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1 The Voice of the Maltese Issue 127 (driven by the voice of its readers of its readers) online magazine May 10, 2016 The annual Valletta Green Festival by the Valletta 2018 Foundation commemorated the 450th anniver- sary of the founding of Valletta with an infiorata (pic- tured) that was made up of 80,000 flowering plants. This year s effort was a reproduction of one of the oldest plans of Valletta and its fortifications. (Turn to page 18 for more about cultural activities in Valletta) The Council for the Maltese Living Abroad, led its chairman Foreign Affairs Minister Dr George Vella, wrapped up its activities in Malta last week with a courtesy call on the President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca at the San Anton Palace. (More about the Council on page 6)

2 2 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday May 10, 2016 Two weeks ago, after the ABCC bill was voted down for a second time, 36-34, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has now confirmed that Australians will go to the polls in a double dissolution election on July 2. The poll comes several months earlier than originally planned, using rarely invoked powers to dissolve both houses of parliament. Not everybody knows what double dissolution is. This is explained in the following article. Double Dissolution What does it mean? The decision by Prime Minister M a l c o l m Turnbull to call a double dissolution election represents the seventh occasion in by BarryYork Australia s federal parliamentary history that this has happened. The last double dissolution was nearly 30 years ago. A double dissolution is a constitutional mechanism that allows a government (which has a majority in the House of Representatives) to overcome the blocking power of the Senate. The Australian Senate is powerful and can reject a Bill (a proposed law) even if it has passed in the House of Representatives. The constitutional power to call a double dissolution is an Australian mechanism, a power created for the Governor- General, not an inherited reserve power of the British Monarch. The term dissolution refers to the act of dissolving something. A double dissolution dissolves both Houses of Parliament the Representatives and the Senate in order to try to resolve an issue through an election. This can only happen when a Bill has been rejected by the Senate, or fails to pass, or passes with amendments that are not acceptable to the government, after two attempts. Under Section 57 of the Constitution, which covers double dissolutions, there must be an interval of three months before a Bill is put for the second time. If a deadlock continues, then the Prime Minister can advise the Governor-General to dissolve both Houses with a view to calling an election. Under the Constitution, each state A copy of the historic proclamation pinned to the Kings Hall entrance of the House of Reprsentatives. The original document has been preserved Dr Barry York is a historian at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. He plays a big part in the museum s Oral History Programme. He was awarded a PhD in History by the University of New South Wales in He has authored and coauthored several books of political history and immigration history and was awarded the Order of Australia in 2005 for his services to the recording of immigration history. of the Australian federation has an equal number of senators. Twelve senators represent each of the six states, elected for a period of six years. A system of rotation, however, ensures that half the Senate retires every three years. A double dissolution election means that all positions become vacant. If an election is held and the Bill or Bills that triggered the double dissolution are still not passed by the Senate, then the Prime Minister can call a joint sitting of both Houses. As the House of Representatives has 150 Members compared to the Senate s 76, this guarantees the numbers for the passage of the Bill. A joint sitting has only happened once in Australia, in There have been six double dissolutions during Australia s 115 years as a federation. These were in 1914, 1951, 1974, 1975, 1983 and It s risky for a government to call a double dissolution. Of the six held, half have resulted in the return of the government. Even then, there is still no guarantee of a cooperative Senate. (Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra http//moadoph.gov.au/)

3 Tuesday May 10, 2016 The Voice of the Maltese 3 Defining a Nation: The Reality or Otherwise of Peace by AndyBusuttil We utter the word PEACE and immediately a change comes over us. We are also, I think, imbued with both a sense of yearning, of desire and a sense of sorrow. The sense of sorrow may well have its root in the fact that peace is something that, one could argue, has never in the history of the human race been a condition that we ve experienced on a social, and quite likely not on a personal level. So this is quite a challenge: to talk about peace. To talk about something that is so elusive that we cannot even find a definition of it in the positive sense in any of our texts and dictionaries. It is something that may only be definable in the negation of the negative. That is, peace is the negation of all things that it isn t. The Oxford Dictionary describes peace as being: that condition of a nation or a community in which it is not at war with another. Definitions are given in many instances and in each of them the absence of conflict is the underpinning. I must say that writing about this has given me a great opportunity to once again deeply think about this issue. It is a vexed issue and one that I have struggled with all my life and don t doubt will continue to struggle with eternally. I think it is reasonable to say that by far the majority of people on the planet want to live in peace. However, many of us find that we are living in circumstances that can only be described as the opposite to this. War appears to be a way of life for humanity. Yet acts of humanity are never seen to be acts of war. This is all reflective of the great irony that we face when we talk about people and war. This also reflects the great challenge of talking about peace. In terms of peace being the negation of those things that it isn t, it looks like we re presently in the losing end of the game. Looking at our modern history, say the last 120 years, is quite illuminating. We ve had numerous attempts to secure peace that have included two World Wars (each one of them touted as war to end all wars ) and nuclear proliferation. This, of course, was instituted and then multiplied horrifically in order to establish a balance between nuclear powers so that one could not prevail over the other and to guarantee World peace. This was known as the cold war and lasted somewhere in the vicinity of 45 years. It had the potential to eliminate all life on the planet many times over, as if once wasn t enough! There were at least 36 other major conflicts during this period of time and an unknown number of so called minor conflicts. The blunt statistic is that we have had 5,000 wars in 5,000 years. It is probably quite fair to say that in each of these conflicts there was a desire to protect something of value to the communities of the antagonists. I would guess that in all of these conflicts, the major desire of all sides was to secure a lasting peace. To establish a set of conditions within which families and children could be raised and life could be ongoing and secure as a consequence. So the question needs to be asked: can peace be brought about through war? I think the answer to that question is self-evident but it seems we keep trying. We are nothing if not persistent. We appear to be quite expert in the creation and conduct of war, even to the point in some instances of having rules of engagement that are supposed to protect people and property. However, while war is repugnant to us, it appears that we don t understand its nature, why we tend to continue creating it, or how to prevent it During the Second World War, Malta suffered enormously as a consequence of Axis bombing and blockading. It was the most intensely bombed land anywhere on Earth during this conflict. Yet war, for the victors, continues to be celebrated and glorified. Can there be a different way to live and a different set of human endeavours to establish as badges of honour for nations? Part 1 from starting. Perhaps we have some kind of inherent investment in the creation of war that is greater at this point in our time than our deep desire to prevent war from happening or to stop it quickly once it has begun. I deeply believe that the definition of Australia s nationhood must not be that forged in the fires of war. It must not be Gallipoli or The Western Front in WWI, Tobruk or New Guinea during WWII, Korea or Vietnam. Certainly the actions of many of those who fought and died are often extraordinarily selfless and brave. They genuinely saw themselves as defending their loved ones and their homeland, as in some of those instances they were. So were those on the other side. The mere fact that Germany, an opponent in two of those wars, and Japan and Italy enemies in one, (these by the way are wars that left over 100 million dead) have moved from being our mortal enemies to being amongst our closest trading partners and international friends. Surely if we need any evidence at all, doesn t this point out the absolute stupidity of these conflicts? China and Russia have moved from being our allies to recognised international military threats. All of this has occurred on the basis of ideology: a set of thoughts. *to be continued in the next issue A proud sponsor of The Voice of the Maltese website: Breakaway Travel 94 corner of Main & Campbell Streets, Blacktown NSW... for all your travel needs. Tel (02) blacktown@breakawaytravel.com.au

4 4 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday May 10, 2016 Q. I am 75 years old and single. My house is worth around $800,000 and unencumbered. I would like to continue to reside in this house, however I am now living only on the age pension as I have used up all my other finances to supplement my living expenses. Can you help? A. As you are single and have no children, I would recommend that you look at a Reverse Mortgage arrangement. I would recommend that you take small lump sums of say $5000 at a time just to top up your bank account and once this runs out take another lump sum. This way you will only build up interest on the amount withdrawn. In the meantime the value of your house will mostly likely continue to grow. You do not pay interest on the amount withdrawn. This will be paid when the house is sold by you if you need to move into an aged care facility or by your beneficiaries when they sell the property. Q. My mother is 94 years old and lives in an aged care facility. My father is 93 and still living in their own house. It is now time for him to move into an aged care facility and we have found accommodation for him in the same facility. Their house is valued around $550,000 and the Refundable Accommodation Deposit requested is $350,000. Would they lose part of their age pension when left with $200,000 in the bank? A. The Refundable Accommodation Deposit is not treated as an asset by Centrelink. Therefore if all they have as financial assets is the $200,000 from the proceeds of the house, their assets will still be below the Asset Test Limit. When looking at the income test limits the $200,000 will not affect their pension either as they are treated as separated due to ill health even though they will be in the same aged care facility. Marie-Louise Muscat is fluent in Maltese and English and can assist you in: * Wealth Creation * Pre Retirement and Retirement Advice * Maximising Centrelink Benefits * Tax effective strategies in retirement e.g. sale of property * Rearranging finances to minimise ongoing fees prior to entering Aged Care facilities Call Marie-Louise for a complimentary consultation on: (02) Marie-Louise Muscat is a representative of Fiducian Fiinancial Services Pty Ltd ABN AFSL and Australian Credit Licence T his is a monthly service offered by The Voice of the Maltese in which Marie Louise Muscat from the Fiducian Financial Services helps our readers understand the complexities associated with financial planning. If you need more advice send an to Marie Louise via: maltesevoice@gmail.com. Q&A Q. My mother resides in her own unit worth around $450,000. She wishes to move in with me and gift her unit to my daughter who is about to get married. Will this affect her age pension? A. It most certainly will as one is only allowed to gift $10,000 per annum with a limit of $30,000 over a five-year period. One option would be to allow your daughter to live in your mother s home rent free while she moves in with you. She can then leave this unit to your daughter in her Will. This will not trigger any capital gains tax and she will not be penalised by gifting more than one is allowed to and the unit will still be treated as her residential home. Q. I am 57 years of age and recently married again. We were renting but have decided to buy our own home and have taken up a mortgage of $350,000. Both my wife and I work but we had to take this mortgage for 20 years. We find that we can only just meet our fortnightly repayments and cannot make any extra payments. I have around $230,000 in superannuation and my 53-year-old wife has around $150,000 in super. Can we withdraw some of this super money to pay some of this mortgage off? A. Unfortunately, as you are both working you are unable to make any lump sum withdrawals from super. However, because you are 57-year- old (56 being the preservation age) you are able to commence a Non-Commutable Account Based pension. You can take the maximum amount of 10% which amounts to approximately $23,000 as pension payments. This will be added to your taxable income and therefore increase your taxable income, but you will receive a 15% tax rebate. Once you turn 60 you will no longer need to add the payment to your taxable income. You can take this payment as an annual payment at the commencement of this income stream and pay it directly on the mortgage. This annual extra payment should reduce the time of the mortgage quite significantly. As your wife is only 53 she cannot commence a Non-Commutable Account Based Pension. This document contains factual information only and is not intended to provide any recommendation or opinion in relation to the topic/s discussed. Fiducian recommends that you seek advice from a professional to address any issues that may be raised by this article. Fiducian accepts no liability for any loss suffered by anyone who has acted on any information in this document

