ID SPEECH – PARLIAMENTARY BUDGET VOTE
2 JULY 2009-Honourable Speaker, this Parliamentary Budget Vote is being debated at a time in our country’s history where our people are being faced with immense hardship, including thousands of job losses.
LANCE GREYLING, CHIEF WHIP
Honourable Speaker, this Parliamentary Budget Vote is being debated at a time in our country’s history where our people are being faced with immense hardship, including thousands of job losses.
Our economy is straining, revenue is dropping and many of our essential services such as healthcare and education are not coping with the huge demands being placed on them.
It is important to bear this in mind, because it is simply too easy for us as Members of Parliament to shield ourselves from the harsh realities that so many of our people face.
We in the Independent Democrats believe it is imperative that Parliament asserts its leadership role during these difficult times, through both our words and actions, and that we are focused on dealing with the massive challenges in our society.
Our debates need to reflect this and Parliament needs to be a centre of not only ideas, but also action, where petty squabbles are put aside in favour of truly grappling with the challenges we face.
Parliament also needs to set an example by being frugal and cutting the fat from its budget.
In this regard, all luxuries should be done away with.
It is time to restore the standing of this institution in our society and we need to ensure that all the corruption scandals of the past are dealt with properly and put behind us.
We also need a greater level of transparency in our institution and we should amend the Act so that MPs can ask questions to the Speaker and Deputy-Speaker and not just members of the Cabinet.
Honourable Speaker, this 4th Democratic Parliament presents us with the opportunity to build a new institutional culture, one which the people of our country can look to for true leadership and guidance during these difficult times.
We dare not fail them!
I thank you.
For media enquiries, please call Steven Otter, ID National Media Officer, on 084 233 3811
Honourable Speaker, this Parliamentary Budget Vote is being debated at a time in our country’s history where our people are being faced with immense hardship, including thousands of job losses.
Our economy is straining, revenue is dropping and many of our essential services such as healthcare and education are not coping with the huge demands being placed on them.
It is important to bear this in mind, because it is simply too easy for us as Members of Parliament to shield ourselves from the harsh realities that so many of our people face.
We in the Independent Democrats believe it is imperative that Parliament asserts its leadership role during these difficult times, through both our words and actions, and that we are focused on dealing with the massive challenges in our society.
Our debates need to reflect this and Parliament needs to be a centre of not only ideas, but also action, where petty squabbles are put aside in favour of truly grappling with the challenges we face.
Parliament also needs to set an example by being frugal and cutting the fat from its budget.
In this regard, all luxuries should be done away with.
It is time to restore the standing of this institution in our society and we need to ensure that all the corruption scandals of the past are dealt with properly and put behind us.
We also need a greater level of transparency in our institution and we should amend the Act so that MPs can ask questions to the Speaker and Deputy-Speaker and not just members of the Cabinet.
Honourable Speaker, this 4th Democratic Parliament presents us with the opportunity to build a new institutional culture, one which the people of our country can look to for true leadership and guidance during these difficult times.
We dare not fail them!
I thank you.
For media enquiries, please call Steven Otter, ID National Media Officer, on 084 233 3811
