet f’xi stati fl-Istati Uniti. Ħassejt għal ħabibti għax fhimt li qatt mhi se tkun f’pożiz - Issa li kbirt ftit u sirt adult, feġġ il-koronavirus u l-pan - zjoni li tikkompeti ma’ investituri sidien ta’ binjiet fil-punent demija COVID-19. It-theddid ta’ mwiet kaġun il-bdil fil- ta’ Sydney, inħawi li x’aktarx li l-investituri qatt ma rifsu klima, u l-mard u r-razziżmu ma jispiċċaw qatt. fuqhom, imma li moħħhom hu biss biex iħaxxnu bwiethom Kif kiteb korrispondent f’gazzetta Ingliża dan l-aħħar, il- għad-detriment ta’ min ma jiflaħx iħallas daqshom. kolonjaliżmu għallem lill-inidiġeni madwar id-dinja “kif Mhemmx cans li l-affarijiet jerġgħu lura għan-normal meta ġenerazzjoni wara l-oħra tista’ tibqa’ ħajja. r-razziżmu, il-faqar, u l-mod li aktar ma jmur qed jkber, u d- COVID-19 poġġiet fuq quddiem il-fallimenti tal-kapital - diviżjoni tal-klassi, kif ukoll l-istennija ta’ ħajjiet qosra għal iżmu – li tkun fqir hu meqjus li kundizzjoni ta’ saħħa għall- miljuni ta’ Awstraljani u biljuni ta’ nies ta’ kulur madwar id- qerriedi virus. Wera wkoll li r-razziżmu hu sistematiku. dinja ma jitjiebux. Asjatiċi ġew ikkalpestati u mgħajjra. Foqra ta’ ġilda skura Il-pandemija COVID-19 uriet li d-dinja hi realtá, li popli qed jiġu maqfula l-ħabs f’tebqa’ tgħajn… indiġeni minn dejjem għexu, u li mhemmx raġuni għall-im - Fl-Amerka ċ-ċansijiet li s-suwed jimirdu bil-pandemija perjaliżmu, il-kapitaliżmu u s-supremazija tal-bojod. huwa tlett darbiet akbar minn dawk ta’ ġilda bajda, filwaqt li Ma rridx li għall-25 sena li ġejjin jinħtieġli nkun dejjem lest fl-Awstralja xi Musulmani ġew inġustament mogħtija l-ħtija dejjem nistenna d-diżastri. Irrid li ngħix. Ma taħsbxu li wasal għat-tieni mewġa tal-pandemija f’Melbourne biex hekk in - iż-żmien li d-dinja titpoġġa fi triq aħjar? ħolqot mibgħeda kontra l-Islamiċi. Il-virus anke kixef id-difetti fl-istil tagħna ta’ qabel; in- Pete Mallia nuqqas ta’ vjaġġi internazzjonali naqqas it-tinġiż fl-arja kif * Dan l-artiklu mnebbaħ minn ieħor ippubblikat f’The Guardian ukoll madwar id-dinja. Teżisti l-biża’ li l-pandemija se tnaqqas drastikament l-opportunitajiet għaż- żgħażagħ. Imma tradizzjonalment, affarijiet li jagħmlu “l-kbar” bħal xogħol full time, studju u x-xiri tal-ewwel dar minn dejjem kienu limitati, inkella impossibbli għal ħafna, l-aktar u l-aktar meta tqis li fl-Aw - Marching in hope of change stralja ż-żgħażagħ għadhom ibatu mill- in a worldwide movement aħħar kiriżi finanzjarja. Dan l-aħħar mort ma’ ħabiba ta’ ġilda skura li b’xorti tajba tinsab f’pożizzjoni li tista’ tpoġġi depożitu fuq appartament ta’ kamra tas-sodda waħda fil-punent tal-Awstralja. L- aġent, ta’ ġilda abjad, ħadna naraw blokka ta’ appartamenti f’Fairfield, xi 24 kilometru bogħod minn Sydney, fi NSW. Hawn ta’ min jgħid li Fairfield hija x’ak - tarx l-aktar belt multikulturali u kultural - ment diversa fl-Awstralja fejn aktar min nofs l-abitanti mhumiex imwielda l-Aw - stralja imma f’pajjiżi oħra, ħafna minnhom f’pajjiżi fejn ma jitkellmux bl-Ingliż. Il- maġġoranza tagħhom, f’darhom jitkellmu bl-ilsien li trabbew fih, bl-aktar tnejn ko - Tuesday, October 27, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 3 Another service offered by The Voice of the Maltese providing legal information to our readers If my child is estranged from me, do I need to provide for him in my Will? by Paul completely extinguish the moral claim of Sant an adult child on a parent’s estate. The court ordered an additional $50,000 to the daugh - any things can affect our intricate ter by way of family provision. relationships with family mem- So, in this case and its circumstances, the bers, such being the nature of court determined that 7.5% of the estate was close and personal emotional relationships. adequate and proper for the estranged daugh - M ter’s advancement in life. Whose fault Family affairs can be joyful, strained, or both, and it is not uncommon for a family Is there a magical mathematical There may have been one incident, or ten - to experience estrangement. calculation? sion for an extended period of time, that led Excluding a child from your Will due to to a person living a life separate from the estrangement may cause your estate to be No: the fluidity of concepts like ‘commu - family. Who is at ‘fault’ for an estrangement involved in costly litigation which may re- nity values’ together with the variables of will likely have a different answer, depend - duce the overall amount your preferred each family and relationships within it make ing on who is asked. beneficiaries are able to receive. it impossible to take a ‘one size fits all’ ap - The surrounding circumstances of an es - proach. Each case will depend on its individ - trangement is one matter the court will con - What is estrangement? ual facts and circumstances. sider if it is required to determine the amount A simple definition of estrangement is the The court has 16 categories it may consider of an estate that should be provided to a fam - separation of people: a family member when deciding whether to make orders for ily provision claimant. family provision, and what amount. Those ceases contact with the family, and stops at- Nastiness tending or being invited to family events. most relevant in estrangement cases are: It may last for a year or two, or it may go 1. Relationship between applicant and de - After an estrangement, if a person behaves on for decades. ceased person, including nature and duration; callously, or acts with hostility, the court has Justice Basten gave a useful description: 2. Nature and extent of any obligations or noted that such negative behaviour justifies “the condition which results from the atti- responsibilities the deceased owes to: restraint when the court is determining what tudes or conduct of one or both parties”. a. The applicant amount of provision to order. In that case, the court was asked to deter- b. Any other family provision applicant However, there are cases where there has mine whether $10,000 of an $800,000 es- c. Beneficiaries of the estate; not been any such behaviour, and a claim tate was adequate provision for a child 3. Contributions (financial or otherwise) was dismissed, due to other relevant factors. before and after the deceased’s death that from whom the deceased mother had been How do I avoid an estranged child from estranged for 35 years. the Applicant did not receive adequate consideration for to the estate, deceased’s making a claim on my estate? Was $10,000 enough? welfare and family; You cannot. If you intend to make, or have Expressed as a percentage, $10,000 4. Provision made for the applicant during made, a Will that largely or completely ex - equates to about 1.25% of the mother’s es- the deceased’s life and from their estate; cludes out one of your children, it is impor - tate of $800,000. 5. Any evidence of the deceased’s testa - tant that you obtain legal advice. First, the court found that it was enough: mentary intentions; Evidence of your thought process as a wise “withholding love, support and almost 6. The applicant’s character and conduct and just will-maker may be called for once complete rejection of the mother meant that (before and after death); you are gone. the adult child abandoned and forfeited 7. Conduct of any other person (before and Particularly as you will not be able to cor - any moral claim on the deceased”. after death); roborate one or the other child’s version of That decision was appealed. The es- 8. Any other matter the Court considers events, or confirm the accuracy of what the tranged daughter was successful on the relevant existing either at the time of death, court is told you said, letters or statements basis that the estrangement could not or time of hearing. written or signed by you may be submitted to the court for consideration in a family pro - vision claim. PAUL SANT Conclusion (SOLICITOR) Today’s community standards and moral obligations mean there are limited circum - PARTNER AT LONGTON LEGAL stances where a court will find that a parent For All Your Legal Needs is not required to leave anything to an adult child (or that leaving a very small percentage Now at: is adequate) who has ‘drifted away’ and be - 21 George Street come estranged. Care needs to be taken and your intentions Parramatta and thoughts properly documented. Phone: 8599 8877 Our team can help navigate your estate planning. Also at: We are available in Parramatta and the CBD. Level 4, 370 Pitt Street, Sydney. Ph: 8355 9999 We have provided you with an overview Email: [email protected] of the topic above but you should consult a professional for advice specific to your Maltese Spoken circumstances. 4 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Barry Barry’s uncle, Joseph Meilak af- York ter disembarking in Melbourne in 1924 (right) , and (below) in 1986 recorded my first proper oral history interview 36 years ago, in 1984. It was with my father, Loreto. He was keen to tell his story. Not everyone is like that. I I remember a 90-year-old Maltese bloke named Joe Preave in Mackay, Queensland, when I went up there later in 1984 and, while agreeing to be interviewed, he nonetheless felt that he had nothing worthwhile to say. my parents and some uncles But once we started the tape rolling, Joe had an incredi - and aunts. My uncle Joe ble migration story: disembarkation at Adelaide in 1914 Meilak migrated to Mel - and working his way ‘up north’ to the sugar fields 3,000 bourne in 1924 laboured on kilometres away. He finally reached Mackay in 1918, but road construction and then the influenza epidemic was in full swing and, at each became a waterside worker. farmhouse he visited looking for work, a farmer was on He was on the wharves for the verandah with a shotgun to keep strangers at bay. 40 years. He was born in With each new interview, I developed more confidence Ghajnsielem, Gozo, in 1904 and died in 1988 in Melbourne. and in the years 1984 to 1989, I recorded interviews with Uncle Joe had a big impact on me. When I was a kid, he Maltese men and women in Melbourne, Sydney, Wollon - used to sit with me by his fish pond, under his grapefruit gong, Mackay, Adelaide, Canberra and Broken Hill. They tree, the birds in the aviaries chirping away, and tell me came from various towns and villages of Malta and Gozo. stories of the ‘old days’. I’m sure this influenced my later I was helped along the way by the advice of Mark Caru - desire to record and preserve such stories. It was Joe, and ana, to whom I am forever grateful. his Australian wife, Daisy, who nominated my parents My main aim was to record the memories of those who and me as migrants in 1954. had migrated prior to World War Two. There were still Our first accommodation was with them, and their three many alive who were in reasonable shape and had come children, in Hawke Street, West Melbourne. Like most here in the 1920s and even a few of 1910s vintage but they Maltese, Joe was a good union man and told me about the were all diminishing rapidly. There was urgency about historic wharfies’ strike of 1928 and the difficult years of recording them. the Depression. He was ‘pinched’ by police on one occa - I interviewed nine who migrated in the 1910s, 27 in the sion when he waded into the water around Port Mel - 1920s and eight in the 1930s. I also recorded some descen - bourne to collect coal that had fallen into the bay from dants, most notably Arthur Busuttin, whose father, coal boats. He would then take it home, dry it out, and Joseph, had been one of the Maltese on the ‘Nuddea’ in they would use it for heating. Times were hard. 1883, the first assisted group of Maltese to Australia. Many of my interviews are preserved at the National Li - It was amazing to meet 1910s’ migrants such as Angelo brary of Australia and some may be heard on-line via the Camilleri (from Valletta), Jean Barrett (nee Rizzo) (of Sen - Library’s catalogue. Among them are the voices of a Mal - glea) and Christina Couch (nee Farrugia) (Kalkara), Joe tese migration experience dating back more than 100 Preave (Mellieħa) and Emmanuel Attard (Qala). years. We can hear their voices, across that great distance As I mainly interviewed of time, reminding us of how things were - and how elderly people, it was sad things have changed. when they died. I was End sometimes called on to write obitu - aries, drawing on the oral histories. The first such obituary was in memory of Frank Fenech, who had migrated from Mosta to Mackay in 1923. It is especially important to me Frank Fenericgh t(:Mackay) in 1984; Arthur Busuttin (Mackay) 1984 that I recorded and Christina Couch Tuesday, October 27, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 5

