Budget tabling tomorrow: PM

THE 2023 National Budget to be tabled in Parliament tomorrow in Parliament will be focused on law and order, health and education, says Prime Minister James Marape.
“We have slightly increased funding for law and order to address ongoing challenges in the sector,” he said.
“We will also continue the free healthcare policy and the free education programme from elementary to universities and tertiary institutes.
“The budget will also focus on agriculture. We have put in a submission to invest in agriculture in a state equity partnership.”
Finance and National Planning Minister Rainbo Paita also said the Government’s priorities would be health, education and law and order.
“Education, law and order will come on board as a major intervention for us (government), health in a big way, and the economic sector in terms of downstream processing and the drive in agriculture and major flagship policies like Connect PNG,” he said.
“We also have commitments to major projects like PNG LNG, and the Papua LNG is also coming on board with K50 million Infrastructure Development Grants (IDG), and the Wafi Golpu mine.”
Treasurer Ian Lin-Stuckey is to table the 2023 money plan.
Marape said the Government would also make money available for the expansion of towns and cities.
“You will (see) an allocation for land mobilisation for urban area expansion,” he said.
“Certainly, Wau and Bulolo will feature in the consideration to modernise, extend and refurbish some of our cities and towns.”
Bulolo MP Sam Basil Jr said houses in his township were old and needed urgent repairs.
“Public housing in Bulolo can be preserved as historical relics as they are over 60 years old,” he said.
Marape said Housing Minister Dr Kobby Bomareo was working on a plan to give away old houses.