Parliament’s budget vote will be debated in the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces at 14h00 on Tuesday, 29 May.
National Assembly Speaker Mr Max Sisulu, and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Mr Mninwa Mahlangu, in their budget vote speeches, will, among others, reflect on progress with issues dealt with in last year’s budget vote speech, including Parliament’s priorities, oversight and public participation programme and Parliament’s involvement in international fora.
The speeches will also highlight key developments planned for this financial year, some of which have already been announced. One of these is the appointment this month of Professor Mohammed Jahed of the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) to assist with establishing the Parliamentary Budget Office.
Professor Jahed, who has been seconded to Parliament by the DBSA, will work on establishing the office until the end of the year.
The Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act of 2009 (Act No.9 0f 2009) provides for a procedure to amend money bills before Parliament. This includes the national budget, which, until the Act was passed, could either be approved or rejected by Parliament – but not amended.
Section 15 of the Act establishes the Parliamentary Budget Office, which has the mandate to provide independent, objective and professional advice and analysis to Parliament on matters related to the budget and other money bills.
Photographers wishing to photograph Parliament’s budget vote debate in the National Assembly or National Council of Provinces Chambers and members of the media wishing to attend the post-budget vote debate cocktail should RSPV Nolizwi Magwagwa by 10h00 on Monday 28 May at: nmagwagwa@parliament.gov.za or on 021 403 2465 or 083 313 1323, copying: erandall@parliament.gov.za.
Please provide your full name, your ID or passport number and the name of the media house for which you work, this applies also to media who have Parliamentary access permits.