Ron Borg: Remembering:Wotti tar-Roti was just 12 going on 13 with a ple who knew dad, he became known brother four years younger and a as Wotti tar-Roti (Walter the Bicycle sister four years older than me, en - Man). At this shop, we used to hire bi - joying life at Abela street in Ħamrun, cycles for the princely sum of one IMalta. My dad was a blacksmith shilling per hour ( xelin is-siegħa) . We working with the British Forces REME also sold bikes, bike spare-parts and at their workshops at Blata l-Bajda. He carried out bike repairs. earned a good wage as a tradesman, The business picked up and before but being a good provider for our fam - long dad had thought me all there was ily, he supplemented his wage as a to know about bike repairs. There was blacksmith in his own workshop a lot to learn but I was eager to learn where he carried out various metal - and soon picked it up, so much so that work repairs and made a variety of he used to buy brand new bikes com - wrought-iron wares. pletely disassembled (about 300 parts) Dad thought me a lot about the metal and I would get the ‘buzz’ of assem - trade even though I was still young. I bling them together. took a keen interest and I felt impor - Dad became confident in my ability as tant when he gave me a job to do in his a young bike mechanic’ and very often workshop. Occasionally he would left me by myself to run the shop, hir - have me turning the manual blower’ ing bicycles, selling spares and carrying that blew air into the hot coals of the out most repairs for our customers. It Dad: Wotti tar-Roti... so skillful forge, that made them glow red-hot to felt good that he trusted me that I was take off! heat the metal that he wanted to shape able to help my dad run the shop. Working at the bicycle shop, gave me with some heavy blows of the ham - access to a lot of second-hand materials mer on the anvil (L-Inkwina) . He had that I was able to give my young such skills, and the way he could friends, like the old disused bicycle shape that hot steel in such a magical rims. The Cirku was well liked by all craftsman way impressed me. those who used to run and wheel these He would make ornamental wro- rims by pushing them with a stick ught-iron wash-basin stands (trepied) , along the stone pavement (bankina) which were used in most houses to making a hell of a racket, much to the hold a wash basin (fliskatur) , the water disgust of the local residents! pitcher ( buqar) , and a soap holder (sa - I also used to supply my ‘street puniera) . It was a practical yet orna - urchin’ mates with ‘bullets’, made up mental stand. of bent up pieces of bicycle spoke Dad used to let me manually drill the wires that would be shot from their rivet holes and rivet the pieces of home made sling shots (vleġġa) when metal together. I felt a sense of they roamed their streets ‘hunting’ achievement in performing this work. Sparrows (għa-safar tal-bejt) ! But one day dad stopped this work It was a good life, and the challenge and instead opened up a bicycle shop. of starting high school at the Lyceum I was so proud to see the sign above made it a good adventure at the age of our Bike shop, “Borg’s Cycle Works” , at Our shop, Borg’s Cycle Works thirteen but all of a sudden, in 1960 the corner of “Strada Annunzjata and The added bonus was the pocket my family left our homeland Malta Victoria Avenue” not far from the money he gave me which was usually and made our way to Australia on the Ħamrun Primary School. To most peo - spent on the Sunday matinee movies ( it- ship Flaminia! tokis) at the local theatres, (the Trianon, Like so many Maltese parents, mine the Hollywood, the Rex, or the Odeon). made the sacrifice of leaving their There were times when dad would beloved Malta for our benefit. It was a let me and a mate of mine take a bike brave move that my parents – may to go for a ride. We usually used to they rest in peace – made for the fu - cycle down by the flower fields of ture benefit of my sister, brother and Santa Venera where we would also me. I thank them for it. stop by the stables to watch the huge bulls Kids playing with disused from behind the steel bicycle rims, iċ-Ċirku bar gates, admiring in awe the fierce-looking beasts that would put the fear of God when they would point their threatening horns and bellow out! It was interesting but sometimes the putrid smell of the stables would get too much Boy shooting ‘bul - A wash-basin stand (trepied) to bear and we would lets’ with his sling 6 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday, October 27, 2020 One of Australia’s best-loved sopranos is of Maltese descent ur selection for this month is Amelia Farrugia, regarded as one of the brightest stars of opera Oin Australia. She will be performing with tenor Joseph Calleja in his much-awaited “debut” in Aus - tralia touring Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Melbourne from September 1 to 13, 2021. Amelia Farrugia

melia Farrugia, one of Australia’s best-loved sopra - nos, studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. After winning many prestigious awards, in - cAluding The Metropolitan Opera National Council Audi - tions, she was engaged by Opera Australia as a soloist in leading roles. She has since enjoyed a highly successful and varied Aus - tralian and international career in opera, music theatre, symphony concerts, recitals, corporate events, recording and television, large-scale outdoor events. Amelia also per - formed as a soloist in the Final Mass for World Youth Day for Pope Benedict XVI. Amelia’s auspicious debut solo recording, Joie de vivre with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alexan - der Briger, was nominated for a Classical Aria Award. In 2017 she appeared in the world-premiere of DIVA! Combining career and motherhood, Amelia maintains freelance artist commitments while teaching at the Sydney Conservatorium High School and in her own singing stu - dio, Sydney Sings. Among her duties as a generous sup - porter, patron and ambassador Bankstown where he lived with

of various charities and organi - my Nanna , Antonia Bonnici

sations, Amelia is also an Aus - (née). F THE MON TH tralia Day Ambassador. POERSONALITY I have fond memories of them In 2021, Amelia will be per - both; when he wasn’t in the shed forming on tour making a piece of furniture, with in Aus - OF THE MONTH Nannu was watching the Bull - tralia with dogs against Parramatta. Maltese ten- He once made me a beautiful or Joseph Calleja. music stand for my birthday. You would find Nanna in the Philip Farrugia, Amelia’s father, was born kitchen surrounded by kids, with a tea towel over her shoulder in Żejtun in 1948 and came to Australia and lasagna in the oven. I remember the sound of her laughter. by ship in 1950. He was one of eight Whenever she could, she would sneak another ice block our way children. while Mum wasn’t looking! In Australia he forged a successful ca - In 1998, Amelia had the greatest honour of performing in reer as a lawyer, establishing a law prac - Malta’s Teatru Manoel, Europe’s oldest functioning theatre. This tice with his brother, Paul. He also raised was a Christmas recital with a small ensemble of strings and four children and provided a wonderful piano. She was invited to perform by Mr Tony Cassar Darien. education for them. He can speak a little By this stage, she had been performing as a principal artist with Maltese as he grew up in a Opera Australia where she made her debut in 1994. The recital household where the lan - repertoire reflected this with a selection of classical songs, oper - guage was regularly atic arias and of course, Gounod’s Ave Maria ! spoken. Amelia continued: “It was a joy to work with local Maltese mu - Interviewed by The sicians, and I was very moved to see lots of relatives and friends Voice of the Maltese, Amelia in the audience, in particular, my own family who had travelled said “I wish I could say the from Australia to attend. I put a lot of pressure on myself and was same… the best I can offer is very nervous, I was just finding my feet as an Opera singer”. Kif inti ! My Nannu , Saviour In her very first trip to Malta at the age of eleven, Amelia remembers Farrugia was a carpenter who meeting all of her relatives and visiting from home to home, very helped to build the Sydney warmly welcomed with lots of food and lemonade. She found the Opera House and the Har - Maltese people to be warm, honest, hard-working and kind. bour Bridge. He also built the family home in *continued on page 7 Tuesday, October 27, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 7 Mons. Mario Grech se jinħater Kardinal adwar xahar u nofs wara li fil- u wara fl-Iskola Pri - 15 ta’ Settembru li għadda l- marja ta’ Kerċem. Papa Franġisku ħatar lill- Isqof Minn hemm għadda EMmeritu ta’ Għawdex, Mons. Mario għall-iskola Sekon - Grech, bħala Segretarju Ġenerali tas-Sin - darja tar-Rabat Għaw- odu tal-Isqfijiet minflok il-Kardinal (ex), u fl-1977 beda l- Lorenzo Baldisser, issa l-Papa se jaħdtru Kors tal-Filosofija u wkoll Kardinal waqt il-Konċistorju fit-28 iktar tard dak tat- ta’ Novembru li ġej. Teoloġija fis-Semi - L-aħbar li Mons Grech se jinħatar l- narju ta’ Għawdex. ewwel Għawdxi f’din il-kariga, ħadha b’ - Wara l-ordinazzjoni sorpriża. Ingħatat mill-Papa wara t-talba tiegħu minn idejn l- tal-Angelus tal-Ħadd li għadda waqt li hu Isqof Nikol Cauchi fil- kien qed jippassiġġa f’Ruma. Fil-fatt sar Katidral ta’ Għawdex, jaf bl-aħbar f’telefonata minn Malta. fis-26 ta’ Mejju 1984, Huwa se jkun fost 13-il Krdinal ġdid li se intbagħat Ruma fejn jiġu kkonsagrati. kiseb il-Liċenzja fil-Liġi Kanonika u Mons. Mario Grech waqt laqgħa Mons. Grech, li kien ilu jservi serva Ċivili fl-Università Pontifiċja tal-Lateran. mal-Papa Franġisku fil-Vatikan bħala Isqof ta’ Għawdex għal 13-il sena, Filwaqt li fis-snin ta’ wara, kiseb ukoll id- ta’ Għawdex, u fl-istess waqt Imħallef fit- se jkun it-tielet saċerdot mill-Gżejjer Dottorat fil-Liġi Kanonika mill-Univer - Tribunal tal-Knisja f’Malta. Maltin li se jissieħeb fil-Kulleġġ tal-Kar - sità Pontifiċja ta’ San Tumas t’Akwinu. Fl-2004, Dun Mario sar Kappillan tal- dinali. L-ewwel wieħed kien Fabrizio Fiż-żmien li għamel Ruma, barra mill- Parroċċa tal-Madonna tas-Sokkors u San Sceberras Testaferrata fis-6 ta’ April tal- ħidma pastorali li wettaq fil-parroċċa tal- Girgor f’Kerċem, Għawdex, u fl-2005 1818. Warajh laħaq Grech ieħor, Pros - Assunzjoni fejn kien residenti, ħadem ġie maħtur Isqof tal-gżira Għawdxija fejn pero, li kien patri Agostinjan mill-Birgu ukoll fil-kamp tal-Liġi Kanonika fit-Tri - baqa’ jservi sal-2019. Minn Ottubru tal- fit-18 ta’ Frar tal-2012. bunali tal-Knisja f’Ruma, kemm fil-Vi - 2019, kellu wkoll il-funzjoni ta’ Pro-Seg - Mons Mario Grech twieled fl-20 ta’ Frar garjat kif ukoll fis-Sacra Romana Rota. retarju Ġenerali tas-Sinodu tal-Isqfijiet. tal-1957 u għandu 63 sena. Huwa wild Meta mar lura Għawdex ġie assenjat di - The Voice of the Maltese ningħaqu mal- George u Stella u tgħammed fil-parroċċa versi ħidmiet pastorali fil-Kurja Djoċe - Gvern Malti, mal-President ta’ Malta tal-Qala, qabel ma fi ċkunitu familtu mar - sana, fejn għal diversi snin kien l-Uffiċjal George Vella, il-Partit Laburista u dak run joqogħdu Kerċem. għar-Relazzjonijiet Pubbliċi tal-Kurja, Nazzjonalista, kif ukoll mal-Isqfijiet ta’ L-ewwel passi fl-edukazzjoni tiegħu waqt li aktar tard, fl-1993, inħatar Vigarju Malta u Għawdex biex nawguraw lil ħadhom fl-iskola tas-Sorijiet Karmelitani Ġudizzjali għat-Tribunal Ekkleżjastiku Mons Grech l-isbaħ xewqat. TVoM’s personality for October: Amelia Farrugia *continued from page 6 “We were embraced as one of the extended family. It was a very special Christmas, although I was surprised it was so hot… I had been expecting a white Christmas!” Amelia mentioned the great support she had over the years from a number of distinguished Maltese people, especially Mr Leslie Cassar, and former Consul General Lawrence Dimech. She performed a number of times for President Edward Fenech Adami, most memorably singing a recital in his home. She was also very proud of her dad when in 2009 he was awarded the Quiet Achievers Award at the Annunciation Hall Blacktown. On that very appropriate occasion organised by Maltese Welfare (NSW), Amelia was the special guest artist and entertained the audience. Amelia said that it had been a very long time since she had the chance to visit Malta. “I hope to travel back soon. In the mean - time, I’m so excited to be performing in upcoming concerts with the great Maltese tenor, Mr Joseph Calleja. Joseph and Amelia will be touring five cities around Australia, singing a variety of beautiful arias and songs. “This is a dream come true for me, as Joseph has attained the greatest heights on the operatic stage, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Malta must be so proud and if you haven’t heard him, make a date as soon as you can. I certainly can’t wait to meet him” concluded Amelia Amelia with her parents, mum Patricia and dad Philip Farrugia. 8 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday, October 27, 2020 Have your say/Xi trid tghid? Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ... Convention, what Convention? Is it the diaspora or “the Greater Malta”? he survey initiated by the Directorate • Well done to the Directorate. A survey for Consular Services and Maltese is always important to gauge the level of Living Abroad, published in sum - interest and to find methods to further con - The Voice of the Maltese Tmary form, in The Voice of the Maltese on nect. ffoorrttnniigghhttllyy mmaaggaazziinnee the October 13 issue as expected attracted • Indeed, lets us use the phrase “Greater various comments from our readers. Malta” rather than “Diaspora” is is a bi-lingual (in English It is not possible to publish all emails re - • The conventions were never free to all. and Maltese) fortnightly mag - ceived due to space limitation. These are One needs to be an active member of the azine that specifically targets some of the comments extracted from the Maltese community; otherwise, how can all Maltese living abroad with many emails we have received: one militate or understand the needs? emphasis on the Australian • That was the kiss of death to the Con - • I remember that the 2000 convention and Maltese scenes. vention. Who were the real people sur - was specifically targeted for leaders of as - e magazine can be read in flip - veyed? sociations of Maltese abroad and of Mal - book or PDF format online. A pdf • Excellent to initiate a survey but to move tese origin. copy is sent via email on request. forward; we need to understand the past. • A pertinent missing question was: will Hard copy subscription is also • I am keen to see the other survey initi - you attend if you do not receive the gov - available at a cost . ated by Mr S. Delia and supported by ernment’s subsidy? CMLA, was it ever published? • There were praises for the initiate of the Editors: • It is very clear that the Maltese in Aus - Directorate; however, others wrote: most Malta: Joseph Cutajar tralia are by far the most interested in their surveys are aimed at getting outcomes de - Australia: communities. sired. Lawrence Dimech: MOM, OAM, JP email address: [email protected] So proud to be Maltese Co-option of Members Mario Grech from Brisbane Qld writes in Malta’s Parliament hank you The Voice for a most inter - Lawrence Camilleri from Birmningham, UK Letters for publication in The Voice esting publication that people like me, writes: magazine, either in Maltese or English wTho are vulnerable, and therefore forced should include name, e-mail address to stay locked at home for fear of getting found the article by Prof. Godfrey Pirotta infected with the COVID-19 virus and titled: Co-option of Members in Malta’s and residence of the writer, and be e- PIarliament (The Voice No. 237) one of the mailed to: [email protected]. falling victim of the pandemic, have some - thing to read and to occupy ourselves es - most interesting features ever published on Now you can also pecially by reading about Malta. The Voice of the Maltese . I always want to know what happens in I think that is why this magazine, particu - join us on facebook: my beloved Malta, that I hope to visit larly targeting the Maltese communities liv - again when normality returns, from a ing outside of Malta, and anybody who is https://www.facebook. media that does not seem to have any po - lucky enough to be a reader of this publica - com/groups/thevoice - litical agenda. I am so proud to tell any - tion is so highly regarded. body who asks about my roots that I am I remember far back reading other articles ofthemaltese Maltese. by the same author on The Voice . They al - ways intrigued me, but his latest contribution is by far the most important as it points out political information that only researchers of Dr Hugh McDermott MP history like him are able to provide. I hope this turns out to be the return of the State Member for Prospect professor as a regular contributor to the mag - For issues concerning: azine, because such articles enrich our knowledge of our Maltese homeland from Ageing and disability - community another perspective. services -education - environ - Thank you Prof. Pirotta, and thank you T he Voice ment - health - housing - planning - Police - transport - water Please note: P: (02) 9756 4766 Like most other countries in Eu- rope, especiaily members of the E: [email protected] EU, on Sunday, (October 25), clocks 2/679 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield NSW 2164 were set back one hour as Daylight Saving Time (DST) has ended. Tuesday, October 27, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 9 Kompożituri ta’ fama li żaru l-Banda La Valette tal-belt l-imgħoddi, u aktar illum, l-għaxqa tiegħi hi li nidħol fil-każini tal-banda u nħares lejn il-lapidi u r-ritratti an - tiki. Jiddispjaċini ħafna meta nara ritratti ta’ valur bla kitba jew spjega taħthom. Dejjem ngħaddi s-suġġeriment Fbiex dan isir inkella għad jasal żmien li l-membri l-ġodda ma jkunu jafu xejn dwarhom. Il-lapidi wkoll huma ta’ interess iżda dawn fuqhom, fi ftit versi hemm miġbura l-istorja kollha tal-inawgurazzjoni tal- lapida. Naffaxina ruħi xħin nidħol fil-Każin tal-Banda La Valette fi Triq ir-Repubblika, il-Belt, u fuq ġewwa, ma’ waħda mill-arkati nara lapida importanti ħafna. Din tiġbor PeterPaul Ciantar fiha l-ismijiet ta’ kompożituri kbar u ta’ fama internazzjon - ali li żaru da nil-każin. Ottorino Respighi Alessandro Vessella Dak li għalija hu wieħed mill- Id-data l-aktar antika fil-lap - ġganti tal-orkestrazzjoni fl- ida tal-Każin La Valette hi ta’ Italja, Ottorino Respighi, nhar Alessandro Vessella li ġie Malta il-Milied tal-1933, tliet snin qabel fl-10 ta’ Ġunju, 1922. Hu wkoll mewtu f’April tal-1936 kien żar din żar il-Banda La Valette. Dan is- il-Banda. Meta ġie Malta, Respighi surmast bravu u ta’ fama kbira kien diġá famuż u magħruf għal fl-Italja ma kienx biss magħruf xogħlijiet kbar bħal Pini di Roma , bħala surmast tal-banda iżda ta’ Fontane di Roma , Feste Romane u organizzatur u riformatur. Anke xogħlijiet mużikali oħra. ta’ kompożitur u arranġatur tal- Imwieled Bolonja hu studja l-kom - mużika għall-banda. pożizzjoni mal-famuż Rimsky-Kor - Vessella, minn Ruma kien aw - sakov li d-dinja kollha tammira torità fl-Italja fejn tidħol il- il-mużika tiegħu. banda. Meta rifes Malta kellu xi Riccardo Zandonai ftit aktar minn sittin sena. Meta ħalla Malta kien wiegħed lis- Żar ukoll il-Każin La Valette kom - Soċjetà Banda La Valette li jsi - pożitur ieħor Taljan, Riccardo Zan - bilha surmast addattat donai, li ikkompona diversi opri, u li għall-ħtiġijiet tal-banda f’dawk ismu hu marbut l-aktar mal-opra iż-żminijiet. Francesca da Rimini . Hu żar il-Banda Fil- fatt, meta wasal Ruma fit-13 ta’ Diċembru tal-1931. Kien fl- Il-lapida bis-surmastrijiet ħadem biex id-direzzjoni tal-La aqwa tiegħu meta kellu 48 sena. barranin fil-La Valette Valette tiġi fdata f’idejn Mro X’aktarx li ġie Malta biex jara l-opra Gardenio Botti. tiegħu stess Francesca da Rimini fit-Teatru Rjal’ u ħa l-op - Gardenio Botti portunità li jżur formalment il-Banda La Valette. Grazzi għal Vessella bdiet ir-rabta kbira li s-Surmast Gardenio Mons. Licinio Refice Botti għandu mal-Banda La Valette li ikkomponielha innijiet L-istess jingħad għal Licinio Refice - monsinjur u kom - sbieħ u immortali. Fost dawn hemm l-innu San Paolo , l-innu- pożitur Taljan magħruf għall-ewwel opra tiegħu Cecilia li marċ Fior del Carmel u l-magħruf marċ Letter A . tirrakkonta l-istorja ta’ din il-qaddisa, patruna tal-mużika. Naturalment, ikkompona aktar, fosthom marċi funebri Din l-opra kienet marret inscena f’Ruma fl-1934 u kisbet għal din il-banda. Huma kompożizzjonijiet li juru li kien suċċess kbir. surmast u direttur mużikalment avvanzat ħafna. Mhux ta’ Refice kien ġie Malta u żar ukoll il-Banda La Valette sena b’xejn li kien igawdi stima kbirafl-Italja. wara, fit-22 ta’ Novembru, 1935. Kien miet fl-1954 f’Rio de Issa din ta’ surmastrijiet barranin jidderieġu l-baned Janeiro, il-Brażil, waqt il-provi tal-opra tiegħu Cecilia . F’din Maltin fl-imgħoddi kienet komuni ħafna. Dawk li ġew ir-rappreżentazzjoni s-Soprano Renata Tebaldi kienet in - Malta kollha kellhom stoffa mużikali qawwija u kollha terpretat il-karattru ewlieni ta’ Cecilia. kienu ta’ ispirazzjoni għal-dawk Maltin. Giuseppe Mulè Gardenio Botti Fil-5 ta’ Novembru tal-1933 żar il-La Valette kompożitur Intemm dan l-artiklu b’Ettore Mattioli li kien ukoll surmast ieħor Taljan, Giuseppe Mulè. Kellu 48 sena u kien fl-aqwa tal-Banda La Valette, u kellu wkoll baned Maltin oħra. tal-karriera tiegħu meta ġie Malta. Hu kien ukoll direttur Kien surmast tal-Banda La Valette fid-19 ta’ Novembru, tal-orkestra, ikkompona sinfoniji u mużika da camera , dik 1919. Fost il-marċi tiegħu hemm wieħed mill-isbaħ, marċ għall-palk, seba’ opri, u ħames partituri tal-films u oratorju. funebri bl-isem Nenia . Mhux kulħadd japprezzah, iżda Imma ismu baqa’ marbut l-aktar mal-famuż Larg ’ għall- huwa marċ tajjeb ħafna li juri s-sengħa kbira tiegħu fil-kom - vjolonċell u l-pjanu. pożizzjoni. Dan il- Largo ta’ Mulè kien il-passaġġ mużikali sabiħ li bih Fil-lista ta’ personaġġi magħrufa fuq din il-lapida, dan l- kien jiftaħ l-Istazzjon Nazzjonali tar-Radju tar-Rai fl-Italja. aħħar tpoġġa wkoll l-isem ta’ Antonio Oddo li żar u d-de - Ibnu kien il-magħruf attur Taljan Francesco Mulè. rieġġa l-Banda La Valette fis-17 ta’April tas-sena l-oħra. 10 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday, October 27, 2020