5 Tuesday May 10, 2016 The Voice of the Maltese 5 In Memory Victor Butti ieg... gone but certainly not forgotten by family and friends Malta, through popular singer Ira Losco, a former contestant, will be among the contestants from 43 countries, which also include Australia, to compete for this year s Eurovision Song Contest that will take place in the Swedish capital, Stockholm. For Malta it will be its 29th participation since For Ira, who confirmed on her facebook page Sunday, Mother s Day, that she is expecting her first baby with chef Sean Gravina, this will be her second participation following her appearance for Malta in the 2002 contest where she achieved second place with the song 7th Wonder. This year she has a song written by Desmond-Larsson-Lungren-Pettersson Hammer and herself, "Walk on Water. Ira Losco made the announcement of her pregnancy on Facebook to celebrate Mother s Day. She said: My second rehearsals done and dusted and comments seem to be positive. I'm so happy you've all been part of this journey with me and I'm happy to have shared many important moments in my life with you all. I'm ecstatic that my boyfriend Sean, family and friends are here to support me all the way. To add to all the excitement I'm also celebrating my First Mother's Day as a mother-to-be. Sean Gravina and I are very very happy to finally share this news A tremendous loss It is with sadness that we announce the death of Victor Buttigieg of Bangor NSW, a former President and life-member of the Maltese Community Council of NSW. He who passed away to join the Lord on Saturday at the Sutherland Hospital surrounded by his dear wife Adelaide, children and family. He was 85. Victor, who was born in Óamrun, Malta and described by many as "a rough diamond", was highly respected by everybody as one of the elders of our NSW community. He as also one of the founding members of Melita Eagles SFC, and the club s first president, a former treasurer of the Maltese Cultural Association, an active Unionist and a former Waterside worker. He was also very active in politics. He held the position of assistant secretary of the Labour League of Youths and also represented the Óamrun branch at the General Conference of the Malta Supporting mum-to-be Ira Losco in Eurovision Song Contest with you all which some of you might have guessed already. We never thought we would have been so blessed with such beautiful news accompanying this Eurovision experience which has given me so much strength both as an artist and as a private person. To reach the Grand Final on Saturday 14th, Ira first has to qualify from the first semi on Tuesday 10th from a field of 18 contestants. The second semi, Wednesday 11th will include the Australian representative, Dami Im. So unlike last year when Australia was a wild card entry straight to the Grand Final, Australia s contender too will compete in semi-final stage and must get enough votes to go through to the Final. This year the rules concerning votes have been completely overhauled to give the public's choices more impact and crack down political favouritism by juries. The process will be split, with each country's jury vote cast first and viewers' votes in all countries combined and announced at the end. Viewers in all countries taking part in a particular s/final are invited to vote via the official app, telephone and/or SMS. In the first semi, viewers and juries in France, Sweden and Spain will vote. In the second viewers Labour party. Victor was also an active sportsman in his youth, particularly in table tennis, a sport he practised both in Malta, where he played for the St Gaetan club, where his father Francesco was a founder member, in a team that also comprised the well-known Turu Lentini, Anthony Spiteri and Tony Vella, and in Australia. He immigrated to Australia because he was told that he could do well in his line of work as a carpenter. He was 23 at the time and travelled alone landing in Sydney on October 27, Victor only worked for two years as a carpenter in Sydney before changing over to become a wharfie. Between 1974 and until his retirement age in 1991 he worked as a foreman stevedore. Victor married Adelaide, from Sliema in An behalf of the readers of The Voice of the Maltese condolences to Victor Buttigieg s family. Rest in peace dear Victor. Ira Losco and juries in Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom will also vote. All 43 participating countries vote in The Grand Final. The voting window opens after the last song has been performed, and ends 15 minutes later. As per the official Eurovision rules, viewers can vote in the semi-final in which their country is participating, as well as the Grand Final, but they cannot vote for their own country. As such, as Maltese, one hopes, and expects the Maltese living abroad living in countries eligible to vote, to cast their vote in favour of IRA LOSCO. Australians can vote in the contest during the early morning LIVE broadcasts on SBS during the interactive evening prime time. Also tune into SBS s LIVE early morning semi-final and Grand Final broadcasts (Wednesday May 11 (S/Final 1), Friday May 13 (S/Final 2) and Sunday May 15 (Grand Final).

6 6 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday May 10, 2016 Is-seba laqg a tal-kunsill tal-maltin li Jg ixu Barra Jitnieda l-pro ett Consul-on-the-Move Fl-ewwel jum tas-seba edizzjoni tal-laqg a tal-kunsill tal-maltin li Jg ixu Barra (Mejju 5-6), filwaqt li ta mer ba lill-membri l- odda u fera lil dawk im edda fih, il-ministru tal-affarijiet Barranin Dr. Geoge W. Vella, li hu wkoll iç-çermen tal-kunsill semma li mill-a ar rapporti, jidher li l-maltin huma mxerda f 154 pajjiz madwar id-dinja. Il-Ministru fisser li dawn huma bejn missjonarji u addiema, u anke dawk fuq ilpjattaformi fl-ib ra, u d-deωerti madwar id-dinja, li jfisser, li filwaqt li l-ma oranza assoluta tad-dijaspora Maltija baqg et fil-biçça l-kbira fil-pajjiωi tradizzjonali b all-awstralja, il-kanada, l-istati Uniti tal-amerika u r-renju Unit, id-dinamika nbidlet u nfirxet f pajjiωi odda, fosthom il-bel ju, il-lussemburgu u l- Emirati G arab Mag quda fost o rajn. Sa aq li dan il-fatt jitfa fuq il-kunsill, b ala r-rappreωentant tag hom responsabiltajiet u dmirijiet importanti. Fl-istess waqt g amiha çara li l-gvern hu konxju tad-diffikultajiet li l-membri jiltaqg u mag hom fil-pajjiωi rispettivi tag hom, allura hu kommess li jisma u li jag ti widen g al dak li l-kunsill iressaq quddiemu. Il-Ministru Ωied jg id li l-gvern hu wkoll kommess li filwaqt li jkompli jibni fuq dak li sar fl-a ar snin, anke jjtella dawn ir-relazzjonijiet lejn livell iktar g oli. B riωultat tal-laqg at li saru qabel u anke l-a ar konvenzjoni s-sena l-o ra, ie varat il-pro ett Consul on the Move, li g all-ewwel se jit addem minn ames konsolati f pajjiωi barra minn Malta, li permezz tieg u l-membri tal-komuntajiet Maltin ta barra mhux se jibqa jkollhom il- tie a li jmorru fl-ambaxxati biex japplikaw inkella j eddu l-pssaport Malti. Din se jibda l-ewwel minn bliet f ames pajjiωi partikolari fejn l-aktar li hemm Maltin, f Canberra l-awstralja, Toronto l- Kanada, Washington l-istati Uniti, u Ruma fl-italja. Bi qbil mal-uffiççju tal-passaporti qed ti i ntrodotta s-sistema ta mobile service bi las addizzjonali ta 100 g al kull passaport. Skont il-ministru Vella dan is-servizz sar aktar me tie wara li ew introdotti l-passaporti biometriçi li min abba fihom l-applikant kien ikollu jmur personalment f ambaxxata jew konsulat Maltin imxerda f 154 pajjiz madwar id-dinja Kif se jit addem Il-Kunsill tal-maltin li Jg ixu Barra fil-laqg a mal-ministru George Vella (ir-raba mil-lemin) Il-Ministru Vella qal li ew identifikati punti li direttament jew indirettament jistg u jolqtu lid-diaspora Maltija, fosthom it-titjib u t-tis i tas-servizz konsulari li jing ata lill-maltin li jkunu jinsabu barra minn Malta, aktar kuntatt maω-ωg aωag fid-dijaspora u l-promozzjoni u punti o ra ta relevanza li jista jkollhom impatt indirett, fosthom li ijiet proposti quddiem il- Parlament Malti, bye-laws lokali u anke direttivi Ewropej. Huwa nieda l-pro ett-pilota msejja Consul-on-the-Move li se jibda jopera fil- img at li ejjin g al perijodu ta sentejn bi prova, bil-g an li tittaffa t-tbatija u l-ispejjeω li abet mag ha l- tie a li jin abru d-data bijometrika biex jista jin are passaport Malti. Dr. George Vella qal: Iktar ma jg addi Ω-Ωmien, aktar qed jikber l-g arfien dwar l- importanza ta utna Maltin li jg ixu barra minn Malta. Malta kienet pajjiω pijunier fir-rikonoxximent tal- tie ijiet u l-importanza tad-dijaspora meta fl-1969, konna fost l-ewwel pajjiωi fil-kontinent Ewropew, li assejna l- tie a li norganizzaw Konvenzjoni g all- Maltin li jg ixu barra minn Malta bil-kummissjoni Emigranti fuq quddiem nett ta din l-inizjattiva. Malta, bir-rappreωentazzjoni tag ha florganizzazzjoni Ewropea, Europeans throughout the World, ETTW, tkompli taqsam l-esperjenza u ta dem favur politika barranija u Ewropea dejjem aktar sensittiva lejn id-dijaspora. B alissa, Malta qed tassumi l-kariga ta A ent President ta din l- organizazzjoni u tmexxi l-laqg at tal-ettw li jsiru kull xahar fi Brussel. Temm jg id li j ossu fid-dmir li jixpruna biex ji u kkunsidrati r-rakkomandazzjonijiet li l-kunsill ressaq fl-a ar snin, u li wkoll hi r-responsabbilta` tieg u lejn dawk kollha li huma Maltin, li ja dmu flimkien biex ji u m arsa d-drittijiet ta dawk kollha li jg ixu barra minn xtutna. bie titte idlu d-data. Dan ifisser li dawk li jg ixu barra jkollhom jivvjag aw distanzi twal, f xi kaωi anke titjiriet ta xi ames sieg at biex japplikaw, li jissarraf f inkonvenjenza u spejjeω kbar. Ìew skedati Ωjarat f re juni importanti partikolarment fejn hemm konçentrazzjoni ta Maltin. IΩ-Ωjarat se ji u reklamati fuq gazzetti u ma entitajiet o ra ta tag rif uωati mill-komunitajiet Maltin. Óafna mω-ωjarat se jinkludu s-sibt biex hekk ikunu aktar produttivi alli jintla qu aktar applikanti. Il-Kunsill iddiskuta wkoll: L-impatt tal-li ijiet dwar l-iωvilupp ta proprjeta fuq Maltin li Jg ixu Barra; Metodi biex titjieb irrelazzjoni bejn il-kunsill u l-assoçjazzjonijiet tal-maltin barra minn Malta; Il-pro ett tal-pjattaforma di itali g at-tag lim talilsien Malti Barra minn Malta. u l-preservazzjoni tal-kultura Maltija fost komunitajiet Maltin barra.

7 Tuesday May 10, 2016 The Voice of the Maltese 7 Rose Ensemble tal-amerika tag ti ajja lill-muωika Barokka tal-katidral tal-imdina L-istorja muωikali ta Malta hija awhra kbira ta espressjoni artistika. Dan hu rifless bis-s i fl-arkivji muωikali tal-katidral fl-imdina. Ma ng idux biss jien imma wkol il-barranin studjuωi kbar talmuωika li ji u apposta Malta minn afna kilometri l bog od, alli jqallbu u jfittxu f dawn l-arkivji muωikali. Il-kollezzjoni nobbli u ta livell kbir talmuωika Barokka tas-sekli 17 u 18 li hemm fl-arkivji tal-katidral, dan l- a ar ibdet ukoll l-interess ta Jordan Sramek, id-direttur artistiku ta Rose Ensemble ta St Paul s Minnesota fl- Amerika. Nimma ina li g al afna, dan l-isem Rose Ensemble huwa did fjamant. Jista jkun, g ax ma tantx g andu storja antika. Twaqqaf biss fl-1996 minn Jordan Sramek stess. Kif jixhed l-isem, dan l- ensemble, Rose Ensemble ta St Paul s Minnesota huwa bbaωat f Minnesota, fl-istati Uniti. Huwa grupp (qabel xejn vokali) li jispeçjalizza kemm f muωika Medjevali u wkoll f dik Rinaxximentali u Barokka. Il-muΩika li jag Ωlu hija mi bura middinja kollha. Wara li ssir analiωi u riçerka kbira taxxog lijiet mag Ωula, dawn ji u esegwiti u rrekordjati fuq CDs b tag rif me tie u dettaljat. Il- idma ta dan il-grupp hija kkonçentrata fuq programmi edukattivi f kulle i madwar id-dinja, b master classes u workshops g al dawk l-istudenti mill-aktar avvanzati f din illinja muωikali. Dan l- ensemble ja dem ukoll bis-s i biex jg addi programmi ta ispirazzjoni anke spiritwali u jorbothom ma diversi kulturi umani. B alissa r-responsabbiltà kbira ta dan il-grupp Amerikan taqa fuq Jordan Sramek. Sramek ie Malta apposta biex jara u jeωamina fl-arkivji tal-katidral. Monsinjur Ìwann Azzopardi, li jaf sew dawn l-arkivji muωikali, Ωgur li kien strumentali matul iω-ωjara ta Sramek biex jist arre u jsib dak li forsi tnebba g alih Monsinjur Azzopardi nnifsu, qalli li dan Sramek kien impressjonat afna blarkivji tag na (b alma waa kollox kienu impressjonati wkoll qablu muωikolo i u diretturi barranin o rajn). Dan id-direttur a lura mieg u lejn pajjiωu g add ta kopji ta diversi xog lijiet muωikali, fosthom dawk marbuta mal-milied Barokk Malti, li mbag ad ew esegwiti f erba knejjes ewlenin, fosthom fil-katidral tan-natività f Minnesota. Il-midja Amerikana u l-european Broadcasting Union irrappurtaw li l-kunçert kien suççess u niωel g asel PeterPaulCiantar mal-udjenza. Jekk xi add mill-qarrejja hu nteressat u jixtieq aktar tag rif jista jisma g allinqas parti minn dan il-kunçert ta muωika Barokka tal-milied Malti minn djaru minn fuq il-kompjuter. Biex isir dan wie ed irid jid ol fuq youtube.com, u jikteb u fittex: Rose Ensemble Christmas concert of Maltese Baroque music. Hemm wie ed jista jisma jara u jisma l- Magnificat, miktub g al tmien vuçijiet. Il-kompoΩitur ta din is-silta mhux mag ruf iωda huwa kompoωitur tas-seklu 17. Tistg u tisimg u xi lewwa ta Magnificat. Imma ftakru li l-manuskritti ori inali tieg u jinsabu fl-arkivji muωikali tal-muωew tal- Katidral fl-imdina. Min forsi jkun Malta g al btala u jkun jintressah jag mel tajjeb li jωur l-arkivji. Interessanti l-fatt lid an kien il-bidu biss ta din l-avventura muωikali minn dan l- ensemble Amerikan. Aktar l-quddiem se jkun hemm aktar g ax Sramek ra minjiera ta muωika antika f pajjiωna. Insemmi wkoll li ftit tax-xhur ilu, biex inkun eωatt fit-18 ta Jannar li g adda, b ala parti mill- Valletta Baroque Festival, fil-knisja tal-ìiωwiti l-belt, kien sar kunçert kbir ta muωika Barokka li fih iet esegwita quddiesa ta Bonaventura Rubino. L-unika kopja mag rufa u stampata ta din il-quddiesa ukoll tinsab fl-arkivju tal-katidral tal-imdina. Malta tant tgawdi presti ju li dan ixxog ol kien ie esegwit ta t id-direzzjoni ta Mro Vincenzo di Batta li ie apposta minn Ruma flimkien ma kor u orkestra kbira biex jesegwixxu dan ixxog ol muωikali. Sena qabel l-istess direttur kien di a g amel kunçert ie or kbir ta din l-istess quddiesa f Ruma u wkoll ipproduça CD tag ha wkoll.

