MPs lack awareness on budget

THERE is lack of awareness on some requirements of the Budget when passed by the Government, economist and Institute of National Affairs director Paul Barker says.
“The budget document is the most important process which includes the three series of bills: the appropriation bills: bulk of expenditure for goods and services, Parliament and the Judiciary,” he said.
“And that’s submitting for the Parliament to approve the ceiling under which the allocation for those three entities to spend during the course of the year.
“But it does need a proper process of consultation, proper discussion, questions and a proper time to consider it before just approving it,” Barker said of the document’s first reading.
He said given the time frame of when the Budget was handed down which is around 2pm on a Tuesday, the Parliamentarian’s duty was to carefully study and examine its details.
“The fundamental duty of MPs is to read, understand, debate legislation and approve it. If you just bring it in and approve it in one go, then you are not dutifully examining and considering the legislation.”
He said the public paid money to the state in taxes, the government then spent that money, so it was important the public knew what they were giving the government money for.