Speaker, South Africa has been awarded first place in the 2010 Open Budget Index, OBI, which is compiled by the Washington- based International Budget Partnership.
This internationally recognised index analysed 94 countries worldwide this year. South Africa came out on top, beating Britain out of the top place into third, and placing New Zealand second. South Africa scored 92 out of a possible 100 points.
The OBI is an independent, comparative measure of budget transparency and accountability around the world. It was started in 2006 by the partnership and is produced every two years. The latest index found only 7 of the 94 countries assessed had released extensive budget information. Up to 40 countries had released no meaningful budget information at all. This makes it difficult for the public and oversight institutions in these countries to hold government accountable or to have meaningful input into decisions on how to use public resources.
South Africa, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Sweden and the United States scored in the top tier of transparency. This is yet another confirmation that the country has, for the past 16 years of constitutional democratic rule, been in capable hands under the ANC-led government. I thank you. [Applause.]