8 8 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday May 10, 2016 Have your say/xi trid tghid? The Voice of the Maltese o n l i n e m a g a z i n e is is a bi-lingual (in English and Maltese) fortnightly online publication specifically targeting all Maltese living abroad with emphasis on the Australian scene. is online magazine is sent via by request. Subscription is free. Editors: Malta: Joseph Cutajar Australia: Lawrence Dimech: MOM, OAM, JP address: maltesevoice@gmail.com Letters for publication in The Voice either in Maltese or English should be ed to: maltesevoice@gmail.com. Now you can also join us on facebook: com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese While visiting Malta Stay at: The Diplomat Hotel, 173 Tower Road Sliema sales@diplomat.com.mt Tel: (00356) Your letters/ L-ittri tag kom... L-uΩu aωin tal-midja soçjali Charles Mangion, mill-mosta, Malta, jikteb Interessani afna l-artiklu ta Joseph Cutajar fl-a ar ar a ta The Voice of the Maltese dwar il- sara li tista ssir meta wie ed jitfa r-ritratti tat-tfal u wkoll xi o rajn fuq il-pa na tieg u tal-facebook. Forsi g al mument wie ed jifra jew ikun irid jinteressa lil xi bieb bihom, imma ieli jkun hemm ritratti li l quddiem tixtieq li qatt ma po ejthom. Kif issemma, fost l-eωempji li wie ed jiddispjacieh li jkun po iehom hu meta jg addu s-snin u t ossok imbarazzat bihom Nista nitkellem mill-esperjenza tat-tifel tieg i u wkoll bieb tal-familja. Fejn g andu x jaqsam it-tifel, dan wara li ggradwa kien mar ma s abu jixxalaw u wara sirt nafu ukoll li nfexxew fix-xorb. Meta kienu f dan l-waqt xi add minnhom ibed xi ritratti u po ihom fuq il-pa na tal-facebook biex s abu jiggustawhom. Imma wara xi tlett snin tg idx kemm iddispjaçihom, g all-inqas nista ng id g attifel tieg i. Applika g al post li ass li kien pin ut g alih u ie msejja g all-interview. F waqt minnhom min kien qed imexxi d- diskursata staqsa jekk g andux xi vizzji, b al tax-xorb u meta t-tifel qallu li le g ax jixrob xi flixkun birra kultant, ari lu kopja tal-pa na tal-facebook li kien jurih flimien ma s abu bil-fliekxen tal-birra f idejhom u o rajn madwarhom. Imbg ad qallu, jekk xi add ji i biex juωa s-servizzi tal-kumpanija tag na u jara ritratt tieg ek b al dawn, x impressjoni ta seb li jie u? It-tifel baqa alqu miftu u pprova jispjega li dik kienet eççezzjoni. Ma giex mag Ωul g all-post tax-xog ol u t-tifel ja seb li dik kienet ir-ra uni li falla. Darb o ra bieb li jg ixu l-ingilterra raw artiklu fuq l-internet imωewwaq b ritratti ta xi tfal li kien jg id li qed jin abru l-flus biex itaffu t-tbatjiet ta tfal b al dawk u li qed ji u abbandunati. Fost it-tfal kien hemm tifla tag hom ta tlett snin. Kien ritratt li kienu tellg u fuq il-facebook u ie misruq minn hemm. Óag o ra li ma nistax inniωωel hi meta nara nies li fuq il-facebook page tag hom stess jawguraw lil marthom/ωew hom jew lil uliedhom talli jkunu g alqu sninhom. Possibbli li nies b al dawn g andhom g alfejn juωaw il-midja soçjali biex jawguraw lil marthom jew lil uliedhom li jg ixu mag hom? Affarijiet b al dawn inqishom b ala injoranza grassa u uωu aωin tal-midja soçjali. Possibli li ma jifhmux kemm ikunu qed jidhru redikoli b dan il-mod? Na seb li a na l- enituri g andna nkunu responsabbli biωωejjed biex mhux biss noqog du attenti a na imma wkoll inwissu lil uliedna. Jikteb l-eks Konslu Malti f Melbourne Charles Mifsud (eks Konslu Ìenerali Malti f Melbourne, Victoria) jikteb: Kif Ωgur li tiftakru, sa Settembru 2013 jien kont Konslu Ìenerali ta Malta f'melbourne. Dak iω-ωmien kont nie u gost afna naqra ll-gazzetta The Maltese Herald. Ìara li spiççat, u bdejtu tippubblikaw dan il-magazine, The Voice of the Maltese. G all-bidu, anke wara li iet itterminata l- kariga tieg i f'melbourne, kont nircevi l- magazine elettronikament. B'dispjacir kbir ma bqajtx nirçevieh Qed nikteb biex jekk inhu possibbli ter g u tibdew tinkluduni fiç-çirkulazzjoni tal-magazine, b alma bqajt nirçevi newsletters u gazzetti o ra mill-awstralja. IΩ-Ωmien li qattajt mal-komunita` Maltija f'melbourne baqg u f''qalbi. Kien Ωmien li tani sodisfazzjon kbir fil-karriera twila tieg i fis-servizz çivili Malti u assejt li l-maltin ta' Melbourne b'mod speçjali apprezzaw ixxog ol kbir li g amilt. NOTA: Óajr lis-sur Mifsud tal-apprezzament. Il-Voice ma kienx baqa jirçeviha min abba li spiçça mill-kariga ma kellniex l-indirizz elettroniku tieg u l- did. Imm issa li bag tulna jibqa Ωgur li b all-eluf l-o ra se tkompli tirçevi The Voice.

9 Tuesday May 10, 2016 The Voice of the Maltese 9 Is-Sittin sena mill-wasla tal-arosa Kulm ftit tax-xhur ilu kont ktibt artiklu li ie ppubblikat fuq The Voice of the f Melbourne Maltese Nru. 106, dwar il-vja storiku tal- Arosa Kulm f Melbourne b 511-il emigrant Malti fuqu. Il-vja, li ma tantx tista tg id li kien tajjeb X i kien telaq minn Malta fis-6 ta April tal Wara xahar ba ar, il-vapur kien wasal fl-ewwel port fl- Awstralja, Frementle. Dakinhar kul add kien fer an li wasal l-awstralja u fi ftit jiem o ra kienu se jaslu Melbourne. Imma ara li meta saru xi spezzjonijiet fuq ilvapur, sabu li d-dg ajjes tas-salvata, ma kienux f kundizzjoni tajba u l-vapur dam fil-port amest ijiem sakemm id-dg ajjes issewwew. Il-Maltin kienu diωappuntati afna tant li afna minnhom kienu qed ja sbuha jekk jitilqux ilvapur u jmorru fid-destinazzjoni tag hom, f Melbourne jew Sydney, bil-ferrovija. Imma vja b al dan kien se jqumilhom ftit flus mhux aωin u xorta kienu se jdumu xi tlett ijiem biex jaslu. Wara laqg at ma uffiçjali tal-emigrazzjoni ilpassi ieri kienu aççettaw li jistennew li jissewwew id-dg ajjes u jibqg u fuq il-vapur, u fit-8 am tas-16 ta Mejju l- Arosa Kulm da al Port Phillip Bay u ankra fi Station Pier, Port Melbourne. Waqt li l-vapur kien f Melbourne, re g u nqalg u problemi o ra, din id-darba ta finanzi u l-vapur salpa g al Auckland, New Zealand, filwaqt li l-passi ieri li kellhom imorru Sydney, marru hemm bil-ferrovija. Wara ames img at li telqu minn Malta, sa fla ar l-emigranti Maltin kienu ssettiljaw fl Awstralja. Óija Tony kien wie ed minn dawk fuq dan il-vja li a 46 jum. Jien naf kemm il- enituri tieg i kienu nkwetaw meta domna tant Ωmien biex nie du a baru. Kul add beda ja seb li l-vapur kien intilef. L- Arosa Kulm kien ie skrapjat fi Bruges fil- Belgju fl Wa da mill-passi ieri Maltin fuq dan il-vja, kienet Rosemary Attard, dakinhar ta 16-il sena, li kienet flimkien mall-familja tag ha. Dan l-a ar Rosemary g amlet kuntatt mieg i u qaltli li ser ti i organizzata laqg a b ikla o Hylands Hotel, Grand Boulevarde, Craigieburn, nhar it-tnejn, 16 ta Mejju min nofsinhar il quddiem biex ifakkru dan il-vja 60 sen ilu. Join us on The Voice of the Maltese facebook page: Find us on: facebook.com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese/ L-Arosa Kulm Jekk hemm fost il-qarrejja jew tafu b xi add li kien f dak il-vja tal- Arosa Kulm u huwa nteressat li jiltaqa ma o rajn li wkoll kienu fuq dan l-istess vapur, jistg u jikkuntattjaw li Rosemary Attard mill-aktar fis billi jçemplulha fuq (03) PaulVella