A version of this series in kitba ta’ English may be found in the author's blog at: IVAN https://ivancauchi. CAUCHI Perspettiva blogspot.com

Ilħa-lissap hemm rdaqsoxejn ta's għagtħa f'Mialta dwuar is-suzġġett tzar- joni f'Malta ras ta’ dan l-artiklu. Il-prostituzzjoni fil-pajjiż huwa biss wieħed mil-lista ta' ħwejjeġ soċjali li l-gvern Laburista Malti xBejn ma qagħad lura milli jaqbad minn qrunu. Dan għaliex inħatar Kumitat Tekniku għar-Riforma tal-Prostituz - zjoni li qiegħed jikkunsidra x'rakkomandazzjonijiet jagħmel lill- Gvern Malti wara li konsultazzjoni pubblika li għamel dwar is-suġġett li temm f'Ottubru 2019. 1 L-għan tal-gvern huwa li jipproteġi lill-ħaddiema tas-sess mill-es - plojtazzjoni filwaqt li tissaħħaħ il-ġlieda kontra it-traffikar tal-per - suni. 2 Is-Segretarja Parlamentari Rosianne Cutajar kienet stqarret li dan il-kumitat qed jibni qafas legali li għandu jiddekriminalizza x-xogħol tas-sess. Bħalissa, il-prostituzzjoni f'Malta diġà huwa teknikament legali, imma l-itlajjar fit-toroq u l-briedel mhumiex. Pajjiżi u reġjuni differenti għandhom oqsma legali differenti. Fl- Awstralja, per eżempju, hemm stati bħal South Australia, it-Tasmania kliem ieħor, il-ħaddiem jew ħaddiema tas-sess ikunu tilfu l-klijent u West Australia li għandhom liġijiet simili għal ta' Malta fuq naħa, jew klijenta tagħhom. u stati bħal New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory u Aus - Dawk li jipproponu l-mudell Nordiku forsi jaħsbu li dan tajjeb, tralian Capital Territory fejn l-industrija hija dekriminalizzata, bħal mhux hekk hi l-intenzjoni? Jien nistaqsi jekk hux hekk iridu l-ħad - ma jidher li hija l-intenzjoni ta' Malta. diema tas-sess infushom, wara kollox huma qegħdin fiha, u ħafna X'imkien fin-nofs hemm Victoria, fejn l-itlajjar fit-toroq biss baqa' drabi huma jkunu li jibgħu siekta minħabba l-biża' tal-konsegwenzi. llegali. 3 Huwa fatt li ħafna persuni jidħlu fix-xogħol tas-sess għal raġunijiet Dan huwa suġġett diffiċli. Jingħad li l-prostituzzjoni hija l-eqdem finanzjarji, biex imantnu t-tfal jew il-familji tagħhom, jew biex jif - professjoni, u f'Malta hemm evidenza tal-preżenza tagħha talinqas finanzjaw ħajjithom. sa minn żmien il-kavallieri. Id-dokument ta' konsultazzjoni tal-gvern Malti jsemmi wkoll fatturi Huwa magħruf li min huwa nvolut fil-prostituzzjoni jiffaċċja oħra bħall-faqar, in-nuqqas ta' saqaf fuq ir-ras, abbuż, vizzji tad-drogi stigma, diskriminazzjoni u nuqqas ta' drittijiet, nuqqas ta' servizzi u/jew alkoħol, u flaħħarnett, imma mhux l-inqas, oħrajn jiġu tas-saħħa u ġustizzja. mġegħlin. Qafas legali ta' kriminalizzazzjoni jfisser li x-xogħol tas-sess, mhux Il-liġi li nixtieq nara jkollha tliet aspetti ewlenin. L-ewwel tkun li ma jsirx, imma jsir minn taħt, minħabba l-biża’ ta' konsegwenzi min jixtieq joħroġ mill-industrija jingħata l-għajnuna kollha li kriminali u abbużi oħra, li ħafna drabi jfisser li meta jkun hemm il- jagħmel dan u jinħolqu opportunitajiet apposta għalihom. bżonn leġittimu ta' servizzi, dawn ma jintalbux minħabba din il-biża. It-tieni tkun li dawk li jinsabu f'din l-industrija kontra r-rieda Hemm diversi persuni u organizzazzjonijiet, speċjalment dawk li tagħhom isibu l-protezzjoni li għandhom bżonn u min sfurzahom jiġġieldu kontra t-traffikar tal-persuni, li jipproponu l-mudell jeħel konsegwenzi. Nordiku bħala qafas legali. Il-mudell Nordiku huwa hekk imsejjaħ It-tielet, li dawk li jridu jagħmlu dan ix-xogħol, jingħataw l-ispazju għax inbeda fl-Isvezja, imbagħad fin-Norveġja, l-Islandja u xi pajjiżi legali li joffru s-servizzi tagħhom bil-kwiet lill-klijenti tagħhom oħra. mingħajr biża’ ta' persekuzzjoni lil ebda naħa, u għalhekk jiġu legal - Huwa intenzjonat li jnaqqas id-domanda għall-prostituzzjoni u ment aċċettati bħala membri sħaħ tas-soċjetà. jċekken l-industrija tagħha, billi fuq naħa waħda jiddekriminalizza 4 Referenzi l-bejgħ tas-sess imma jikkriminalizza x-xiri tiegħu. 1.https://meae.gov.mt/en/Public_Consultations/OPM/Documents/Human% Jien il-problema li għandi b'dan il-mudell Nordiku huwa li jekk ix- 20trafficking%20reform%20%20Consultation%20document%20ENG.pdf, xiri tas-sess jibqa' jew jsir att kriminali, il-persuni li qegħdin joffru retrieved 21/10/2020 s-servizz tas-sess xorta waħda jkollhom it-tendenza li ma jip - 2. https://meae.gov.mt/en/Public_Consultations/OPM/Pages/Consulta - tions/Reformonhumantraffickingandprostitution.aspx,retrieved 21/10/2020 preżentawx ruħhom jekk ikollhom bżonn ta' servizz. 3. https://www.catwa.org.au/prostitution-laws-in-each-state/, retrieved Ukoll is-servizz tas-sess ikollhom inċentiv li joffruh bil-moħbi, għax 21/10/2020 jekk il-post minn fejn joperaw ikun magħruf, ikun faċli ħafna għall- 4. https://nordicmodelnow.org/what-is-the-nordic-model/, retrieved pulizija biex jgħassuh u jaqbdu lil min ikun mar għas-servizz. Fi 21/10/2020 A proud sponsor of The Voice of the Maltese

