The Voice of the Maltese No. 167

Issue 167

The Voice of the Maltese (driven by the voice of its readers )

Fortnightly magazine for the Diaspora Diasp ora

Qastan

Pick $ Mix

Bigilla

Qagħaq tal-Għasel

November 21, 2017

Il-borġa ta’ San Martin

2 The Voice of the Maltese

SBS Radio failing to communicate and explain to ethnic communities

Tuesday November 21, 2017

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s most of the communities continue to grapple to understand the recent SBS changes to its radio services in Australia, The Voice of the Maltese raises several questions about the criteria and the distribution of services. That is because both the 2013 and 2017 criteria are basically the same, whilst the outcome is very different.

As criticism continues to mount about the irrelevance of SBS, in a statement on The Australian on Tuesday September 26 last, after the announcement of the new schedule, SBS chairman Bulent Hass Dellal, stated that, “criticism of the broadcaster often comes from those unfamiliar with its purpose.”

There is no doubt that SBS is failing miserably to communicate and explain to ethnic communities and mainstream media its operations in meeting its charter. The title itself: ‘True to its mission, SBS reflects our nation’s multicultural diversity’, raises a simple question, why is the language content on Radio so different from TV, if SBS is trying to meet the same charter?

Quite often SBS try to use Radio, when questions are raised about its charter. While the European content on TV is still predominant, the presence of the European languages on SBS Radio, continues to dissipate.

On the new schedule the Turkish and Croatian languages will each reduce one programme going from five hours per week to four hours, while the German will reduce two programmes, dropping to five from seven hours per week.

Twelve current languages, namely Norwegian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Swedish, Danish, Kannada, Tongan, Maori, Fijian, African (in English) Malay and Cook Island will be discontinued.

Hungarian, Bosnian and Albanian, regarded as high needs communities in the last schedule will also reduce to one programme per week. It is very interesting to know, why in less than five years, these communities are not regarded as high needs anymore!

With the reduction of hours in many language groups The Voice of the Maltese, has learned that less working hours now apply to producers and broadcasters presenting these languages, but there is no reduction in management numbers servicing these language groups.

The revised services will include seven new languages: Telugu, Karen, Tibetan, Hakha Chin, Rohingya, Mongolian and Kirundi (Rundi).

Whilst during the consultation process we were confused with the term ‘services’ rather than ‘programmes’, we were led to believe that changes would somehow affect the programmes on analogue.

This is not the case; even new languages were not allocated any airtime. All content in the new languages will be available only digitally via on demand audio podcasts, accessible via the SBS website and SBS radio app: ‘and, with more than half of those who speak these languages aged 20 to 54, will be catered for solely through digital services’¹.

It makes you wonder why SBS would employ staff to produce online content for digital savvy communities, which is not already available on Government Departments and Agencies websites, etc. to help these communities settle in Australia.

Any additional services allocated to large groups with significant growth from the previous census will result in employing digital producers to produce digital content only.

This has obviously angered many large community groups who were hoping to increase the number of programmes on analogue and possibly be given a block of two hours.

The Voice of the Maltese has discovered that hours taken from groups on the analogue schedule are left blank.

What does SBS intend to do with these time-slots? We will be watching with keen interest.

It is obvious that SBS Radio is moving its presence from analogue to digital: “it is evident audiences are increasingly consuming SBS’s inlangue content via digital platforms, a trend reflected in 110 per cent yearly

increase in the number of visitors to SBS Radio websites, with podcast downloads growing 75 per cent across the same period.’ ¹.

Content on digital platforms can be measured by the number of clicks, likes etc., but SBS Radio listenership is a mystery. SBS needs to start taking in account the listenership of each language, in particular those languages with substantial number of programmes per week, rather than go solely by the census to allocate extra services to digital savvy groups.

This makes the figures presented to lobby for more funds and in front of the senate hearing as fake. What is the listenership increase for those groups allocated a two-hour block in the last schedule?

This is why the Maltese community and other European languages are being disregarded by SBS standards.

These communities don’t give the numbers to SBS to boast: “a 110 per cent yearly increase in the number of visitors to SBS Radio websites.” ¹ According to the last census the Maltese community’s average age is 65+ and they consume radio services the old traditional way.

It is easy to feel intimidated or less important by SBS, as reported by many staff members: https://dailyreview.com.au/sbs-52-bullying-storiescounting/46802/) ² but as one of the communities that initiated the establishing of SBS Radio over 40 years ago, we continue to be the voice, not just of the Maltese, but for both emerging and established communities like us, without fear or favour.

References: 1. The Australian, Tuesday September 26 2017, Bulent Hass Dellal AO, chairman of SBS 2. SBS 32 bullying stories and continuing by Raymond Gil

The Voice of the Maltese 3

Malta has never been a mafia state

Tuesday November 21, 2017

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hat happens next is a very interesting article written recently by Martin Scicluna, a well-known columnist for The Times of Malta and a prominent Maltese.

Like so many before him, Martin Scicluna writes in depth about the aftermath of the tragic death of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the reaction to her death in the international media.

He writes: “Malta has passed through traumatic weeks since the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. All people of goodwill have been shocked and unsettled. All have felt deep compassion for the husband, sons and parents she left behind, and admired the dignity with which they have borne their loss.

There has been genuine mourning and heart-searching. But there has also been hatred, hysteria, hypocrisy, handwringing, exaggeration, deep misunderstanding and conspiracy theories aplenty about what this barbarous act tells us about the state of Malta today.

The rhetoric of some political commentators has replaced reasoned argument and concern with partisan distortion when what is desperately needed is a unified approach.

Misleading accounts have been generated by the international media and some in the European Parliament – abetted shamelessly by some in Malta – who have written unthinkingly and without a shred of evidence that Malta is a ‘Mafia State’.

In a Mafia State, it is the state itself that controls the criminal networks.

In these states, the government takes over existing criminal cartels not to stamp them out, but to control and use them for the benefit of the criminalised government leaders, and their accomplices and associates. It is a travesty to imply that Malta displays any of these elements.

Malta is no more a Mafia State today than it was 20 or 50 years ago. Our governance and administration since we attained independence have been consistently weak. Corruption starts with nepotism, cronyism and clientelism, then seeps into every pore of political life.

It was rife under previous Nationalist administrations and has been endemic since 2013 under the present Labour government. Successive governments have pledged reform, but have invariably fallen woefully short of their promises.

Anybody who argues that Malta is a

Front-page photo

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he collage on the front page shows a number of food stalls (and poster) at the traditional feast of St Martin at Baħrija earlier this month that once again attracted a large number of people.

Most of the visitors to the small village of Baħrija attend the activity to savour the traditional Maltese food prepared in the traditional way, and wine, offered by the various stalls. Among the food offered were those

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Mafia State is either deceitful or deluded. The international reputational damage done to Malta by this tragic killing has been toxic. A massive slice of Malta’s wealth, affecting both the financial services industry and the (over-heated) property market, is vulnerable and at risk of implosion.

Unless political parties act in a bipartisan and determined manner to counter the misleading image being spread about Malta, its moral capital will be undermined and the social, political and economic consequences will be catastrophic.

How Prime Minister Joseph Muscat handles this one act of brutality will define his premiership and place in history. In the face of the understandable emotional reaction to this event from people on both sides of Malta’s tribal divide, Muscat has reacted with dignity and composure.”

Mr Scicluna then suggests a fivepoint-plan to the Muscat Labour Government and concludes, “If Malta is to come through this crisis, the government must take bold, immediate action to address the long-standing constitutional, legal and reputational challenges which this crisis has exposed.

“Justice will not be done until this action is taken. The Prime Minister must now show moral leadership”.

The Voice of the Maltese, being a magazine published overseas feels duty bound to project a balanced view of what is happening in our beloved country, Malta, especially in the face of an orchestrated attack on its institutions.

mentioned in the traditional song, walnuts, almonds, chestnuts and figs, along with bigilla and mqaret The Fiera ta' San Martin - as it is known in Maltese, dates back at least a hundred years, where Maltese used to visit the small village of Baħrija to play games in order to try and win rabbits or a lamb. As the custom of betting for live animals is no longer considered legal or ethical the fair has now evolved into a feast of agriculture, tradition and entertainment for all the family.

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4 The Voice of the Maltese

The Maltese Islands offer an electric blend of local and international events to suit all tastes and ages. From the colourful fun-filled Carnival in February to the solemn Holy Week and Easter pageants, from the summertime village festas and open-air music festivals, to classical concerts and opera, sport tournaments, historical re-enactments, food and wine events, and so much more. There’s something for everyone, any time, any season

Tuesday November 21, 2017

SCAN HERE FOR

FULL EVENTS CALENDAR

Tuesday November 21, 2017

Recently, lonelyplanet.com, one of the most popular websites for travellers placed Malta in sixth place among the top countries in the world one should visit next year when the island would be celebrating it’s capital, Valletta’s nomination as European Capital of Culture for 2018.

After visiting the island, one of the portal’s correspondents wrote that breaking free from its traditional reputation as a destination for sun, sea and sand package holidays,

The Voice of the Maltese 5

Malta has begun to reveal a fresh new face to the world.

In her article (see extracts below), she notes that in preparation for its capital Valletta's reign as European Capital of Culture in 2018, many of the Malta’s most impressive historic sites have been restored, gastronomic restaurants and boutique hotels have sprung up, and exciting new nightlife and outdoor activities scenes have begun to develop.

Malta unpackaged: an independent traveller's guide

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ANNATYLER

(Lonely Planet Writer)

ith over 6000 years of history packed into its diminutive 314 sq. km, Malta is an absolute paradise for history buffs. Now is a great time to visit, because a number of the most significant sites have undergone renovations in the past few years.

Malta's Neolithic inhabitants left behind a series of mysterious circular temples scattered across the islands and voluptuous female statuettes (now in the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta), but the star attraction is the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum underground necropolis, which recently reopened with a new climate-control system and expanded visitor centre (book at least two months in advance, as only 80 visitors are permitted per day).

Probably the single most dramatic episode in Malta’s past was the Great Siege of 1565, a dramatic battle fought between around 700 besieged Knights and a huge invading Ottoman army.

Visitors can look around two of the Knights’ key defensive forts: Fort St Elmo in Valletta, which has been restored and transformed into the fascinating National War Museum, and the imposing Fort St Angelo in Vittoriosa, which is newly open to the public.

Malta came under siege again in WWII, when it's strategic position in the Mediterranean led Churchill to refer to it as an 'unsinkable aircraft carrier'. Malta was subjected to such heavy bombing from the Luftwaffe and Italian Air Force that the entire country was awarded the George Cross for bravery for withstanding it.

At the Lascaris War Rooms you can step back in time to this era and explore the evocative underground command centre where the defence of the island was masterminded.

Locally sourced, seasonal cuisine Malta has all the ingredients for an outstanding cuisine: a Mediterranean climate, half a dozen cultures blended together

over hundreds of years and delicious seafood plucked fresh from the ocean. A growing crop of top restaurants is transforming these great raw materials into gastronomic delights.

Outdoor adventures in Gozo For many visitors to Malta the one and only activity on the cards is relaxing on one of its many beautiful beaches. But anyone looking for an action-packed holiday should head for its sister island to the north. Gozo has long been seen as one of the Mediterranean’s best diving destinations, with dramatic underwater scenery and plentiful marine life.

One of the most renowned dives is the Blue Hole, a 10m-wide, 25m-deep vertical tunnel down through the limestone that connects with the open sea through an underwater arch about 8m down.

Smaller and more rural than Malta’s main island, Gozo is gradually becoming a destination for other activities, such as rock climbing, hiking and sea kayaking.

There are now over 300 bolted sport routes on top-quality limestone, all within a 15minute drive of each other, as well as numerous bouldering and deep-water soloing routes.

Hip nightlife on Valletta’s Strait Street If you think Malta’s nightlife is all about loud dance music, drunk teenagers and sticky dance floors, you’ll be pleasantly

surprised by the sophisticated scene springing up in Strait Street, a narrow alley that runs the length of Valletta’s historic old town.

In the first half of the 20th century, Strait Street was the prime destination for British and American sailors on shore leave.

Nicknamed ‘The Gut’, it was a cultural melting pot, packed with hole-in-the-wall bars, jazz musicians, bohemian artists and prostitutes. After being almost completely abandoned when the sailors left in the 80s, trendy bars are once again springing up in its long-silent nooks and crannies.

Boutique hotels and budget apartments Malta's accommodation scene has blossomed over the past few years, with a host of stylish boutique hotels popping up across the islands. A number of Valletta's baroque palaces and historic townhouses have been expertly converted into elegant and characterful boutique hotels, often with period features and rooftop sun terraces with stunning views of the city.

If you want to stay in a historic property but your budget doesn't stretch to a boutique hotel, consider staying in one of the many privately let apartments in the city, or across the harbour in Vittoriosa or Senglea. There are some great deals to be had on places with traditional tiled floors, Maltese balconies and sea views, and the handy ferry makes access to the city from across the harbour easy and cheap.