10 10 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday May 10, 2016 version of this series in English may be found in the author's blog at: pot.com A Perspettiva Il-Panama Papers u l-politika kitba ta IVAN CAUCHI F dawn l-a ar img at kellna l-'a bar' li ew Ωvelati dokumenti fuq kwaωi kwart ta' miljun entitajiet offshore. Dawn l-entitajiet kienu stabbiliti minn kumpannija legali fil- Panama, Mossack Fonseca, fuq medda ta' erbg in sena. Dawn id-dokumenti ew Ωvelati mill-international Consortium of Investigative Journalists. 1 Biex naraw g alfejn dan kollu hu relevanti, irridu nifhmu x'inhu l-offshore u g alfejn jintuωa. L-International Monetary Fund tg id li çentru finanzjarju jissejja offshore meta jkun parti minn urisdizzjoni fejn in-negozju jsir primarjament minn entitajiet li mhumiex residenti, fejn il-valur tat-transazzjonijiet u/jew tal-assi (b all-proprjetà) huma afna ikbar minn dawk g al skopijiet domestiçi (residenti), u fejn dawn iç-çentri joffru xi wa da jew iktar minn taxxi baxxi (jew Ωero), ftit li xejn regoli finanzjarji, segretezza bankarja u anonimità. 2 Il-Panama hija wa da minn dawn iç-çentri. O ra hija fil-fatt Malta, fejn din l-industrija iet stabbilita minn gvern Nazzjonalista fis-snin tmenin. Wara li Malta ssie bet fl-ue, iet mitluba, u aççettat, li timmodifika xi regoli relatati li kienu miωmuma li kienu ta' sara. 3 Madankollu, illum l-industrija offshore ta' Malta g adha b'sa itha, tant hu hekk li l-malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) tistma li fl-2014, 56% tal-assi miωmuma minn banek f'- Malta kienu miωmuma minn dawk li m'g andhomx konnessjoni mal-ekonomija domestika. 4 Dan il-proporzjon qed jonqos sena b'sena, g alhekk illum l-mfsa tg id li l-industrija marret onshore. Hemm ra unijiet le ittimi g alfejn wie ed ikollu kontijiet f' urisdizzjoni barra mir-residenza tieg u, madankollu huwa aççettat li r-ra uni ewlenija li individwi g onja jew kumpanniji kummerçjali jag mlu dan ikun biex inaqqsu, jew jeliminaw, it-taxxi li j allsu. Dan isir billi s-sid ta' attività ekonomika f'pajjiω ta' taxxa g olja jkun jidher li g andu residenza f'pajjiω b'taxxi baxxi. Mezz ie or hu li s-sid jew sidien tal-kumpannija inkorporata jkunu mo bija, fejn diretturi u anke dawk li jωommu l-ishma jkunu nominati, alli s-sidien a arija ma jidhrux. B'dan il-mod, l-attività ekonomika tista' ti i mo bija mill-awtoritajiet. Li ara bid-dokumenti minn Mossack Fonseca kien li ew mikxufin is-sidien a arija ta' dawn il-kumpanniji offshore, u dan kien jinkludi prim ministri u nies mag rufin o ra, li qajjem kjass madwar id-dinja. L-ammont ta' flus involuti globalment f'din l-industrija huwa astronomiku. Stima wa da minn ekonomista jismu Gabriel Zucman hija li $7.6 triljun, li jirrappreωenta 8% tal- id globali, huwa miωmum fiç-çentri offshore, u li l-ammont ta' taxxa iffrankati huwa ta' madwar $190 biljun fis-sena. 5 Biex iωωomm sens ta' kemm din il- a a hija kbira, biωωejjed tiftakar li l-mossack Fonseca hija biss ir-raba' l-akbar kumpannija legali offshore fid-dinja. Wie ed biss jista' jimma ina x'qed ji i mistur mit-tliet kumpanniji legali offshore li huma ikbar! Kull tant Ωmien, ikun hemm g ag a meta jinstema xi kaω ta' kumpannija multinazzjonali, b al Google jew Apple, li globalment i allsu persenta Ωg ir afna tal-introjtu tag hom b ala taxxa, permezz tal-uωu intrikat ta' dawn iç-çentri offshore. Dawn il-kumpanniji dejjem jiddefendu ru hom li qed jimxu skrupoloωament skont il-li i. Id-disgrazzja l-kbira hi li afna minnhom g andhom ra un, g ax b al ma qal il-president Amerikan Barack Obama ftit ilu, afna minn dak li jsir huwa legali, mhux illegali. 6 U l-li ijiet min jag milhom? Mhux membri tal-parlament, filparlament? U dawn x'qed jag mlu biex isolvu l-problema? Ftit li xejn. Ftit wisq. Diffiçli li wie ed jevita l-impressjoni li l- affarijiet huma kif inhuma g ax min g andu s-setg a li jag mel xi a a, ji ifieri l-membri tal-parlament, jippreferu li jibqa' kollox kif inhu. Forsi jaqbel lilhom, u lil min g andu l-kunfidenza u mid la biωωejjed li jorganizza laqg at biex jinfluenza d-deçiωjonijiet tag hom. Dawk li jg ixu bil-paga ma jiggwadanjaw xejn bis-sistema taloffshore, g ax b al ma nafu l-introjtu tag hom jitnaqqaslu t-taxxa tad-d ul qabel lanqas biss ma jkunu rçevew iç-çekk. Jiggwadanjaw dawk l-individwi u istituzzjonijiet kummerçjali li t-taxxa fuq l-introjtu tag hom tiddependi biss fuq dak li jiddikjaraw fil-karta tat-taxxa tag hom darba fis-sena, u li jag Ωlu li jirristrutturaw il-finanzi tag hom biex il- id tag hom ji i ma Ωun 'il bog od minn fejn issir l-attività ekonomika. G al min hu bil-paga, din il- a a lanqas tista' ssir. Tbissimt naqra ftit id-dibattitu li sar Malta dan l-a ar dwar dan is-su ett, wara li ie Ωvelat li xi membri tal-gvern issemmew fiddokumenti li ar u mill-panama. Sar diskors dwar il-moralità u n- nuqqas ta' g aqal tal-a ir tag hom, imma g alija il-punt huwa ie or. Ma jidher li hemm xejn illegali f'dak li g amlu. Jekk l-a ir tag hom huwa tant repre ensibbli, g alfejn m'hemmx li i kontrih? M'hemm xejn xi jωomm lill-membri tal-parlament milli jg addu li ijiet fl-interess tal-pajjiω, kif suppost li qed jag mlu. M'hemm xejn li jωomm lill-gvernijiet milli ja dmu flimkien biex isibu soluzzjoni globali, li tirrifletti n-natura globali tal-problema. M'hemm xejn li jωomm lill-oppoωizzjoni milli twarrab il-parti janiωmu u tappo ja riforma proposta tal-gvern f'dan il-qasam. G alfejn s'issa dan ma sarx? Fl-Awstralja wkoll dan l-a ar il-gvern abbar Ωieda sostanzjali fir-riωorsi tad-dipartiment tat-taxxa biex isegwu dan is-su ett. Hemm sinjali li din il-kooperazzjoni bdiet issir. Per eωempju, fla ar laqg at tal-grupp tal-g oxrin pajjiω l-iktar Ωviluppati, il- G20, kien prominenti pro ett imsejja BEPS li jfittex li jωomm lil kumpanniji multinazzjonali milli jkunu jistg u artifiçjalment jnaqqsu l-profitti f'pajjiω wie ed biex jittrasferuhom f'ie or. Jien niskanta kif il-gvernijiet ta' madwar id-dinja, li tilfu u qeg din jitilfu tant introjtu, allew din is-sitwazzjoni sse g al tant tul ta' Ωmien. Spiss nikteb li ninsab disilluω minn dawk li jirrappreωentawna filparlamenti ta' fejn noqog du. Lil min verament qed jirrappreωentaw? G alfejn hemm li i g al min hu g ani u b'sa tu, u li i o ra g all-bqija? G andna bωonn nag mlu g aωliet bil-g aqal fl-elezzjonijiet! Referenzi 1. key findings.html, retrieved 2/5/ retrieved 2/5/ offshore business sectors.html, retrieved 2/5/ MFSA Annual Report 2014, p the price countries pay for tax evasion exposed in panama - papers/, retrieved 2/5/ department panama papers mossack - fonseca us-investigation, retrieved 2/5/2016

11 Tuesday May 10, 2016 The Voice of the Maltese 11 The Maltese Community commemorated ANZAC Day 2016 in Australia with wreath-laying ceremonies in many cities. In Sydney, ceremonies were held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place and the grand parade in the city Members of the Maltese RSLSub Branch at the Cenotaph at Martin Place The Maltese Sub Branch of the RSL is given the opportunity to lay a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph on the eve of Anzac Day. LEFT: Mr. Charles Mifsud, the president of the Maltese Sub Branch of the RSL, accompanied by Doris Pocock is seen laying a wreath at the Cenotaph at Martin Place; and (right) Mr. Emanuel Camilleri, the president of the Maltese Community Council of NSW with his wife Theresa preparing to lay the wreath on behalf of all the organisations associated with the MCC. Pictures on left and below show members of the Maltese community in NSW marching in the ANZAC march. LEFT: the only Maltese brass Band in NSW, Our Lady Queen of Peace- Band, during the parade. BELOW, members of the Maltese Sub Branch of the R.S.L marching behind its banners and the flags of Malta and Australia. Photos by JosephDeguara

12 12 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday May 10, 2016 Roundup of News About Malta European Commission gives Malta the thumbs up by projecting country s Economy to remain strong The European Commission is projecting that following economic growth that was more than expect4d in 2015; Malta s economic performance will remain robust with a favourable macroeconomic outlook and a further decline in the budget deficit from 1.5% last year to 0.9% this year and 0.8% in 2017 The EC recognised that the deficit targets of 2.7 per cent and 2.1 per cent, for both 2013 and 2014 respectively, were met and further expects the deficit to continue declining to 1.8 per cent in 2015 and 1.5 per cent in It said that robust growth in private consumption, stronger investment and government expenditure in productive sectors were the main contributors behind the robust growth attained in In its analysis on the local economy, the Commission expects the main drivers of growth to be investment in a number of large-scale construction and energy projects as well as private consumption reflecting an PM reshuffles Cabinet: demotes one Minister and promotes another Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has reshuffled his cabinet of ministers following the demotion of Konrad Mizzi, from Minister for Energy and Health to a Minister without portfolio. The demotion comes in the wake of criticism for Mizzi s involvement in the Panama Papers issue. The Prime Minister himself will take the energy portfolio, and Konrad Mizzi will still work inside the OPM, reporting directly to him and given special tasks. Dr Chris Fearne who was Parliamentary Secretary for Health under Mizzi has been promoted to Minister with the same portfolio. Dr. Muscat has also reinstated Dr. Manuel Mallia, the former home affairs minister to a Cabinet post as Cabinet Minister to replace Dr. Jose Herrera as Minister for Competitiveness after Herrera was assigned the new role of Minister for the Environment. The latter ministry was vacated as Mr. Leo Brincat has been nominated to serve at the European Court of Auditors in Brussels. Brincat will also be vacating his Parliamentary seat on the ninth district and make room for a new MP, a position that needs to be increase in disposable incomes and favourable consumer sentiment. A substantial increase in EU funds absorption, mostly in 2015, is also expected to be a main driver of growth. The Commission expects the falling interest rates to ease access to finance for firms bringing about a reduction in the cost of financing for micro and small enterprises. Job creation and the unemployment rate are expected to outperform euro-area peers. The Commission expects the dynamic job Health Minister Dr Chris Fearne filled through a bye-election. Referring to Mizzi s admission to have opened an offshore firm in Panama to settle into an offshore trust in New Zealand, the PM said: The signs are clear that even though nothing illegal has taken place, we must send a signal. As to his chief of staff Keith Schembri (who faced the same criticism as Konrad Mizzi), Muscat said that his aide hailed from the business world, and was appointed to his position on the basis of personal trust, not public trust. creation to continue to contribute to the increased level of economic activity in Malta. The Commission is forecasting that as a result of increases in services costs, the rat of inflation will increase to 1.4% this year and 2.2% the next, adding that the deficit in public finances would continue to go down Reacting to the report, Minister for Finance, Prof. Edward Scicluna said he was very pleased that the Commission acknowledged investment to be the main driver behind Malta s economic growth. He added that economic stability in the country, brought about by good fiscal governance, is what has attracted and will continue to attract this investment. Government again defeats vote of no confidence motion (over Minister Mizzi) For the second time in just over a fortnight, the government has won a no confidence vote in Parliament. At the end of five hours of debate the motion was defeated by 36 votes to 31. This time the motion was moved by former LP MP, now Independent, Marlene Farrugia and seconded by the Oppostion NP against former Minister for Energy and Health (now a minister without portfolio), Konrad Mizzi for getting involved in the Panama Papers issue. Mizzi decided to abstain from voting; LP Deputy Leader Louis Grech was absent for health reasons. Speaking during the motion brought against him, Minister Mizzi apologised unreservedly for having opened an offshore company in Panama. He said that although he had no bad intentions in the matter, he conceded that his actions had cast a shadow on his work as a minister and that of the government. He said that what he did was in the interest of his family, adding that there was nothing illicit in what he did, but admitted he has a political ressponsibility to carry. He pledged his loyalty to the prime Minister and to work hard to make up for it. I will give my maximum to the country, he said. Konrad Mizzi was demoted from Minister for Energy and Health to a Minister without portfolio in the Prime Minister s office. He also resigned from Labour Party deputy leader for party affairs. Marlene Farrugia -presented motion of no confidence Konrad Mizzi - won a no confidence vote

