On Tuesday Parliament’s Budget Vote comes up for debate in plenary sittings of the National Assembly (NA) and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and on Wednesday the Presidency’s Budget Vote comes up for debate in a plenary sitting of the NA.
The Presidency’s Budget Vote will be debated over two days, Wednesday and Thursday at the end of which the President is expected to reply to the debate.
On Friday the NA will consider the Budget Vote Schedule and all political parties will again have an opportunity to raise questions on budget votes already debated. Parties will also be able to make statements.
The period following the general election in May has not been a routine Parliamentary one. First the fifth democratic Parliament had to be established and then Parliament has had to focus on considering and passing the Appropriation Bill. Parliament is legally obliged to consider and pass the Appropriation Bill by 31 July 2014.
Since the fourth democratic Parliament, the budget process has assumed a 12 months cycle and has placed greater responsibility on Parliament.
The Parliamentary Budget Office, established during the fourth democratic Parliament, has so far worked with the Appropriations and Finance Committees. However, its work will expand to other committees after this round of Budget Votes.
In addition to the budget process, Parliament has also had to schedule time to address key issues that could not be finalised before the May election.
These include the revised code of ethical conduct and disclosure for Members of the NA and Permanent Delegates to the NCOP. The NCOP adopted the revised code before the election and the NA has revived it for consideration on 29 July.
The Financial Management of Parliament Amendment Bill has also been revived for the NA’s consideration. The bill amended some provisions to the original act of 2009, which enabled Parliament to manage its financial affairs in a manner in keeping with the legislature being a separate branch of the state.
The NCOP approved the bill before the elections - with amendments - and this required it to be sent back to the NA for consideration. The Standing Committee on Finance agreed to the amended bill on 15 July and a plenary sitting of the NA will now consider it.
To keep up to date with the work of Parliament, please go to the daily Parliamentary Papers - Parliamentary Programme Order Papers, Minutes of Proceedings, ATCs.