website: www.breakawaytravel.com.au Tel (02) 9622 7799 Breakaway Travel 94 corner of Main & Campbell blacktown@breakaway- Streets, Blacktown NSW travel.com.au ..... for all your travel needs. Tuesday, October 27, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 11 Political corruption in the State of NSW ladys Berejiklian, 50 years old, the Premier of the State of New South Wales since 2017 has become ensnared in the sensational ICAC (Inde - pendent Commission Against Corruption) hearings into alleged corruption bGy former MP Daryl Maguire – and suddenly finds her future very much in doubt. Daryl Maguire admitted to using his par - tem of corruption with needy ministers New South Wales Premier Gladys Be- liamentary office and resources to conduct and members bound together by their joint rejiklian and former MP Daryl Maguire private business dealings, including re - interest in plunder”. cation of the seismic shift that had taken ceiving thousands of dollars in cash as part Politics then (and now) was a honey pot: place in NSW politics to try and rid the of a visa scam. needy, greedy ministers and MPs were al - state of corruption. ways looking to benefit from public Meanwhile, Ms Berejiklian, who has de - ICAC itself comes under scrutiny nied any wrongdoing by maintaining a works, jobs, development and government personal relationship with Maguire even contracts, as well as through the manipu - In 2012-13, ICAC investigations exposed after he was forced to resign as MP, has lation of the criminal justice system. former minister and power-broker Eddie faced calls from the Opposition for her to Sydney has traditionally been thought of Obeid’s extraordinary influence on the resign. At the very least, her reputation as a corrupt old town. Whether this was Labor governments of Morris Iemma and will be seriously tarnished by the explo - because of its buccaneering origins in the Kristina Keneally and the insidious tenta - sive revelations. This saga is ongoing. convict era or because it was where all the cles of the Obeid family’s covert business Writing in SBS News David Clune, an action took place has long been an open empire. Honorary Associate in the Department of question. Then, in 2014, Liberal Premier Barry O’ - Government and International Relations at The colony’s early days set the stage for a Farrell resigned after falsely denying to the University of Sydney takes us back to long history of political and public corrup - ICAC he had received a bottle of expen - the history of corruptions in the State of tion. Among the more notable episodes: sive wine from an associate of Obeid’s, NSW. • A royal commission in 1905 revealed who was lobbying for a valuable govern - Corruption has been ingrained in the po - Lands Minister Paddy Crick had been ment contract. litical culture of NSW, from the days of its involved in large-scale extortion and Mr O’Farrell admitted to a massive fail - founding in the 19th century. This is the corruption, leading to his resignation ure of memory but was cleared of any very reason the Independent Commission • The corrupt dealings of Agriculture wrongdoing by ICAC. Nonetheless, he Against Corruption was formed in 1988 – Minister WC Grahame led to his resig - took the honourable course and resigned. and why it remains a vital watchdog over nation in 1920 In recent years, ICAC itself has come the inner workings of state government. • The 1951 Maxwell Royal Commission under scrutiny. In 2015, it was accused of revealed widespread police involvement A corrupt old town overreach, particularly in its pursuit of in corruption and the “sly grog” trade Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Margaret Before NSW began governing itself in • The term of Liberal Premier Bob Askin Cunneen. 1856, the colony was run for many years (1965–75) saw rampant corruption at David Levine, ICAC’s inspector and a by the upright, dedicated and incorruptible the highest levels of politics and the po - former judge, harshly criticised the com - Colonial Secretary Edward Deas Thom - lice mission’s investigation of Ms Cunneen, son. With a fully elected parliament and • During Labor Premier Neville Wran’s calling it “unjust, unreasonable and op - premier, however, things changed. And time in office (1976–86), the corrective pressive”. democratic politics attracted corruption services minister and chief magistrate from the beginning. were tried and subsequently imprisoned Reforms are brought in, Historian John Hirst said that after 1856, for corruption but are they enough? • And in the late 1990s, the Wood Royal “to conservatives it appeared as if the gov - As a result, ICAC was restructured in ernment had been debased into a giant sys - Commission revealed entrenched, sys - temic corruption in the police force. 2016. A panel of three – a full-time chief In response to the storm of corruption al - commissioner and two part-time ones, re - legations in the Wran years, Liberal Pre - placed the existing single commissioner. mier Nick Greiner created the Independent A decision to proceed to a compulsory Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). examination or public inquiry needed ma - The new body had wide powers, a broad jority approval of the three commission - anti-corruption brief and iron-clad inde - ers. More emphasis was placed on pendence. procedural fairness in inquiries. And the highly respected Supreme Court judge An early victim Peter Hall replaced Megan Latham as Ironically, Mr Greiner was an early vic - chief commissioner in August 2017. tim of the new body. In 1992, it found him Mr Levine had also proposed abolishing guilty of corruption for appointing rene - public inquiries, which he said had re - gade Liberal MP Terry Metherell to a sen - sulted in the undeserved trashing of repu - ior public service position to allow the tations. He recommended an exoneration government to regain his safe seat. protocol for those who had a finding of The finding was overturned by the courts corrupt conduct made against them but on appeal and most today would agree that were acquitted in court, and judicial re - Mr Greiner had acted corruptly in only a view of ICAC decisions. technical sense. (He had not benefited per - These recommendations were rejected at sonally and in the pre-ICAC era, this the time, but they may be worth reconsid - would have been seen as an astute bit of ering – particularly if the inquiry into tem of corruption with needy ministers Ex-Liberal Premier Nick Greiner politics.) Maguire’s actions unfairly jeopardises Ms and Ex-members bound together by their Mr Greiner’s downfall was a vivid indi - Berejiklian’s premiership. 12 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday, October 27, 2020 Roundup of News About Malta More than €200 million voted to safeguard jobs etween March and the end of Septem - as to present the way forward for businesses. ber the government has paid more than The Minister said that the Budget for 2021 is €233 million for the Wage Supplement the most extensive budget ever presented in iBnvolving a total of 85,000 workers (78,357 in the history of Malta as more than €200 million Malta and 4,201 in Gozo). The number of have been voted to safeguard jobs through the businesses receiving aid by way of the Wage Covid Wage Supplement Supplement amounted to 16,894. “During this extraordinary time, we have en - This was stated by Minister for the Economy, sured that our businesses are sustained, reaf - Investment and Small Businesses Silvio firmed the confidence we have in them, Schembri (left) as he outlined the details per - compelling them to take a step further and in - taining to the aid and the schemes that were vest. In this, we shall remain standing shoulder introduced in recent months in order to protect to shoulder with them and our workers”, Min - businesses, to safeguard several jobs, as well ister Schembri said.

Abudgete 202l1 apres’entsed i n fthei horuses of Rtep reasentantivesd by tShe necgatiive cimplacuts of nthe pan - ’s ninth Financial Minister Edward Scicluna – his ninth – the first demic. The deficit is projected to one under Prime Minister Robert Abela's watch, and in fall to 5.9% next year. tBimes of a pandemic, has been hailed by most of the social part - It was hailed as a budget with so - ners as positive and a step in the right direction. cial initiatives that in difficult The estimates for 2021 were presented under the theme of times would inspire a feel-good Maltin b'Saħħitna 'l Quddiem (Maltese strongly going forward) factor across all society, while Although the COVID-19 pandemic has violently hit most coun - Prime Minister Robert Abel a tries' economies, the right decisions taken during the past few (right) described it as the best ever. years, have helped Malta to soften the blow allowing it, not only Opposition leader Bernard Grech to be in a position to present another budget for 2021 without described it as “a budget that does raising or introducing any taxes, but to introduce measures in sup - not plan ahead; it plans for today port of families and businesses amounting to over €7 billion. but forgets about tomorrow”. Malta's deficit will balloon to 9.4% this year, but the country's (read comments about the budget low level of na - by the Prime Minister, the Leader tional debt means of the Opposition, the social part - Despite COVID-19 year that it is in a good ners and the media in Maltese on 35 companies attracted as position to weather pages 14 and 15) Foreign Direct Investment espite the COVID-19 pandemic, during this year, Malta Enterprise has attracted Malta reiterates Citizenship is D35 companies to Malta as Foreign Direct In - vestment. a member state competence This was stated by the Minister for the eeks ago, the Government an - Since the IIP’s inception, around 1,460 Economy, Investment and Small Businesses nounced that the Malta Individual In - families have been approved for a Maltese Silvio Schembri while he was addressing the Wvestor Programme would be coming to a passport, and just over 500 were not ap - conference entitled 'Future Realised', hosted close. In fact, the agency that operates the proved. by EY. IIP has, since last August, stopped receiv - Through the programme, the National De - He said that this is indeed an encouraging ing new applications, and will also be clos - velopment and Social Fund invested in social result, as it means that Malta Enterprise has ing in the coming weeks. housing, healthcare equipment, and upgrad - already attracted three more FDI than last Meanwhile, a week ago, the expert group ing of health centres, and also supported the year, when the number stood at 32. established by the European Commission Maltese economy during the COVID-19 The companies vary from manufacturing to on citizenship and residence by investment pandemic, saving both lives and jobs. digital games, artificial intelligence and legislations found in most European mem - The new regulations will ensure the high - blockchain. ber states has raised some concerns, and est standards in the sector of residence by He said, “Our firms have not solely been Malta has taken note of its concerns. investment. They include that individuals resilient, they have also shown remarkable However, the government, through the can only apply for citizenship after three adaptability. Key amongst them is our man - Parliamentary Secretariat for Citizenship years of residence or by exception through ufacturing industry, wherein some firms even and Communities reiterates that citizenship higher investment after one year. managed to switch their production lines to is a member state’s competence, whereby Furthermore, individuals would be al - other products to accommodate new de - every European country decides on its own lowed to apply for citizenship only after a mand. who are the individuals that it believes thorough due diligence assessment has Minister Schembri reiterated Malta's long- should receive citizenship. been conducted. term economic vision based on five main pil - Malta has said that while taking into con - The government will keep on publishing lars; economic growth, education and sideration the European Commission's con - the names of all persons who obtain Mal - employment, better infrastructure and invest - cerns and recommendations, it would be tese citizenship and also start to publish the ment, sustainability and carbon neutrality by implementing new residence regulations names of all persons deprived of Maltese 2050 and, good governance, law and order. that may lead to citizenship. nationality. Tuesday, October 27, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 13 Roundup of News About Malta Minister Bartolo on: ‘Counter terrorism efforts under pandemic conditions’ virtual webinar titled ‘Counter Ter - there. He said that shortsighted regime rorism Efforts Under Pandemic change destroys order and creates a failed Conditions’ was held under the aus - state in which institutions collapse and ter - pAices of the Minister for Foreign and Euro - rorists thrive. pean Affairs Evarist Bartolo (right) and his He concluded by saying that the interna - Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. tional community should come closer to - The online seminar was organised by the gether to tackle the threat of terrorism, as Turkish Antalya Diplomacy Forum in co - it is only collectively that states can suffi - operation with the International Institute ciently safeguard their security against for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), lasting threats such as terrorism. which is based in Malta. Other participants included, the Ministers In his address to the seminar, Minister from the Netherlands and Kuwait, the repre - Bartolo reiterated that the threat of terror - sentative of IIJ and the Ambassador of ADF. ism continues to evolve, and that the COVID-19 pandemic has added yet an - 5+5 Ministerial meeting Mediterranean to foster cooperation, partic - other layer of complexity, as terrorist or - Later in the week Minister Bartolo also co- ularly in the current circumstances when all ganisations shifted their activities to adapt chaired the 16th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting countries are challenged by the pandemic. to taking advantage of the pandemic’s of the 5+5 Western Mediterranean Dialogue He also reiterated Malta’s support for initia - wide-ranging impacts. that was hosted virtually by Tunisia. The tives facilitating peace and stability in Libya He added that the prosperity and well- overall theme of the meeting was ‘Together as a primary objective of Malta’s foreign being of citizens depends on them being for collective security and partnership in the policy. In this context, Malta was being safe. In this regard, he held that ensuring Western Basin for the Mediterranean’. proactive with all Libyan interlocutors to the safety of societies and their citizens Other attendees included the foreign minis - create the conditions for dialogue. couldn’t be achieved through unilateralism. ters of the 5+5 countries – Algeria, France, Referring to the Middle East Peace Process, “It is easier to wage war and win it rather Italy, Malta, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Mau - the minister reiterated Malta’s consistent po - than to restore peace” and that, “rather ritania, Portugal and Spain. The High Repre - sition in favour of a two-state solution, and than preach and point accusing fingers, we sentative of the European Union for Foreign in compliance with UN Security Council must support the difficult work for build - Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-Presi - Resolutions and the internationally agreed ing resilient states,” Minister Bartolo said. dent of the European Commission Josep Bor - parameters. Referring to the situation in Libya, he rell also attended as representatives lauded Prime Minister Serraj and Minister of observer institutions. Fathi Bashagha for their brave actions in Minister Bartolo spoke about the dismantling networks of organised crime importance of dialogue in the Miriam Dalli and Bonds to finance green economy projects Clyde Caruana n meetings with Luxembourg Envi - effects of climate change including ronment Minister Carole Di - emissions, and creating new green jobs. sworn in as new Ieschbourg and the Finance Ministry in Green bonds are a way to finance sus - Luxembourg, Minister for the Environ - tainable and environmental projects ment, Climate Change and Planning such as renewable energy projects, Labour MPs Aaron Farrugia discussed the structures clean transport, energy-efficient build - efore the presentation of the Budget 2021, by necessary for the country to make use ings and waste management initiatives. Malta’s Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, two of green bonds for projects that pro - Green bonds abide to the rules laid out nBew Labour MPs Dr Miriam Dalli and Clyde Caru - mote quality of life, environmental by the Climate Bonds Initiative. ana were sworn in as Parliamentarians. health and sustainable projects. The Ministers discussed how, just a Miriam Dalli, a lawyer by profession, served in the This is by way of following up on the few weeks ago, Luxembourg became European Parliament In the past six years. She was announcement in the Budget for 2021 the first European country to launch its co-opted to fill in for former Prime Minister Joseph that the Malta Stock Exchange would Sustainability Bond Framework. This Muscat, while Clyde Caruana fills the seat vacated be offering an attractive package to in - innovative framework, which meets the by backbencher Etienne Grech. vestors for green bonds to finance highest market standards, is also the Caruana, an economist, served as chief of staff in the green economy projects. first in the world to fully comply with Office of the Prime Minister and headed JobsPlus. Minister Farrugia explained that these the new recommendations of the Euro - Miriam Dalli is reported telling Playbook “I was projects, which are infrastructural in pean taxonomy for green financing. called to contribute actively back home in Malta, and nature, need to be beneficial to all; pro - Minister Farrugia said that green I couldn’t say no to my country.” tecting the environment, mitigating the bonds coupled with the investments She went on : “I am proud of the work I did in the being made, as well past years with the S&D in the European Parliament. as the Resilience and I will continue pushing for a progressive agenda wher - Minister Aaron Farrugia Recovery Fund, ever I am. (right) during his meeting would lead Malta to “I am looking forward to this challenge because I its ecological transi - want to make sure that what we fought hard for in the tion towards the European Parliament becomes a reality in our member Malta of tomorrow. states.” 14 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday October 27, 2020