13 Tuesday May 10, 2016 The Voice of the Maltese 13 Roundup of News About Malta Malta PM first leader to meet Libya Unity Govt P rime Minister Joseph Muscat became the first prime minister to visit Libya for official talks with Fayez Mustafa al-serraj, the Prime Minister of the UN-backed and newly formed Government of National Unity. Foreign affairs minister George Vella and other government officials acompanied him. The two leaders discussed a host of issues, with the main talking point being the reopening of the Maltese embassy in Libya, and with Muscat saying he return of Maltese diplomats hinges on security conditions. Dr. Muscat said that his visit was a show of support on a European level, and told Serraj, Malta and the EU stand with your government. On his part Serraj said that the two leaders also discussed migration, with the Libyan unity government head acknowledging the challenge faced by European Another investment worth 55m. Amemorandum of understanding between the Ministry for the Economy and Ablecare Oil Service Group has been signed paving the way for a 55 million investment that would develop part of the 175,000m2 former Malta Shipbuilding site at Marsa into a regional maritime, oil and gas industry hub. Ablecare, chaired by Mr. Paul Abela, was chosen as the preferred bidder to develop part of the 175,000m2 former Malta Shipbuilding into a regional maritime, oil and gas industry hub. After approval of the process by parliamentary, Ablecare expects a concession for a minimum of 45 years and maximum of 65 years. Economy Minister Chris Cardona said that the MoU is another important step in strengthening the country's potential as maritime hub of excellence in the Mediterranean. Ablecare, which specialises in the provision of oilfield services, will be establishing a Martine facility that is dedicated to the repair, storage, logistics and provision of shore support services to the oil and gas industry and the international operations of the maritime energy sector in general. Compared to 2015, in the first three months of 2016 Malta registered a massive increase of 12.7% in tourism arrivals, with figures from the National Statistics Office, NSO also showing an increase of 10.4% in total nights spent and a 9.3 increase in tourist expenditure. Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said that the numbers suggest that Maltese tourism was no longer reliant on the summer months. Between January and March, 281,341 people visited Malta staying more than 2 million nights on the island, and spending million - an average of 744 each. The figures suggest that Russian, Swedish, countries, saying that, Libya is a country in transition but migration is one of our main priorities. He also underlined the urgency of achieving peace and stability in the deeply divided country and expressed his eagerness for Air Malta to resume operating flights to and from Libya Following the meetings, Dr Joseph Muscat told a press conference, I know there is a huge demand for the return of the Maltese diplomatic mission in Libya but there are some prerequisites, namely The government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Air Malta that will open up negotiations leading to the sale of 49% of the national carrier s stake to Alitalia. The announcement was made by Tourism Tourist numbers up by 12.7% in first quarter of 2016 Swiss and American tourists are the most likely to splash out, with their average per capita expenditure topping the 1,000 mark. The data suggests Libyan arrivals spent even more, but the NSO urged caution in reading too much into the figures due to the small size of its sample. Italian and Irish tourists were the most modest contributors to the Maltese economy, spent an average of 549 and 645 respectively. Tourist arrival figures for March reflected the broader pattern for 2016 so far as 115,519 people visited Malta throughout last month, with 94,328 of them visiting for a holiday and the remaining 10,292 for business trips. the safety and security of the diplomatic staff and establishing a clear system of how things will proceed. On the flight back to Malta, the Prime Minister explained that the visit to Libya was a more symbolic one aimed at showing support to the UNbacked government. This was mainly a political visit to send a strong message that we recognise the GNA as the country's representatives, he said. ABOVE: Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (left) addressing the press with Libya s National Unity Fgovernment s PM, Fayez Mustafa al-serraj Govt signs MoU for Alitalia to buy 49% stake in Air Malta Minister Edward Zammit Lewis during a press conference. The government's intention is to keep the majority stake in the national airline, and great attention will be given to the future of the workers. The minister said that the MoU will lead to further and greater discussions on the details of the transition aimed at making a turnaround in the national airline. The agreement, described by the Minister as a win-win situation for all the stakeholders will be tabled in the House of Representatives, while a technical team will finalise details by July. The intention is to complete the deal as quickly as possible to start a new chapter for the national carrier. Zammit Lewis added that Air Malta customers will be able to benefit from Alitalia's partnership, and that this will improve the country's connectivity. He said it is also beneficial to the tourism industry, as more people from around the world will have a better connection with Malta. Etihad Airways owns 49% of the shares in Alitalia

14 14 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday May 10, 2016 Dwar il-politika? Ftit li xejn dwar dan is-su ett... lief li nistqarr li naqbel afna mal-pass li adet il-president ta Malta, l-e.t Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, li tibg at g ad-diri enti tal-partiti u tappellalhom li jωommu ftit lura alli ma jkomplux isa nu l- qieg a politika. Trid tkun tg ix f Malta biex tassew tifhem is-sa na politika li b alissa l-pajjiω g addej minnu. Óafna mill-poplu huwa mdejjaq mit-tanbir il- in kollu mill-midia dwar l-istess a a. Prosit ukoll lill-president g all-intervent tag ha mal-eks-deputata Laburista Marlene Farrugia, li kienet wa litha f mo ha li tattendi g all-manifestazzjoni tal-1 ta Mejju organizzata mill-partit Laburista... li kienet ma suba biex jing ata appo lill- Prim Ministru u l-gvern. G alhekk li jkollok persuna li tg id li se tattendi, kwaωi kwaωi biex turi l-oppost, huwa dubjuω. Ûgur li l-preωenza ta Farrugia, li dan l- a ar mhux biss ikkrikat bla rax lill-gvern, iωda sa ansitra tkellmet waqt attivita ta protesta organizzata mill-partit Nazzjonalista, kienet se to loq çerta tensjoni... li minkejja l-appelli kollha, xorta hija diffiçli li tikkontrollaha meta g al din ilmanifestazzjoni kien hemm stennija g al eluf kbar ta nies. F il-midja Maltija x aktarx li wie ed isib a barijiet negattivi fejn jid ol l-insib u l-kaçça. Sa ansitra hemm min ipin i lil Malta b ala xi post fejn l-g asafar u t-tajr huma maqbuda u maqtula l- in kollu. IΩda din mhix l-istampa kollha. Veru, li sfortunatament dak li hu negattiv donnu jag mel oss aktar mill-poωittiv, iωda ma nistg ux ng idu li poωittiv m hemmx ukoll. Fil-fatt g ad kif kellna Ωew rajjiet li wrew li fuq kollox hawn afna li jirrispettaw l-ambjent fejn jid lu l-g asafar u t-tajr, u proprju fi tmiem l-ista un tal-kaçça tar-rebbieg a dan l-ah ar qrajna li minn Malta g addiet passa kbira ta kuççard qatg a ta 150 Kokka tax-xag ri Il-President MLCP Dehriet panoramiçi me uda bir-drone, tad-dimostrazzjonijiet tal-partiti f Kastilja, tal-laburisti (xellug) u Nazzjonalista. Il-mod kif afna xebb u l-appo Botta u risposta G addiet il-festa tal- Ewwel ta Mejju... jum li fih isiru madwar iddinja jsiru dimostrazzjonijiet mill- addiema, u ud paçifiçi u forsi o rajn le, imma dejjem iridu jg addu xi messa. F Malta l- addiema wkoll iççelebraw bil-partit Laburista jie u l-okkaωjoni, alli waqt li l-gvern kien qed jiffaççja kritika min abba dawk mag rufa b ala l-panama Papers, isejja lis- segwaçi tieg u g al dimostrazzjoni (kien hemm min sej ilha show of force) favur il- Prim Ministru u l-gvern. Malli bdew jo or u r- rapporti u r-ritratti dwar din il- PoΩittivi wkoll manifestazzjoni xi kummentaturi li ma jarawx g ajn g al g ajn mal-gvern sostnew li l- attendenza kienet fqira. Ma kienx kumment g aliex malajr kien hemm min fl-istess gazetta fejn saru dawn il-kummenti tella ritratti mill-ajru (illum permezz tad-drone ritratti b al dawn huma komuni) tal-attendenza, kemm waqt ilprotesta tal-partit Nazzjonalista ftit tal-jiem qabel, u l-folla li attendiet g ad-dimostrazzjoni tal-partit Laburista. Billi d-dimostrazzjonijiet saru fl-istess lokal wie ed jista maljar ixebbah. U forsi g alhekk saru fl-istess post. tajra. Fortunatament din id-darba ma smajnix sparaturi mill-kaççaturi, li minflok g add mielu minnhom telqu l-arma minn idejhom, u minflok uωaw arma o ra, il-kamera tar-ritratti. A bar poωittiva o ra kienet dik li wara mitt sena, Kokka tax-xag ri (Short-eared Owl) bejtet b - suççess f Malta. Kien hemm Ωew kaωijiet ta bejtiet ta l-istess speçi fil-viçinanzi tas-si iewi u Wied Ωnuber f Mejju ta l-1906 u f Mejju ta l-1909 rispettivament. Fl-1983, ji ifiri 74 sena wara, bejta b' ames bajdiet kienet iet misjuba fuq Kemmuna IΩda dan ifisser li bdejna t-triq biex in arsu aktar l-ispeçi ta tajr u g asafar? Hemm minn jg id li iva. IΩda jidher li l-awtoritajiet mhumiex daqshekk fiduçjuωi, g ax kieku dawn ma na sibx li kellhom i ossu l-bωonn li g alissa ma jg idux fejn hi din ilbejta? Forsi g ax jibωg u li tista ssir sara lil din it-tajra?

15 Tuesday May 10, 2016 The Voice of the Maltese 15 Il-Kunsill tal-maltin li Jg ixu Barra I l-óamis u l-ìimg a li g addew ltaqa l-kunsill g all- Maltin li Jg ixu Barra (CMLA) fejn g al jumejn s a g add ta rappreωentanti tal-emigranti minn diversi pajjizi fosthom l-awstralja, l-istati Uniti, il-kanada, l-ingilterra, eçç. iddiskutew il-problemi u l-istennijiet tal-emigranti, kif ukoll g amel su erimenti g at-titjib li jixtiequ dawk il-maltin u l-g awdxin li jg ixu barra minn art twelidhom. Irid nag mel xi kummenti enerali dwar dawn il-laqg at. Is-CMLA huwa g odda mportanti f idejn l-emigrant Malti g ax dan il-kunsill ie mwaqqaf snin ilu bl-iskop li jissalvagwardja l-jeddijiet tal-emigranti u Maltin o ra li jg ixu barra l-pajjiω u biex jipprovdi dawk is-servizzi u ti ijiet tag hom. Dal-Kunsill twaqqaf permezz ta li i approvata mill-parlament Malti u g alhekk huwa g odda tajba f idejn l-emigrant. IΩda jidher li sfortunatament l-emigrant donnu li ftit li xejn jaf dwar dan il-kunsill u l-funzjonijiet tieg u. Jidher li anke f Malta ftit huma dawk li qatt semg u dwar is-cmla. Sfortunatament l-midja lokali wkoll ftit li xejn tati mportanza lil dan il-kunsill. Veru li meta jsiru l-laqg at ta dan il-kunsill f Malta, il-midja lokali tkun preωenti g all-ftu tal-laqg a tal-kunsill. Aktarx li l- emfasi tal-midja tkun dwar dak li jg idu l- persuni mportanti fid-diskorsi tal-ftu... u kollox jieqaf hemm. Il-poplu ftit li xejn ikun jaf x ie diskuss, jew x intqal waqt iddiskussjoni u x deçiωjonijiet ittie du. Jin tie li jinstab mezz biex dan il-kunsill u x-xog ol li jipproponi u jwettaq ikun aktar mag ruf kemm lokalment u aktar u aktar Jinbeda x-xog ol biex fi tlett snin il- olma tal-bormliωi ssir realta` I l- olma tal-bormliωi li belthom tikseb l- istatura li jixirqilha bdiet ejja g ar-realta` hekk kif beda x-xog ol fuq il-pro ett imwieg ed, ji ifieri li minflok il-bini abbandunat tal-baçir numru 1, isir kampus tal- Universita`. Dan hu investiment barrani ta 50 miljun mill-kumpannija ÌordaniΩa mag rufa b ala s-sadeen Group, li se tibni kampus ie or alistess universita f Ûonqor Point. Il-bini mistenni jitlesta fi Ωmien tlett snin u Il-membri tal-kunsill tal-maltin li Jghixu Barra flimkien mal-ministru George Vella f ritratt tal-okkaωjoni mill-mal tin li jg ixu barra, li l-aktar g andu jimpurtahom. Fuq kollox kif jg id il-malti l-g ajta nofs il-bejg!!! Kif wie ed jistenna, min-na a ta The Voice of the Maltese, lest jag tih l-importanza mist oqqa, did-darba wkoll billi ddedikajna pa na g alih. (Tag rif dwar il-laqg at tal-kunsill ssibuh f pa na 6 ta din il- ar a.) Kif se ji i meta jitlesta l-kampus tal-universita` f Bormla skont Chris Cardona, il-ministru g all- Ekonomija, Investiment u IntrapriΩi Ûg ar, li ie ppreωentat bil-pjanti u ie mdawwar mal-post qal li dan il-pro ett se jitfa flekonomija Maltija mal- 25miljun. Kif jitlesta l-bini jistg u jibdew jin iebu l-istudenti barranin. Skont il-perit inkarigat, Edwin Mintoff, l- ewwel xog ol, li huwa r-restawr intensiv fuq il-binja mag rufa b ala l-british Building, beda. G a m e l g a Ω l a Ó a Ω i n a R umen li ie Malta g al ftit g amel g aωla tassew aωina, meta biex jakkwista xi flus alli jer a lura lejn pajjiωu, fettilu jag mel serqa. Kien fuq tal-linja meta resaq wara passi iera u pprova jisirqilha l-kartiera. Li ma kienx jaf kien li l-mara kienet pulizija liebsa pajωan li jidher li kienet attenta g al reat b al dawn, g ax malli r-rumen abat se jda al idejh fil-but tag ha, atfitu u arrestatu. Tressaq il-qorti, u l-magistrat bag titu xag rejn abs. U g amlet sew g ax wasalna f sitwazzjoni li l-pickpocketing sar problema kbira, tant li hu l-aktar reat li se f dawn l- a ar snin. Óafna jsostnu li Ωdied bil-mi ja ta barranin minn pajjizi b ar-rumanja, il-bulgarija, eçç. Leo s Vehicle Rentals Guaranteed cheapest rates All vehicles in NRMA road Service Low holding Deposit Discount for weekly rentals Shuttle service to the Airport Phone: Mob: Kildare Rd Blacktown NSW 2148

