Spend with efficiency: last rites, not bailouts, for mortally wounded SOEs.
The budget speech delivered by GOOD MP, Shaun August on 12 June to the National Parliament:
12 June 2020
Honourable members…
Once again, as we consider the appropriations budget today in the shadow of our nation’s biggest ever public health and fiscal crisis, let us learn from history’s lessons and put peoples’ lives first.
Last year GOOD called on Government to manage the Division of Revenue Bill with more transparency and accountability by putting systems in place to prevent and detect corruption. This year, the Covid 19 virus has fundamentally changed our spending priorities.
As we mount our defence systems to navigate the disaster we must be sure to leave no room for opportunistic officials to siphon any funds to themselves.
We must be sure that we don’t just make the best decisions to retard this virus’ journey, but that departments spend funds with which they are entrusted with maximum efficiency.
Bailing out mortally wounded SOEs instead of reading them the last rites is not spending with maximum efficiency.
Honourable Chairperson…
We know that Covid-19 does not recognise national borders or social class.
But we also know that it is poorer citizens who lack the basic resources to fight it; who live like sardines in cans, who are forced to use public transport, who do jobs that cannot be done online, who are more vulnerable to transmission – and therefore death.
The Appropriations Bill must unapologetically prioritise our most vulnerable people.
Much of our responsibility is also to industries that have crippled which speaks to small business who employ artisans, electricians, plumbers, brick layers etc. These jobs are the backbone for supporting families who are unemployed and seeking jobs.
Members…
Our decisions today will have a big say on the trajectory of Covid 19, our people and the economy.
Besides building a health system with the capacity to absorb the coronavirus’ most vicious punches, areas of vulnerability demanding particular attention include gender-based violence, and children and youth whose education has been disrupted.
I commend Minister de Lille for opening up Gender Based Violence shelters for victims.
Honourable Chair,
The steps we take to shore up the economy have to begin with job-creation, industrialisation, job-creation, infrastructure development, job creation… job creation.
But before we get there, prioritising the most vulnerable people begins with the provision of shelter, safety, clean water, sanitation and food security – for all.
Finally, I would like to commend government for the R500 billion to assist the most vulnerable in our society.
Ends