Rock climbing at Mġarr ix-Xini in Gozo

6 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 21, 2017

Another service offered by The Voice of the Maltese providing legal information to our readers

Land Tax: The Intricacies of the Primary Production Exemption

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by PaulSant

the first $3,357,000 then 2% over that.

or those who own more than one parcel of land, the headache brought on by opening your land tax bill is a frustratingly common experience. Many landowners are unsure about how land tax works. This article is designed to help you navigate the law (and perhaps arm you with the knowledge to soften the blow of next year’s bill!).

What is Land Tax?

Land tax is a NSW tax on the total value of land you own as at midnight 31 December each year. However, certain types of land are exempt from the obligation to pay land tax.

For example, your principle place of residence is exempt from land tax. A property is your principal place of residence if you use it as your main home. Also, the exemption is not affected by the value or size of the land.

If you own land that is not exempt from land tax, the rates of land tax will be levied on the total value of all of that land.

However, the news is not all sour! The first $549,000 worth of non-exempt land that you own is free from land tax.

If the value of your total pool of non-exempt land exceeds $549,000, the current rates of land tax are: a. $100 plus 1.6% of the property value; and b. If your total pool of value exceeds $3,357,000, the land tax is $45,028 for

Primary Production Land

There are a number of land tax exemptions, including an exemption for rural land used for “primary production” purposes. So, what does primary production actually mean?

“Land used for primary production” means land whose dominant use is: a. Farming for the purpose of selling the produce, or b. the maintenance of animals, for the purpose of selling them or their natural increase or bodily produce, or c. commercial fishing, or d. the keeping of bees, for the purpose of selling their honey, or e. growing mushrooms, orchids or flowers for sale.

What does “dominant” mean?

The word “dominant” is key! The land will not qualify for the primary production exemption if primary production is not the dominant use of that particular parcel of land. This means that land that is only used occasionally or irregularly for agistment is unlikely to qualify for the exemption.

If you use the same parcel of land for more than one purpose (for example, for a commercial purpose or for land development), you will need to consider whether the primary production is in fact the main use of the property. There are number of factors that are relevant, and they include: a. the area of land used by the activity, compared to the total size of the land;

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Also at: Level 4, 370 Pitt Street, Sydney. Ph: 8355 9999 Email: paul.sant@longtonlegal.com.au Maltese Spoken

b. whether you are using the land to its full potential for that activity; c. if there is more than one use, which the financial scale of each activity; which is the greater investment? ; d. the scale and intensity of each use; e. the length of time that each use has been conducted on the land; and f. the number of hours of labour spent working in each use.

Beware of “non-use” of vacant land

Not using land may trump your primary production use.

If primary production is the only activity that you conduct on that parcel of land, the scale of the activity becomes very important. Is the whole of the land being used? If you are not using the whole of the land, you will need to consider whether the primary production activity is substantial enough to rebut the suggestion that the land is predominantly unused.

If the land is mostly un-used, the primary production exemption will not be available.

What does “rural land” mean?

If your land is “rural land”, you’re halfway there! To obtain the exemption, you will only need to pass the dominant purpose test outlined above.

Land is classified as “rural land” if it is zoned “rural”, “rural-residential” or “non-urban”. Zoning categories which fall under “rural land” are RU1 Primary Production; RU2 Rural Landscape; RU3 Forestry; RU4 Primary Production Small Lots; RU5 Village; and RU6 Transition; R5 (“Large Lot Residential”).

If your land is not rural land, then you will have one more hurdle to jump. The primary production activity must also pass a commercial test. This means that the primary production must: a. have a significant and substantial commercial purpose or character; and b. be engaged in for the purpose of profit on a continuous or repetitive basis, whether or not a profit is actually made.

We have provided you with an overview of the topic above but you should consult a professional for advice specific to your circumstances.

Broadcaster with a smooth voice and determination

Tuesday November 21, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 7

ith SBS Radio, a station funded W by our money and forever dithering about allocated times to the

Maltese community, the medium of community radio has taken a higher profile in the communication arena.

Community radio is a radio service offering a third model of radio broadcasting in addition to commercial and public broadcasting. Community stations serve geographic communities and communities of interest. They broadcast content that is popular and relevant to a local, specific audience but is often overlooked by commercial or mass media broadcasters There are various community radio programmes aimed at the Maltese audience, especially in Victoria and NSW. It was, therefore, appropriate to select one of our prominent broadcasters on community radio to be our Personality of the Month for November

Emmanuel Brincat

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PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH

mmanuel Brincat started his apprenticeship in broadcasting when in October 1995 he was asked by the late Charles Camilleri to join 3ZZZ Maltese Broadcasting Group. After a 22-week training (part-time), in March 1966 he presented his first one-hour Maltese programme. After 22 years he is still involved in community radio but now with Radio 98.9 North West FM with a Monday 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm programme and a second programme on Friday 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm.

Currently he sits on the board of the committee of management of Radio 98.9 North West FM and holds the position of Vice President of the station, which is another first at this station for the Maltese community.

Emmanuel was born in Msida in 1944 and arrived in Melbourne 20 years later, in April 1964 on the M/V Sydney. He is married to Mary Anne. They have two children and three grandchildren. He always worked in the lighting industry and retired in 2015.

His involvement with the Maltese community reads like a book. In 1977/78 he served as secretary of the Fawkner Maltese Association and for two years he occupied the position as PRO with the Reskeon Maltese Association.

In July 1995 he was co-opted as secretary of the Maltese Community Council of Victoria and occupied the position until 2000.

During his time with community radio 3ZZZ, he held the position of Convenor for the Maltese programmes and for three terms he also served as Vice President and

Board member. He was the first Maltaborn person to hold the position of Vice President at the Station.

On September 26 last year Emmanuel Brincat parted company with Station 3ZZZ and the programme he presented for 18 years on Monday nights. He was convenor of the 3ZZZ Maltese Broadcasting Group for 18 of his 21 years there.

Asked to explain further about community radio, Emmanuel told The Voice of the Maltese that community radio is when local people produce and broadcast their own programmes and participate in operating the station. It is community space for people to meet and collaborate.

“It is extraordinarily fun and often life-changing. It typically leads to individual creativity and self-empowerment. Participants find it extraordinarily satisfying, not just to make radio in this unique fashion, but to also help transform community life,” Emmanuel said.

Radio Broadcasting and listening to Classical Music are among Emmanuel Brincat’s hobbies. He also likes spending time with family and grandchildren, and also loves listening to Maltese programmes from Malta as well as assisting The Voice when required.

Along with his wife, Mary Anne, he is still very active with the community and are members of a number of associations, including, The St. Sabastian Association, Maltese Hobson’s Bay Association, Rabat Malta Senior Citizens Association, Maltese Culture Centre of Albion, Australian Qala Association, Hadfield Golden Years Social Club, Newport & Newport Seniors Group and the Fontana Sacred Heart Association.

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 21, 2017

Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ...

The Voice of the Maltese for fortnightly fortnightly tnightly magazine magazine

is is a bi-lingual (in English and Maltese) fortnightly magazine that specifically targets all Maltese living abroad with emphasis on the Australian and Maltese scenes. e magazine can also be read in flipbook format online. A pdf copy is also sent via email on request.

If you require a printed copy we can also oblige.

Editors: Malta: Joseph Cutajar Australia: Lawrence Dimech: MOM, OAM, JP email address: maltesevoice@gmail.com

Letters for publication in The Voice magazine, either in Maltese or English should include name and e-mail address of the writer and be e-mailed to: maltesevoice@gmail.com.

Now you can also join us on facebook: https://www.facebook. com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese

Tim we are so proud of you

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Joseph Caruana from Ipswich, QLD writes:

he story about the founder of Christian Paul in the last issue of The Voice of the Maltese was very interesting and I feel proud that somebody like Tim Caruana has managed to smash through such an important barrier and at a young age manage to establish himself and his brand alongside others that have been dominating the stores.

I was elated that someone like Tim, who has Maltese blood in his veins, has come forward to claim his heritage and to express so much pride in being of Maltese descent. I really wish him well in his venture and would willingly suggest to the Maltese community, as other ethnic communities in Australia do to theirs, to use the services and buy products that are as competitive as those on the market, produce about their fellow Maltese.

I also would like to commend The Voice magazine for airing such stories about members of the Maltese community. It is always nice to know we have such people around.

Nieqfu lil min irid ikasbar lil Malta

inkejja li ninsab ngħix bogħod minn Malta li ħallejt – għax ġejt sfurzat – M għadni ngħożż lil din art twelidi, fost l-isbaħ Gerry Cassar minn Adelaide jikteb:

pajjiżi fl-Ewropa, u jiddispjaċini ħafna meta nara lil min, jekk Malti, li jkasbru.

Meta kont ngħix f’Malta u forsi ma kontx nifhem daqshekk kemm hu nazzjon importanti, maż-żmien, aktar ma bdejt nikber ilġibda lejh, minflok birdet, żdiedet. Xtaqt li stajt nerġa` lura ngħix Malta imma minħabba li lħaqt kabbart familja fl-Awstralja kien ikun ferm diffiċli għalija u għal marti, li hi mwielda l-Awstralja, li nħallu lil uliedna u n-neputijiet warajna.

Tgħidx kemm fraħt f’dawn l-aħħar snin nisma’, naqra u anke xi ftit, wara żewġ btajjel anke nara s-suċċess u l-progress li qed tagħmel Malta f’kull settur.

Imma għal dawn l-aħħar ftit ġimgħat, qed ikolli dieqa kbira nara li xi politiċi Maltin donnhom iridu jieħdu lil Malta lura fis-snn tad-dlam meta, fiż-żmien li kienu jippruvaw ipinġu lil Malta mal-barranin bħala xi post tal-waħx.

Missieri kien ġarr lill-familja lejn l-Awstralja biex nibdew ħajja ġdida. Ma felaħx

isofri aktar bla xogħol u kważi taħt persekuzzjoni għax ma kienx iħaddan l-istess twemmin ta’ dawk li għalihom il-ġid kien biss għas-sinjur u għal tal-qalba.

L-isfortuna li messet lil Malta b’dak iddelitt li ngħata pubbliċita`daqs kemm ingħata meta kien safa maqtul John F. Kennedy fl-Amerika, donnu li għal xi wħud kien iċ-ċans li bla rażan u bla raġuni jużawh ħalli jsawtu lil Malta u jiddeskrivuha bl-agħar aġġettivi fid-dizjunarju.

Kif qal qarrej fl-aħħar ħarġa fl-ittra taħt irras, “Cut-and-paste reports with the intention of harming Malta” l-għan ta’ min qed jippolitiċizza l-qtil jidher li hu kumplott maħsub biex inessi jew iċekken dak li wettqet Malta fl-aħħar snin. Il-ħasra hi li l-midja internazzjonali tistrieh wisq fuq tradituri Maltin li qed ituhom l-għalf biex jisfugaw lgħira li għandhom għal dan il-pajjiż ċkejken li qed jissupera t-twettieq minn pajjiżi ferm akbar fi kważi kull qasam.

Ninsab ċert li l-mentalita`f’Malta m’għadiex tas-sittinijiet u li hemm biżżejjed mexxejja u nies intelliġenti biex anke din id-darba jissuperaw l-ostakli li qed isibu.

Lill-poplu ngħidlu biex ma jħallix lil min irid ikasbar lil Malta.

Awguri Malta!

Għandna froġa

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T. Spiteri minn Shell Harbour NSW jikteb:

l-Awstralja għandna għadd ġmielu ta' konslijiet onorarji mingħajr konsiderazzjoni ta' fejn qegħdin u x'qed jagħmlu.

F’SA Australia għandna tnejn, f’Victoria għandna tnejn, imbagħad fi NSW, l-ikbar stat mank għandna wieħed. Naħseb li wasal iż-żmien li xi Ministru jagħti daqqa t'għajn lill-froġa li għandna fl-Awstralja fejn il-maġġoranza tal-Maltin mank jafu min qed jappreżentahom jew fejn jinsabu l-uffiċċini tagħhom.

The Voice of the Maltese 9

Tuesday November 21, 2017

Dual citizenship: Australia and the rest of the world Barnaby Joyce

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John Turner

Senator Ted Cruz

f Malcolm Malcolm Turnbull, the Prime Minister is to be believed, Australians have wildly different expectations of Australian politicians than most Western democracies.

Political reporter Henry Belot writing for ABC News Australia in his analysis looks at dual citizenship around the world and explains why they do not have the same difficulties as Australia Malcolm Turnbull says voters wouldn't support a referendum to change section 44 of the constitution, a once-obscure passage that has now claimed six political scalps including the former deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.

“I think it's questionable whether Australians would welcome dual citizens sitting in their Parliament,” Mr Turnbull said.

But dual citizens are currently welcome – with a few caveats and clauses – in the parliaments of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany and New Zealand, among others.

Our views – or at least the High Court's clear interpretation of the constitution – appear to be more in line with the Egyptian and Israeli constitutions, which have hardline positions on dual nationals.