16 16 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday May 10, 2016 A quick glimpse at Australia The high cost of detention at Christmas Island Australian taxpayers fork out $1458 a night for each person held at the Christmas Island detention centre There were 167 men held at Christmas Island Detention Centre at the end of February costing the public purse a staggering $243,000 a day, meaning that Australian taxpayers fork out $1458 a night for each person held at this detention centre - equal to luxury hotel rooms in Sydney and Melbourne boasting glittering city views and Steinway grand pianos. The expense is on top of spending on mainland detention centres, and the $1.2 billion cost of running offshore detention centres last financial year. In response to a question posed by Labor at Senate estimates, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection revealed the daily cost of keeping someone detained at Christmas Island was $1458. The presidential suite at the Sir Stamford hotel in Sydney's Circular Quay costs $1500 a night, and features Italian silk wall coverings, a Steinway Grand piano, mahogany writing desk and a Louis XV marble fireplace. Melbourne's Crown Towers Premier Club Suite, at $1400 a night, offers "unparalleled luxury" including panoramic views, floor to ceiling windows, walk-in dressing room and complimentary drinks and canapés. In contrast, a former Christmas Island detainee told Fairfax Media the facilities there were a one out of 10. Men slept in bunk beds in dorms holding 16 people. The rooms usually contained a small sealed window and were very dirty, very unhygienic. He went on to say that, The food is absolutely rubbish. You'd get mainly curry - curried beef, curried pasta. It's worse than hospital food, there is nothing to chew on. The chicken is old and undercooked. It's horrible. The man said the conditions had fuelled tensions among detainees, and contributed to riots at the centre last November The department also revealed it intends to spend about $7.1 million on extra security measures at the Christmas Island centre, which Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has said houses a hardened criminal population awaiting deportation after visa cancellations. It is understood asylum seekers are also held there. Labor's immigration spokesman Richard Marles said Australian taxpayers were left to carry the high cost of detention because of this Liberal government's inaction and incompetence. This government has had more than two and a half years to resolve this issue, but slow processing and the lack of a proper third country resettlement agreement have resulted in these cost blowouts, he said. Christmas Island, officially the Territory of Christmas Island, is a territory of Australia in the Indian Ocean, comprising the island of the same name. It has a population of 2,072 residents who live mainly in settlements on the northern tip of the island. The island was discovered on Christmas Day (December 25) 1643, but only settled in the late 19th century. A large part, 63% of the area of 135 square kilometres is an Australian national park.

17 Tuesday May 10, 2016 The Voice of the Maltese 17 Turnbull officially calls for Federal elections on July 2 P rime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Sunday fired the starting gun on one of the longest election campaigns in Australia's history by officially calling what we have been predicting, federal elections for July 2. The poll comes against the backdrop of a flagging economy and heated debate over sensitive political issues. Australian Budget 2016 Morrison targets super to fund tax cuts D elivering his first budget, Liberal Treasurer Scott Morrison labelled it a new economic plan for difficult times, scaling back the economic growth forecast from 2.75 per cent to 2.5 per cent for next financial year. Voters in Australia are being offered $4 billion in income tax cuts and $5.3bn in help for small and medium sized business in a bid to unleash more economic growth as the Turnbull government confronts a deepening budget deficit, wrote David Crowe. The tax relief is funded by a bigger-thanexpected hit to retirement nest eggs that will raise $2.9bn, along with a $2bn saving from a retreat on its higher education reforms and a $1.2bn saving from a delay to the families package at the heart of the last budget. Choosing the cuts and spending measures carefully ahead of the federal election, the government has added just $1.7bn to the budget bottom line over the next four years. The unemployment rate is expected to improve compared to December s official forecasts, holding at 5.5 per cent over the four years to 2020 rather than hitting 6 per cent next year. In an optimistic outlook likely to be challenged by economists, the Treasurer is counting on a jump to 3 per cent in real economic growth from to help take the budget to surplus early next decade. At such a sensitive time, none of us can become complacent or make decisions that could put our successful transition at risk. There is too much at stake, Mr Morrison said in his budget speech. The federal budget reveals deficits of $118.5bn over the four years to June 2019 compared to an estimate of $108.3bn in December for the same period, a $10.2bn setback that is mostly the result of another blow to the government s revenue forecasts. The deficit for the next financial year is now forecast to be $37.1bn compared to $33.7bn in December s budget update, a deterioration of $3.4bn. Highlighting years of failure in scaling back deficits, the coming year s deficit is now likely to be almost twice the $17.7bn prediction for the same year when Joe Hockey unveiled his first budget statement as treasurer in late an outlook that was criticised at the time for being too grim. Modest tax relief is being offered to workers earning more than $80,000 who risk moving into a higher tax bracket as the result of inflation - a bracket creep that will be prevented by lifting the threshold to $87,000. A worker earning $81,000 would get a tax cut worth $45 for the year if the cuts come into effect as planned on July 1. A worker on $87,000 and above would get a tax cut worth $315 a year. The business tax changes are the biggest single package in the budget, giving help to small and medium-sized businesses and ensuring that unincorporated businesses are better off when they cannot get the benefit of a lower company tax rate. The company tax rate will fall from 28.5 per cent to 27.5 per cent for small businesses. The group that qualifies for the lower rate will be expanded from those with turnover of $2 million to a new benchmark of $10m. Mr Morrison said: This will mean 870,000 businesses, employing 3.4 million Australians, will have their tax rate reduced. Superannuation tax changes are more sweeping than predicted and include a $1.6m transfer balance cap that will impose higher taxes on wealthier retirees whose balances exceed that amount. As expected, Mr Morrison is matching Labor policy by increasing super contributions tax from 15 to 30 per cent for those earning more than $250,000 a year. The concessional cap on super contributions will be reduced from $30,000 to $25,000 to limit the scope for people to put more into their retirement funds every year. As well, the $180,000 non-concessional contributions cap will be replaced with a lifetime non-concessional cap of $500,000 - blocking all Australians from depositing more than that amount in lump sums or a series of lump sums as they approach retirement. A quick glimpse at Australia Mr. Scott Morrison presenting the budget speech 2016 Shadow Treasurer s reaction Mr. Chris Bowen, The Labor Party Shadow Treasurer speaking to The Voice of the Maltese said the Budget puts high-income earners and big business before families and undermines Australia s future. The Liberals say this is a plan for jobs and growth but it s really a plan to deliver tax cuts for multinationals at the expense of Australian families, he said. He went on to say that the budget fails to set up Australia for the future by cutting services, cutting infrastructure, skills and education. The Budget is fiscal recklessness on a grand scale, proposing an unfunded and uncosted five per cent company tax cut over ten years, which has the potential to put Australia s AAA credit rating at risk. Mr Turnbull promised fairness, but he is so desperate to give a tax cut to the top end of town that he s changed the definition of small business. Australian families are the biggest losers tonight, he added. Individuals who earn the most will get a double tax cut someone on $1,000,000 will get a $16,715 tax cut tonight while three quarters of Australian taxpayers receive absolutely nothing. A couple with a single income of $65,000 with three children in primary school are $3,034 worse off a year and receive no tax cuts - as a result of tonight s Budget. A single mother with an income of $87,000 with two children in high school is $4,463 worse off per year. The Budget forecasts higher taxes than at any time while Labor was in Government, Mr. Bowen said, adding that it confirms the Government has lost control of the deficit, that it has tripled the deficit in three years, while debt continues to grow. At the same time, Mr Bowen said the Budget confirms unnecessary spending, including the Government s new $1,000 baby bonus.

18 18 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday May 10, 2016 Malta s capital, a hive of cultural activity leading to Valletta 2018 F ollowing the Valletta Green Festival last weekend, when two 400-year-old gardens in Valletta opened their doors to the public for the first time, in the coming days, Malta s capital will agin witness a number of other cultural activities all organised by the Valletta 2018 Foundation aimed as stimulating cultural, social and the economic regeneration in Valletta and the Maltese Islands. The activities are being held through collaboration, exchange and innovative practice, leading to the Maltese capital celebrating the prestigious title as European Capital in For three days last weekend, during the third edition of the Green Festival, that once again featured the Infiorata, a large carpet made up of over 80,000 potted plants, that brought a pop of colour to St. George's Square, the gardens of St. Catherine's Monastery, a 16th century building in Republic Street run by cloistered nuns, and the Archbishop's Palace in Archbishop Street were on show. Unlike previous years, this year's edition of the Infiorata had a special meaning, as the plants were in fact being used to reproduce the outline of one of the early plans of Valletta and its fortifications. This highlights the historical importance of this city, recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in Girls modelling clothes at last year s Fashion Week MICHELLE ROWLAND MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GREENWAY Proudly serving the areas of: Acacia Gardens, Blacktown*, Girraween, Glenwood, Kellyville Ridge, Kings Langley, Kings Park, Lalor Park, Parklea, Pendle Hill, Prospect*, Quakers Hill*, Riverstone, Rouse Hill*, Schofields, Seven Hills, Stanhope Gardens, The Ponds, Toongabbie*, Vineyard *Parts of 230 Prospect Hwy, Seven Hills 2147 Ph: Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au Meanwhile, cultural programmes, consisting of events and projects developed with various local and international communities, will keep on being organised in preparation for the year Next in line, are two events, namely, the Strada Stretta Nascente on May 13, and the Malta Fashion week between May 14 and 20. The Strada Stretta Concept in collaboration with Valletta 2018 Foundation will present Sandro Zerafa: Nascente, a performance under the artistic direction of Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci at Strada Stretta is a jazz homage to the great Brazilian masters. Paris based jazz musician Sandro Zerafa returns to his native Malta for a unique concert dedicated to one of his earliest loves Brazilian music. Together with Oliver Degabriele and Fred Pasqua, Sandro will pay homage to the pillars of Brazilian popular music Milton Nascimento, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Djavan and Caetano Veloso. Following that, for seven days, Valletta will provide an enchanting backdrop to the sixth edition of the Malta Fashion Week, the prestigious annual fashion event, and the Malta Fashion Awards that provide a space through which the talented individuals working in Malta s fashion industry may be recognised. This national scale event marks out Malta s growing fashion culture as a primary creative industry, a celebration of Maltese and international fashion which is given due attention on the cultural calendar. Last year, Malta Fashion Week, at a number of locations around Valletta, including the Renzo Piano steps at City Gate, Pjazza Reġina, and the newly restored Fort St Elmo, brought together local talent and established international designers. This year the newly renovated Fort St Angelo, at Vittoriosa (Birgu) facing Valletta, that has great significance to the Maltese people, will take a new role as the hub of the Malta Fashion Week. Various shows will be held in various strategic locations inside the Fort.

