Treasurer assures proper budget debate

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, October 30, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

TREASURER Patrick Pruaitch has assured the opposition that tradition would be maintained for this year’s budget with ample time for the Opposition to response to the 2017 National Budget to be handed down on Tuesday, November 1.

It followed a call of assurance by Opposition MP and Member for Sinasina Yongomugl, Kerenga Kua, who said with the comprehensive documentation that follows the budget presentation, ample time was needed for the other side of the house to respond sensibly to the government’s money plan.

“I was hoping that the 2017 budget would be introduced this week to allow the opposition at least one week to look at the volumes and volumes of numbers in there and justifications that go with it,” Mr Kua said.

“We need time to look at it to make sensible replies. Unfortunately it has not been introduced this week.”

“Could the treasurer give us the assurance that when he does introduce it next week, that we will have as is traditionally the case 7 days to look at his submissions and make sensible replies so that we can verify the integrity of the budget and then we can all pass it.”

While confirming the budget’s presentation this week, the treasurer said ample time would be given for the opposition to debate the budget.

“I can assure the honourable member and the house that the budget will be introduce and once introduced, as tradition prevails, we will give ample time to the opposition to debate the budget,” Pruaitch said.