In the United Kingdom, there's nothing to stop you running for parliament if you hold dual citizenship with Ireland, a Commonwealth nation or a handful of European Union countries with historic ties to the UK. It's not necessarily a problem in the United States either. Texas Senator Ted Cruz was born in Calgary and was a Canadian citizen until early last year. He only renounced his dual citizenship when running for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination – a political problem but not necessarily a constitutional one.

The US constitution states that the President and VicePresident must be “natural born citizens”. But the Harvard Law Review says Senator Cruz already complied with the constitution, as he was born to American citizens regardless of his birthplace.

The movie-star-turned Californian governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, famously retained his Austrian citizenship while serving in office.

Dual citizenship is not necessarily a political problem in Germany either.

The politician David McAllister, who was once considered a successor to Chancellor Angela Merkel, has British dual citizenship. He is the son of a Scottish soldier, but that didn't stop him being Germany's man in the European Parliament and chairing its foreign affairs committee.

Canada's former Prime Minister John Turner in 1984 was a dual British citizen, and the former head of the country's Liberal Party Stephane Dion was French.

About a decade ago, at least 11 members of the Canadian Parliament were dual citizens.

New Zealand allows candidates with dual citizenship

Harry Duynhoven

David McAllister

to be elected, although if they apply after they're elected, then they have to resign from office.

When Labour politician Harry Duynhoven applied to renew his Dutch citizenship in 2003, there was a threat of a by-election until the Government tweaked the law to save him.

Lots of comparable countries are not as strict on dual citizenship as we are. So it's little wonder the international media have been transfixed with the Australian constitutional circus, which will remain open for some time.

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Perspettiva

Tuesday November 21, 2017

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

Il-każ kurjuż tal-Katalonja

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mill-gvern ċentrali ta’ Spanja? Kif ma kienx hemm mobilizzazzjoni tal-pulizija ta' Katalonja u tal-amministrazzjoni lokali?

Għalhekk jidher li d-dikjarazzjoni unilaterali tal-indipendenza li saret jidher li kellha biss effett, u intenzjoni li tkun, simbolika, kien x’kien l-impressjoni li ngħatat lil dawk li jappoġġjaw dan il-pass.

Madankollu, il-gvern Spanjol jidher li għandu l-intenzjoni li la jirrispetta d-dikjarazzjoni tal-indipendenza li saret, u lanqas tas-sentiment qawwi indipendenti li hemm fir-reġjun.

Dan is-sentiment mhux se jispiċċa fix-xejn, tutt’altru.

Għandu għeruq twal fl-istorja, ilu ġej mill-bidu tat-tieni seklu w.K., fejn għadd ta’ kontej fil-grigal tal-peninsula Iberika, ingħaqdu taħt il-konti ta’ Barċellona biex isiru lPrinċipalità tal-Katalonja.

Aħna l-Maltin forsi m’aħniex wisq familjari mar-reġjun talKatalonja, imma jekk nikkunsidraw li l-Prinċipalità tal-Katalonja mbagħad ingħaqad mar-renju ta’ Aragon taħt l’hekk imsejjaħ Kuruna ta’ Aragon, iddoqq il-qanpiena fl-istorja Maltija tal-ħakma tal-Aragoniżi li saret bejn l-1282 sal-1530, meta Malta imbagħad għaddiet f’idejn il-Kavallieri.

Matul dak iż-żmien, il-Katalonja diġà kellha l-istruttura tagħha, it-tradizzjonijiet tagħha, il-lingwa tagħha (il-Katalan) li għadu mitkellem illum. Għalhekk għandha storja ta’ millinqas elf sena, u dan ma jistax jitħassar mil-lum għall-għada, anke jekk hu inkonvenjenti għall-gvern Spanjol u jqabbad ilbard f’pajjiżi oħra li għandhom ir-reġjuni antiki u kburin tagħhom li jippreferuhom li jibqgħu kwieti.

Jien ngħid li d-dikjarazzjoni tal-indipendenza li saret kienet prematura, u l-mexxejja tiegħu ma tawx importanza lill-impatt li r-reġjun Katalan, li hu l-iktar għani fi Spanja, ikollu fuq il-bqija tal-pajjiż meta sempliċement jitlaq.

Madankollu hemm aspirazzjonijiet li narahom leġittimi, fundati fl-istorja, li jridu jiġu kkunsidrati u rrispettati, anke jekk mhux ċar li jirriflettu r-rieda tal-maġġoranza tal-abitanti tarreġjun. Forsi l-passi li ttieħdu mill-mexxejja pro-indipendentisti tal-Katalonja kienu mgħaġġla u mhux maħsubin fit-tul.

Mill-banda l-oħra, jien naħseb ukoll li t-tweġiba tal-istat Spanjol, li juża l-id tal-ħadid u jirriġetta kull diskussjoni dwar is-suġġett, huwa wkoll mgħaġġel u mhux maħsub fit-tul.

Għalfejn il-Kostituzzjoni Spanjola ma tippermettix li jsir referendum fuq lDimostrazzjoni f’Barcellona minn dawk indipendenza Katalana, kemm firfavur l-Indipendenza għall-Katalunja reġjun u kemm fil-pajjiż sħiħ?

L-aspirazzjoni ta’ parti sostanzjali tal-poplu, jekk huwa leġittimu u b’għeruq b’saħħithom fl-istorja ta’ poplu kulturalment distint, ma jintefiex qisu swiċċ, u jekk jixxejjen mingħajr kumplimenti għandu mnejn iwassal għal konsegwenzi oħra, koroh. L-istorja tar-reġjun Bask għadu frisk wisq fil-memorja, bit-terroriżmu tal-grupp ETA. Aħjar diskussjoni miftuħa politika, demokratika, ċivili, kostituzzjonali, fuq forom possibbli ta’ iktar awtonomija milli kien hemm salbieraħ, u/jew fuq forom differenti ta’ kooperazzjoni, milli t-tisbit tal-istvali, tixjir tal-ixkubetti, daqqiet tal-lembubi u tfigħ ta’ nies ‘il-ħabs.

an l-aħħar segwejna l-iżviluppi, li għadhom sejrin fi Spanja, fejn ir-reġjun tal-Katalonja għamel tentattiv kontroversjali biex l-awtonomija tiegħu fi ħdan Spanja jibdilha f’indipendenza. Għal min mhux familjari miegħu, dan ir-reġun jinsab fil-grigal ta’ Spanja, fuq il-fruntiera ma’ Franza u l-Andorra, u l-belt kapitali tiegħu hija Barċellona.

L-ewwel pass kien jikkonsisti fir-referendum tal-1 ta’ Ottubru ta’ din is-sena, fejn 43% tal-popolazzjoni ivvutat li minnhom 92% kienu favur l-indipendenza. Ir-referendum kien iddikjarat kontra l-kositutuzzjoni mill-Qorti Kostituzzjonali Spanjola, u kien imfixkel anke bi vjolenza mill-pulizija Spanjola.

Imbagħad fl-10 ta’ Ottubru, il-President ta’ dakinhar tal-Katalonja Carles Pugdemont ħareġ stqarrija kemmxejn konfuża fejn l-ewwel iddikjara li l-poplu tal-Katalonja kien ta mandat sabiex ir-reġjun isir indipendenti u immedjatament stqarr li se jistaqsi lill-Parlament tal-Katalonja biex jissospendi l-effetti ta’ din id-dikjarazzjoni biex isiru taħdidiet mal-gvern Spanjol, taħdidiet li dan tal-aħħar ma kellu assolutament ebda intenzjoni li jagħmel.

Fl-aħħarnett, fis-27 ta’ Ottubru, il-Parlament tal-Katalonja għadda riżoluzzjoni fejn unilateralment iddikjara l-indipendenza.

Dan kollu sfaxxa fix-xejn, għax immedjatament, il-gvern Spanjol keċċa lil diversi ministri tal-Katalonja u lill-President, ħa f’idejh it-tmexxija tar-reġjun u sejjaħ għal elezzjoni ġdida, filwaqt li qorti Spanjola bdiet proċeduri kontra dawn ilmexxejja tar-reġjun u xliethom b’sedizzjoni.

Dan il-każ narah kurjuż għal diversi raġunijiet. L-ewwel ħaġa, jidher li hemm sentiment qawwi f’dan ir-reġjun għallindipendenza minn Spanja, iżda ma jidhirx li huwa predominanti. Bid-difetti kollha tiegħu, inkluż it-tfixkil mill-pulizija u d-dikjarazzjoni li kien kontra l-kostituzzjoni ta’ Spanja, irriżultat tar-referendum (92% favur minn 40% li vvutaw) ma weriex li kien hemm maġġoranza sostanzjali tar-reġjun li kienu favur l-indipendenza.

It-tieni nett, wara d-dikjarazzjoni tas-27 ta’ Ottubru, jidher li l-mexxejja tar-reġjun ma ħadux passi biex jimplementaw id-dikjarazzjoni nnifisha. Per eżempju, jekk ir-reġjun verament huwa indipendenti, kif aċċetta d-deċiżjonijiet li ġew

Anton Agius u l-pendenti tal-kopletti tan-navi għall-Knisja tan-Naxxar

The Voice of the Maltese 11

Tuesday November 21, 2017

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war l-iskultur, il-mibki Anton Agius diġa` ktibt darb’oħra, fil-ħarġa Nru 126 ta’ The Voice. Illum se nerġa` nikteb dwaru, imma did-darba se niffoka fuq xogħol kapolavur ieħor minn tiegħu, l-hekk magħrufa bħala l-pendenti tal-kopletti tan-navi li ħadem għall-Knisja tan-Naxxar.

L-ewwelnett għal min ma jafx, il-pendent f’dan il-każ fil-knejjes, huwa dak il-vojt fil-kantunieri (forma ta' maqrud) li jgħaqqad il-koppla mal-bażi tal-knisja. Ġeneralment fih isiru jew pittura inkella skultura. Fil-każ tal-knisja parrokkjali tal-Naxxar għażlu li jagħmlu skultura.

F'kull nava jkun hemm xi suġġett ġeneralment marbut mal-ħajja tal-qaddis/qaddisa patruna tal-parroċċa. Fil-każ tan-Naxxar f’kull nava hemm erba' pendent u l-iskultura hi marbuta mal-Madonna peress li fin-Naxxar jiċċelebraw il-festa ta' Marija Bambina.

Niftakar sew meta darba Anton kien qalli li kellu problema u li kien jaħseb li dieħel għal-biċċa xogħol kbira u ta’ uġiegh ir-ras.

Għall-fatt li dejjem kont naf li Anton qatt ma beża’ minn xejn fejn tidħol l-arti, staqsejtu jispjegali. Kont inqisu bħala ġgant f’dan il-qasam nobbli.

Niftakar li kien is-Sibt wara nofsinhar, il-ħin li fih kont inżur listudjo fejn kien jaħdem ħalli nsegwi x-xogħol li jkun qed jagħmel u ta’ ħbieb li konna wkoll ngħidu xi żewġ kelmiet. Diddarba ma kontx qed narah bħas-soltu.

B’ċerta kunfidenza għedtlu li tant għamel monumenti kbar u qatt ma beża’ minn xejn, allura għaliex kien daqshekk imħasseb? Ċaqlaq ftit rasu, għafas xuftejh, għorok id-daqna bajdanija tiegħu u qalli li kienu ċemplulu min-Naxxar jitolbuh ikompli l-pendenti tal-kopletti tan-navi li kien beda l-iskultur ħabib tiegħu Alfred Camilleri Cauchi.

Kien ġie f’dilemma xi tweġiba jtihom għax Alfred kien ħabib tiegħu u ma xtaqx li jidħollu fuq xogħlu. Anton kien ta’ rġulija u dejjem kellu kliem ta’ tifħir fejn jidħol Alfred Camilleri Cauchi.

F’daqqa waħda qalli, “Ħa ncempillu!” Hekk għamel. Neħħa kollox minn idejh u pront mar iċempel biex jiċċara din il-pożizzjoni tal-irġulija li Anton dejjem kien jemmen fiha.

Meta ġie lura qalli, “Hekk aħjar. Fredu (kif kien isejjaħlu Anton) għandu x’jagħmel u billi tan-Naxxar iriduhom malajr ma jistax jaqdihom f’qasir żmien, għalhekk qalilhom isibu lil ħaddieħor.”

Hekk bdiet l-istorja tal-għoxrin pendent tal-kopletti tan-navi li Anton Agius ħadem għall-knisja parrokkjali tan-Naxxar.

Ta’ skultur kbir li kien Anton Agius beda jaħdem lejl u nhar fuq dan ix-xogħol ġdid tiegħu. Fil-għaxija kien jiddisinja u fil-għodu jimmudella u jagħti l-forma.

F’kemm ilni ngħidlek beda jlesti waħda wara l-oħra: erba’ pendenti għal kull koppletta, b’kull sett ta’ erba’ pendenti jeħdulu madwar sena.

