Budget fails to embrace Apec, says Opposition

SHADOW Minister for Treasury and Finance Ian Ling-Stuckey says the 2019 Budget tabled by Treasurer Charles Abel fails to embrace the opportunities of Apec.
“So much has been spent on a Port Moresby-centred Apec,” he said.
“Now was the time to deliver the policies that could tap into all of the potential benefits of Apec and distribute them throughout PNG.
“This opportunity has been squandered.
“Instead, the 2019 Budget has dished up anti-Apec policies such as new taxes on trade and protectionist language.
“We have demonstrated that we are not being honest in our budget policy with misleading facts and hidden figures.
“This is a big-spending and fiscally irresponsible budget that abandons our new fiscal anchors.
“This is a disappointing day for the children of Papua New Guinea and the Government should be ashamed.”
Ling-Stuckey said the “alternative Government” supported Apec.
“However, we have not been supportive of the expensive way that it has been implemented with numerous questions about contracts that should be referred to auditors,” he said.
“Unfortunately, items such as the Maserati and Bentley have unnecessarily damaged our international reputation and raised serious questions from our people about Waigani’s priorities.
“There was some chance to counter these concerns with the introduction of good policies in the 2019 Budget, building on the ideals of Apec.”
He said he had hoped that there were going to be some major, even visionary announcements in this budget given it was presented just a few days before the final Apec leaders’ meeting.
Ling-Stuckey called it a two-faced budget where “sweet promises are not supported by facts”.
“Getting more investment into PNG, and providing more opportunities for our people to get jobs and higher incomes, meant putting better policies in place.”