Il-baġit tal-2021 Maltin b’saħħitna ‘l quddiem eta ġie biex jippreżenta l-baġit fmiżuri lill-familji u n-negozji. għall-2021 f’mument insolitu Sadanittant, il-Ministru Scicluna qal li l- minħabba l-pandemija COVID- akbar sodisfazzjon tiegħu hu li bħat- 1M9, l-Gvern għażel it-tema ta’ Maltin tmienja ta’ qabel, l-baġit, kien magħmul b’saħħitna ‘l quddiem, filwaqt li wara li l- b’mod ekonomiku u mhux finanzjarju Ministru tal-Finanzi Edward Scicluna qrah biss. fil-Parlament – id-disa’ wieħed tiegħu - il- Hemm għadd ta’ miżuri li ntlaqgħu b’ - Prim Ministru fissru bħala l-aqwa wieħed sodisfazzjon kbir u fil-fatt, l-imsieħba soċ - fl-istorja tal-pajjiż u li jifrex it-triq għal jali u l-korpi kostitwiti kellhom reazzjoni mill-inqas għaxar snin oħra. pożitiva għall-miżuri mħabbra. Laqgħuh Il-baġit għas-sena d-dieħla se jiswa lill- tajjeb ukoll il-ħaddiema, in-nies tan-ne - Gvern €7biljun, u l-Prim Ministru Abela gozju, il-pensjonanti li ġew se jiġu qal li dan u hu wieħed ta’ serħan il-moħħ, mogħtija żieda ta’ €5 fil-ġimgħa (€260 fis- tama u kuraġġ li jħares lejn iċ-ċirkostanzi sena). Fil-fatt hemm ippjanati 35 miżura tal-preżent u li ġie ippreżentat f’kuntest soċjali li għalihom hemm ivvutati rekord tal-ikbar kriżi dinjija mill-aħħar gwerra ‘l ta’ €2 biljuni. hawn. Minn din l-għajnuna li mistennija jgawdu Skont hu, il-mizuri se jgħinu biex Malta famijli, tfal, pensjonanti u persuni vulner - tibqa’ għaddejja waqt dan iż-żmien ta’ abbli tfisser żieda ta’ 90 miljun ewro fil- sfida b’miżuri li jgħinu lill-oqsma kollha baġit tas-sena d-dieħla, meta mqabbel tas-soċjetà. mal-benefiċċji soċjali mogħtija din is- Kuntrarju għal pajjiżi oħra mhux qed sena. Din iż-żieda se tkun riflessa fi €3 Il-Mnistru tal-Finanzi Edward Sci - idaħħal miżuri ta’ awsteritá jew taxxi u miljun iktar f’children’s allowance, li cluna waqt il-qari tal-estimi għall-2021 qed jagħti aktar minn mitt miljun Ewro minnha se jibbenefikaw ‘il fuq minn 40,000 familja Għawdex ukoll se jmur tajjeb tant li l- Naraw x’intqal dwar il-baġit ... Kap Eżekuttiv tal-Assoċjazzjoni tat- Turiżmu qal li l-miżuri se jiddiversikaw l-ekonomija Għawdxija. Il-Prim Ministru u ... Imma minkejja l-pożittivitá li wrew il- ekk kif intemm il-qari tal-estimi fil- Gvern se jagħti lill- korpi kostitwiti, kien hemm minnhom li Parlament fost l-ewwl li tkellmu pensjonanti żieda wkoll sabu x’jikkritika, filwaqt li l-Partit dHwaru kienu, il-Prim Ministru Robert tliet darbiet dik tal- Nazzjonalista fl-Oppożizzjoni, kif wara Abela u l-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni, Bernard għoli tal-ħajja. “Ba- kollox wieħed jistenna, xejn ma laqgħu Grech. It-tnejn li huma taw il-kummenti ġit bla ebda taxxa. lanqas ċenteżmu wieħed tajjeb. tagħhom waqt konfereni tstampa separati. f’taxxi. Magħna taf fejn Il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela (Stampa qiegħed.” lemin fuq) stqarr: “Affaċċjati minn kriżi ... il-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni ekonomika bla preċedent minflok in-naħa tal- dxin jibqgħu jlaħħqu mal-isfidi li għand - għamilna bħalma kienu għamlu amminis - Kap tal-Op - hom u lanqas dwar Għawdex. trazzjonijiet qabilna li qagħdu lura u ħadu pMożizzjoni Bernard Qal li l-Partit Nazzjonalista huwa l-partit miżuri ta’ awsterità, aħna ppreżentajna l- Grech (xellug) qal li bl-ideat u b’viżjoni, mentri dak Laburista, aqwa baġit fl-istorja ta’ pajjiżna.” “dan huwa baġit ta’ l-uniku pjan tiegħu huwa li jirbaħ l-elez - Abela sostna li fl-isfond ta’ pandemija li Gvern li għajja. zjoni ġenerali li jmiss. Huwa żied jgħid li ħarbtet id-dinja, il-finanzi tal-Gvern huma Baġit li ma jaħsibx l-Gvern Laburista m’għandux idea kif mfaħħra minn esperti internazzjonali u għal għada. Gvern joħloq niċeċ ġodda fl-ekonomija. b’saħħithom u b’hekk kien possibbli li bla pjan fit-tul li ma Saħaq li l-baġit mhux joffri soluzzjonijiet jitħabbar baġit ta’ dan il-kobor fehemx li s-sitwaz - għall-kriżi li għandna u fakkar kif dan il- Qal: “Dan hu baġit tliet darbiet ikbar zjoni fil-pajjiż illum hija kawża ta’ tmexxija baġit isemmi numru ta’ miżuri li ppropona minn baġits oħra, anke fiż-żminijiet fejn pa - ta’ xejn mhu xejn ta’ Robert Abela.” l-PN. Qal: “Aħna rridu ekonomija li taħ - jjiżna kien qiegħed igawdi mminn surplus, Saħaq li l-baġit fih proposti pożittivi iżda dem għan-nies. La dan mhux jagħmlu l- u dan mingħajr ma tiġi inkluża s-suppli - hemm oħrajn riċiklati. Żied jgħid li f’dan Gvern se nkunu qed nagħmluh aħna. ment tal-paga. Meta Gvern Nazzjonalista, il-baġit il-Gvern nesa l-għada u nesa jind - “Il-Gvern kellu jserraħ moħħ il-Maltin li huwa u jiffaċċja kriżi ekonomika ħafna irizza l-problemi li ninsabu fihom u dawk huma inkwetati bil-pandemija, kellu jip - iktar ratba minn din tal-lum, mar lura fuq li se nifffaċċjaw fil-futur immedjat. preżenta proposti ta’ kif se jwaqqaf l-imx - kelmtu u żied it-taxxi, aħna mhux talli lħaq- Kompla li l-Gvern qed jibża’ jiffaċċja r- ija, kellu jserraħ moħħ il-ħaddiema li na l-weħda tagħna, iżda rnexxielna naqbżu realtà tas-settur tas-saħħa, tat-turiżmu u l- jaħdmu fis-settur l-iktar milqut mill- l-aspettativi oriġinali tagħna. Dan huwa qagħda finanzjarja ta’ eluf ta’ familji COVID.” baġit li ma ntroduċa l-ebda taxxa ġdida.” Maltin. Grech saħaq li fil-baġit li ġie “Fil-baġits li għaddew tajna u tajna ppreżentat ma kien hemm xejn dwar kif se ‘Għall-Prim Ministru l-ba- imma qgħadna attenti u dan il-galbu jkunu indirizzati l-kontijiet tad-dawl u l- jfisser li fis-sitwazzjoni preżenti stajna ilma, kif se tkun indirizzata l-problema ta’ ġit kien l-aqwa wieħed fl-is - nagħtu aktar milli qatt tajna qabel.” 83,000 persuna f’riskju ta’ faqar, xejn torja; għall-Kap tal-PN kien Sostna li quddiem din il-pandemija l- dwar pjan biex in-negozji Maltin u Għaw- baġit ta’ Gvern li għajja’ Tuesday, October 27, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 15

‘Baġit fi żmien il-Gwerra’ -Editur tal- Malta today sejjaħ il-baġit 2021 “ A wartime L--edeiturdi qalui ttagħohomr ukjoll.a Bit-ltiti lu A wartime Budget il- Budget” li ġie f’ċirkustanzi li qatt ma kellna bħalhom.. Malta Today qalet li għalkemm il-baġit jidher li ħaseb Lċirkustanzi fejn il-poplu hu aktar moħħu fuq dak li qed jiġri fil- biżżejjed biex jagħti spinta għall-ekonomija, jista’ ma jkunx qasam tas-saħħa milli dak ekonomiku.... għalkemm sintendi l- biżżejjed biex jirnexxielu jagħmel dan jekk il-kriżi titwal. Bħal interess ta’ kif il-baġit kien se jolqot lil dak u lill-ieħor kien L ma jiġri fi żmien il-Gwerra il-baġit jipprova jgħolli l-moral tal- hemm. poplu. Mingħajr ma żied it-taxxi, il-Gvern irnexxielu li jpoġġi Jidher li kollox ma kollox il-baġit irċieva kummenti pożittivi, €100miljun fi bwiet il-poplu. għalkemm sintendi ma naqsux ukoll xi kummenti negattivi, l- Għalkemm jista’ jkun li l-Baġit ma jkunx biżżejjed jekk l-eped - aktar mill-Oppożizzjoni, li tistenniha. imija tul, “Nonetheless, it should be enough to raise morale, and inject some much-needed consumer confidence; and that, ultimately, is the role of X’qalu l-għaqdiet dwar il-baġit a wartime budget, too, ” ara kull baġit il-midja tati importanza sema’ mill-MHRA”; filwaqt li l-istess Għaqda sost - itemm l-editur kbira dwar dak li jgħidu dwaru l-mexxe - niet: “Baġit li jgħin lit-turiżmu jgħix”. Il- Maltatoday Il- Malta Independent: A jja tal-għaqdiet tal-ħaddiema u ta’ min qalet: – MHRA: Budget that helps tourism industry sound Plan for the Covid-19 Wiħaddem għax iqisuh miżien tajjeb. survive”. L-iNews qalet ukol li l-MHRA kuntenta era. Tgħid li kien baġit Biss fl-istess ħin l-midja lokali, kemm stampata għax “Bis-suppliment li se jagħti l-Gvern nistgħu in - pożittiv, bla taxxi u ħafna in - kif ukoll elettronika taż-żewġ partiti politiċi żommu l-ħaddiema fix-xogħol”. ċentivi ekonomiċi u soċjali għandha t-tendenza, li min-naħa tagħha tiffoka r- Il-ħruġ mill-ġdid tal- vouchers għoġbot ukoll lill- “Perhaps one would have rapporti l-aktar fuq dak li jaqbel mal-aġenda Kamra tal-Kummerċ Għawdxija bil- One news : liked to see more measures tagħha. tikkwotaha: “Nistennew li l- vouchers ikollhom im - related to sectors like the Naraw x’irrappurtaw li qalul-Għaqdiet: patt pożittiv f’Għawdex”, u lill-Paul Abela, Cham - environment, culture and Hawnhekk kważi kien hemm qbil bejn il-ġurnali ber t Kamra tal-SMEs jgħid li permezz ta’ din others.” kollha dwar li qalet Il- Malta Union of Teachers . L- l-iskema, l-inċentivi li kien daħħal il-Gvern u għa - Bit-titlu Budgetary push for illum : “'Baġit li jagħraf l-isfidi tal-pandemija iżda jnuniet oħra li ta l-Gvern: “Salvajna ħafna impjiegi the economy ta’ The Times limitat ħafna fil-qasam edukattiv'; L- iNews: u anki negozji”. L-istess Kamra imbagħad ilmentat tikteb li ħadd ma kellu xi “MUT: Baġit limitat fl-edukazzjoni għalkemm im - għax ma tnaqqsietx ir-rata tal-VAT. dubju li l-baġit ma kienx se bagħad, il- Onenews jagħti stampa oħra: “Gvern Il- Maltatoday irrappurtat lill- Malta Chamber of jkun wieħed li jittratta l-im - b’konsistenza fl-ippjanar tal-bini tal-iskejjel li SMEs tgħid: “Thumbs up for wage supplement but patt tal-Covid -19. baqa’ għaddej sena wara sena – l-MUT”. no VAT cut” . Filwaqt li n- Net News irrappurtaw- Kif sar fl-aħħar snin, tħab - Il-General Workers Union kellha kummenti pożit - hom jgħidu: “Bżonn ta’ aktar inċentivi tat-taxxi bru miżuri li jippromwovu tivi li ġew riflessi mill-ġurnali kollha. Il- MaltaTo - biex ikun hemm investimenti ġodda”. Iffokaw l-ugwaljanza soċjali. Ħaseb day: “GWU: Budget gives security, stability and ukoll dwar li qalet il-Kamra tal-Kummerċ: “Baġit - ukoll biex isalva l-impjiegi peace of mind ; In- Net News: il-GWU tilqa’ b’mod vag dwar l-irkupru tal-ekonomija” kif ukoll inizjattivi biex pożittiv il-miżuri mħabbra fil-baġit, bil- Onenews Ir-reazzjoni tal-For.U.M (li jiġbor fih għadd ta’ ikun hemm aktar konsum u tgħid li “Il-Gvern qed jistieden l-investitur privat Unjons Maltin) kellu reazzjoni mħallta. Netnews investiment. In-nefqa fis- biex flimkien ikollna tkabbir - Il-GWU” iffoka fuq li qalu: “Apprezzata l-ġurnata leave , iżda settur tas-saħħa tlaħħaq il- Iżda min-naħa tal-Unjon Ħaddiema Magħqudin, tibqa’ mhux imwettqa l-wegħda li s- sick leave jista’ €120 miljun. għalkemm faħħret diversi miżuri ikkrtikatu għax jintuża meta t-tfal ma jifilħux”. In-nefqa ta’ €6 biljuni hija sostniet, skont in- Net news: “Baġit b’nuqqas ta’ in - Imbagħad illum tagħżel il-pożittiv u tgħid li l- għolja imma meħtieġa fis- novazzjoni fil-miżuri mressqa – UHM”. Imbagħad FOR.U.M faħħret il-baġit: “li jagħraf id-diffikul - sitwazzjoni li ninsabu u l- il- One news pattiet billi ffukat fuq: “Il-UHM tilqa’ tajiet imma ma jżidx piżijiet' – L-istess għamlet Gvern jkun ġustifikat jekk diversi miżuri tal-baġit fothom l-estensjoni tal- Wage il- Maltatoday: “No new burdens on workers.” jissellef il-flus. Supplement u l-in- work benefit ” u “Il-Unjon Ħaddiema Maqgħudin laqgħet b’mod pożit - tiv diversi miżuri li ġew imħabbra fil-baġit.” Dan hu l-mod differenti kif l-akbar żewġ unjons iħarsu lejn il-baġit , u jista’ wkoll jir - rifletti lejn fejn ixaqilbu l-istess unjons. Għaqda oħra sodisfatta kienet l-Assoċjaz - zjoni Maltija tal-Iżvillupaturi bin- Net news tgħidilna: ”L-MDA tilqa’ l-inizjattivi mħab - bra fil-baġit” filwaqt li illum tiffoka fuq “Pass 'l quddiem biex is-suq tal-propjetà jkompli jikkontribwixxi għall-iżvilupp “Let Our Family sostenibbli – MDA”. One News marru lil hinn min hekk. Richard Spiteri Castle Hill Help You Through” Ikkwotaw dak li qalet Marthese Portelli 0407 202 167 Seven Hills – CEO tal-MDA “Nilqgħu b’sodisfazzjon li (02) 9659 0900 Windsor and Ħalli l-familja l-Gvern laqa’ l-proposti li tfasslu bi ħsieb.” all suburbs Is-Settur turistiku jidher li wkoll laqgħa taj - tagħna tgħin lill- jeb ħafna l-baġit bl- iNews tirrapporta lill- familja tiegħek President tal-MHRA jgħid: “Il-ħruġ mill-ġdid tal- vouchers jixhed li l-Gvern 16 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Let us OUT protest bus plastered with signs across Kings Way - a main Mel - calling on Victorian Pre - bourne arterial - calling the lock - mier Daniel Andrews to be down a 'Dan-made Disaster'. sAacked was seen motoring about Similar placards and posters have Melbourne in protest of Stage been popping up along roadsides, Four lockdown. The large coach with people wearing protest t- was spotted driving past Victorian shirts and plastering their cars with Parliament House on Spring Street stickers calling on Mr Andrews to where the premier holds his daily end the lockdown. press conferences. Speaking to the media after his The protest bus (pictured), which office was vandalised, a jubilant has a sign pleading 'LET US OUT' Mr Andrews said Victorians on one side and 'LET US WORK' should feel proud for decreasing on the other, is visiting Labor MPs the state's caseload so dramatically across locked down Melbourne. over recent weeks. It has been seen travelling across Tanya Plibersek Labor MP lashed inner-Melbourne, driving through out at her Liberal counterparts for St Kilda and along the Port Phillip their relentless attacks on the Vic - Bay. It is understood the bus com - toria Premier. “What he's done – pany behind the protest was put he hasn't done for popularity. He's out of business by the restrictions done it because he's considered it that have crippled the state. the right thing to do.” She said. Across Mel - bourne, signs of unrest among the community A bus calling for Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews continue to to be sacked seen driving past Parliament house in emerge, with a Melbourne in protest of Stage Four lockdown banner spread Demand for mental health skyrockets ore than a million Australians erage. A federal health official said the have sought mental health “jurisdictional” difference in relation treatment during the COVID- to Victoria was “stark”. M19 pandemic, new data shows. Health Minister Greg Hunt said the In Victoria, ongoing lockdowns have data was of significant concern. He sparked a social crisis, with a 30 per said nationally, since March 16, there cent rise in cases in the past four weeks. had been a 15 per cent increase in the Commonwealth health department number of Medicare-subsidised mental Betrayed by her lover figures reveal that in September and health services delivered, with 7.4 mil - he premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian (above) October, 350,884 Victorians sought ac - lion services provided and $819m paid admitted she “stuffed up”, but as we went to cess to Medicare-funded GPs, psychi - in benefits. Tpress she was still holding on with the support of all atrists, psychologists and counselling Mr Hunt said the Government's $2.4 her Government. Ms Berejiklian said she has always treatments. This was a 31 per cent in - billion telehealth package was making been a private person, and the scandal had become crease on the same period last year and it easier for those suffering anxiety or a “personal nightmare.” three times higher than the national av - depression to seek help. Ms Berejiklian was dragged into the saga when her boyfriend ex-MP Daryl Maguire appeared before ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corrup - tion). Labor maintains dominance in Capital Territory During an interview with a leading newspaper, the n the Australian Capital Territory's opposition,” Andrew Barr said. premier admitted that it was a brutal week of ICAC election, the Labor Party maintained “Tonight also has seen a very strong re - hearings with humiliating revelations about her love iIts dominance in Canberra with An - sult for the ACT Greens. I've spoken to affair. She said she was in love, but ended the rela - drew Barr again as Chief Minister. He Shane Rattenbury, and we will sit tionship only recently. The 50-year-old spinster has leads his party into 20 years of Labor down, Yvette and I, with Shane and his now all-but given up on romance. Government in the ACT. The ALP will team, over the coming week to put to - Mr Maguire had embarrassed her and left her feel - govern with the help of the Greens. gether a new government for this city. ing “silly”. She will never speak to him again. “I want to acknowledge that a democ - “But it will be a government that will racy only works if you have a strong be led by ACT Labor,” Barr said. (See page 11 for the history of corruption in NSW) Tuesday, October 27, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 17