Meta kienu lesti kien jitlob lil huh Michael u xi ħbieb oħra jeħduhom in-Naxxar u jpoġġuhom f’posthom. L-għoxrin pendent lestihom fl-aħħar tal-1992.

Naf li Anton kien bata ħafna u ejjewh mhux ftit, għax bejn li liskultura hija dik li hi (trid is-saħħa u l-forza), bejn għax Anton kien marbut ma’ suġġett wieħed (naturalment religjuz), u wkoll għax kienu ta’ l-istess qies u għamla. Iżda ta’ġenju li kien fl-arti xorta għaraf isawwar fihom spirtu, moviment u kreazzjoni. InNaxxarin tassew għandhom biex jiftaħru b’dawn ix-xogħlijiet.

Anton Agius li miet filgħodu tad-19 ta’ Ottubru tal-2008 fl-eta’ ta’ 74 sena wara marda li kienet ilha fuqu bosta snin, jibqa’ magħruf l-aktar għall-monumenti sbieħ u kbar li jżejnu ħafna mill-pjazez Maltin. Iżda l-aktar xogħol għal qalbu kien dak li jinseġ mill-għeruq ta’ taħt l-art, li b’mod l-aktar naturali taf trawwem is-siġra Għalih l-għeruq kienu l-isbaħ dehra li taf toffri n-natura.

Kollezzjoni kbira ta’ dawn ix-xogħlijiet artistiċi u uniċi jinsabu fil-Mużew tal-Katidral l-Imdina.

Anton ħadem għadd ta’ xogħlijiet li jżejnu l-lokal fejn twieled u tant kien iħobb, ir-Rabat. Fil-Mużew Wignacourt fil-lokal, kien għamel l-akbar wirja tiegħu f’għeluq il-50 sena ta’ ħidmietu bħala skultur.

Huwa ħaddem sew it-talenti tiegħu. Fix-xogħlijiet tiegħu kien ikun drammatiku. Qatt ma seta’ jinfired minn dan.

Tul ħajtu qala’ fuq wiċċu. Kien jgħid li “in-natura kienet kiefra wisq miegħu”.

Kien bniedem sensittiv għall-aħħar, jgħin l-akar lill-batut. Kien ħabib ma kulħadd.

Il-ħsibijiet ta’ Anton dejjem iffukaw fuq l-arti, u l-familja li tant kien iħobb u li ta ħajtu għaliha. Id-destin kien kiefer miegħu iżda tfarraġ sewwa fl-arti. Għalkemm illinja tiegħu kienet dik akkademika (studja f’Malta u wkoll fl-Italja u l-Ingilterra), ma caħadx l-arti kontemporanja. Hadem anke ħafna xogħlijiet għal barra minn Malta.

Għall-ħidma kontinwa tiegħu fl-arti Anton irċieva għadd ta’ unuri fosthom mill-istat Malti. Fl-2005 ġie onorat bħala Membru tal-Ordni Nazzjonali tal-Mertu u s-sena ta’ waran għata l-Midalja tad-Deheb mis-Soċjeta tal-Arti Manifattura u Kummerċ.

Anton Agius, skultur, kavallier u professur m’għadux magħna, imma x-xogħlijiet kbar u artistiċi tiegħu jibqgħu ħajjin. Għad ikollna aktar studjużi u kritiċi tal-arti li jiskopru aktar lil dan l-artist.

M Uħud mill-pendenti (immarkati) li għamel Anton Agus fil-knisja tal-parroċċa tan-Naxxar

PeterPaulCiantar

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 21, 2017

Roundup of News About Malta Tourism, Trade and Muscat points out reasons for Education agreements Malta’s success in labourmarket signed in Tunisia visit

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ver the past five years in Malta, three initiatives were implemented that were fundamental to open up access to the labour market, the tapering of social security benefits, in-work benefits and free universal childcare, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said as he addressed the Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth in Gothenburg, Sweden that was also attended by various European leaders.

He said that the gender issue is an important perspective to keep in mind and emphasised the importance of access to the labour market by women.

Malta, he said, climbed up to the EU average from one that saw it as having the lowest female participation in the labour market Referring to the tapering of social benefits, he said that this was a means to show people that their entering the labour market will not mean the immediate loss of social benefits.

As to the in-work benefit system he said that this identified the most vulnerable families and incentivised them to the legal economy and away from the black economy.

The Prime Minister remarked that Malta is the only European state that offers universal free childcare for families, single parents, and student parents who work or study. He said the measure was a success since the percentage of workingwomen increased drastically.

On the issue of disability in Malta, Dr Muscat

EU Inquiry report refutes claims Malta is tax haven

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he EU’s PANA Committee Inquiry report has confirmed that Malta’s tax system is “very attractive and in line with current international and EU standards, as regards to tax competition”. It refutes any claims that Malta is a tax haven.

The report reconfirms that Malta has transposed EU rules and respects OECD standards in terms of transparency, fight against tax fraud, and money laundering.

The report also confirms that Malta is subject to a peer review, notably by the independent EU authority, ESMA, whose purpose is to improve investor protection and promote stable, orderly financial markets.

With regard to the comment about AntiMoney Laundering Directive the Government confirms that it is in the process of fully implementing it before the end of this year.

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Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (left) and Minister Evarist Bartolo

said that during the past forty years, legislation imposing a percentage of workers with a disability within the workforce was not being implemented effectively. That was the reason why the government introduced a system whereby contributions are now being deposited in a national fund for employers who are not abiding with the law.

“This is the perfect example of how a holistic approach can work, and in fact, Malta has the lowest unemployment rate in its history and the third lowest unemployment rate in the EU. With this approach the country was able to reach other goals,” the Prime Minister said.

In Sweden Dr Muscat was accompanied at the summit by Minister for Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo and the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Family Affairs, Rosianne Cutajar.

n the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between Malta and Tunisia, the President of Malta, HE Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca led a delegation that was also made up of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela, Economy, Investment and Small Business, Chris Cardona, and a business delegation that representing an array of industry, services, and trade.

During the visit, in which the President met Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi and the head of the Tunisian government, Youssef Chahed, and presided over the signing of two Memorandum of Understandings on Tourism, and the Convention in the field of cooperation and vocational training.

The President said that at this point Malta was looking forward to the next 50 years of collaboration, and looking back at the signing of the MOUs, she said it was “a historic moment for tourism, not just between Malta and Tunisia, but also for the Mediterranean region.”

At a Malta-Tunisia Business Forum organised in a joint effort with Trade Malta and Malta Enterprise, the President said, “We must not look at ourselves as competitors, but as complementary resourceful communities, in a region prone to economic growth.”

She added that the two countries share the same sea, and that “Our ancestors have contributed to the same historical and cultural legacy of the Mediterranean Region.”

On their part, following meetings with their Tunisian counterparts, Ministers Abela and Cardona exchanged views on concrete ways to further promote bilateral trade. They also attended the Business Forum that brought together entrepreneurs from Malta and Tunisia.

President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca with Tunsian President Beji Caid Essebi

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday November 21, 2017

Roundup of News About Malta

Second IPP Scheme aimed at attracting best quality talent

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rime Minister Joseph Muscat told the 11th Global Residence and Citizenship Conference dealing with global citizenship and residence in Hong Kong (November 14-17) that countries exercising such schemes can learn from each other and share knowledge through the use of modern technology such as blockchain in order to make the application system more transparent.

He said that despite the success of Malta’s programme of citizenship investment, the country is not economically reliant on the programme. It does not solely rely on it because the island has one of the highest rates of economic growth with a diversified economy and lowest unemployment rates.

He added that the examination process of this programme in Malta that has been voted as the world’s top citizenship-by-investment programm, is one of the most rigorous in the world.

He said that as a result of the programme, Malta is taking great steps forward because of opportunities

being created. It is opening doors that had never been open to the country previously.

“We are open to innovative ideas to make our programme even more successful and better,” He said.

After the experiences of the first programme, Dr Joseph Muscat said that the second programme aims to be more exclusive thus ensurin the country was able to continue attracting 'the right kind of people' that is people of the highest level.

The Prime Minister said that. “through the IIP we met persons who are now Maltese citizens and are investing and helping us through their contacts to expand to new economic niches such as block chain and cryptocurrencies.”

He said Malta will be the first EU member state to have a blockchain strategy and among the first countries in the world to regulate cryptocurrencies.

(See also Malta’s Individual Investor Programme ranked world’s best on page 18)

Govt-ChineseAircraft Group discuss investment opportunites in Malta

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eanwhile, while in Hong Kong Dr Muscat and his accompanying delegation had a meeting with the China Aircraft Leasing Group that specialises in various aviation sectors including the hiring of passenger aircraft.

In a statement issued after the meeting the government said that the possibilities of collaboration and investment iopportunities in Malta was discussed.

PromotingbetterregionalcooperationtowardsSmart and humane migration across the Mediterranean F

or two days, November 16-17, ics of the country and shaped the reMalta hosted the High Level lationship between the people that Conference for parliaments from the remained in Malta and the diaspora.

European Union and from the Dr Farrugia added that to better unMediterranean region that was organderstand the scale of the effects, one ised jointly by the Inter-Parliamenhas to only mention the fact that altary Union, the Parliament of Malta most all Maltese citizens have till and the Parliamentary Assembly of this very day, close or distant family the Mediterranean. members living permanently overAt the opening ceremony, the seas, and that persons of Maltese deSpeaker of the House of Representascent can be found in even the tives Anġlu Farrugia delivered an imremotest places on earth. portant speech in which he explained He said that in the last quarter of that the impact of migration on the the 20th Century Malta developed Maltese archipelago goes back ceninto a stable and prosperous country, turies, with historical and socio-ecoopening its channels of commerce nomic developments playing a key and trade, and contributing to the role in the human migration trajectory. movement of people between the He said that during colonial times, South and the North of the Mediterlack of economic and social opporturanean, as a result, emigration Speaker Anġlu nities on the island inspired young slowed down and only a few people Farrugia addresspeople and budding families to seek left the country. ing the conference their fortune in other richer lands. As (More about Dr Anġlu Farrugia’s such, Malta experienced an outward address in which he highlighted a flow of its citizens, travelling to neighbouring states such as Tunisia number of decisions by Malta at better promoting regional coand Algeria, and also further away, to Australia and Canada. operation across the Mediterranean when it comes to migration, He said this brought unprecedented changes to the demograph- in the next issue of The Voice)

14 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 21, 2017

Mistoqsijiet Parlamentari

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l-Parlament Malti għandu l-istazzjon televiżiv tiegħu fejn fost kollox jixxandru direttament id-diskussjonijiet li jsiru fil-Parlament. Kemm huma dawk il-Maltin li jsegwu dan l-istazzjon ma nafx. Biss, ħlief meta jkun hemm xi dibattitu jaħraq, ma nafx kemm hemm min attwalment jagħmel dan.

Il-midja min-naħa l-oħra timxi bl-istess mod... donnu li ftit li xejn tagħti prominenza lil dak li jingħad fil-Parlament, u tiddedika t-titli ewlenin tal-aħbarijiet għal dak li jintqal fil-Parlament meta jkun hemm xi storja taħraq, bħal meta jitħabbru l-Estimi ilbaġit) u xi okkażjonijiet bħal dawn.

U jekk ma jingħatax daqshekk importanza lid-dibattiti, aħseb u ara kemm il-midja toqgħod iġġib il-mijiet ta’ mistoqsijiet li jsiru fil-Parlament. Għal darb’oħra fl-istampa jitfaċċaw biss xi mistoqsijiet li jagħtu ċertu tagħrif li joħloq kurżita`, jew inkella bħala fillers biex tingħalaq xi paġna.

Iżda fil-fatt li kieku wieħed kellu joqgħod jifli dawn il-mistoqsijiet, żgur li jikseb ħafna tagħrif ħafna drabi interessanti.

Attwalment meta f’Ġunju tal-2015 l-Ispeaker tal-Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti, Dr Anġlu Farrugia, indirizza seminar organizzat mill-FOICU għall-uffiċjali mill-Ministeri responsabbli għal talbiet fil-qafas

tal-Att dwar il-Libertà tal-Informazzjoni u għal uffiċjali responsabbli mill-mistoqsijiet parlamentari, kien qal li s-seminar kellu jservi biex il-parteċipanti japprezzaw aktar il-valur tal-mistoqsijiet parlamentari.

Kull membru tal-Parlament għandu d-dritt li jagħmel xi mistoqsijiet. Sintendi l-Ministri u s-Segretarji Parlamentari ma jagħm-

Il-President u żewġha (fin-nofs) flimkien mal-Prim Ministru (fuq il-lemin tagħha), u l-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni (tarf lemin)

F

Turija ta’ Solidarjeta`

i tmiem il-mixja annwali tal-hekk magħrufa bħala lfun run (jew mixja) ta’ Solidarjeta’ tal-President b’riżq il- Community Chest Fund, nhar il-Ħadd li għadda, il-President ta’ Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca appellat lill-poplu Malti biex dan il-valur tal-ġenerosità ma jkunx biss ta’ darba jew ftit drabi fis-sena, iżda s-sena kollha, l-aktar u l-aktar fir-rispett kontinwu lejn xulxin.

