Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to Parliament
2 October 2006
The Minister of Finance Mr Trevor A Manuel, MP will present the Medium Term
Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to Parliament on Wednesday, 25 October 2006.
Journalists will be given early access to the documents in a media lock-up
under police surveillance in order to allow for a careful study and to assist
with timely and thorough coverage.
Lock-ups have been arranged both in Cape Town and Pretoria. To ensure and
maintain the integrity of the lock-up arrangements, it is of utmost importance
that no information contained in any of the documents prior to the lifting of
the embargo on 25 October 2006 is leaked, as this would seriously jeopardise
future arrangements for all concerned.
Lock-up arrangements
Cape Town: 100 Plein Street Building for Press Gallery Association (PGA)
members and Imbizo media centre for non-members
Time: 08h00
Pretoria: National Treasury Offices, 40 Church Square
Time: 08h00
While the National Treasury has a list of journalists who normally attend
lock-ups and media briefings, journalists are still required to confirm their
details with Lindani Mbunyuza on (012) 315 5645 or lindani.mbunyuza@treasury.gov.za
by no later than 14 October 2006.
Please note:
As no communication of any nature, either by telephone, e-mail or any other
means is allowed during the lock-up, we recommend that journalists who will not
be working on the budget story, work from elsewhere.
Journalists should also note the following:
* all office doors are to remain open at all times
* stories can be transmitted to editors ONLY from 13h00 (with full observation
of the embargo)
* cellphones are to be switched off and placed in an envelope
* no electronic mail can be sent for the duration of the lock-up
* nobody will be allowed to leave the lock-up before 14h00
* National Treasury officials will be available in case of any emergencies.
Refreshments will be served at 09h30 and 12h30. The lock-up will end at
14h00
Embargo
We expect the proceedings in the National Assembly to commence at 14h00.
Although every effort will be made to ensure that the Minister delivers his
speech at 14h00, the embargo ends when the Minister starts speaking.
All documentation will be available on our website (http://www.treasury.gov.za) from 14h00
Issued by: National Treasury
2 October 2006