English language test for migrants he introduction of an English lan - be split into five groups: visitor visas, hu - ployer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass guage requirement for Australian manitarian visas, study and training visas, 186) needs to have “competent” English. partner visa applications in 2021 family and partner visas, and working and For some visas, partners or dependents hTas left prospective migrants “freaking skilled visas. Visas in the study and skilled of the main applicant will also need to out” and migration agents scrambling streams already have some level of Eng - meet an English language requirement or after the unexpected change was included lish language requirement, which changes pay additional fees, up to $9,000 in some in the last federal budget. depending on which visa within the cases, instead of meeting the requirement. Labor, multiculturalism advocates and stream you are applying for. Citizens of the United Kingdom, Ireland, demographers have criticised the decision For example, a training visa (subclass 407) the United States, Canada and New as unfair and reminiscent of the White requires the applicant to have “functional” Zealand are not required to undergo a test Australia Policy, while Prime Minister English while someone applying for an Em - to prove they are English speakers. Scott Morrison described it as “pro-mi - grant but also pro-Australia”. Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge said the changes would improve “social cohesion” and ensure more migrants are able to get jobs in Australia, with further details of the requirement to be announced over the next few months. Australia's migration system can largely

Abortion for South Australia bortion would be decriminalised in the nation. South Australia under legislation intro - Under the bill, the approval of two med - Aduced to the State's Parliament. Under cur - ical practitioners will be required only for rent legislation, an abortion performed in the an abortion after 22 weeks and six days state under certain conditions – such as gestation. The current requirement of a without the approval of two doctors or out - minimum two-months residency in the side a prescribed hospital – is an offence. state in order to terminate a pregnancy Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said will be removed. the Termination of Pregnancy Bill would The only continuing criminal offence remove provisions under the 1935 Crimi - will relate to a seven-year imprisonment nal Law Consolidation Act, and bring penalty to anyone who is not qualified to Jacinda for South Australia into line with the rest of perform or assist an abortion. New Zealand acinda Ardern, the Labor party leader of NZ has recorded a historic landslide vic - Jtory and a second term in office. Labor will Michelle Rowland MP have an outright majority since proportional voting started in 1996. Shadow Minister for Communications She could get 67 seats in the 120-seat Par - Federal Member for Greenway liament, a feat rarely achieved. She said NZ has shown that the Labor Party its greatest support in at least 50 years. The 2020 New Zealand general election determined the composition of the 53rd Parliament. Voters elected 120 members to the House of Representatives, 72 from sin - Level 1. Suite 101C, 130 Main Street, Blacktown gle-member electorates and 48 from closed PO Box 8525, Blacktown NSW 2148 party lists. Two referendums, one on the personal use (02) 9671 4780 [email protected] of cannabis and one on euthanasia, were MRowlandMP www.michellerowland.com.au also held. Results will be announced at the end of this month. 18 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija u dawk li matul

illusm- msineflok ill-bijo għrafiaja dwmar xiu kitti geb ħMaalti lqeld- nid -żvmieitul, ugħaplkepmm tmahuxl p-osisiblbsli li tegħnid k oMllox gaħaxl ttkuin dedika l-paġna lil Dun Karm Psaila f’xahar iddedikat lilu tinħtieġ l-ispazju tal-magazine kollu. Fil-ħarġa 212 ta’ The minħabba li l-Poeta Nazzjonali twieled, u anke miet fih. Voice kont ktibt xi ħaġa dwaru, fosthom kollox li l-ewwel Qed nagħti mhux il-bijogrifija tiegħu. Dik nagħmilha poeżija bil-Malti tiegħu kienet iġġib l-isem ta’ Quddiem aktar ‘l qudiem, imma se nagħti xi tagħrif ieħor dwar ħidt - Xbieha tal-Madonna. TTiisslliimmaa lliillll--PPooeettaa NNaazzzzjjoonnaallii DDuunn KKaarrmm ttubru huwa marbut mat-twelid u l-mewt tal-poeta nazzjonali Dun Karm li twieled f’Ħaż-Żebbuġ nhar it-18 ta’ Ottubru 1871 u miet f’San Ġiljan nhar it-13 ta’ Ottubru 1961. OIl-Kumitat Festi Nazzjonali permezz ta’ Festivals Malta flimkien mal-Akkademja tal-Malti fakkar lill-poeta nazzjon - ali b’attivitajiet apposta, imma minħabba ċ-ċirkostanżi ta’ bħalissa li minħabba fihom ma jistgħux isiru attivitajiet fejn jinġemgħu n-nies, Festivals Malta ikkordina u iffinanzja sett ta’ dokumentarji qosra li trattaw diversi aspetti minn ħajjet il-poeta. Id-dokumentarji ferm interssanti xxandru matul ix-xahar fuq TVM wara l-aħbarijiet tat-8.00 p.m. Wieħed jista’ jsegwi dawn is-slots informattivi fuq il-paġna ta’ Facebook ta’ Festivals Malta , u d-dokumentrji fuq : https://www. facebook.com/watch/ 1991792094381620/397238128075229. Sadanittant, nhar is-16 ta’ Ottubru, il-poeta Nazzjonali tfakkar b’ċerimonja ċkejkna ta’ tqegħid tal-fjuri mal-monu - ment tiegħu fil-Furjana li għaliha attenda u poġġa kuruna l-Ministru għall-Wirt Nazzjonali, l-Arti u l-Gvern Lokali José Herrera (lemin) . Għal xi żmien, madwar il-monument, Festivals Malta tell - għu l-bnadar Maltin biex ifakkru aktar lill-pubbliku dwar dan il-wirt nazzjonali li jseddaq l-għaqda fost il-Maltin Dun Karm Psaila u d-dizzjunarju Malti-Ingliż un Karm Psaila huwa maħruf bħala Imma s-sehem ta’ Dun Karm fl-iżvilupp qablu, minħabba li Dun Karm ta aktar at - wieħed mill-aqwa poeti ta’ kull tal-Malti imur lil hinn mill-kitba tal-letter - tenzjoni għall-idjoma fiż-żewġ lingwi, kif żmien u rikonoxxut bħala l-poeta atura għax fl-1928 kien inħatar President ukoll l-espressjonijiet u kliem jew kitba li DNazzjonali. Fost kollox kiteb ukoll il-versi tal-Għaqda tal-Kitteba tal-Malti. tieħu ħsieb it-tifsir tagħha mix-xebħ (alle - għall-innu nazzjonali ta' Malta. Tmien snin wara ġie fdat mill-Gvern biex gorija). Kien ukoll jispjega fejn u kif jin - jaħdem fuq dizzjunarju Ingliż-Malti li kien tużaw aktar ċerti kliem. imsejjes fuq id-dizjunarju Ingliż li ħafna Skont il-magħruf kittieb u lexikografu minna konna nsegwu il- Concise Oxford Dic - Ġużé Aquilina (illum mejjet) kien qal li tionary . Kien għamlu bejn l-1947 u l-1955. mqabbel ma dizzjunarji oħra ta’ qablu, dak Dun Karm hu magħruf bħala ħaddiem ta’ Dun Karm tejjeb sew fuqhom, fosthom għaqli tal-kelma li kien ukoll għarbiel rett fuq dak ta’ Busuttil li kien ħareġ għall- tal-lingwa. Interessanti l-fatt li qabel l- ħabta tal-1900. 1912, Dun Karm kiteb biss bit-Taljan. Imma Aquilina jinnota li Dun Karm ħalla Fl-1947 kien ħareġ l-ewwel volum tad- barra ċertu kliem li ma kienx komuni waqt dizzjunarju Malti-Ingliż, filwaqt li erba’ it-taħdidiet imma li jekk ridna li l-Malti jis - snin wara, fl-1951 ġie mitbugħ ukoll it- sokta jinfirex f’oqsma differenti, fejn jista’ tieni volum, u fl-1955 ħareġ l-aħħar volum juża kliem imsellef, kien inevitabbli li jid - biex id-dizzjunarju kien komplut. daħħal fid-dizzjunarju. Bħala eżempju Erbgħin sena wara ħareġ ukoll id-dizzju - wieħed jista’ jsemmi l-kelma film, li għal - narju ta’ Dun Karm kif imkabbar minn iha Dun Karm juża, “dak li turi l-pellikola. Ġużé Diacono. B’danakollu ħassieba tal-ilsien Malti Id-differenza bejn id-dizzjunarju ta’ Dun jsostnu li d-dizzjunarju ta’ Dun Karm Karm u dawk li ħarġu qablu kienet, fost kol - jibqa’ l-aħħar ħolqa importanti fid-dizzju - lox, il-preżentazzjoni, li kienet tolqot l-għajn. narji bilingwi qabel ix-xogħol monumen - Kien ukoll dizzjunarju aktar sħiħ minn ta’ tali ta’ Ġużé Aquilina. Tuesday, October 27, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 19