Saħqet li anke f’mumenti ta’ disgwid għandu jibqa’ jintwera rispett, u jekk il-poplu jkun kapaċi juri l-għaqda f’okkażjoni bħal din, jista` juriha wkoll il-ħin kollu.

Matul il-ġimgħa qabel l-attivita` qalet li din hija attivita` organizzata bil-għan li tippromwovi stil ta’ ħajja aktar b’saħħitha u sservi biex il-poplu jingħaqad għal kawża ġusta.

Fi Pjazza San Ġorġ fejn intemmet il-mixja li nbdiet minn erba’ postijiet differenti fil-gżira, il-President qalet, “ferħanin ħafna li aħna magħqudin għas-solidarjetà għax Malta hekk jixirqilha” Il-Prim Ministru Joseph Muscat u l-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni Adrian Delia wkoll issieħbu mal-President u żewġha Edgar għal din il-mixja. It-tnejn li huma faħħru lġenerożita`tal-Maltin u esprimew l-apprezzament għal dawk li ħadu sehem.

lux mistoqsijiet għax xogħolhom hu aktar li mistennija li jwieġbu.

Hemm diversi regoli li jridu jiġu osservati, fosthom li membru ma jistax jagħmel aktar minn sitt mistoqsijiet għall-istess seduta u li l-Ministri jridu jwieġbu fi żmien tlett ijiem.

Il-membri tal-Parlament ma joqogħdux lura milli jagħmlu l-mistoqsijiet, speċjalment meta joqrob il-baġit, għax dak li joħroġ mill-mistoqsijiet ikun jista’ jintuża waqt id-dibattiti dwar l-istess baġit.

Meta wieħed iħares lejn il-mistqosijiet li jsiru jsib li jkun hemm diversi raġunijiet warajhom. Għadd ta’ mistoqsijiet li jsiru mill-membri tal-Oppożizzjoni x’aktarx li jsiru bi skop li t-tweġibiet ikunu jistgħu jintużaw fil-kritika lill-Gvern; min-naħa l-oħra dawk min-naħa tal-membri tal-Gvern ikollhom skop oppost. Kultant ċerti mistoqsijiet iwasslu lil dak li jkun li jaħseb li dawn ikunu saru biex jgħinu lil xi ħadd li jkun qed jagħmel xi riċerka.

Kif ktibt aktar ‘l fuq, il-Ministri u s-Segretarji Parlamentari jridu jwieġbu kull mistoqsija li ssir fi żmien tlett ijiem. Hu żmien qasir meta ċerti mistoqsijiet jirrikjedu ġbir ta’ fatti. Iżda f’dan il-każ dejjem hemm ittweġiba tas-soltu, li, “L-informazzjoni qed tinġabar.” Għax l-aqwa li tingħata tweġiba, anke jekk din ma jkunx fiha l-informazzjoni meħtieġa jew mitluba.

La darba tingħata din it-tweġiba m’hemm l-ebda limitu ta’ żmien meta tingħata l-informazzjoni mitluba. Minħabba f’hekk mhux darba jew tnejn li ssir kritika lillGvern tal-mument (għax dan seħħ u jiġri taħt diversi amministrazzjonijiet) li dan qed jabbuża billi permezz ta’ dawn it-tweġibiet ad interim (għax jekk jissejħu dan it-tip ta’ tweġibiet) iwasslu biex dawn idumu ma jiġu mwieġba, jekk wara kollox jiġu mwieġba.

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday November 21, 2017

Minn fomm l-Isqof Grech M

hux soltu li tliet ġurnali jik-kwotaw l-istess persuna kull wieħed fuq tema differenti. Iżda hekk seħħ ftit tal-jiem ilu meta kliem l-Isqof t’Għawdex, Mons Mario Grech, dwar il-mobiles, l-ikliet uffiċjali u l-flus ġew irrapporti fi tliet ġurnali differenti Meta kkumenta dwar il-fatt tal-mobiles li l-Papa wera d-dispjaċir tiegħu għall-fatt li jkun hemm min joqgħod juża l-mowbajl waqt il-ħin tal-quddiesa, qal: “Naħseb li ried jgħidilna l-Papa hu dwar ir-regola tal-prudenza biex inkunu aktar miġburin waqt it-talb tagħna.

“Aħna l-Knisja ma mmorrux biex ngħad-du ż-żmien imma biex nitkellmu u niltaqgħu daqsxejn ma’ Alla”. Iżda fl-istess ħin qal, li wara dak li ġralu, wieħed irid joqgħod attent Mela x’kien ġralu l-Isqof? Mar jilmenta ma tliet persuni li waqt il-quddiesa rahom iħarsu lejn il-mobile u sab li dawn attwalment kienu qed jaqraw il-qari tal-quddiesa minn fuqu.

Dwar il-flus, waqt il-quddiesa tal-gradwazzjoni l-Isqof sostna li t-tagħlim tal-Knisja huwa, li dak li jkun jaħfer id-dejn lil dawk li ma jistgħux iħallsu. Iżda anke jekk dan ma jsirx huma kellhom jaraw li tal-inqas ma jħallux ir-rebgħa għall-flus tegħlibhom: “Tħallux lil xi ħadd, li biex juża s-servizzi professjonali tagħkom jaqa’ jispiċċa midjun. Għandna noħolqu soċjeta` fejn ħadd ma jisraq le-galment billi nħallu s-suq imexxina u jiġrilna dak li qed jiġri fl-Ewropa fejn min hu sinjur qed isir aktar sinjur, u l-fqir ikompli jiftaqar”.

Fejn għandhom x’jaqsmu l-ikliet uffiċjali l-Isqof sostna li l-Knisja kienet għadha wisq meqjusa bħala parti mis-setgħa ċivili. Kien meħtieġ li l-Knisja tirrinunzja għall-privileġġi mondjali: “Inħoss li llum mhux posti waqt ikliet statali. Mhux qed ngħid dan b’nuqqas ta’ rispett lejn l-ogħla awtoritajiet ċivili, iżda biex ilkariga ta’ Isqof ma tibqax tiġi assoċjata ma’ crieki partikluari tassetgħa”.

Min-naħa l-oħra kelliemi għall-Arċisqof, Mons Charles Scicluna qal li l-Arċisqof ma kellu l-ebda ħsieb li ma jattendix ikliet bħal dawn.

Sadanitant għadhom għaddejjin kummenti ta’ kritika minn xi kwartieri, għall-fatt li l-Isqof t’Għawdex ftit li xejn involva ruħu f’dak li qed jiġri wara l-qtil ta’ Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Disinn kif propost tal-Qorti l-ġdid t’Għawdex u l-madwar

Pjani ġodda għall-bini tal-Qorti f’Għawdex

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har il-Ġimgħa li għadda l-Ministru għal Għawdex Justyne Caruana żvelat, u wkoll ippreżentat il-pjani ġodda għall-bini tal-Qorti t’Għawdex li mistenni jsir f’żona qrib ir-Rabat u x-Xewkija. Id-deċiżjoni aħħarija mistennija titittieħed wara konsultazzjoni pubblika. Jekk is-sit ġdid jiġi kkonfermat il-proġett isir b’nefqa ta’ madwar €5.5 miljun, jiġifieri €9 miljun inqas minn kemm kien jiġi jiswa fil-post inizjalment indikat.

Il-bidla tal-post se sseħħ wara li studji ġeoloġiċi tas-sit propost qabel wera li minħabba li art hija taflija ma tiflaħx għal proġett daqstant kbir li se

jkun mifrux fuq ħames sulari.

Il-Ministru qalet li s-sit il-ġdid jinsab fuq medda ta’ 3,800 metru kwadru u li 600 metru biss minnhom se jiġu żviluppata għall-bini ta’ ħames awli tal-Qorti mifruxa fuq għadd ta’ sulari u parkeġġ taħt il-pjazza għal 120 karozza.

Fl-aħħar snin iż-żona identifikata bdiet tiġi riġenerata u attirat negozji ġodda tat-teknoloġija u l-informatika.

Din mistenni wkoll li tinkludi Business Park għal negozji ta’ ċertu valur. Xi faċilitajiet oħrajn li hemm bħalissa u li mhumiex kompatibbli mal-proġett tal-Qorti se jiġu rilokati.

Tkabbir ekonomiku b’saħħtu

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kont il- Fond Monetarju Internazzjonali, it-tkabbir ekonomiku f’Malta baqa’ fost l-aktar f’saħħtu fl-Ewropa u li qed iqarreb iżjed lil Malta mal-medja tal-Unjoni Ewropea.

Fir-rapport perjodiku tal-ekonomisti tal-IMF li kienu ġew Malta biex jagħmlu l-verifika tal-indikaturi ekonomiċi ngħad li l-politika ekonomika prudenti u mingħajr skossi flimkien ma’ riformi strutturali u lħolqien tal-impjiegi wasslu biex Malta qed tgawdi l-inqas rata ta’ qgħad fl-istorja. Żiedujgħidu li l-prospetti għal aktar tkabbir ekonomiku huwa favorevoli u li jistennew li t-tkabbir ekonomika din is-sena ikun ta’ 5.8 % tal-Prodott Domestiku Gross.

Maltese Community Council of NSW

During the 2017 Annual General Meeting of the Maltese Community Council of NSW held at the Alfred Fenech-Maltese Resource Centre on November 15 the following members were elected to form the new committee: President: Emanuel Camilleri, JP Secretary: Miriam Friggieri Treasurer: George Bartolo JP V/President: Mark Caruana Ass/Secretary: Anthony Pace-Feraud PRO: Charles Mifsud For further information the MCC NSW can be contacted on 0409744376/0298220228 Any correspondence should be addressed to: 59b Franklin Street,Parramatta West 2150

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 21, 2017

Australians overwhelmingly endorse same-sex marriage

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he Australian people have voted to legalise same-sex marriage by a substantial majority and the Turnbull Liberal Government has given assurances this will be done as soon as possible, most likely before Christmas. The decision that triggered elation in major cities Wednesday and overcame a well-organised religious campaign against it.

The survey results are clear with 12.6 million people voting in the voluntary survey. Of these, 61.6 per cent voted yes, while about 38 per cent voted no. Every state and territory voted yes.

Only 17 electorates voted no.

There were some very emotional scenes at Parliament House, Canberra when the result was announced. This is an issue that crosses usually entrenched party lines. It's also clear there are enough numbers to get this through Parliament.

Liberal Senator Dean Smith's private members bill has been introduced to Federal Parliament. There will now be a debate about amendments to the law, including extra religious protections.

The 12.6 million Australians who have returned their surveys in the optional postal survey, represent 78.5 per cent of voters, or almost four out of five adults. That is more than the turnout for the Brexit referendum in Britain, and even more than the turnout for the Northern Territory seat of Lingiari

in the compulsory 2016 federal election.

There may be some debate about the contents of the bill before it is tabled in Parliament, with some in the Coalition calling for more protections for religious freedoms.

Celebrations in front of the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne after the announcement of the same-sex marriage postal survey result

sented a submission to senior clergy ahead of a proposed plenary council for the Church in Australia in 2020.

It calls for Church leaders to establish pastoral councils in the Canberra Archdiocese, designed to give parishioners and lay part-

responses to child sexual abuse. The plan also calls for reforms of the Church's canon law and better promotion of the role of women in leadership positions.

The submission, provided to the chair of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge, says the Church should end a culture of everyday Catholics as “prayers, payers and those subject to outdated canon law”. It says compulsory celibacy for priests should be addressed.

Chair of the group, emeritus professor John Warhurst, said Catholic leaders in Australia must begin work to give parishioners an effective role and voice in the direction of the Church and provide greater accountability and inclusive decision-making.

Archbishop Prowse said he welcomed the “thoroughly documented” submission.

“I see it in the first instance as listening to each other, which is a great sign of respect and a sign of seeing where God is leading us.

The Concerned Catholics group have been quick off the mark and I am delighted they do want to participate,” he said.

Lobby for a change in the Catholic Church n a move welcomed by Canberra and ners an opportunity to participate fully in Iwse,Goulburn Archbishop Christopher Pro- the response to next month's final report the Concerned Catholics group has pre- from the landmark royal commission into

While visiting Malta Stay at:

The Diplomat Hotel, 173 Tower Road Sliema

Email: sales@diplomat.com.mt Tel: (00356) 23497000

Tuesday November 21, 2017

Corruption exists in federal politics

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group of prominent former Australian judges have called for the establishment of a federal anti-corruption agency, saying serious corruption almost certainly exists in federal politics In most states, anti-corruption agencies with sweeping powers have been operating for decades. In New South Wales the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has even brought down a premier.

But it's a different story nationally, where there is nobody specifically charged with targeting corruption. Barrister Mark Robinson told ABC 7.30pm report, “I've got no doubt that there is corruption at all levels of the Federal Government and in Parliament itself, It hasn't been looked at.”