19 Tuesday May 10, 2016 The Voice of the Maltese 19 Tag rif dwar il-kitba Maltija F il- ar a tal-lum nissokaw bir-regoli u tag rif uffiçjali dwar kif wie ed g andu jikteb il-malti ma ru mill- Kummissjoni fi dan l-akkademja tal- Malti. Hawn g andna regola o ra. IS-SEBA REGOLA Bejn il-vokali ta sillaba u l-vokali tas-sillaba ta wara jrid ikun hemm dejjem konsonanti. G alhekk jag mel aωin min jikteb: mia, dia, tarbia, g alia, mistoqsia, fia, mg ollia, dua, hua, stasia, ferneωia minflok mija, dija, tarbija, g alija, mistoqsija, fija, mg ollija, duwa, huwa, stasija, ferneωija, fejn kull wa da, li titqassam f - dawn is-sillabi te tie li bejn il-vokali tas-sillaba u ta dik li ti i wara jkun hemm konsonanti: eω. mi-ja, di-ja, tarbija, g a-li-ja, du-wa, hu-wa, eçç. Il-konsonanti li tid ol bejn il-vokali ta sillaba u l-vokali ta o ra, tista tkun h, kif tidher f dawn il-kelmiet: deher, deheb, fiha, fihom, raha, bluha, kruha, sabuha. Din il-konsonanti xi w ud jibdluha mal-konsonanti g u o rajn mal-konsonanti j u xi drabi ma w jew u meta ta bat wara l-vokali i jew u, u g alhekk dlonk isemmg u u jiktbu aωin: fig a, adug om, sabug om, sabug a jew ukoll fija, aduwom, sabuwom, sabuuom, sabuwa flok fiha, aduhom, sabuhom, sabuha. Nag rfu g alhekk nag Ωlu bejn fija u fiha, bija u biha, g alija u g aliha. Fejn tid ol il-j, il-kelma g andha x taqsam ma jiena, u fejn tid ol il-h, g andha x - taqsam ma hi. Il- ens mara ta fih, bih, g alih tat-tielet persuna jissawwar biω-ωieda tal-vokali a, b al minn bieb, kelb ens ra el, g andna bieba, kelba b ala ens mara: g alhekk niktbu fiha, biha, g aliha g attielet persuna, ji ifieri g al dik li nkunu nitkellmu fuqha, waqt li fija, bija, g alija, biω-ωieda ta ja mal-partiçelli fi, bi, g ali, insawru l-ewwel persuna, ji ifieri dik li tkun titkellem g aliha nfisha. IT-TMIEN REGOLA Konsonanti mtennija ewwa l-kelma, dejjem timxi bil-vokali qabilha. B alma niktbu nsellmu, ngerrmu, nrabbtu, mtenni minn sellem, gerrem, rabbat, tenna bil-vokali qabel il-konsonanti mtennija, hekk ukoll nag rfu niktbu kelmiet b al dawn: ng allmu minn g allem, ng addi minn g adda, ng abbu minn g abba u mhux nag llmu, nag ddi, nag bbu, ming ajr vokali qabel l-ittri l, d u b imtennijin. Fil- ar a li jmiss nittrattaw aktar regoli *Jekk trid tiççekja l-kitba, it-tifsir talkliem Malti u t-traduzzjoni g all-ingliω issa tista tid ol fuq id-dizzjunarju tal- Maltin online. Is-sit huwa: Biex tikteb Malti tajjeb Il-konjugazzjoni tal-verbi (Mudelli) Fejn g andha x taqsam il-konjugazzjoni tal-verbi, Illum se ng addu g all-a ar sitt eωempji fejn g andha x taqsam il-konjugazzjoni tal-verbi. Dawn ukoll huma meqjusa fost Jiena Inti Huwa Hija A na Intom Huma Jiena Inti Huwa Hija A na Intom Huma Jiena Inti Huwa Hija A na Intom Huma Jiena Inti Huwa Hija A na Intom Huma nibjad tibjad jibjad tibjad nibjadu tibjadu jiibjadu bjadt bjadt bjad bjadet bjadna bjadtu bjadu Verbi Mnisslin TWIELED TQIEGÓED STAGÓÌEB MOD IMPERATIV twieled twieldu nitwieled titwieled jitwieled titwieled nitwieldu titwieldu jitwieldu twelidt twelidt twieled twieldet twelidna twelidtu twieldu bjad bjadu dawk mag rufa b ala Mnisslin. B al dejjem se ji u wkoll ittrattati fl-imperativ u dak INDIKA- TIV, fl-imperfett (li juri g emil li g adu ma twettaqx), u l-perfett (li juri g emil li twettaq). tqieg ed tqieg du MOD INDIKATIV IMPERFETT nitqieg ed titqieg ed jitqieg ed titqieg ed nitqieg du titqieg du jitqieg du PERFETT tqeg idt tqeg idt tqieg ed tqieg det tqeg idna tqeg idtu tqieg du BJAD ÓÛIEN STAÓBA MOD IMPERATIV Ωien Ωienu MOD INDIKATIV IMPERFETT ni Ωien ti Ωien ji Ωien ti Ωien ni Ωienu ti Ωienu ji Ωienu PERFETT Ωint Ωint Ωien Ωienet Ωinna Ωintu Ωienu stag eb stag bu nistag eb tistag eb jistag eb tistag eb nistag bu tistag bu jistag bu stag ibt stag ibt stag eb stag bet stag ibna stag ibtu stag bu sta ba sta bew nitg atta titg atta jitg atta titg atta nitg attew titg attew jitg attew tg attejt tg attejt tg atta tg attiet tg attejna tg attejtu tg attew

20 20 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday May 10, 2016 Community C o NewsN e w s La Valette Social Centre Inc. Festa ta San Ìorg Preca 175 Walters Road, Blacktown. Tel lavalett@bigpond.net.au. Website: Il-Festa ta San Ìor Preca se ti i ççelebrata fiç-çentru l-óadd 29 ta Mejju b çerimonja li tibda fit-3.00 p.m. b riflessjoni fuq ajjet il-qaddis permez ta film b kummentarju bil-malti. Wara ssir quddiesa bis-sehm tal-kor ta La Valette u mbag ad il-purçissjoni bil-vara tal-qaddis. Se takkumpanja l-banda Maltija OLQP. L-g aqdiet Maltin kollha huma mistiedna u mitluba j ibu mag hom l-istandardi tag hom. Dawk li jixtiequ jattendu g andhom jg arrfu lil Frances jew liç-çentru sat-23 ta Mejju. Tel.: Readers can also request a printed copy of The Voice of The Maltese magazine by post I n response to a number of inquiries, The Voice of the Maltese wishes to advice that we can now supply hard copies in colour of our magazine to our readers at a price. So anybody interested in acquiring copies of the magazine can communicate with us personally or by to: maltesevoice@gmail.com. The magazine can also be delivered by post. As the cost of postage varies from state to state, one is kind-ly requested to get in touch with us to work out the details. The Maltese Community Council of NSW is conducting a computer class at Maltese Resource Centre 59b Franklin Street, Mays Hill 2145 NSW every Friday between am For more information contact Em. Camilleri: The Malta Community Chest Fund MALTESE CHARITY DINNER DANCE Saturday July 23, p.m p.m. Grand star receptions 499 Grieve Parade, Altona North. vic 3025 Tickets: Adults $65 Children $40 includes 4-coure meal, soft drinks, beer & wine maltese music - maltese brass band - raffle tickets silent auctions & major grand auction enquiries & tickets: contact daniel ; lourdes ; joe lordan.co@hotmail.com (donations also welcome) Proudly sponsored by: THE MALTESE GUILD OF SA INC. QUEEN S BIRTHDAY LUNCHEON Tuesday June 14 lunch served at 12.15pm at the Maltese Cultural Centre 6, Jeanes Street Beverley Lunch Menu will be on the radio and on the Notice Board later To book your lunch: Have your name listed on the Bookings Book when committee members come around on Tuesday s, or contact the President: Joe Briffa on or ; the Vice President: Mary Craus on or , Rita Bornhoeft: or or see anyone from the committee. The Centre and the Guild Bar will be open from 9.00am on wards. ALL ARE WELCOME ST HELENA MALTESE/AUSTRALIAN S.C.: Events 2016 MAY 14 SAT.: Get together St Albans. MAY 15 SUN.: Half yearly meeting Parkville. JUN. 18 SAT.: Get together at Holy Eucharist. AUG. 26, 28 (FRI & SUN): Feast masses at Croatian Church, Ardeer. AUG. 27 SAT.: Dinner Dance at Melrose, Tullamarine SEPT. 17 SAT.: Get together St Albans. OCT SUN.: General meeting at Parkville. OCT SAT.: Get together St Albans at Avondale Heights. NOV. 12, 13 (SAT & SUN): Concerts with Renato & Mary Rose Mallia (Also featuring the Cittadini from Sydney) DEC. 17 SAT.: Xmas function at Melrose, Tullamarine. METD OUTINGS th August St Maria Festa (Central Coast) $35/pp including morning tea 11th September Il-Festa tal-vitorja (City) $25/pp 5th October - 23rd Anniversary Luncheon Please support the Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day Committee by attending our fund-raising activities outlined above. For more info, call one of the members: Lina: ; Doris: ; Maggie: ; Maria: metd@live.com.au PO Box 93, Kellyville 2155

21 Tuesday May 10, 2016 The Voice of the Maltese 21 Community News Maltese Radio Programmes MELBOURNE, on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on Mondays 5pm, Fridays 5pm, Saturdays 10am.; Last Wednesday each month at 1pm. MELBOURNE on 98.9 North West FM, each Friday p.m. Presenter Emmanuel Brincat. MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 ( ): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese Magazine) & Thursday (Mer ba): 6.00pm to 8.00 pm Co-ordinator Ray Anastasi In SYDNEY, listen to the MCC radio programmes on 2GLF FM Saturdays 6 to 8 a.m. Martese Caruana presents Nostalgia Music; Sundays from am: Il na Maltin. Both available on demand. Follow same procedure as for MCC programmes, except select programe in reference. In BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Program on 4EB on Tuesdays am; Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm UNCLE SAM DJ (Maltese Radio) tune in to link: Listen to John Borg & Glenn Cassar every Saturday at 1.00 p.m. on RADIO 2RRR 88.5FM or on the Internet - www2rrr.org.au ON DeMAND The SBS MALTESE NEWS Tune In to Radio and Television 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 (On Demand >Ethnic >Maltese Council 11am) Il-programm ta sieg a nhar ta Óadd fil a.m. ikun fih l-a ar a barijiet minn Malta, muωika, tag rif, kultura, avviωi u su etti ta interess g all-maltin On SBS Radio Day Time Analogue and Digital Friday: 12:00-13: fm SBS Radio 2 Saturday: 14:00-15:00: 97.7fm SBS Radio 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. SBS Radio 2 is on Channel 38. The radio 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 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: 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 L-a barijiet tal-pbs (Malta) kemm bil-malti u wkoll bl-ingliω G alkemm il-pbs ta Malta tforni lill- SBS fl-awstralja bis-servizz tag ha, ilqarrejja huma m e a wkoll biex x in iridu jid lu fil-website: u jsegwu l-a barijiet ta Malta, kemm bil-malti u Il-website tkun a ornata l- in kollu bl-istejjer u l- rajjiet li jkunu qed ise u f dak il- in. Saint Nicholas Festa Committee Forthcoming events: SUNDAY July 3: Lejla Fil-Buskett & Car Exhibition. SUNDAY OCTOBER 16: Fiera SUNDAY December 4: The Feast of St Nicholas For further information contact: The President - Joe Fenech ; or the Public Relations Officer - Emmanuel Vella Kull qalb trid o ra Biex tipproduçi magazine b al dan, li wara kollox hu frott tal-passjoni li g andna biex inwasslu t-tag rif lill- Maltin barra minn art twelidhom, ma jin tie x biss xog ol u in, imma wkoll spejjeω. Biex jittaffew u ud mill-ispejjeω nippruvaw insibu sponsors alli jg inuna. G ad m g andniex biωωejjed minnhom, imma bdejna, u ta min jag tihom ajr. Kull qalb trid o ra, g alhekk in e u lill-qarrejja biex i ibu dan quddiem g ajnejhom u kemm jista jkun juωaw is-servizzi u/jew jixtru l-prodotti ta dawk li qed jirrek-lamaw/jisponsorjaw fil-magazine. Day Care Maltese Groups meetings in NSW Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Tuesday of the Month. Group meets in Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights. Maltese Seniors Central Coast Have to contact our Welfare Officer for an appointment. For all information and referral matters call Censina Cefai: or Daceyville Maltese Seniors Meets on 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 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 meet 3rd Wednesday of the month at New BCRG offices 15 Kitchner Parade, Bankstown NSW (opposite RSL Club). Every other 3rd Thursday they have an outing. For enquiries call Sam 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) mobile *(All Groups are Sponsored by The Maltese Community Council of NSW) with the assistance of Multicultural NSW. Please contact the MCC Welfare Officer: Marisa Previtera JP on The MCC offices are at 59b Franklin Street (corner with Young St) Parramatta West NSW (next to West Parramatta Primary School).

