'The people will judge': Caruana on cost of Vision 2050

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said he “will let the people judge” whether the money spent on an extravagant Vision 2050 ceremony was a prudent way of administering public funds, as Economy Minister Silvio Schembri defended the event. 

The government unveiled its long-term plan for the next 25 years in a ceremony at City Gate last Friday. The high-profile televised event featured speeches by Cabinet ministers, entertainers and sports personalities, and included a live orchestra, drones and a large illuminated set. 

International opera star Joseph Calleja performed the national anthem, backed by a choir. The event included the participation of Prime Minister Robert Abela and the evening was rounded off by a fireworks display. The lavish ceremony has sparked criticism that the government was squandering money. 

Asked whether he believed the launch of the “vision”, with a budget of €4.5 million, was a responsible way of spending taxpayer money, Caruana remained tight-lipped. 

“As the finance minister, we gave the budget allocation; however, the event was organised by someone else,” he said. 

Asked again for his opinion, Caruana said: “My job is to allocate public finances as needed. My job is to ensure that the government's goals are reached. It is not my job to judge whether one agrees or not with the launch’s price tag. That is up to the Maltese people,” he said. 

Minutes later, Vision 2050’s lead minister, Silvio Schembri, defended the event and its price tag. 

“Vision 2050 is a national project in which we managed to bring together all social partners, including the opposition. So yes, it is not only important to have a celebration but also to find the best way of communicating our message,” the economy minister said. 

Asked if the event extravaganza was necessary, Schembri said it was a matter of perspective. 

“We go abroad and attend events of a certain level. And then when we accomplish something similar in our country, we say it was too much,” Schembri said.

Had the government produced a “cheap” event, the reaction would have been the opposite, he said. 

Schembri said he did not know whether the government spectacle went over budget, as it was not his ministry that organised the event. 

The Office of the Prime Minister was behind the budget of the event.