Former NSW Supreme Court judge Anthony Whealy is heading the anti-corruption body Transparency International, and he's working with a group of other former judges, all of whom believe the time for a national anti-corruption agency has come.

“We're all committed to the establishment of a national integrity body,” Mr Whealy said. Nick Xenophon Party senator Skye KakoschkeMoore said faith in politicians was at an all-time low.

“There are reports that have come out from various global agencies that say that in Australia, the majority of people think that politicians are engaged in some form of corruption, and about 12 per cent of people think that, if not all politicians are, some would be,” she said.

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Call for better for refugees arramatta (NSW) Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv. the P Bishop Delegate for Migrants and Refugees wrote in the Catholic Outlook that is time for Australia to deal with asylum-seekers and refugees according to this nation’s proud tradition and the best nature of its citizens, He went on to say, that the safety and wellbeing of over 600 asylum-seekers on Manus Island are at risk following the closure of the regional processing centre. These men, most of whom are proven refugees, were held in mandatory and indefinite detention under an agreement between the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments.

Now after more than four years, this agreement has not worked. It has failed to provide welfare and safety to the detainees. Furthermore, very few have been resettled elsewhere.

The policy of offshore detention has cost Australia dearly.

But it has cost the detainees and their families even more. I appeal to the government and political leaders to act in accordance with our honourable tradition.

It is time to find an alternative and conscionable solution, including accepting New Zealand’s offer of resettlement and bringing the remaining detainees on Manus Island to Australia.

Australia has been widely criticised by the United Nations and rights groups for detaining asylum-seekers who try to reach its shores by boat, even if they are found to be refugees, and keeping them on offshore processing centres in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. It was closed on October 31, but 600 asylum-seekers have refused to leave, fearing violent reprisals from islanders if they move to transit centres, pending possible resettlement to the United States.

Dual citizenship strikes again A

ustralian Federal Liberal MP John Alexander 66 years (pictured right), a former No. 8 world tennis player has announced he is a dual citizen, confirming his British citizenship.

Mr Alexander is the second lower house Coalition MP to resign over the citizenship saga and has triggered a by-election for the unpredictable Sydney seat of Bennelong.

Mr Alexander’s decision, coupled with the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, means the Coalition has 74 seats in the 150 seat lower house and has lost its majority. For a majority, 76 seats are needed.

“I have always believed that I am Australian and solely Australian. In view of recent events and the High Court decision, in my position, I have had to thoroughly examine my situation,” Mr Alexander said.

The resignation means there will be a second by-election because of the citizenship chaos. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was forced to resign after the High Court found he had dual citizenship with New Zealand. He faces a by-election in his safe seat of New England on December 2.

His opponent will be Labor’s NSW former Premier, Kristina Keneally.

Bennelong was represented from 1974 until 2007 by John Howard, who served as the Prime Minister of Australia from 1996 until 2007. As well as his government then being defeated, Howard also became the second sitting Australian Prime Minister to lose his own seat.

Maxine McKew of the Australian Labor

Party won the seat, making her the first Labor MP for Bennelong. However, the division has often been marginal, and McKew lost the seat back to the Liberals at the 2010 election.

Another shock, Senator Jacqui Lambie has made an emotional farewell to the Senate after discovering she is “not as bloody Australian as they come”. The Tasmanian senator confirmed the UK Home Office had told her she was entitled to British citizenship by descent because her father was born in Scotland.

Malta’s Individual Investor Programme ranked world’s best 18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 21, 2017

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he Global Residence and Citizenship Programs (GRCP) 2017–2018 report, has ranked Malta as the world’s top citizenshipby-investment programme.

Global Residence and Citizenship, which has become the industry standard for benchmarking and measuring the attractiveness of investment migration programmes released the report by advisory firm Henley & Partners, for its 11th Global Residence and Citizenship Conference that was held in Hong Kong from November 14 to 17 The 3rd edition of the Global Residence and Citizenship Programmes report provides a systematic analysis and comprehensive benchmarking of the world’s leading investment migration programs.

These programmes were evaluated by a distinguished panel of independent experts that included immigration and citizenship lawyers, economists, country risk experts, academic researchers, and other specialists – who took into account a broad range of factors pertaining to each programme.

Henley & Partners says that the result is a global bird’s-eye view of the investment migration industry and a ranking of all the major programmes on offer.

Dr. Christian H. Kälin, an international immigration and citizenship law expert and Group Chairman of Henley & Partners, says, “The Global Residence and Citizenship Programmes publication is an indispensable tool, not only for all those interested in alternative residence or citizenship but also for professionals such as private client advisors, private bankers, and lawyers, as well as for governments operating investment migration programmes.”

Citizenship-by-investment programs: Malta is far ahead For the third year in succession Malta’s Individual Investor Programme (MIIP) is the top-ranking citizenship-by-investment programme in the world, with a score of 81 out of 100. Malta is classified ahead of Cyprus that came second (with a score of 72), and Austria in third place (with a score of 63).

Antigua and Barbuda ranked 4th, followed very closely by Grenada, which

i s ranked 5th.

The lowest-ranked citizenship programme is Dominica’s, with a score of 51.

In ranking order, the eight countries featured in the GCPI are: 1. Malta 2. Cyprus 3. Austria 4. Antigua and Barbuda 5. Grenada 6. St. Kitts and Nevis 7. St. Lucia 8. Dominica The eight citizenship programmes included in the report were evaluated according to 10 indicators: Reputation, Quality of Life, Visa-free Access, Processing Time and Quality of Processing, Compliance, Financial Requirements, Residence Requirements, Relocation Flexibility, Physical Visit Requirements, and Transparency.

Each indicator had an equal weighting of 10, producing a total score out of 100 for each country.

Global Residence Programme Meanwhile, for the third year running, with a score of 79 out of 100, Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit Programme has emerged as the world’s best residence-by-investment programme closely followed by Austria and Belgium. Malta ranks fourth and Australia ninth.

In ranking order, the 20 countries featured on the GRPI are: 1. Portugal 2. Austria 3. Belgium 4.

MALTA 5. Thailand 6. UK 7. Australia

8. US 9. Switzerland 10. Canada 11.

Dubai/UAE 12. Spain 13. Jersey 14.

Latvia 15. Greece 16. Monaco 17. Singapore 18. Cyprus 19. Hong Kong 20.

Bulgaria The 20 residence programmes surveyed in the report were assessed according to 10 indicators, some of which are very similar to those used in the citizenship index: Reputation, Quality of Life, Taxation, Visa-free Access, Processing Time and Quality of Processing, Compliance, Financial Requirements, Total Costs, Time to Citizenship, and Citizenship Requirements.

The annual event, in its 11th year, has become the world’s largest and most significant conference on investment migration. It brings together Presidents, Prime Ministers, senior government officials, leading academics, and industry professionals, as well as toptier financial and business media.

This year’s conference offered delegates the opportunity to engage with the leading minds and ideas driving the growing trend towards global mobility and citizenship.

Malta’s Prime Minister, Dr. Joseph Muscat, was among the key speakers.

He talked about the advantages of Maltese citizenship for Asian investors. He also said that more countries are introducing programmes of citizen and residence schemes, which creates the need to ensure that best regulatory systems are in place. (See also page 13) Other key speakers were Jim Rogers, who talked about the trends and issues affecting global citizens and their investments, and the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne.

The GRCP report provides a systematic analysis and comprehensive benchmarking of the world’s leading investment migration programmes. In collaboration with a distinguished panel of independent experts, immigration and citizenship lawyers, economists, country risk experts, and academic researchers, Henley & Partners has created the Global Citizenship Programme Index (GCPI) and the Global Residence Programme Index (GRPI) as part of its report.

These indexes incorporate and analyse a broad range of factors, delivering a global bird’s-eye view of the investment migration industry and a ranking of all the major programmes on offer.

M

Tuesday November 21, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Żmien eċċitanti

a naħsibx li hemm għalfejnnixtieqilkom bħal ma suppost jagħmlu c-Ciniżi, li tgħixu fi żmien eccitant. Għax iż-żmien li għaddejjin minnu, jiġifieri ISSA, miktuba jew forsi wkoll jisħon fuq diskussjonijiet fuq ir-radju jew b’ittri kbar hu wieħed minn dawn iżfuq il-midja soċjali. żmenijiet . Tant għandna ma xiex inNista’ nżid ukoll li minn joħroġ b’xi idea ġdida, tajba jew ħabbtu wiċċna u fuq xiex niddeċiedu ta’ dannu, dak ma jimpurtax. Wasalna fi stat li l-ġdid iġenli naħbtu nintilfu fil-konfużjoni talninna għax xbajna mill-antik, mit-tradizzjoni, mit-twemideat u tad-deciżjonijiet. min antik u mis-sistemi antiki. Il-lum donnu li l-moda Bħalissa għaddejja (jew għadha kif kollox , u l-moda dejjem tfittex il-ġdid. Imma l-moda tant għaddiet) il-votazzjoni rigward iżgħandha ħajja qasira li jkollhom ibiddluha fi ftit żmien. żwieġ bejn tal-istss sess, u f’ċerti stati Le l-moda mhux mhix kollox; li tbiddel, li tipprova xi ħaġa bħal dak ta Victoria diġa bdew jidjew idea ġdida, minn xi daqqiet xi liġi li tista’ teffettwak diskustu l-kwestjoni l-oħra moderna: ukoll, bħal ma tista’ teffettwak il-liġi tal-ewtanasja li tidher l-ewtanasja jew li toħroġ mill-ħajja li tista’ tidħol bħal xi liġi mitqiea sabiħa għax moderna, meta trid.

Fir-reliġjon konna nemmnu li l-ħajja hi sagra, li l-bniedem Dwar l-ewwel kwestjoni almenu VictorVVella m’għandux kontroll, la kif u lanqas meta, jew li jitwieled, hemm minn jiftaħar u jmaqdar wara li jiġri jew ġara l-fatt; fil-każ tal-mewt ma nafux kif iħos- u l-anqas meta jħalli din l-art.

Nixlu u nikkundannaw lil Ħitler, lil-Stalin u lil-Mao Tse suhom wara li tittieħed din id-deċiżjoni!

Jekk tinnotaw sewwa, f’dan il-proċess qegħdin ukoll ni- Tung li qatlu l-miljuni għax jitqiesu ta’ xkiel. Urew li kelltilfu s-saħħa tal-maġġoranza. Tajjeb jew ħażin il-maġġo- hom is-seta’ fuq il-ħajja tal-bniedem, bħal ma qed nagħmlu ranza kienet turi xi jrid il-poplu. Ksibniha wara aħna daż-żmien, anke jekk f’każi individwali. Imma lr-rivoluzjoni Franċiża u għawwiġniha kemm stajna biex principju il-mistoqsija jibqgħu l-istess: il-liġi naturali, jew taparsi ikollna iżjed demokrazija. Biss il-maġġoranza f’dan il-każ l-ħajja, għandna pussess fuqha jew le.?

Din mistoqsija qasira imma bħal fil-każ tal-kwestjonijiet kienet tirrenja almenu fejn jidher.

Issa wasal iż-żmien tal-minoranzi: għax jekk nieħdu il- l-oħra li semmejt, fiha ħafna x’tifhem. kwestjoni taż-żwieġ bejn tal-istss sess naraw li meta tqis il-popolazzjoni kollha għad żgħir, f’certi każi inqas minn 5 fil-mija tal-popolazzjoni jriduha u jiġu affettwati direttament jew igawdu mill-liġi. Jekk ukoll ma jgħawwġux irriżultat bħal ma seħħ fl-Irlanda.

L-aqwa li l-minoranza, għax tgħajjat l-iżjed tirGood Shepherd Parish baħ b’xi mod u dak li trid isir liġi. Wara kollox 130-136 Hyatts Road, Plumpton NSW sirna nirraġunaw, jew aħjar nikkonkludu li lliġijiet jgħaddu, speċjalment bħal dawk tad-di(Opposite Shopping Centre) vorzju u l-bqija, imma nserrħu rasna għax… lili 3.00pm: Church Service ma taffettwanix direttament. Allura jekk nivFesta Mass in English Principal Celebrant: Parish vota iva għal dawn il-kwestjonijiet, xejn xejn Priest assisted by: Fr. Noel Bianco. Music neħles milli noqgħod nisma’ fuqhom, u and Hymns By the MCA Choir. ngħiduha kif inhi tiddejjaq tisma’ dwar l-istess ħaġa fit-tul.

4.00pm: Procession Imma f’xi wħud mil-liġijiet jekk tkun kontra Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltese Band will play tagħhom tkun magħdud bħala xi ħadd li Religious Marches għadu lura, li jgħix fil-medju evu, li jaħsibha lantika ma tkunx intonat mal-ħajja u mal-ideat Food for sale: moderni. L-aspett morali, jiġifieri l-fatt li l-liġi BBQ, Pastizzi, Kannoli, Nougat, Kinnie, Soft Drinks hix tajba, hix ħaġa naturali, hix liġi perikoluża, & Maltese Foods li jista jkollha konsegwenzi ħżiena fuq l-individwi u fuq is-socjeta`, dawk jiġu l-aħħar.

