Kimisopa welcomes budget cuts

Shadow Finance Minister and Goroka MP Bire Kimisopa has welcomed belt-tightening measures foreshadowed in next year’s national budget by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
He said that yesterday when commenting on O’Neill’s statement on belt-tightening measures because of the country’s current financial situation.
“I certainly welcome the PM’s announcement that there will be cuts in the budget,” Kimisopa told The National.
“That’s something that we in the Opposition welcome.
“Our only question to the Government –  are the cuts genuine?
“How real are the cuts?
“How deep are the cuts?
“Are you cutting where it should be cut?
“Or are you just making artificial cuts?
“That remains to be seen.”
Kimisopa said the country’s fiscal landscape had been severely altered over the last three years due to downturn of the economy.
“There have to be some structural changes done in terms of the expenditure side of the budget. I welcome the suggestion (by O’Neill) that there have to be drastic cuts but they have to be real cuts,” he said.