22 22 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday April 26, 2016 Community News 14 ORIGINAL SONGS WRITTEN BY JOE APAP CONTACT JOE: PHONE: We can now supply hard copies of The Voice of the Maltese at a price, at any state. It can also be sent by post. As the cost of postage varies from state to state, kindly get in touch with us to work out the details. to: maltesevoice@gmail.com IL-MALTESE BOWLERS SOCIAL GROUP TA NSW Jistiednu nisa u r iel Maltin li j obbu l-lawn bowls biex jing aqdu mag hom, jie du sehem fil-log ob u jag mlu bieb odda. Jilqg u wkoll lil dawk li jixtiequ jitg allmu jilag bu dan l-isport. Dawn jing ataw lezzjonijiet b xejn. Jilag bu log ba lawn bowls darba fixxahar fir-rosehill Bowling Club u klabbs o ra. G al aktar tag rif çemplu lis-segretarju, Tony Pace-Feraud ( ) jew lil: maltesebowlersnsw@hotmail.com Il-log ba li jmiss nhar il- add 15 ta Mejju fis-1.00 p.m. fir-rosehill Bowling Club. Óamrun Association Ltd ABN: Walters Road, Blacktown. Tel MALTESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF NSW A Division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc. lavalett@bigpond.net.au Website: Il-Hamrun Club qed g al darb o ra jorganizza Serata ta G ana Din se ssir fil-klabb f 100 Jackson Street, Marsden Park, nhar il-óadd 15 ta Mejju fl-4.00p.m. (Il-klabb jifta fit-3.00p.m.) Se jie du sehem l-aqwa g annejja u kitarristi ta Sydney Id-dilettanti tal-g ana u l-pubbliku in enerali m g andhomx jitilfu din l-okkaωjoni ta divertiment tradizzjonali Malti. Il-kçina u l-bar ikunu miftu in g ax-xorb u l-ikel G al tag rif: George Zahra: , jew il-klabb: Ejjew u tkun qed tissapportjaw lill-klabb tag kom Learn Maltese! Classes are available for students from 6 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. Classes at: HORSLEY PARK - SEVEN HILLS - LUDDENHAM For more information and enquiries Phone Or 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. Çelebrazzjoni Annwali tas-sette Giugno (7 ta Ìunju 1919) f Civic Park Pendle Hill NSW il-óadd 5 ta Ìunju fil am Ing aqdu mal-maltee Community Council ta NSW biex infakkru b solennitq` u qima din il- rajja storika Is-7 ta Ìunju hi festa nazzjonali f Malta. F dan il-jum il- ens Malti jfakkar meta 96 sen ilu rvella kontra l-okkupazzjoni militari IngliΩa u erba eroj Maltin, Manwel Attard, ÌuΩe` Bajada, Lorenzo Dyer u Carmelo Abela sfaw maqtula; 50 o ra ew feruti. Kul add hu mistieden, bl-g aqdiet Maltin im e a j ibu mag hom l-istandardi. Se jitpo ew ukoll fjuri fuq il-monument. The Voice: the most popular by far The Voice of the Maltese online magazine is by far the most widely read publication among the Maltese Diaspora, with subscribers from Australia, Canada, the UK England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ieland), Ireland Rep., Belgium, France, Italy, India, the Caribbean island of St Kitts & Nevis. But not only. It is also gaining popularity in Malta and it keeps growing with every issue.

23 Tuesday May 10, 2016 The Voice of the Maltese 23 S p o r t s s t a r t s h e re Adelaide United win A-League Grand Final Adelaide United completed one of the most extraordinary stories in Hyundai A-League and Australian sporting history by beating Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 at Adelaide Oval on Sunday in front of a home crowd of 50,119 spectators, the biggest for a domestic match in South Australia. Roared on by a boisterous home crowd, the Reds crowned an extraordinary season by winning the Championship in their third decider just weeks after lifting the Premiership. After a predictably tense and physical start the game exploded into life with two goals for Adelaide midway through the half by Kamau (21) and Isaias (32), handing the Reds a clear advantage going into the break. Neville pulled one back for the Wanderers on 58 mins. but Sanchez made doubly certain with a third for Adelaide (89). Winless and bottom of the league in Rnd 8, the Reds under coach Gui Amor galvanised their spirit, tightened up their defence and went on an unforgettable run that reaped the Premiership in a thrilling final round of the A-League a few weeks ago. Then they capped it all up by seeing off the Wanderers. For the Wanderers coach Tony Popovic, this was his third season finale in four years. In eleven season finals only Sydney FC in 2010 managed to win outside of their home state when they defeated Melbourne Victory at Etihad stadium, therefore as it turned out, history was once again on the home team s side, and Adelaide certainly obliged. Melbourne Victoria residents Rosemary and Wilfred Mula are the new Maltese Olympic Committee Representatives in Australia. Meanwhile, a Lawn Bowls Organisation, structured with a straight down the line delegated functional responsibility is already in operation and is set as follows. For the moment John Zammit of Victoria is the Convener and administrator responsible to the Representatives in Australia. San Ìiljan Winter Waterpolo League Champs For the second time in the club s history, San Ìiljan have been crowned 2016 BOV waterpolo league champions following an 11-8 victory over Sliema in a decider. In so doing, San Ìiljan also avenged their 6-7 defeat against the same opponents six days earlier who on their part had managed to force the decider. New Maltese Olympic Committee Representatives in Australia Adelaide United, the new A-League champions after beating Western Sydney in the Grand Final Joe Saragozza of NSW is the National General Manager, and has been delegated the administration and management of the Technical Section, with Joe Attard of Victoria and Frank Vella of Queensland as as assistant Managers. There are already 12 players with Premier and Commonwealth Games experience. An invitation isbeing extended to any of the organisation s members with similar qualifications to join by contacting Tony Pace-Feraud: Tel.: for more information. On their way to victory and the success, the second one since 1995, the game also produced a hero, Dino Zammit, who scored five of the goals. After the presentation of the trophy by ASA president Joe Caruana Curran, San Ìiljan have set themselves the task to also repeat last season s feats when they won the summer league and the KO competition. This year s championship (Summer) campaign, opens on Friday, June 10 with the clash between Sliema and Valletta. Gold for young Maltese shooter Young Double Trap Shooter Nathan Lee Xuereb (below) won gold at the ISSF Junior World Cup held in Suhl, Germany. Xuereb, who was taking part in his third championship in succession, produced a high level standard of shooting to first quaify for a semi-final shoot-off with Italy s Andrea Galesso, which he won, and then win the for gthe gold medal with a British shooter James Dedman aftr tieing for first. The Maltese lad won the shoot off with the same competitor with 29 hits from a possible 30 against Deman s 24.

24 24 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday April 26, 2016 S p o r t s Valletta players and supporters celebrating after the presentation of the BOV trophy. Photo: Christine Borg How Valletta won their 23rd title Valletta FC celebrated the winning of their 23rd League title, as only they know how. Having won the title by virtue of Birikirkara s victory over outgoing Champions Hibernians the previous week, and following the Malta Football Association s rejection of the Paolites protest against the result of their loss against Birkirkara, Valletta played the season s final match against the same Hibernians without any worries. They drew the game 1-1 to wrap up the campaign four points ahead of their rivals. The final whistle and the presentation of the Premier trophy gave the Valletta club and their supporters the chance to start celebrating from the National Stadium at Ta Qali to the Maltese capital in a feast that lasted deep into the night. Valletta, under Paul Zammit who returned to coach them after leaving Birkirkara, did not start the campaign as favourites. Despite winning their first three matches they did not look that equipped to do much. They then suffered their first defeat of only four throughout the season, against Balzan and also the next one against Hibernians. Valletta won the next four but their form again dipped as they lost points in a draw with Mosta and defeat against newly promoted Pembroke to finish the first round in third place with 22 points, three behind then leaders Hibs and one behind Balzan. But as the season progressed, so did Valletta and in the second round they collected 31 points, dropping only two points in a draw to finish the first stage with 53 points, three ahead of Hibs and eight better off than third-placed Balzan. Thus they started the third stage when points are halved with a lead of just two points. In the decisive second stage Valletta suffered their fourth defeat, against Floriana but still garnered more points than the other title chasers except Birkirkara to Hibs 24, Birkirkara s 28 and Balzan s 18. Balzan therefore lost third place to Birkirkara. All four teams therefore qualified for a place in UEFA s competitions, Valletta in the Champions League and the other three in the Europa League. Bottom team Qormi and Naxxar were relegated while St Andrews earned the right to fight for survival in a playoff match with Senglea, the third-placed team in Division 1. They can escape the drop with a win. For Senglea it would give them promotion. FA Trophy final on May 14: Sliema W. v Balzan The 2015/16 season comes to an end on May 14 with the FA Trophy final to between 20-times winners Sliema and Balzan, in their first final. Sliema qualified with a 1-0 win over Birkirkara in their semi-final, while Balzan defeated Pembroke 3-1 in extra time in the other. In Rd 8 of the PS4NPL the Eagles of Parramatta seemed to have regained their form with a 2-1 away win over Bonnyrigg, but then lost it again in Rd 9 by losing home to Hakoah 2-4. Parramatta dominated play in the first half, but could only score once, through Gosue Sama (34h) who levelled after Hakoah had taken a seventh-minute lead. In the second half Hakoah came out firing scoring three goals in quick succession putting the game out of the Eagles reach, particularly Premier League Final day s results Round 33 Valletta v Hibernians Balzan v Birkirkara Tarxien R. v Floriana Pembroke v Mosta Sliema W. v Naxxar L. St Andrews v Qormi Final Standing from 33 matches 53pts Valletta; 49 Hibernians; 47 Birkirkara; 44 Balzan; 29 Floriana; 35 Tarxien; 30 Sliema W; 24 Pembroke; 22 Mosta; 13 St Andrews; 12 Naxxar; 9 Qormi Mixed fortunes for Parramatta RESULTS - DAY 9 Parramatta v Hakoah C Blacktown C v Blacktown S Sydney O v Wollongong Sydney U v Bonnyrigg Manly U v APIA Sutherland v Rockdale DAY 8 Bonnyrigg v Parramatta Rockdalev Blacktown C Blacktown S v Manly U Hakoah v Sydney Oly APIA v Sydney U Wollongong v Sutherland after a Tomislav Mijic own goal. Two more goals followed with the fourth one coming from a defensive blunder, while Luke Grima (87th) scored a superb goal for Parramatta for a more respectable result. A minute s silence was held prior to the fixture in memory of former Eagles cofounder and president Victor Buttigieg who died on Saturday. Green Gully now third In the PS4 NPL2 in Victoria Green Gully FC returned to victory. After losing in Rd 10 to Bentleigh 2-1, the regained form Saturday on home ground beating Oakleigh Cannons 5-0 that shot them to share third place in the league ladder with Heidelberg on 20 points. Lambadaridis (65) scored their goal against Bentleigh, while Taseski, Boland, Christodoulou, Krousoaratis and Ragusa got their tallies in the 5-0 win over Oakleigh. In the PS4 NPL 2 East, Sunshine George Cross just cannot find their feet and are still looking for their first victory from 11 outings. Rounds 10 and 11 have once again been quite disappointing as they conceded four goals in each of their matches, losing 4-1 at Dendenong and 4-0 at home to Box Hill.