5.00pm: Entertainment Forsi taraha tistona li nsemmi eżempji; li lThe MCA choir will sing Christmas Carols. Our membri tal-parlament, u xi kapijiet ta’ dipartiLady Queen of Peace Maltese Band Programme ment bħal tal-edukazzjoni li meta jiftħu A jumping castle will be available for the children ħalqhom jitfgħu r-responsabbilta` u għadhom iżeffnu l-familja: donnhom ma jiġux inse` li l6.30pm: St Nicholas Festa Committee Raffle is Drawn familja tista tgħid spiċċat, kissruha huma bilThe winners will be notified. liġijiet li għaddew meta għamlu d-divorzju faċli, bħallikieku qed tixrob tazza ilma.

7.00pm: Santa Claus Arrives Ġara l-istess dwar l-abort, li f’ċerti pajjiżi tant Lollies and goodies given to all children sar faċli u legali li meta tqis l-eluf ta’ trabi li jiġu maqtula, issa qed ukoll taffettwa l-popolaz8.30pm: Fireworks Display zjoni ta’ ċerti pajjiżi. B’eżempju nsemmi li qed Spectacular Extra Special Fireworks Display by jiġi kkalkulat li jekk jibqgħu sejrin hekk, blFX Display Co. abort u b’affarijiet oħra, fil-Ġappun it-twelid tant naqas li l-popolazzjoni Ġappuniża sejra For further information please call lura għax ma tistax tlaħħaq ma l-isbilanċ tatJoe Fenech - Mobile 0412 009 957 or Emmanuel Vella - Mobile 0405 677 064 twelid u mewt. L-istess qed ukoll iseħħ f’pajjiżi ta l-Ewropa.

Rain, Hail or Shine – no problem we have a Big Hall Illum ninsab mmexxijin mill-istorbju: min jagħmel l-aktar ħoss, min jipprotesta, minn jimCOME AND BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WITH YOU mmarċja u juri l-bnadar u l-kuluri u l-aktar li jidher fuq it-televiżjoni, min l-aktar li jparla,

FEAST OF SAINT NICHOLAS SUNDAY DECEMBER 3

Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 21, 2017

ktar regoli u tagħrif uffiċjali dwar kif wieħed għandu jikteb il-Malti. Dan skont Akif maħruġ mill-Kummissjoni fi ħdan l-Akkademja tal-ilsien Malti f’Malta.

TISWIR FL-ISMIJIET U FL-AĠĠETTIVI Is-suriet tal-Għadd fin-Nomi u fl-Aġġettivi Il-Għadd fin-nomi u fl-aġġettivi hu ta’ tliet xorta: (i) Għadd Farrad (Singular). Ara: raġel, tifel, omm. (ii) Għadd Imkattar (Plural). Ara: rġiel, tfal, ommijiet. (iii) Għadd Imtenni jew Imżewweġ. Ara: idejn, riġlejn, ħabbtejn.

Il-Għadd imkattar jista’ jkun sħiħ jew miksur.

36. Il-Għadd imkattar sħiħ isir: (1) Biż-żieda tas-sillaba în.

Ara: barrani, mgħallem, kiesaħ, miexi, tajjeb li jagħmlu barranîn, mgħallmîn, kesħîn, mixjîn, tajbîn.

T.ċ. Il-partiċipji jew aġġettivi mnisslin minn verbi nieqsa, bl-aħħar konsonanti dgħajfa j bħal minn mexa(j), miexi; minn ħefa(j), ħâfi; minn għola(j), għôli; minn għena(j), għâni; minn beka(j), mbikki; minn saqqa(j), msoqqi; minn mela(j), mimli, meta f’tarf il-kelma nżidulhom l-ittra vokali a talfemminil, jekk huma partiċipji tal-preżent ibiddlu l-aħħar vokali i f’j, jekk huma partiċipji tal-passat ideffsu l-j bejn laħħar vokali i u ż-żieda tal-ittra a.

(Ara wkoll it-Tiswir tal-Kelma, Għadd 5, T.ċ. (1) – it-Tieni Taqsima).

Minn miexi, ħâfi, għôli, għôni, mbikki, msoqqi, mimli nagħmlu l-femminil miexja, ħafja, għolja, għonja, mbikkija, msoqqija, mimlija. Minn din is-sura mbagħad innisslu l-plural ta’ kull waħda u nagħmlu mixjin, ħafjin, għoljin, għonjin, mbikkijin, msoqqijin, mimlijin billi, flok l-ittra tal-femminil a, inżidu ssillaba in tal-għadd imkattar.

Għalhekk mill-femminil ta’ bieżla, iebsa, wieqfa, wiesgħa, fietla, ħelwa, qarsa, dejqa, ġejja, nejja, għaddejja, mixtrija, mrobbija nagħmlu l-plural beżlin, ebsin, weqfin, wesgħin, fetlin, ħelwin, qarsin, dejqin, ġejjin, nejjin, għaddejjin, mixtrijin, mrobbijin.

(2) Biż-żieda tal-ittra t fin-nomi li jispiċċaw bl-ittra a talfemminil. Ara: tuffieħa, tuffiħat; Alla, allat; ġimgħa, ġimgħat.

T.ċ. L-ittra a aktarx tibqa’ sħiħa fil-kliem li għandhom ittielet konsonanti tal-għerq waħda mill-ittri tal- ġerżuma q, għ u ħ. Ara: werqa, xebgħa, ġerħa, berqa, siegħa li jagħmlu werqât (kif ukoll werqiet), xebgħât, ġerħât, berqât (kif ukoll

berqiet), sigħât. Hekk ukoll minn ġimgħa, demgħa, roqgħa nagħmlu ġimgħât, demgħât, roqgħât.

Fl-ismijiet ta’ din il-għamla bħal għaxra, ħarta, għaksa, l-a tinbidel f’ie u għalhekk ngħidu u niktbu għaxriet, ħartiet, għaksiet, imma qassata = qassatât.

(Ara wkoll is-Sitta u Għoxrin Regola, T.ċ. (2) – l-Ewwel Taqsima).

Toħroġminn din ir-regola sena li tagħmel snîn, kif ukoll sema li flok semât, semiet tagħmel smewwiet (smewwât).

(3) Biż-żieda tal-ittri ijiet ta’ żewġsillabi.

Fi kliem bħalma huma żmien, ħin, omm, missier, dnub, xogħol, kliem, ħsieb, għaġeb, ċirku, siġgu ̇ li fil-plural jagħmlu żminijiet, ħinijiet, ommijiet, missirijiet, dnubijiet, xogħlijiet, klimijiet, ħsibijiet, għeġubijiet jew egħġubijiet, ċirkijiet, siġgi̇jiet.

T.ċ. Għalkemm din iż-żieda ta’ ijiet hija l-plural tal-ismijiet ta’ ġens mara (femminil) li jispiċċaw bil-vokali a, jiħduha wkoll ħafna mill-ismijiet ta’ ġens raġel (maskil) li jispiċċaw b’konsonanti li għalhekk jieħdu ijiet flok iet.

(4) Biż-żieda ta’ ien jew ân.

Ara: għar, għerien; ġar, ġirien; bieb, bibien; fies, fisien; far, firien; nar, nirien; wied, widien; tieġ, tiġien; gidi, gidien; qiegħ, qigħan, siegħ, sigħan; ħajt, ħitan.

(5) Biż-żieda tal-ittri jien.

Bħal fil-kelmiet ħási, għátu, sábi fejn l-aħħar vokali ssir j u jinkitbu: ħosjien, għotjien, sobjien.

(6) Biż-żieda tal-vokali a.

Ara: bajjâd, bajjada; daqqâq, daqqaqa; ħaddied, ħaddieda; kennies, kenniesa; mdorri(j), mdorrija.

T.ċ. Dawn huma aktarx ismijiet li għall-għadd imkattar jieħdu ż-żieda ta’ în. Eż. ħaddedin, mdorrijin. Għalkemm iżżieda tal-vokali a għandha tifsir ta’ ġens mara, fil-għadd imkattar tista’ toqgħod ukoll sew għall-ġens raġel kemm għall-ġens mara. Eż. rġiel qiegħda flok qegħdin, nisa ġellieda, nies mixtrija.

Aktar regoli u tifsir fil-ħarġa li jmiss

Bħal dejjem, waħda mill-attivitajiet li l-membri tal-Kunsill tal-Maltin li Jgħixu Barra jkollhom meta kull sena jiltaqgħu f’Malta tkun mal-President tar-Repubblika, l-ET Marie Louise Coleiro Preca fil-Palazz ta’ Sant Anton. Din id-darba wkoll, fost il-laqħat kellhom din il-laqgħa li fiha l-President laqgħethom fil-ġnien privat tal-Palazz

Tuesday November 21, 2017

A trip around the Bay

O

n Thursday November 10 a group of members from the Reskeon Maltese Association Seniors Group (RMASG) enjoyed a trip around the Bay that took them to Sorrento through Mornington Peninsula Freeway where coach Captain, Bill, led the group to a sightseeing tour of the beautiful houses.

After that the group transferred to the Peninsula Sea Road Ferry for a trip across Port Phillip Bay to Queenscliff where everybody enjoyed free morning tea/coffee with biscuits and goodies provided by some of the members, and later headed to a hotel at Corio for a free buffet lunch.

At around 3 pm the group headed back to Reservoir, arriving at 4.30 p.m. with Bill once again providing an interesting commentary of the sits.

The trip was heavily subsidised by (RMASG).

ACEBOOK:

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Victorian Government: Interpreter Scholarships Programme 2017-18 Applications now open

F

inancial support is now available for people planning on studying interpreting at RMIT in a new round of the Victorian Government’s Interpreter Scholarships program.

In 2018, the programme has been expanded to include 30 languages, the highest number of languages ever offered.

What? Scholarships of up to $3,400 towards course fees for the one-year Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Interpreting, which is taught at RMIT’s city campus for the following languages: Diploma of Interpreting: Amharic, Assyrian, Burmese, Chin Haka, Croatian, Dinka, Filipino, Hazaragi, Hindi, Karenni, Khmer, Macedonian, Malay, Maltese, Nepali, Punjabi, Samoan, Somali, Tamil, Thai, Tibetan, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Advanced Diploma of Interpreting: Cantonese, Croatian, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Macedonian, Malay, Polish, Tamil, Turkish and Vietnamese.

Who? The courses are suitable for people who are already bilingual, and who are seeking to learn professional interpreting techniques.

Australian citizenship or permanent residency is a requirement for the scholarships, and applications from asylum seekers will also be considered.

When? Applications are now open. To be eligible to study in 2018, apply to RMIT University by November 30.

Successful applicants will be notified in February in time for the beginning of semester on February26 2018.

Where? For more information on the scholarships, visit the multicultural.vic.gov.au website. Visit the RMIT website for more information on fees for the Diploma and Advanced Diploma.

God only knows what it is doing to our children's brains

ACEBOOK was created to exploit human weaknesses, F the former president of the social media company has admitted. It was founded as a tool for bringing the world together, for building communities and bridging divides.

More than two decades later however, Sean Parker, who was Facebook’s founding president alongside its creator Mark Zuckerberg, has revealed how social media have been specifically designed to prey on human weaknesses.

The word media recently published interviews with Parker. He admits that since leaving the company, he has become “something of a conscientious objector” on social media.

He said: “The thought process that went into building these applications, Facebook being the first of them… was all about: 'How do we consume as much of your time and conscious attention as possible?’

“And that means that we need to sort of give you a little dopamine hit every once in a while because someone liked or commented on a photo or a post or whatever.

And that's going to get you to contribute more content, and that's going to get you… more likes and comments.

“It's a social-validation feedback loop… exactly the kind of thing that a hacker like myself would come up with because you're exploiting a vulnerability in human psychology. The inventors, creators – it's me, it's Mark Zuckerberg, it's Kevin Systrom on Instagram, it's all of these people – understood this consciously. And we did

Sean Parker

it anyway.

He jokingly added that Mark Zuckerberg would probably block his account after reading his comments. Mr Parker was played by Justin Timberlake and Zuckerberg

by Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network in 2010.

He said: “When Facebook was getting going, I had these people who would come up to me and they would say, 'I'm not on social media.' And I would say, OK. You know, you will be. And then they would say, 'No, no, no.

I value my real-life interactions. I value the moment. I value presence. I value intimacy.' And I would say, we'll get you eventually.

“I don't know if I understood the consequences of what I was saying, because of the unintended consequences of a network when it grows to a billion or 2 billion people and... it literally changes your relationship with society, with each other... It probably interferes with productivity in weird ways.

“God only knows what it's doing to our children's brains."

Mr Parker first entered the media scene in 1999 when he co-founded Napster, a free internet service for sharing music files.

Napster was entered in Guinness World Records as the fastest-growing business of all time but was shut down after 20 months amid legal challenges from the recording industry.

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 21, 2017

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s

MALTESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF NSW A Division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc.

Learn Maltese!

