The 15 point 2 billion kina Budget for year 2014 was passed in parliament last night.
Planning and Finance MinistersCharles Abel and James Marape, during debate, supportedthe budget and commended Treasury Minister Don Polye, saying it wasthe best and biggest budget for Papua New Guinea
The opposition describedthe O’Neill Dion government’s 2014 National Budgetoas being a ‘copy paste’ budget and that it’s a replica ofthe 2013 budget in whatthey describe, was a failed year of implementation.
However,the government benches, outnumberingthe opposition, said it wasthe best and biggest budget ever for the country.
National planning Minister Charles Abel boasted that for the first time, it was an all-in-one budgetowherethe Finance, Treasury and Planning ministries and departments put togtherthe recurrent and development appropriations onto one paper.
Finance and Education Minister James Marape also boasted about boththe 2013 and 2014 budgets.
Mr. Marape’saidthe 2013 deficit and GDP did not exceed government’s predictions, because of government’s disciplined expenditure in 2013.
He saidthe 2014 budget was also 1 point 8 billion kina higher than 2013, partly due to higher tax receipts on income and profits, consumption of domestic goods and services, and international trade.
He later explained futher aboutthe 2013 expenditure discipline tothe deputy opposition leader, as to why many MP’sdid not receivetheir 10 million kina DSIP funds for year 2013.
Those who joinedthe debate in support ofthe 2014 budget were Environment Minister John Pundari, Forestry Minister Patrick Pruaitch and Works and Transport Minister, Francis Awesa.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill gave his full backing for the 2014 Budgetosaying it continuedthe foundations laid in 2013,the year of implementation.
He saidthe record spending in infrastructure developmentohealth, education, and business development and SMEs was justiflied for the continued growth ofthe country’s GDP in 2014 and beyond.
The record 15 point 2 billion kina budget for 2014 was passed around 7:30pm last night.
Key allocations in 2014 include;
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Education – K1.5 billionHealth – K1.4 billionLaw & Order – K1.3 billionAgriculture and Small business – K777.9mSport – K368mThe remainder goes to special projects, programs and commitments such asthe NCD and Lae roads, 2015 Pacific Games, just to name a few.Parliament rose last night to endthe session for year 2013.