Vjal Santu WIstin leading to St Mark’s church in Rabat Properties, monuments, visual corridors in Rabat given high protection status hirty-three properties and monu - on a design the famous Girolomo Cassar, to the Dimech family of sculptors. ments in Rabat, which include the started in 1571. It was completed by 1588. In Vjal Santu Wistin, a number of resi - Church dedicated to St. Mark and Although along the years some changes dences have been scheduled as Grade 2 iTts adjacent monastery, a number of unique to the interior design have been carried buildings for their architectural and histor - residences and statues located along Vjal out, the original structure is still that of ical merits. Santu Wistin, Triq il-Muzew, Is-Saqqajja Cassar. The Church is decorated with a All the properties have an extensive front and Triq Santu Wistin, have been given a portico, which enriches its harmonious garden and provide a very rare and open Grade 1 or Grade 2 protection status for façade. streetscape especially when considering their architecture and heritage value. Girolomo Cassar seems to have designed that streetscapes within Urban Conserva - The grading was done by the Planning the façade of the Church on Renaissance tion Areas normally consist of traditional Authority in close collaboration with the examples he had seen during his study in and narrow roads characterised by a series Superintendent of Cultural Heritage. Naples and Rome. Inside, the church has of facades/frontages. Grade 1 scheduling is the highest level of a simple architectural layout that includes The garden walls of all the properties all protection available and applies both to the a nave, two side aisles and a choir apse. have the same design and material and are listed building and its immediate sur - The Church is roofed over the wide nave mainly characterised by neogothic pi - roundings, preventing alterations. In with a barrel vault, which is one of the ear - lasters and iron gates. Built in the late 19th Grade 2 scheduled buildings can have liest in Malta and is considered to have century, these residences all carry fine ex - moderate alterations. served as a prototype for Cassar’s Co- amples of traditional ornate facades with The Church dedicated to St.Mark and its Cathedral in Valletta. traditional timber elements. adjacent monastery, which fall under the The adjacent Augustinian monastery, The properties along is-Saqqajja are religious order of the Augustinians, was which has undergone considerable restruc - mainly characterised by a Victorian influ - given the highest protection status as turing since it was originally built, is the ence. Three of the properties along this Grade 1 properties. design of architect Andrea Belli. street are built in a Tudor revival style with The construction of the Church, is based The facade of the convent is a highly or - neo-gothic influences, typically found in nate baroque one, with an Victorian Britain and very rare within the St Mark’s church in Rabat, emphasis being drawn onto local context. Malta ... given protection status the main entrance, through This style is characterised by the pres - columns, extensive sculp - ence of bay windows that are visible on ture and an elliptical bal - the facade. These houses, which were de - cony. signed by Andrea Vassallo, were designed There are four limestone to stand out particularly with the introduc - statues located within the tion of elaborate architectural detailing semi-circular piazza in front present on the facades. of the church at the begin - An important characteristic within this ning of Vjal Santu Wistin, area and which is now also protected is the also being scheduled as visual link between Vjal Santu Wistin and Grade 1, representing St Triq Santu Wistin, which interconnect Nicholas of Tolentino, Our through the semi-circular pjazza in front Lady of Consolation, St An - of St. Mark’s church. thony the Abbot and St Au - While the avenue serves as an important gustine. link between the centre of Rabat and the All the original statues are main gate of Mdina, the part of Triq Santu the work of Censu Sammut, Wistin from is-Saqqajja is one of the old - a master sculptor with ties est stretches leading into Rabat. 20 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday, October 27 2020

Mill-G ira ż G awdxija ħCharles Spiteri Kxif ta’ bust il-kwartieri tal-Victoria Scout Group, fir-Rabat, Għawdex, saret ċerimonja ta’ kxif ta’ bust ta’ Joseph G. Grech Fli kien il-fundatur u l-ewwel Group Scout Leader tal-grupp. Is-Sur Grech li miet ħesrem nhar is-6 ta’ Settembru 2018 kien magħruf bħala Skip. Skipper huwa l-isem li l-iScouts jużaw għas-Scout Leader tagħhom. Il-bust fil-bronż sar mill-iskultur żagħżugħ Għawdxi Manuel Farrugia u nħadem fil-funderija Taljana Domus Dei 1963. Il-bust tbierek mill-Isqof t’Għawdex, Mons.Anton Teuma. Fid-diskorsi tagħhom iċ-Chairman tal- Kunsill Michael Grech, il-Group Scout Ċentru Pastorali ġdid fin-Nadur Leader Lorrie Saliba u l-librar tal-Group ħadu kif tlesta proġett komunitarju Il-proġett il-ġdid jinkludi estensjoni li Carm Cachia semmew episodji mil-ħajja ieħor, iċ-Ċentru Pastorali Papa rduppjat l-ispazju tal-art eżistenti filwaqt li tal-iSkip, li serva bħala Group Scout Ġwanni Pawlu II fin-Nadur li ġie esternament inħolqot faċċata li tirrispetta l- Leader mill-1963 sal-1990 meta laħaq mbierek mill-Isqof Anton Teuma. karatteristiċi tal-UCA. Hemm ukoll għadd Chief Commissioner tal-Assoċjazzjoni G Din hija binja li se taqdi għadd ta’ fun - ta’ swali u ġnien fuq is-saqaf tat-tieni sular Maltija tal-iScouts. zjonijiet, fosthom ċentru għaż-żgħażagħ, b'veduti tal-knisja u l-Port tal-Imġarr. Matul l-10 snin f’din il-kariga qatt ma l-uffiċċji parrokkjali, ir-radju komunitarju Preżenti għall-ftuħ uffiċjali kien hemm nesa l-grupp tiegħu. Wara li temm mill-ka - u l-mużew parrokkjali. ukoll il-Ministru għal Għawdex Clint rigi f’Malta, inħatar membru fil-Kunsill Camilleri, il-Membru Parlamentari Ewro- tal-Group u kien membru ħabrieki. pew Dr Josianne Cutajar, il-perit inkarigat Aktar tard inħatar bħala l-ewwel Pa - mix-xogħol Edward Scerri, rappreżentati trun tal-Victoria Scout Group. tal-Kunsill Lokali tan-Nadur, u l-Kapitlu Waqt l-okkażjoni t-Teżorier tal- u l-kleru tal-Bażilika ta’ San Pietru u San Group, Gino Mizzi ppreżenta ċekk Pawl. lill-isqof biex jintuża għall-karità, fil - waqt li wara, Carm Cachia ip - Fuq: L-inawgurazzjoni taċ-ċentru. preżenta kopja tal-ktieb tiegħu li fih Mix-xellug: l-Arċipriet Jimmy Xerri, irrakkonta l-istorja tal-ewwel 50 sena Mons. Isqof Teuma, id-Direttur taċ- tal-Group, lill-Ministru, lill-Isqof u ċentru u Viċi-Parrokku Fr Mark lill-iskultur. Bonello, u l-abbati Lucas Portelli Preżenti kien hemm ukoll il-Min - istru għal Għawdex Clint Camilleri, l-Isqof t’Għawdex Mons Anton Teuma, iċ-Chief Scout u ċ-Chief Commissioner tal-Assoċjazzjoni tal-iS - couts Maltija, Reuben Lanfranco u Anton Pisani rispettivament, is-Sindku tal-Belt Victoria Josef Schembri u l-Patrun tal- Group Mr Giovan Pace u membri tal-familja tas- Sur Grech.

LEMIN: Waqt il-kxif tal- bust. Mix-xellug: Lor - rie Saliba, l-Isqof Mons Anton Teuma, il-Min - istru Clint Camilleri u ċ-Chairman tal-Kunsill Michael Grech Tuesday October 27, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 21 Inawgurat il-proġett tal-mini ta’ Santa Luċija har il-Ħamis li għadda ġew miftuħa għat-trafiku l-mini ta’ Santa Luċija (Santa Lucija underpass) li skont il- NPrim Ministru Robert Abela li inawgurah, dan hu proġett li kien mistenni u mixtieq minn ħafna nies li jgħixu fin-Nofsinhar tal- pajjiż, u li se jkun qed inaqqas aktar minn 30% l-ħin tal-ivvjaġġar. Il-ftuħ sar fil-preżenza tal-Ministru għat- Trasport, l-Infrastruttura u l-Proġetti Kapitali Ian Borg u s-Segretarju Parlamentari għall- Fondi Ewropej Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi. Il-mini se jnaqqsu d-dewmien u wkoll l- emissjonijiet kawża tal-konġestjoni. Sa ftit qabel is-sajf tal-2019, ir-roundabout kienet teħel hekk kif kienet tgħaqqad Raħal Ġdid u l-Marsa. gġadd ta' rotot u ta' Il-Ministru Borg fisser il- toroq essenzjali jum tal-ftuħ tal-proġett bħala għar-residenti tal- wieħed importanti li mhux inħawi. Illum, dan biss ta prova oħra ta' gvern l-iżvilupp qed effet - impenjat li jwassal proġetti tivament jelimina ta' kwalità, iżda li se jkompli minn mar-round - ttaffi l-isfidi li jiltaqgħu about il-karozzi ġe - magħhom in-nies li jgħixu jjin mill-Marsa jew jaħdmu fin-Nofsinhar ta' Junction u sejrin pajjiżna. Qal li fi ftit iktar lejn Tal-Barrani. minn sena il-mini tħaffru u Id-disinn ġdid se tista' tgħid kważi lesti. jtejjeb ukoll is-sig - Skont is-Segretarju Parla - urtà għar-residenti mentari Stefan Zrinzo Az - li jkunu jridu zopardi l-proġett tal-mini, joħorġu mill-irħula iffinanzjat b'fondi Ewropej, tagħhom biex għandu allokat għalih ftit jingħaqdu mar- aktar minn €18-il miljun rotot ewlenin li jil - mill-fond ta' koeżjoni li ġie taqgħu f'din il-junction. qrib, subway pedonali li qed tinbena mill- investit fis-settur infrastrutturali.. Minbarra din l-infrastruttura ta' kwalità ġdid u li se tkun aċċessibbli għal kulħadd u Il-proġett se jkun qed jifforma parti mill- aħjar għall-vetturi, il-proġett jinkludi wkoll għar-roti kif ukoll korsija pedonali u għaċ- dak ferm akbar ftit il-bogħod, tal-Marsa, li għadd ta' faċilitajiet għal mezzi alternattivi, ċiklisti li se tkun qed tgħaqqad netwerk sigur fih seba’ pontijiet u li mistenni jkun lest sa fosthom rikostruzzjoni tal-jogging track fil- bejn Ħal Luqa, Santa Luċija, Ħal Tarxien, tmiem dis-sena. Il-President ta’ Malta dwar il-pandemija i stqarrija, il-President ta’ Malta, George Vella qal li kif kien imb'wiċċ mar-riskju li jieħdu l-virus. mistenni, u kif sfortunatament qed iseħħ madwar id-dinja, il- Settur li jinkwieta ħafna lill-President pFandemija tal-COVID-19 reġgħet refgħet rasha, u minkejja l- hu tan-nies vulnerabbli, fosthom l- miżuri kollha u deċiżjonijiet meħuda mill-awtoritajiet tas-saħħa anzjani, li mill-bidu raw ħajjithom tin - qed ukoll iddur f’Malta, bl-għadd ta' nies milquta dejjem jiżdiedu. qaleb ta' taħt fuq. Il-President George Vella qal segwa l-andament ta' din l-imxija Innota bi pjaċir it-tibdil li ġie permess mill-bidu tagħha, u qal li din ta’ bħalissa f’Malta hija inkwetanti u mill-awtoritajiet tas-saħħa dwar kif il- qed toħloq tħassib, inkwiet, u ansjetà fis-setturi kollha tal-poplu qraba u l-ħbieb jagħtu l-aħħar tislima lill-għeżież tagħhom li jkunu Malti u Għawdxi. Qal li l-pandemija qed ikollha impatt fuq is-saħħa tilfu ħajjithom minħabba l-COVID-19. fiżika, mentali, u l-aspetti soċjali u ekonomiċi tal-ħajja taċ-ċittadin. Huwa sellem lil dawk b’din il-marda u esprima solidarjetà ma’ Iħoss li sitwazzjoni bħal din għandha twassalna biex ilkoll niġbdu qrabathom għall-mod kif kellhom jitbiegħdu mill-għeżież tagħhom ħabel wieħed, u noffru kooperazzjoni sħiħa fuq il-livelli kollha. meta l-aktar li xtaqu jkunu qribhom biex ikunu ta' wens u kuraġġ. “Tajjeb li nikkritikaw in-nuqqasijiet b'mod kostruttiv, u tajjeb Għamel kuraġġ lill-poplu kollu biex noħorgu minn din l-imxija bl- ukoll li nirrakomandaw prattiċi tajba li taw riżultati inkoraġġanti inqas ħsara possibbli, u appella għat-tħaris tas-saħħa mentali u li f'pajjiżi oħra,” qal, madankolu jħoss li xejn m'għandu jfixkel l-is - jiġu obduti d-direttivi tal-awtoritajiet tas-saħħa. Fl-istess waqt forzi kollettivi tagħna fil-ġlieda kontinwa kontra dan il-virus. ħeġġeġ biex jinżamm is-sens ta' tama ħaj u li wieħed iħares ‘l qud - Konxju tas-sagrifiċċji kemm mill-poplu inġenerali biex josserva diem lejn ġejjieni lura għan-normalità. u jwettaq id-direttivi mogħtija mill-awtoritajiet tas-saħħa, minn Wera x-xewqa li l-poplu jġedded id-determinazzjoni tiegħu biex dawk kollha mgħobbija bir-responsabbiltà li jħarsu s-saħħa pubb - jiġġieled din it-theddida għax mhux fil-bogħod iċ-ċans kbir li jasal lika, u dawk li mistennija jduru bil-pazjenti milquta mill-marda. il-vaċċin li jkun effettiv, u li jgħin biex tigġieleb il-pandemija. Il-President Vella qal li japprezza ferm ix-xogħol kontinwu tal- car - Il-President awgura li l-awtoritajiet li jsibu il-bilanċ delikat fit-tħaris ers fid-djar tal-anzjani u ta' dawk li x-xogħol tagħhom iġibhom wiċċ ta’ saħħet il-poplu, u jassigura it-tiġdid ekonomiku tal-pajjiż. Tuesday October 27, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 21