Classes are available for students from six years to adults at all levels of ability in the Maltese language. We have trained and experienced teachers qualified in language teaching and with Maltese study credentials.

Learn the Maltese language, the culture, lifestyle, cuisine, traditions and about the amazing history of the island.

Teachers urgently needed - Paid positions

For more information and enquiries Phone 9601 2189 or Email: malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmail.com Supported by the Minister of Education and Training and the NSW Community Languages Schools Programme.

Member of the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools of NSW; Member of the Federation of Maltese Language Schools of Australia; Supported by 16 Maltese associations affiliated with the MCC of NSW. The Maltese Language School of NSW is a Not-For-Profit organisation.

Please Note

Anybody interested in advertising on The Voice of the Maltese magazine in order to reach the widest audience possible, partcularly among the Maltese diaspora is requested to write to: Maltesevoice@gmail.com

AUSTRALIAN ALUMNI

Australia is one of the most popular destinations for international students seeking a world-class education. We have welcomed more than two and a half million foreign students over the past six decades, of whom 90,000 have been supported through scholarships provided by the Australian Government.

A tertiary education is forever and studying in Australia the experience of a lifetime. This is not a bond broken at graduation. So, if you are one of Australia’s Global Alumni, the Australian High Commission, Malta wants to reconnect!

Register at globalalumni.gov.au to be contacted about alumni events in Malta. www.malta.highcommission.gov.au https://www.facebook.com/AusHCMalta/

La Valet te Social Cent r e Cherry picking tour to Orange

La Valette Social Centre 175 Walters Road, Blacktown Tel. 96225847

Cherry picking Bus Tour to Orange: Tuesday December 12 Bus leaves La Valette centre at 6.am Greystanes 6.30am.

Lunch at Orange RSL at one’s own expense or BYO. For any information phone Frances 0412 320432 or Centre 9622 5847 Masses at the Chapel: 5.45pm and 6.15pm.

Centre is open for dinner from 5.00pm.

Entertainment by Sam Mifsud or Manuel Grech.Għana: last Saturdays. Bingo: 8.00pm Winter & 8.30pm Summer.

Boċċi, Raffle, members’ lucky door prize - dinner for two Membership is only $7 a year.

We also have other activities that we advertise on the radio, church bulletins and The Voice of the Maltese.

Community Wheels Inc.

Connecting you with your community

Community Wheels is your local community organisation that provides door-to-door transport services to eligible people (+65 years old etc.) to: * attend medical appointments * go shopping (including assisting clients with their shopping bags) * meet a friend for a chat or coffee, and *go on bus tours etc. Available in the Parramatta City Council and parts of Cumberland Council areas For further information call 88681400

State Member for Prospect For issues concerning:

Ageing and disability - community services education - environment - health - housing planning - Police - transport - water

P: (02) 9756 4766 E: prospect@parliament.nsw.gov.au 2/679 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield NSW 2164

S T H E L E N A M A LT E S E AUSTRALIAN SC

December Event Dec. 16 – Sat.: Xmas Function at Melrose Tullamaren e

Join us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/g roups/thevoiceofthemaltese

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Tuesday November 21, 2017

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s Tune In to Radio and Television

The SBS MALTESE NEWS: L-A˙barijiet on SBS TV twice a week nationwide Sunday at 8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32); Thursdays at 8.00 am on SBS2

Maltese Radio Programmes

MELBOURNE, on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 56 pm, Fridays 5-6 pm and Saturdays 10-11am.

MELBOURNE on 98.9 North West FM, every Friday 6.00 - 7.00p.m. and Mondays 7.00 to 8.00pm. Presenter: Emmanuel Brincat.

MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 (93180930): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese Magazine) & Thursday (Mer˙ba): 6.00pm to 8.00 pm Co-ordinator – Ray Anastasi On SBS Radio Day Time Analogue and Digital Friday: 12:00-13:00 97.7fm SBS 2 Saturday: 14:00-15:00: 97.7fm SBS 2 To tune into digital radio you need a receiver or device with a DAB+ chip. Tuning in is by station name not frequency.

Digital radio can also be heard via digital TV. In SYDNEY, listen to the MCC radio programmes on 2GLF FM 89.3.

Isma’ l-programm tar-radju bil-Malti mill-Kunsill Malti ta’ NSW minn fuq l-istazzjon 2GLF 89.3FM.

Jista’ wkoll jinstema’ On Demand minn fuq l-Internet www.893fm.com.au

(On Demand >Ethnic >Maltese Council 11am)

Il-Ħadd 11.00 am: l-aħħar aħbarijiet minn Malta, mużika, tagħrif, kultura, avviżi u suġġetti ta’ interess.

UNCLE SAM DJ (Maltese Radio) tune in to link: www.unclesamdj.com SBS Radio 2 on Channel 38.

Programmes can be accessed online (live or catch up) at sbs.com.au/maltese and via mobile phone, using the SBS Radio app. For television news from Malta - SBS 2 TV on Thursdays and Sundays at 8am.

VIVA MALTA on COAST FM 96.3 Community Radio in Gosford Central NSW. Aired on Thursdays every fortnight from 6 pm -7 pm.

Presenter: Nathalie Gatt.

Web streaming on: www.coastfm.org.au.

In BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Programme on 4EB on Tuesdays 6.00 -8.15am; Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm

L-aħbarijiet tal-PBS (Malta)

ħalkemm il-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lill-SBS fl-Awstralja bis-servizz tagħha, G il-qarrejja huma mħeġġa biex x’ħin iridu jistgħu jidħlu fil-website tal-istazzjon Malti: www.tvm.com.mt. Din bil-Malti u bl-Ingliż.

Il-website hija aġġornata tul il-jum kollu għalhekk wieħed jista’ jieħu stampa ċara tal-ġrajjiet li anke jkunu qed iseħħu dak il-ħin stess.

Maltese Seniors Social Welfare Day Groups

Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors

Meets on the last Tuesday of the Month.

Group meets in Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights at 10 am.

Maltese Seniors Central Coast

Have to contact our Welfare Officer for an appointment. For all information and referral matters call Cen-sina Cefai: 02 439 000 12 or 0414 267 652

Daceyville Maltese Seniors

Meets the last Wednesday of the month in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville.

Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips

Join us and make new friends.

Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors Meets every second Friday of the month: Miller Room, Memorial Avenue Merrylands from 10.30am to 12.30 am Llandilo Maltese Seniors

Meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1 pm.

Maltese of Bankstown

Group meets 3rd Wednesday of month at New BCRG offices 15 Kitchner Parade, Bankstown NSW (opposite RSL Club). Every other 3rd Thursday an outing. Enquiries call: Sam 9534 2357

Xagħra Association of NSW Inc.

Cherry picking at Orange for the day on Dec. 10

Riverstone: 6:00am: bus leaves from St John's Church Mc Collouch Str Blacktown: 6:30am: bus leaves from bus stop near Blacktown Workers Greystanes: 6:45 am bus leaves from bus stop opposite Greystanes church (close to Braeside Rd) Morning tea, lunch & dinner will be provided.

Contact: Ray/Josephine Bigeni: 9627 4182 or 0439 974 182; M'Ann Teuma: 4579 6771

L-aħbarijiet tal-PBS (Malta)

l-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lill-SBS fl-Awstralja Itabis-servizz tagħha, imma l-qarrejja xorhuma mħeġġa biex x’ħin iridu jistgħu

jidħlu fil-website tal-istazzjon Malti bilMalti u bl-Ingliż: www.tvm.com.mt.

Il-website hija aġġornata tul il-jum kollu għalhekk wieħed jista’ jieħu stampa ċara tal-ġrajjiet li anke jkunu qed iseħħu dak il-ħin stess.

Australian High Commission on facebook; HC on twitter

he Australian High CommisT sion’s in Malta now has a new Facebook page, and the High

Commissioner a Twitter account that could both be accessed by the readers.

The High Commission’s Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/A usHCMalta/ The Commissioner’s Twitter handle is: https://twitter.com/AusHCMalta Greystanes Maltese Seniors

Meets on the second Monday of each month at the George Preca Centre of OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon

The Sutherland & St George Maltese Group

Meets every First Wednesday of the Month from 10:00am-1:00pm. Meetings/Get Togethers are interesting, informative & entertaining, so come Join us and make new Friends For more information contact our Coordinator: Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) 9501 5525 – mobile 0421 662 298.

*(All Groups are co-ordinated by The Maltese Community Council of NSW) with a sponsorship from Multicultural NSW. Please contact the MCC Welfare Officer: Marisa Previtera JP on 0414 863 123. The MCC offices are at 59b Franklin Street (corner with Young St) Parramatta West NSW (next to West Parramatta Primary School).

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Sports

Tuesday November 21, 2017

Disappointing start for Malta under new coach Saintfiet

T

The Socceroos make it to 4th FIFA World Cup finals

A

ustralia were among the last nations to qualify to the finals of next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia. The field was finalised after Peru became the 32nd and final nation to secure their place.

Australia and Peru got in via the intercontinental playoffs.

Australia beat Honduras 31 in the second leg in Sydney after a scoreless first leg to win their playoff to seal their place. It is the fourth consecutive time that the Socceroos have qualified to the World Cup finals.

Who made it The 32 countries that will compete at next year’s World

Cup finals in Russia are: EUROPE: Russia (qualified as hosts), France, Portugal, Germany, Serbia, Poland, England, Spain, Belgium, Iceland, Switzerland, Croatia, Sweden, Denmark.

SOUTH AMERICA: Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, Peru.

AFRICA: Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal.

CENTRAL AMERICA: Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama.

ASIA: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia.

The Socceroos will go into the hat for the December 1 draw to find out which three teams they would face in the World Cup group stages.

Italy (for the first time in

60 years) the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Turkey, Ghana, Chile, Ecuador and the US are some of the notable countries that failed to qualify.

S

Hyundai A-League Results

om Saintfiet marked his debut as coach of Malta's national football team at the Ta' Qali national stadium on November 11 with a disappointing 3-0 loss in an international friendly against Estonia.

It would be unjust to pass judgement on the new coach after just his one match, however, the crowd, that was given a concession by the MFA to watch the attend for the game for free, was greatly disappointed.

Not so the coach who was satisfied with the performance as Estonia got a goal in the first minute another in the 90th and a third from a penalty.

Scorers were Sergei Mošnikov 2 (one a penalty) and Henri Anie.

The match wrapped up Malta's commitments for 2017 with a dismal record from eight matches. It had just one win (1-0) in friendly away against Ukraine, a 1-1 home draw against Lithuania, and seven defeats

Valletta held so three teams now share lead

alletta could only figure in a scoreless draw with Ħamrun at the weekend at V the resumption of the Premier League, so

they dropped two important points to allow Balzan and Gżira to share with them first placing in the league ladder.

In the top match of the weekend Floriana defeated Sliema 1-0 in the Old Firm derby, DAY 7 while Gżira returned to winning ways after Brisbane R v Melbourne C 3-1 three games without one by beating Naxxar Sydney FC v Newcastle J 2-1 Perth G v Melbourne V 0-0 by 3-1, and Balzan kept up their challenge CC Mariners v Adelaide U 1-2 with a slen- RESULTS – DAY 11 0-0 W Sydney W Wellington Ph pos. der 1-0 win Valletta v Ħamrun S. DAY 6 over Tarx- Hibernians v Birkirkara 1-0 1-0 Balzan v Tarxien R Melbourne C v W Sydney W 1-1 ien.

3-1 Mariners v Sydney FC 2-0 Gżira v Naxxar L. Hibernians 1-0 Melbourne V v Brisbane R 1-1 Floriana v Sliema 2-1 Adelaide U v Newcastle J 1-2 also beat Bir- Mosta v Senglea 1-1 Wellington Ph v Perth G 5-2 kirkara 1-0. Lija Ath v S. Andrews ydney FC reaffirmed their place as the Hyundai ALeag-ue's top team after a a 21 win over Newcastle Jets.

George Cross FC involved in $12 million project G

eorge Cross FC who play in the NPL1 have announced that a $12 million project adjacent to the future City Vista Community Hub is one step closer after the Melton City Council awarded a contract for the construction of the brand new City Vista Pavilion and Sports Field, in Fraser Rise.

When completed, the project, based on a partnership with George Cross Soccer Club who will contribute $1 million to the cost of the development, will have two grass and two synthetic soccer pitches, complete with spectator fencing, and sports field lighting.

As part of the pavilion, there would also be a bistro, commercial kitchen, canteen space, referees’ rooms, first aid rooms, eight change rooms and storage, and other features.

Once construction begins, it will take

about a year to complete. Once finished, George Cross SC will operate and maintain the pavilion and sports fields for 20 years.

The main grass soccer pitch at City Vista Pavilion and Sports Field will be built to national competition (NPL) standard in

terms of area, surface and sports lighting, which will attract high-level competition and athletes to the City.

At the same time, the Pavilion would be a place for families to meet up, socialise, and enjoy local sports.”

The new proposed ground at Taylor’s Hill