Incidence of dementia among Imut Patri Emmanuel Gatt - serva għal 40 sena fil-parroċċi CcAcordLingD to pa roThje eideca tofe chdoice tanod ibnad clucrke has sbee fallen ta’ Kellyville u Warrawong NSW FECCA study, control for CALD con - their family following a l-Mulej sej - the incidence of sumers was another issue diagnosis. jaħ miegħu Adementia within the Cul - reinforced during the re - There is, in fact, a Ilil Patri Ema- turally and Linguisti - cent Older Persons Advo - higher rate of medication nuel Gatt OFM cally Diverse (CALD) cacy Network's webinar mismanagement in some Conv. Kellu population is projected 'Safe and Inclusive Care'. cultural groups as a re - 76 sena. Huwa to increase more than What is consent for those sult of the blending of trabba f'Bur - threefold from 2010 to people who have a fear of traditional and western marrad u kien 2050, from approxi - authorities, for example, treatments. or- dnat l- mately 35,000 cases to and wouldn't be able to To help, Dementia Aus - ewwel saċerdot 120,000. Currently there ask questions and seek tralia has released a col - mill-istess par - is very little understand - clarification? lection of moving short roċċa fl-istess ing of how dementia can Also crucial is the need films in different lan - sena li din il- be addressed in the for programmes to im - guages as part of the 'It's Knisja ta' Bur - CALD community as prove health knowledge not a disgrace...it's de - marrad saret they are often excluded – only one in four Aus - mentia' series. They fea - parroċċa. from research. tralians from CALD ture carers of people Patri Emmanuel kien qed iservi fil-parroċċa That is a problem be - backgrounds has ade - living with dementia ta' Marija Addolorata f'San Pawl il-Baħar. cause it means we lack quate health literacy. speaking in their own Huwa kien ukoll magħruf sewwa fl-Awstralja direct knowledge of their That means adherence to language, and healthcare fejn għal 40 sena serva l-aktar fil-parroċċi ta’ needs and experiences, a medication regimen workers providing im - Kellyville u Warrawong NSW. and it also means our re - can be affected by a be - portant advice. Il-funeral tiegħu sar fil-parroċċa ta' San Pawl search lacks scientific lief in complementary il-Baħar nhar il-Ġimgħa li għadda. rigour by excluding 30% medicines, or patients Mary Patetsos , Il-Mulej jagħtih il-mistrieħ ta' dejjem. of the older population. may feel shame that such (FECCA Chairperson)

MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AND EUROPEAN AFFAIRS

High Commission & Consulates of Malta in Australia

High Commission of Malta - Canberra H.E. Mr. Charles Muscat (High Commissioner for Malta to Australia and non-resident High Commissioner to New Zealand) 38 Culgoa Circuit, O’Malley, ACT 2606

(02) 6290 1724 / 1426 / 1573 0433 799 947

www.foreignandeu.gov.mt [email protected]

Consulate General - Sydney Consulate General - Melbourne Mr. Lawrence Buhagiar (Consul General) Mr. Mario Farrugia Borg (Consul General) St. Martins Tower, Suite 10.04, Level 10, 31 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000 Suite 613, 6th Floor, 343 Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

(02) 9262 9500 0430 402 177 (03) 9670 8427 0413 621 177 (02) 9264 4722 [email protected] (03) 9670 9451 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Tuesday, October 27, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 23 CCoommmmuunniittyy NNeewwss

days and Sundays at 8am. Tune in to VIVA MALTA on COAST FM 96.3 Tune in to Community Radio in Gosford Cen - tral Coast NSW. Aired on Thursdays RRaaddiioo aanndd every fortnight from 6 pm -7 pm. Presenter: Nathalie Gatt. Television Web streaming: SoTme Readlioe stavtioinss maiy obe noff www.coastfm.org.au air due to covid-19 restrictions SBS MALTESE NEWS: L-Aħbarijiet MELBOURNE: on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or are now on SBSTV Viceland HD on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5-6 SYDNEY: listen to the MCC radio Channel 32 every Sunday at 8.00 pm, Fridays 5-6 pm and Saturdays programmes on 2GLF FM 89.3. a.m. and on Thursday at 8.00 a.m. 10-11am. Isma’ l-programm tar-radju bil-Malti BRISBANE mill-Kunsill Malti ta’ NSW minn fuq l- listen to the Maltese Pro - MELBOURNE: gramme on 4EB on Tuesdays 6.00 - on 98.9 North West istazzjon 2GLF 89.3FM. Also On De - . FM, every Friday 6.00 - 7.00p.m. mand on l-Internet: www.893fm.com.au ) 8.15am; Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm and Mondays 7.00 to 8.00pm. Pre - On Demand: Ethnic Maltese Council 11am) Maltese Community Radio Adelaide: senter: Emmanuel Brincat. Il-Ħadd 11.00 am: l-aħħar aħbarijiet Maltese Programmes on 5EBI 103.1fm: Sunday: 7.30am; Monday: On SBS Radio minn Malta, mużika, tagħrif, kultura, avviżi u suġġetti ta’ interess. 8.00 am; Monday: 6.00pm . Day Time Analogue and Digital Contact: Bernadette Buhagiar: 0420 Tuesdays and Fridays: 12:00-13:00 SBS Radio 2 on Channel 38 . Pro - 944 205. Email bernadettebuha - 97.7fm SBS 2. grammes can be accessed online [email protected] Ron Borg: 0418 To tune into digital radio you need a (live/catch up) at: sbs.com.au/maltese 843 850. Email [email protected] receiver or device with a DAB+ chip. (mobile), using the SBS Radio app. Tuning in is by station name not fre- 97.9 FM Melton Tuesday Maltese quency. Digital radio can also be For television news from Malta - Programme: 6.00 To 8.00 pm heard via digital TV. SBS2 TV 32 ( (Viceland) on Thurs - Presenter Miriam Vella La Valette Social Centre La Valette Social Centre Inc. 175 Walters Road, Blacktown Tel. 96225847 The Centre is now open again two days a week, Thursdays, Saturdays The Centre is a registered Covid-Safe Venue and all special requirements are in force including social distancing, restricted numbers, temperature tak - We offer legal services in Melbourne ing, patron register and Covid-Marshall. (Lt Collins Street) and Werribee. Flexible Respite is operating normally but Centre-Based Respite is re - Family law is our specialty. stricted due to low numbers that can be transported. • wills, powers of attorney, Charlie's Family Restaurant is open Thursdays and Saturdays • manage deceased estates, and provide for lunch and dinner. • purchase and sell property Bocci pitches are operating again with some restrictions. • purchase and sell businesses. Bingo : Saturday only at 8.00pm preceded by short Maltese movie at 7.30pm. • divorce, children, property, ______• child support, intervention orders. MASS: Thursday: 10.15am; Saturday: 5.30 p.m. (subject to availability of a priest.) • Maltese Wills, Powers of Attorney The Annual General Meeting is on the 30th October 2020 at 7.00 pm • Maltese Property matters. La Valette is a Covid-Safe organisation. Marlene Ebejer (speaks Maltese)is an accredited family law specialist no contestations for the major positions. Phone: 03 9741 1722 Changes at La Valette SC The following will be elected unop - www.ebejerlawyers.com.au) here are significant changes in the posed.: President: Godfrey Sultana; email [email protected] new committee of the La Valette So - V/President: Antoinette Caruana’ Secre - We get to the point, provide the right ad - cTial Centre of Blacktown NSW. tary: Antoine Mangion; Treasurer: Fran - vice and get the work done at a reason - Although the Annual General Meeting is cis Fitzpatrick able price. scheduled for October 30, there will be Full report in the next issue of The Voice L-aħbarijiet Please note: If you are unable to buy the tal-PBS (Malta) next issues of The Voice from the usual sources, you Il-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lill-SBS fl-Aw - stralja bis-servizz tal-aħbarijiettagħha, can inquire about our subscription at: imma l-qarrejja xorta huma mħeġġa [email protected] biex jidħlu fil- website tal-istazzjon We will deliver The Voice by mail to your address Malti: www.tvm.com.mt . għall-aħbari - anywhere in Australia. jiet kemm bil-Malti u bl-Ingliż. 24 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday, October 27, 2020 SSppoorrttss oonn ttwwoo ppaaggeess Elusive 2 repeats RMSR success he Maltese First 45 Elusive 2, re - peated last year’s success to win the 41st edition of the Rolex Middle Sea TRace organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club. It also becomes the first boat to win back-to-back races since Nita IV, which won three times between 1978 and 1980. The Maltese yacht, slipped across the line in a fading breeze to take the lead by just over one and a half hours. The crew of the Beneteau First 45, jointly skippered by Maya, Christoph and Aaron Podesta, had achieved something no boat had managed since 1980 - winning back- to-back races. The Podesta family chapter in the legend of the race, began by father Arthur back in 1968, continues to grow Meanwhile, in a fairy tale ending, two 70- foot ocean-racing maxis, both from Poland fought it out for the monohull line honours title with the winner only decided in the This is what victory in Latvia meant for the Maltese players and coaches final few miles. At a glance: In the end, I Love Poland, owned by the Late goal earns Malta *With the 1-0 win over Latvia, Malta are Polish National Foundation and skippered now unbeaten in three consecutive com - by Grzegorz Baranowski won the accolade first competitive away petitive games for the first time – the other from the largely Corinthian crew from the two matches were at home to Latvia 1-1 Yacht Club Sopot near Gdansk. I Love victory in seven years and away to Andorra all in the UEFA Na - Poland took the gun by a mere three min - t had been long in arriving, but when it tions League. It was also the third with the utes after four days of racing did, after six years the celebrations same scoreline away from home. Fifty yachts startd the 606 nm classic off - were never-ending. In Riga, Malta beat ILatvia 1-0 to win their first competitive Premier League 2020/21 in Malta match in seven years, since the win in Ar - menia in 2013. It was Malta's first-ever victory in the Na - No unbeaten teams; Hibs hit eight goals DAY 6 DAY 5 tions League, obtained with a Steve Borg he Football Premier League continues Hibernians v Lija A 8-1 Gudja U v Sliema 1-0 headed tally deep into added time. to produce a number of surprises this Gzira v Żejtun C 2-1 Birkirkara v Ħamrun 2-0 Victory was regarded as such a feat that it Tearly in the season with only five rounds of Floriana v Gudja 2-1 Gzira Utd v Lija A. 3-0 Valletta v St Lucia 1-1 Sta Lucia v Tarxien 2-0 was even reported on the main news bul - matches have been played. Ħamrun’s run Tarxien v Senglea 5-0 Balzan v Żejtun C 0-0 letins of every TV station in Malta soon as of four wins was halted when they lost to Mosta v Sirens pp Floriana v Senglea 1-0 it happened. Birkirkara, while Sliema also lost their un - Balzan v Ħamrun (Mon Hibernians v Mosta 3-2 It was a most deserved victory (on Octo - beaten reord with defeat against Gudja. It Birkirkara v Sliema day) Valletta v Sirens pp ber 13). It allowed them to moved up to the means that no team is unbeaten. DAY 4 team Senglea and second position in Group D1 of the compe - With three rounds played since the last Ħamrun S. v Gudja U 1-0 Gudja. Sliema W v Senglea 2-0 tition. With two matchdays to go, both at issue of The Voice , and with Ħamrun Spar - Hibernians v Valletta 1-1 Despite the ups home, against Andorra and Faroe Islands, tans playing late on Monday making it im - Sta Lucia v Floriana 2-1 and downs, there next month Malta entertains hopes of ob - possible for us to publish the result, we Balzan v Lija A. 1-0 are few changes to Gzira U v Mosta 6-1 taining the best placing in a competition. have two teams sharing the top of the Żejtun v Birkirkara 3-2 the top positions in league ladder, Gżira and Hibernians, who Sirens v Tarxien pp the league ladder have registered four victories on the trot. with Ħamru Spartans losing their position Four Sirens FC matches Both stand on 13 points. to Gżira and Hibs who now enjoy a point Ħamrun came a cropper against Birkir- lead 13 to 12. Floriana also share the posi - posponed due to Covid kara on Day 5. Prior to their 2-0 victory, tion with Ħamrun. Next come Sliema Wan - remier club Sirens FC’s fixtures until the Birkirkara had only collected one point derers with a game in hand, and Gudja. end of this month have been postponed. from their first four outings, and had previ - Gzira went on a scoring spree against TPhe postponed matches are those against ously lost 2-3 against newly promoted Ze - Mosta, beating them 6-1, but Hibernians Tarxien Rainbows FC (Oct. 17) , against Val - jtun for the Corinthians’ first-ever victory went two better by deeting Lija 8-1 for the letta FC (on Oct 21), Mosta FC (Oct. 25)) in the top division. Zejtun also held their season’s biggest win so far. Incidentally, and Lija Athletic FC (Oct. 31). own in the next matches, especially the one of Gżira’s scorers was midfielder An - The rescheduling of these fixtures is in scoreless draw with Balzan. drew Cohen who was making his 500th accordance with the mandatory 14-day pe - Before bowing out to Gudja in a 0-2 de - Premier League appearance. He made his riod for players currently in self-isolation feat, Sliema were the only unbeaten side debut 10 years ago with Hibernians. or quarantine plus a seven-day training pe - among the 16 Premier League teams. On Day 6 Valletta were hed to a 1-1 draw riod prior to affected club’s first match After losing to Sta Lucia on Day 4, de - by Sta Lucia and both now stand on eith post-COVID-19 recovery as laid out in the fending Champions Floriana returned to points along with Balzan. Senglea and Malta FA’s Return to Play Protocol. winning ways with victories over bottom Sirens are the wooden spoonists.